The Ultimate Baby Packing Checklist for Holidays away from Home

Are you overwhelmed with the thought of traveling with a baby for the holidays? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! As a new parent, it’s natural to feel anxious about packing for your little one, but with the right checklist, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable trip for the entire family. From diapers and baby wipes to sun protection and travel cribs, there are a lot of baby travel essentials to remember when it comes to traveling with a baby.

But fear not because we have created the ultimate baby packing checklist for holidays to ensure you have everything you need without overpacking. We aim to help you feel confident and organized as you embark on your holiday adventure with your precious little one.

The Essential Baby Packing List for Family Travel

Photo: Erol Ahmed

Babies require a lot of supplies, from diapers and wipes to formula, bottles, and extra clothes. Forgetting essential items can lead to a stressful and chaotic trip, especially if they are not easily accessible at your destination. A baby travel packing list helps parents stay organized and ensures they have everything needed to keep their little ones happy and healthy while on the go. So, what should your comprehensive packing list include? Grab a pen and paper and prepare to check off all the items as you pack.

Car Seat or Baby Carrier

A car seat or baby carrier is a must if you plan to take a holiday road trip. But you might not consider packing a car seat if you fly with a baby. Babies can be placed in their car seat to keep baby safe during the flight, or you can keep baby on your lap throughout the flight. If you choose to do the latter, a car seat inside a car seat travel bag can be brought along and checked with your luggage. But if hauling a car seat around the airport isn’t your cup of tea, consider renting a car seat at your travel destination. It’s convenient, and many companies will deliver your car seat to you at the airport so you can use it immediately.

Feeding Essentials

Do you want your baby hungry during a long holiday trip? Of course not! Knowing what to pack, depending on if you’re flying with a baby or driving, is essential for feeding baby while traveling to keep everyone cheerful. So, can you take the same feeding essentials on the plane that you can take on the road? Here are our suggestions.

What to bring if you’re driving:

• Sliced or mashed bananas
• String or cubed cheese
• Applesauce or yogurt pouches
• Baby-approved cereal bars
• Homemade muffins

What to bring if you’re flying:

• Pouches of baby food
• Dry cereal
• Yogurt melts
• Baby crackers

If you wish, you can bring along a travel high chair so baby feels more comfortable eating or rent a high chair at your holiday destination!

Stroller or Travel Stroller

Bringing a stroller when traveling with a baby during the holidays is essential. You never know when you’ll need it! Whether exploring a new city, navigating through airports, or simply strolling through a busy holiday market, having a stroller can make all the difference. It gives your little one a comfortable place to rest and nap and provides a convenient way to carry your baby’s essentials. Strollers take up a lot of space, so we understand if you’d rather leave it at home and rent a stroller at your destination instead. Either way, you don’t want to forget this important baby travel gear!

Sleeping Baby Gear

Most, if not all, parents would agree that having the necessary sleeping baby equipment on hand when sleeping away from home is possibly the most important thing to have on a baby travel checklist. If baby is used to sleeping in a full-size crib, they might not sleep well in a travel crib or pack ‘n play. And if baby doesn’t sleep, Mom and Dad don’t sleep! Here are the things you should consider packing for your holiday away from home:

• Portable baby crib or travel bassinet (with a fitted sheet) OR choose to rent a full-size crib at your destination
• White noise machine
• Favorite blanket (if appropriate) or sleep sack
• Baby monitor (with charging cord or extra batteries)

Lastly, if your baby has a favorite stuffed animal or lovey, be sure to pack it to help them feel at ease in a new sleeping environment. Packing these essential sleeping baby gear items can help ensure you and your baby get the rest you need while on holiday travel.

Baby Clothes

Obviously, clothes for baby need to be packed, but what styles and how many outfits are appropriate? To start, make sure you consider the destination’s climate and length of the trip. Here are some things to consider packing in your baby’s suitcase:

• Weather-appropriate outfits (2-3 outfits per day for short trips, a few extra outfits for long trips, especially if you won’t have access to a washer and dryer)
• Versatile pieces for mixing and matching (leggings, t-shirts, or cardigans)
• Extra socks, baby shoes, and sleepwear
• A couple of special outfits for the holiday!

By packing a variety of clothing options and being prepared for unexpected messes, you can ensure your baby is comfortable and stylish throughout your holiday travels.

Checklist for a Flight: What to Pack for Baby in a Carry-On

Photo: Paul Hanaoka

When packing for a baby in a carry-on, it’s important to be prepared for (almost) anything. So, we compiled a quick list of things to shove into your carry-on or baby’s diaper bag before jumping on the plane. We recommend:

• Plenty of diapers and travel wipes
• A change of clothes
• Baby blanket
• Formula or breastmilk to feed your baby
• Travel bottles and feeding accessories
• Pacifier
• Favorite toy or book
• Small baby first aid kit (with gas drops, infant pain reliever, a thermometer, etc.)
• Portable changing pad (to change your baby mid-flight)

By being prepared and packing smart, you can ensure a stress-free journey for you and your little one.

Travel with a Baby on a Plane: Can I bring luggage and a diaper bag?

Yes, you can bring luggage and a diaper bag on a plane. Most airlines allow passengers to bring a certain number of carry-on bags and personal items for free, with the option to check additional bags for a fee. This usually includes a carry-on bag and a personal item such as a backpack or purse. In addition to these items, parents traveling with infants or toddlers are usually allowed to bring a diaper bag onto the plane.

It’s important to check with the specific airline you are flying with to see their exact carry-on baggage policies, as rules and restrictions can vary between airlines. Generally, as long as the diaper bag is used for essential baby items and not for additional personal belongings, it should be permitted as an extra item to bring onto the plane in addition to your carry-on luggage.

Why is a baby packing checklist for traveling important?

We all know that babies have a ton of baby stuff to keep track of, so it’s only in each parent’s best interest to have a baby packing checklist before throwing things in their bags. Here’s why a baby list is so important:

• It helps you remember to pack all the things
• It helps you not to overpack
• It reduces stress and anxiety over ‘forgetting’ something

Ultimately, a baby packing checklist for traveling can make the travel experience smoother and keep your baby happy, which means you’ll be happy and be able to focus more on creating wonderful holiday memories together.

Conclusion

It can often feel like you need to bring just about every baby item possible when you travel for the holidays. While this is mostly true, it’s not necessary. Making a baby checklist will help you focus on the most essential items so you don’t overpack your travel bag or worry about forgetting something. Consider using packing cubes, as they can help!

You can always lessen the load by renting baby gear at your destination rather than traveling with it. With our comprehensive baby packing checklist that you can turn into a free printable packing list for baby, you’ll be fully prepared to make unforgettable memories with your baby during the festive season. Let’s make this holiday trip one to remember!