For many parents, a new baby is an adventure. And, naturally, you’re excited to take your little one on adventures of their own. But that first long-distance trip can be daunting for new parents.
How soon is too soon to travel for a newborn?
What should I bring when traveling with my baby?
These are great questions, and we’re here to help you with the answers. In this article, you’ll learn about the travel essentials to make your first trip with your baby as smooth and safe as can be.
When can I take long-distance trips with my baby?
If you can, wait to take longer trips with your baby until they’re at least three months old. This gives their immune system time to develop, and they'll be more at ease with car seat travel.
What should I bring when traveling with my baby?
No matter where you go, there are some supplies you’re guaranteed to need. While some of these items may seem obvious, it’s easy to forget something important in the frenzy of planning and packing as you care for your little one.
Basic Supplies
These include diapers, baby wipes, surface wipes, snacks, clothes, and more diapers. Seasoned traveling parents will tell you it’s wise to always bring a bit more of the basics than you need – especially diapers. You certainly don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you need to change your child and don’t have what you need to get it done.
Diaper Bag, Stroller Organizer & Changing Station
A well-stocked diaper bag and a portable changing pad are vital for any trip with your baby. Make sure your diaper bag includes essentials like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and extra clothes. A portable changing station ensures you have a clean, convenient surface for diaper changes on the go.
For many parents, a high-quality stroller organizer is another must-have for trips with their little one.
Baby Carrier, Stroller & Car Seat
Bringing a baby carrier, stroller, and car seat ensures your baby's safety and your convenience during travel. A stroller is perfect for longer outings, while a car seat is required for car travel. A hands-free baby carrier is another great call, if you can swing it. It allows you to keep your baby close while keeping your hands free for other tasks.
Blankets & Swaddles
Blankets and swaddles are indispensable when traveling with a baby. They provide cozy warmth, doubling as nursing covers, changing mats, or sunshades. Be sure to pack a few lightweight and easily washable options to keep your baby cozy and secure.
Nursing Pillow
A good nursing pillow can be a lifesaver during travel. It provides both you and your baby with comfort and support during feedings. Plus, it’s super useful for tummy time while you’re away from home. Nursing pillows help maintain a good nursing position, reducing strain on your arms and back.
Soothing & Teething Toys
Soothing and teething toys, including binkies and pacifiers, are essential for keeping your baby calm and content during travel. These items help soothe your baby’s discomfort from teething and provide familiarity in new environments. Pack a few of your baby's favorites to ensure a peaceful journey.
Bib, Feeding Utensils & Suction Plate
If your little one has started solids, a bib, feeding utensils, and a suction plate are crucial for hassle-free meals while traveling. These items help keep meals clean and organized, preventing spills and messes. A portable high chair booster seat ensures your baby can join you at the table, especially if your road trip includes a few mealtime pit stops. This makes feeding time smoother no matter where you are.
Toys, Books & Comfort Items
New toys are especially worthwhile, as they’re more likely to engage your child’s interest as opposed to something they’ve played with time and time again. Naturally, you should still bring a few of their favorite toys and comfort items to provide some ease during your time away from home.
Other Essentials
Don't forget other essentials that can vary based on your baby's needs, such as medical supplies, a bottle warmer, and a breast pump. Having a small first aid kit with medications and basic medical items is important for any minor health issues. A bottle warmer and breast pump ensure that feeding is convenient and stress-free, especially when you're away from home.
Destination Items
You may need unique items depending on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. For instance, if you’re at the beach or spending a lot of time outdoors, bring a hat, sunblock, and a means for shade. You’ll also want to consider stroller accessories like insect netting or a weather shield. Bring clothes appropriate for the weather of your destination.
Is there a baby travel essentials checklist?
Yes! To make things easier for you, we’ve grouped the above items into a handy checklist. We hope this makes preparing for your next trip a little easier.
Baby Travel Checklist
Most Important
- Basic Supplies
- Diapers
- Diaper cream
- Baby wipes
- Surface wipes
- Baby food and snacks
- Extra clothes
- Portable changing station
Very Important
- Travel
- Baby carrier
- Stroller
- Car seat
- Sleep & Nursing
- Nursing Pillow
- Lightweight blankets
- Washable swaddles
- Feeding
- Bibs
- Feeding utensils
- Suction plate
- Portable high chair booster seat
Important
- Soothing & Teething
- Teethers
- Binkies / pacifiers
- Toys, Books & Comfort Items
- New toys
- Favorite toys
Extras
- Toothbrush
- Small first-aid kit
- Medications
- Bottles
- Bottle warmer
- Breast pump
Destination Items
- Weather-appropriate clothes
- Hat
- Sunblock
- Means for shade (if outdoors/beach)
- Stroller accessories
What else should I consider when taking longer trips with my baby?
There’s more to long-distance travel with a baby than what to bring. Here are a few more tips to consider when taking your infant with you on their first big trip.
How are you getting to your destination?
Your mode of transportation may change how you have to approach your trip. While there are plenty of ways to travel with your baby, most parents will be traveling by car or airplane.
Road Trip Tips
Don’t rush it. Be prepared for a longer trip than normal. For longer trips, it’s a good idea to plan on staying in a hotel overnight and it’s better to assume you’ll need two days to reach your destination.
Patience is the name of the game, as you need to focus on keeping your baby safe, happy, and comfortable.
Take breaks every two hours or less. Babies shouldn’t spend more than two hours in a car seat at a time. You’ll need time to feed, change diapers, and take breaks for play or tummy time. If you’re hoping to keep a good pace, you can keep these breaks to 15-30 minutes, but longer breaks are typically better.
Plan your stops in advance, if you can. This should make things far more manageable.
Keep the baby entertained. Have someone join your little one in the back seat to play games and peek-a-boo. This will help pass the time for both baby and mom or dad. You can also try timing your drive around baby’s sleep schedule to take some of the pressure off.
Bring the right car accessories. Pop open car sunshades for windows are a great idea, as are car organizers.
You’ll also want a car mirror to keep an eye on your baby from the front seat. This can be especially helpful if you’re unable to have someone join them. Either way, it’s a must-have for road travel – even if you’re taking shorter trips.
That said, if your destination’s far enough… have you considered flying?
Air Travel Tips
Gate check your stroller. This can be helpful, as you’ll have it with you at the airport, making it way easier to get around. Many airlines will let you do this for free, but you should still check ahead of time.
Change your baby before you board. Aim to change your little one’s diaper as close as you can to boarding as possible. This can help you avoid one more on-the-plane diaper change, which should make life at least a little easier.
Feed during takeoff and landing. Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding your young one, proper timing can make the flight more restful. Aim to feed during takeoff and landing to help your child’s ears equalize.
Soft Sounds Baby Earmuffs can make air travel more pleasant for little ones who are more sensitive to loud noise.
Get your baby their own seat if you can. For a safer, easier trip, get your little one their own seat for the flight. You’ll be able to secure them in their car seat, helping them stay safe if things get a little bumpy along the way.
Ask which bathroom has a changing table. Changing diapers on an airplane is a necessary evil. Make things easier for yourself by asking the staff which bathroom has a changing table (if there is one). This can save you a lot of trouble mid-flight.
When traveling with an infant, patience and preparation are essential.
The mantra “hurry up and wait” is a good one to follow when preparing for a longer trip with a younger child. The more prepared you are, the easier your trip will be.
Of course, no amount of preparation will make traveling with your baby easy, but it can make things easier. This is where patience comes in. Keep your cool and remember that parents travel with babies all the time. You can do this!
With that out of the way, all that’s left is to pack for yourself. You did remember to pack for yourself, right? Right?
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