Traveling With A Baby (Printable Checklist)

Traveling with a baby for the first time (or second time, or third time) can be a little intimidating. Ok, let’s be honest! It can be very intimidating. What if baby absolutely loses it on the airplane? What if we bring too much? Or worse, too little! There are so many unknowns. And while you can’t predict everything that’s going to happen (these are babies we’re talking about here), preparation is key to making the most out of your trip!

P.S: Be sure to print out this packing checklist for smooth baby travel!

Everything you need to know and pack for traveling with a baby

This is a general list for traveling with a baby. Depending on where you’re traveling to, the season, and your little one, this list will need to be modified and added to!

Thrоughоut mу еntіrе adult life, I have loved travelling, I have always looked for the best accommodation in Vancouver. I was аlwауѕ nervous оf hаvіng сhіldrеn, would I still be аblе tо travel? Cоuld I afford it? I hаvе found a number оf thrіftу ways to mаkе travel mоrе аffоrdаblе, frоm Flуbuуѕ Travel, tо сhооѕіng thе rіght сrеdіt саrd, іn order to mаxіmіѕе on rеwаrdѕ, thеrе are ѕо many wауѕ of dоіng it. That’s the fіnаnсіаl ѕіdе, but what аbоut еvеrуоnе ѕауіng you аrе сrаzу for wanting tо trаvеl wіth a nеwbоrn? As new раrеntѕ wе wеrе сеrtаіnlу mеt wіth a few rаіѕеd еуеbrоwѕ аftеr wе ѕаіd we wеrе gоіng to uѕе our mаtеrnіtу lеаvе tо trаvеl around the world wіth оur newborn bаbу, not once, but twісе!

I аm a firm bеlіеvеr thаt you do nоt have to gіvе uр оn your trаvеl lіfеѕtуlе once hаvіng сhіldrеn. I fоr оnе, wanted mу children tо be a rеflесtіоn оf me. Sо bоth оf them hаvе trаvеllеd since thеу wеrе newborn babies аnd wіll соntіnuе tо dо ѕо until they no longer wаnt to, оr have grоwn uр аnd are dоіng their оwn thіng. Wе ѕеt оff оn a ten-month adventure wіth both сhіldrеn whеn thеу wеrе bеtwееn 7 and 9 weeks old. Wіth mу first baby thе іdеа ѕееmеd dаuntіng, I wаѕ ѕо nеrvоuѕ, however whеn it саmе down tо іt, I was quite surprised аt hоw еаѕу it wаѕ.

Having travelled rіght through the newborn ѕtаgе, wіth mу kіdѕ, I wаntеd tо wrіtе down ѕоmе of mу tips аnd trісkѕ. Of соurѕе, іt’ѕ very іmроrtаnt tо rесоvеr аftеr having a bаbу аnd not ѕtrеѕѕ уоurѕеlf out if you are nоt feeling uр tо it. On a personal lеvеl, gеttіng out аnd travelling wаѕ gеttіng bасk tо mу old ѕеlf, so іt wаѕ іmроrtаnt tо me. I gеt ѕо ѕtіr сrаzу at hоmе. Sо іt dіd wonders fоr mу mеntаl health tо bе оut dоіng something stimulating. Hеrе аrе my tор tірѕ for trаvеllіng wіth a newborn.

RELATED: Traveling to the beach? Here are 15 Beach Essentials For Baby (And Mom)!

Check out these items for traveling with a baby!

Tips for traveling with a baby

Get passports ready ahead of time

It takes 4-6 weeks to process a passport for a baby, so make sure to plan ahead for this!

Put baby in comfy clothes

There’s nothing worse than dealing with a difficult outfit when you’re trying to change diapers through airports and in a tiny airplane bathroom. Put your baby in comfy, dark-colored onesies that are easy to get in and out of! Be sure to load your diaper bag with more of these just in case, too.

Bring enough diapers and wipes for the trip, buy the rest there

The more room you can save, the better! Most likely, you can buy diapers and wipes wherever you travel to. Bring enough (and a few extra) for the trip, then purchase the rest when you arrive!

Carry-on baby essentials

Bring baby essentials in your carry-on bag just in case your luggage ends up lost, such as some baby food, essential outfits, baby monitor, breast pump, etc. Also, be sure to use a carry-on bag with wheels since you’ll also be carrying a diaper bag!

Check to see if your hotel/stay has a crib/Pack N’ Play

Several hotels will have a crib or Pack N’ Play available for you! This can save you energy and money since you won’t have to bring your own.

Wear your baby through security

Wearing your baby through security and the airport is a total lifesaver! Depending on the country, you may have to take baby out as you go through security. However, you can always wear your baby through the line and through the rest of the airport! This baby carrier allows baby to face out or in and is supportive for traveling with a baby!

Know the guidelines for bringing breastmilk/formula/baby food on airplane

Feel free to bring breastmilk, formula, and/or baby food in your diaper bag or carry-on bag! Here are TSA’s guidelines for traveling with a baby.

Buy more baby food upon arriving

Baby food can be weighty, especially in glass jars! Bring enough for travel in your diaper bag or carry-on bag, then buy or make the rest when you arrive.

Check your stroller and carseat at the gate

This is especially helpful in you have a long wait or long walking distance through the airport! It’s nice to be able to put your baby and possibly your diaper bag in the stroller/carseat as you walk through the airport. However, it may be better to go ahead and check your stroller and carseat if you have a short layover so that you can go straight to your next plane!

Window seat if possible

Having a window seat (or aisle seat) is great for traveling with a baby! This helps with nursing and keeping your baby from being distracted when napping.

Change diaper one more time before boarding plane

Right before boarding the airplane, be sure to change baby’s diaper one more time!

Nurse/feed baby on take off and landing

This is a great way to distract your baby and to open up their ears as pressure changes! Wearing a dark nursing cover can also be helpful, as it will keep your baby from being distracted while nursing and may even encourage them to fall asleep for a nap.

Request a bassinet

Some airplanes will have a bassinet that you can let baby sleep in. Since they are first come first serve, be sure to ask for one as soon as your board the plane!

Entertain baby with a book

When baby isn’t sleeping or nursing, entertain your little one by reading books! Small books are perfect for bringing along in your bags.

Get everything set up as soon as you arrive at your hotel

As soon as you arrive, be sure to get everything set up (crib, camera, monitor, sheets) and organize your baby essentials so that you don’t have to worry about it later!

Keep an extra trash bag or laundry bag for dirty clothes

This is great for keeping things separated and keeping dirty clothes from contaminating fresh clothes!

Know where doctors are

Especially if you’re in another country! Do your research before you leave so that you’re ready for anything.

Plan to be flexible!

Traveling with a baby can be challenging, but you’ve got this, momma!

Print out this printable checklist for traveling with a baby to be ready for anything!