Traveling with a Baby: Everything You Need to Know for Your First Trip
Traveling with a baby seems so intimidating, but it’s absolutely possible with the right preparation. In fact, I actually think it’s easier than traveling with a toddler! I recently wrote some tips for traveling with young toddlers, so I figured I would expand and share some tips and lessons learned for traveling with younger babies (less than a year).Β Β
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Accommodation Details
When seeking accommodations for a family with a young baby, it’s important to know what details to check. Not all accommodations include cribs – which can be a deal breaker if you’re flying and not able to bring your own pack and play (or portable bassinet if traveling with a younger baby).Β
Check about the accessibility of entrances and elevators if you will be bringing a stroller.Β
Kitchenettes and refrigerators may not matter as much for individuals or couples, but can be really important when you need to store milk! Most recently, I did not check whether a hotel we were booking had a fridge and we were in a pickle!
Packing Essentials
Diapering
Though you can usually buy diapers on the go, it’s a good idea to pack enough to avoid a panic. A good changing pad is a good investment in general, but I find especially important when traveling.Β You never know what kind of changing tables you will have access to (and how clean they are!).Β Β
I actually find that diaper bags are great carry-on bags (I even used my diaper bag on a solo trip for myselfΒ because I could fit so much in there!).Β
I recommend reviewing the TSA Traveling with Children page if you’re flying – there’s great information on there including that diaper cream and other ointments are considered medically necessary creams and do not need to be less than 3oz to keep in your carry-on.Β
Feeding
Packing for feeding depends a lot on your personal situation (breastfeeding versus bottle feeding, etc.).Β I used to carry a cover for breastfeeding on the go which didn’t take up too much space.Β Alternatively, I found it easy to keep several muslin blankets and just tie two corners together to loop over my head when I needed to feed.Β Β
If you bottle feed, breast milk and formula are allowed in carry-ons as well as cooling packs. Clear bottles are recommended – just flag to TSA before you start screening that you are carrying liquids for your child over 3oz. A small cooler bag is ideal for carrying and storing breastmilk during travel.
Don’t forget to pack a bottle brush to help with cleaning bottles. My friend also shared with me travel formula dispensers or small containers you can use for formula or puffs which are convenient for travel.
Sleep
Travel cribs (or pack and plays) are super handy for road trips and other short trips. If you stay at a rental or hotel, sometimes they may supply a crib. However, this is something we use all the time when we go to family houses and other short trips. We actually used a portable bassinet until our daughter started rolling, which took up less space in the room.
Some children do better with noise machines than others. We tended to do okay without one when we traveled, but portable sound machines can be helpful to have as a back up. My cousin also put me onto this portable black out curtain, which helped me with naptime!Β It just suctions onto the window!
If you use sleep sacks, it can be helpful to pack a spare as well in case you need to wash it mid trip.
Clothing
Baby clothing gets dirty so quickly, I tend to pack lots of extra clothes. A wet bag can be useful for dirty clothes on the go as well.Β
If traveling in the summer, a sun hat is always a good idea and I love to bring a small portable fan to help with heat.
Other Essentials
It’s generally a good idea to pack a thermometer and infant medications just to be safe. Hopefully you won’t need it, but it’s really no fun to be stuck somewhere unfamiliar with a sick kid and no medicine handy. We forgot one of our carry on bags which had the baby Tylenol in it when we traveled to Morocco with our daughter, and when she started feeling a bit ill we had to scramble to find a pharmacy. As any parent knows, small amounts of time feel very long when you have a crying or fussy baby!
Flying with a Baby
If you’re flying with a baby, it’s always a good idea to check the airline policies. Infants can ride on your lap for free until age 2 for most domestic flights in the US. This was also the case for our airline when we flew internationally (but you should check each airline to be sure when booking). If traveling with more than one lap infant, there may be limitations on how many per row. You can also request a bassinet for the flight when booking your ticket for long-haul flights with babies under a year.
Airlines should have information online about bringing car seats and strollers (which usually do not count against your luggage). If you can check your stroller at the gate, it makes it a lot easier to navigate the airport.Β
Feeding during takeoff and landing can help a lot for ear popping.Β
Travel Gear
I shared in my previous post that I borrowed an amazing travel stroller from a friend for our longer trips, which was lighter and easier to carry than our normal stroller. However, this is more ideal for older babies and toddlers who can comfortably sit up. For younger babies, you may want to bring your normal stroller to connect your car seat if you will bring your car seat. Alternatively, you can get a foldable car seat carrier stroller.Β
I absolutely recommend bringing a baby carrier when traveling with a baby, especially if you are flying. Even if you will bring a stroller, it can be so helpful to free up your hands by baby wearing. For younger babies, I think the Boba wrap feels more secure.
Activities
Although it is much easier to fly with babies before they are more mobile, it can be super helpful to bring sensory activities to keep them busy. Suction spinners that can attach to the table or window are a great idea for 3-6 months age range.Β
Crinkle toys and teethers are also great for young babies on flights. Don’t forget tethers for teethers or binkies so you don’t have to worry about them being dropped while on the go.
As babies get closer to a year, Montessori fidget toys and activity books can be great for flights as well.
Road Trips
Although road trips seem simpler because you can pack more, I found it harder to keep our daughter in her car seat for extended periods in comparison to being able to sit together in a plane. After taking a train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles, I actually think that may be my preferred travel method with a young child! You can move about more easily.
To survive a long car trip with a baby, the best strategy by far is to attempt to time the car ride with naptime and pray they sleep!! Driving with a baby will require more frequent stops for feeding and changing so unfortunately, you will just have to be prepared for the drive to take a lot longer than it would solo.
I find it helpful to have a car organizer for the essentials – feeding items, changing items. If your diaper bag is small enough, it may be fine to have that handy. However, sometimes we have so much jammed in the car it’s helpful to have something easy to access.
Although this guide feels quite long, I don’t think you need to pack a whole lot to have a seamless trip with a baby. Ensure you have the essentials and then focus on the travel gear that will be most helpful to you in your situation (driving, flying, etc.). Each trip will help you build confidence and then planning the next one will be easier. Babies are more flexible than we think!Β
Have you traveled with a young baby? What made the trip easier for you?
One Comment
Tara Pittman
So many great tips. I remember traveling with 2 babies and it was so overwhelming to me.