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Our son has already been on 10 flights – all before his first birthday!
While he’s based in Atlanta, he has traveled to Orlando, Spain, Canada and Portland. It is no surprise that he’s on his way to being a globetrotter.
Babies are free under 2 years old domestically, so we’re fully taking advantage of it! We did find out there’s a ticket fee (at least on Delta) for a baby-in-lap when traveling internationally, so don’t be surprised.
I wrote an article back in April about traveling abroad with our baby — Plus, all our lessons learned! Check it out here.
In today’s post, we’ll dive into everything we pack when traveling with our baby in tow, as well as some links to the products we absolutely adore. This should help you narrow down your own packing list when traveling with an baby.
We’ve learned a lot about traveling internationally with a 10 month old. From what luggage we’ll need to pack, to the clothes he’ll need, I’ve summed up our knowledge into a travel packing list for a baby.
In summary, you’ll need:
- Luggage and bags
- Feeding supplies
- Diaper care
- Bathtime essentials
- Clothes
- Sleeping essentials
- Some miscellaneous items, of course.
Let’s start off with all things luggage!
LUGGAGES AND BAGS
This one’s a no-brainer — You’ll need bags, of course!
But, what type of luggage should you carry on your baby’s trip?
Personally, we bring 7 pieces of luggage with us on every trip. My wife and I share one large suitcase. Our son gets his own carryon size suitcase – currently it’s an Away suitcase.
Here’s the full breakdown of the luggage we take on vacation:
- Adults’ shared suitcase
- Adults’ backpack
- Baby’s suitcase
- Baby’s travel crib
- Baby’s diaper bag
- Baby’s collapsible stroller
- Baby’s car seat (optional)
- Baby’s backpack carrier (optional)
Now, let’s dive into what bags we checked in and what bags we didn’t need to be checked in:
CHECKED-IN LUGGAGE
- Adults’ suitcase
- Baby’s carseat
- Baby’s travel crib
- Baby’s backpack carrier
UNCHECKED LUGGAGE
- Baby’s suitcase – This was primarily for his formula and any other items that would be hard to replace if there were flight delays.
- Baby’s stroller – Fits perfectly in the overhead bin, mainly used to moved around the airport. We also have this bag to put our stroller in for ease of carrying on.
- Baby’s diaper bag – Packed for the plane ride when he needs his diaper changed or toys to keep him entertained.
- Adults’ backpack – Hey, we need our entertainment, too!
While you’re browsing luggage, give this a chance – We highly recommend the 28″ Amazon Basics Adults Hardside Spinner Suitcase. It’s got that sleek look and feel that most parents are secretly craving (and ample space if you’re sharing a suitcase like we do!)
FEEDING SUPPLIES
You don’t need to be a parent to know that family vacations are not baby-friendly. Their emotions run high when they’re in new, unfamiliar territory, couple that with being hungry and you’re in for an unpleasant surprise.
That’s why it’s crucial to have your supplies nearby! We try not to leave home without stocking up on the below feeding supplies:
- Bottles
- Formula
- Bottle warmer – Because there are better ways of warming a bottle than a hot cup of water!
- Bottle rack
- Water bottle with straw
- Suction plate
- Spoons
- Bottle brush
- Bibs
In case you missed it, this is a picture of the bottle warmer in question – Vacationing parents like us would be lost without an efficient (and easy to unpack) bottle warmer like the Portable Bottle Warmer Pro!
DIAPERING CARE
The name says it all – After months of traveling with our 10 month old, we’ve narrowed down what your priority diapering tools should be.
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Aquaphor
- Overnight diapers.
CLOTHING
Even the most prepared parents can easily forget to pack their baby’s swimming trunks or mittens.
Your baby’s trip is determined by factors like climate, temperature and culture, among other things. Of all we’ve covered this far, you will need to use your discretion on what suits your vacation.
For starters, his/hers vacation wardrobe could include:
- Outfits – bring more than you think — blowouts happen.
- Pajamas
- Hats
- Burp cloths
- Socks
- Shoes
- Swimsuit
- Anything else that fits the trip.
SLEEPING ESSENTIALS
Nighttime for your baby should be comfortable – no matter where in the world they are! It’s safe to assume that, with a young child, you’ll need to make preparations for the below:
- Crib – Like this portable one from Lotus Travel if your destination doesn’t have a safe sleep space
- Crib sheets.
- Slumberpod – For your little one’s total privacy.
- Sound machine – Ensures your child has zero excuses against falling asleep.
- Baby Monitor – We prefer closed circuit monitoring, works by just plugging in, no wifi necessary.
If nothing else jumps out at you from that listing, then the highly sought-after Lotus Travel Crib should! This crib is the perfect addition to your vacation routine — and, also, your baby’s sleep routine. Give it a go at this link.
BATHTIME ESSENTIALS
Just like sleeping, your child’s bath routine and environment should mirror what they’re used to back home. We recommend keeping this habit similar, with the very same essentials your little one’s used to.
- Soap;
- Washcloth;
- Bath toys; and
- Towel.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Now, there are some items that didn’t fall under the other headings. These are also must-haves when traveling overseas with an baby, but are optional for your next trip.
- Brush
- Toys – Bright enough to catch (and keep) your child’s attention!
- Stroller fans
- Stroller – If you’re on the market for a lightweight stroller.
- Picnic blanket – For a safe space to get some energy out and stretch their legs
- Inglesina High Chair – Perfect for nights when you dine out with your baby.
- hiccapop Folding chair – A booster seat for any outing you take him/her.
- Sunscreen – We love ThinkBaby mineral sunscreen for our little one.
- Baby backpack carrier – if you’re planning to do some hiking, our little dude loves to be carried on the back; note, this is not for extreme/harder hikes, so we recommend with reservation – the back bar can dig, especially for taller folks
I took the liberty of linking to a few of our favorite items, specifically the hiccapop OmniBoost Travel Booster Seat! Equipped with a detachable food tray, this seat can be folded and brought wherever your trip takes you!
FINAL THOUGHTS
There you have it: All the items that you should consider packing when traveling with an baby!
I hope this post helped you with your packing list for international travel with a baby. You shouldn’t have any more questions like “What should I take overseas with my baby?” or “What luggage should I pack for my 10 month old?”, especially after reading this in-depth travel packing list.
While this list was a broad look at what you should pack for overseas travel with your baby, it is not definitive! You are capable enough to know what your child’s needs are, then zeroing in on what you can do to meet those needs.
For example, not all babies get fussy while on airplanes – and, of course, those parents are the most envied of us all.
Similarly, some babies are more hyper and energetic whenever they’re away from home.
Once you’re able to determine how your child might react to the changing environment, you can anticipate both the best and worst case scenarios.
Packing when traveling with an baby isn’t easy, but it sure is worth it. So long as you prioritize keeping them comfortable and at ease, your baby will be fine on his 1st, 5th or even 10th family vacation!
Now, was there anything I missed? Leave it in the comments below! Let me know what your child would crave more than anything during their trip.