Travelling with your little one is an exciting yet daunting experience. From booking flights to packing bags, it can feel overwhelming to make sure you have everything you need to make the journey go smoothly. That's why we've put together this guide to baby travel essentials for 2023; to help you make sure you have everything you need for a stress-free trip with your little one. Whether you're planning a road trip or an international flight, this guide will provide you with comprehensive advice on the essential items you should take with you, how to stay organized, and how to keep your little one comfortable during the journey. With the right preparation, you can ensure your family's next trip is a safe and enjoyable one!
Essential Items for Traveling with a Baby
These are items you'll definitely want to make sure you have before you set off with your little one. - Car Seat: The first thing you'll need to purchase is a car seat. This is mandatory when travelling by car with a baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child uses a car seat until they are at least 2 years old, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for the seat. This will ensure that your child is always safely buckled up while in the car. Car seats come with different types of harnesses to ensure your little one is secure and protected. There are three main types: - Stroller: If you're travelling with a baby, it's recommended to have a stroller that you can collapse and transport in the car. This will make travelling by foot easier and allow you to bring a lot of baby gear with you. - Baby Bag: If your child is a newborn or still in their car seat, you could use a backpack or a sling bag to carry their little bag. If your child is older, like above 12 months, then you could look for a bag that would fit them well. - Blanket: A blanket can be used to cover your child in the car seat or stroller, or even as a play mat in your hotel room.
a. Clothing
Clothing is an essential item you'll want to make sure you have, especially if you're travelling in winter or during the change of seasons. You'll need to make sure your baby is dressed appropriately for the weather of your travel destination. Be sure to pack clothing that is comfortable and easy to remove if your little one spills something on them. Many parents also like to bring an extra outfit for their baby to wear if they are being changed frequently. This comes in handy if you're in a public space and your baby needs to be changed more often. - Sleep Sack/Swaddling Blanket: If your little one likes to be swaddled, bring a swaddling blanket with you. Sleep sacks are also a great alternative to swaddling. - Change of Clothes: Bring an extra change of clothes for your baby just in case they spill something on their outfit. You could also bring a bib if your baby likes to eat solids. Babies are messy eaters, so a bib will come in handy when you're eating in a restaurant or at your hotel. - Hat: A baby hat is a great accessory to bring when travelling. It's also helpful if your baby has thin or fine hair. A hat can protect them from the sun as well as from getting cold.
b. Diapering and Potty Supplies
If your baby is still in diapers, you'll want to make sure you have enough with you for the trip. You'll also want to consider bringing a potty if your baby is ready to potty train. Bringing extra diapers and wipes is a good idea if you're travelling in a different country. Some countries don't have diapers readily available, so it's best to bring your own. You may also want to consider bringing a few packs of baby wipes. You never know when you'll need to clean your baby or their hands while travelling. - Diapers: You will want to bring enough diapers for the amount of time you'll be travelling, plus a few extra. If you are traveling internationally, you will want to be sure that the diapers you bring are biodegradable. This is especially important if you plan to be near a body of water when travelling. - Baby Wipes: You'll want to make sure you have enough baby wipes with you for the amount of time you'll be travelling. You'll also want to bring enough for yourself because you'll inevitably need to clean your hands at some point.
c. Feeding Supplies
If you're breastfeeding, you'll need to pack a breastfeeding cover or scarf to shield yourself from onlookers. If you're bottle feeding, you'll need to bring enough formula for the trip. You should also bring a bottle brush to clean your baby's bottles while you travel. Of course, you'll also want to bring a way to feed your baby while you're on the go. Bringing a high chair can be helpful if you're eating in restaurants. You could also bring a baby feeding pillow or a little table that attaches to their car seat or stroller. - High Chair: A high chair can make eating in restaurants easier and more comfortable for your baby. You can use the high chair for your baby instead of bringing a baby feeding pillow or a little table. - Nursing Cover: If you're breastfeeding, you'll want to bring a breastfeeding cover or scarf with you. This can help shield you from onlookers so you don't feel too exposed or conscious when breastfeeding in public.
d. Safety and Comfort items
- Car Seat Strap: If your car seat has a strap, bring it with you so you can easily attach the car seat to your stroller. This will make it easier to transport both your baby and the car seat. - Car Seat Cover: A car seat cover can protect your baby's car seat from the elements. It can also help to keep your car clean. You can also bring other comfort items for your baby such as noise-cancelling headphones or cozy blankets.
e. Toys and Entertainment
While you're on the trip, you can bring toys to keep your little one distracted and engaged. You can also look for entertainment wherever you are travelling. You can visit a park, a museum, or even go for a walk. There are endless possibilities for ways you can keep your little one engaged on your trip. You can also bring a few books with you to read to your baby. - Books: You can bring a few books with you to read to your baby while you're on the road. You can also look for books that are specific to where you are travelling to engage your little one while learning about the area you're visiting. - Toys: You can bring toys with you on your trip to keep your baby engaged and distracted while on the road or waiting in lines. Be sure to bring toys that are easy to clean if they get dirty.
How to Stay Organized While Traveling with a Baby
You may think that having a baby on a trip would make it harder to stay organized. However, luckily, there are plenty of ways you can stay on top of your belongings while you travel with a little one. Bring a travel bag or suitcase that has compartments or pouches to help you stay organized. This can help you keep your belongings separated and easy to find. Bring a travel wallet to keep all your important documents in one place, such as your boarding passes, passports, and ID cards. Be sure to look for a wallet that is secure, with RFID-blocking technology to prevent identity theft. You can also bring a wristlet or cross-body bag that's small enough to take with you while you're out and about, so you always have a place to store your important items.
Tips for Keeping Your Baby Comfortable During the Trip
As a baby grows, their senses become more developed, meaning that they are much more aware of their surroundings than you may think. Therefore, it is important to keep their surroundings as calm and peaceful as possible to ensure that they stay comfortable during the trip. Here are a few ways you can keep your baby comfortable during your travels: - Bring Sound Machines: Sound machines can help drown out any surrounding noises that may be distracting your baby. This can help them stay calm and relaxed so they can get the most out of their travels. - Stay Awake During Takeoff and Landing: This is the most stressful part of the journey for babies.