Traveling in itself can be stressful at times—but traveling with a baby is a completely different level. In this case, you would be packing for at least two. And with the stress that generally comes with planning a vacation, you might just get confused when it comes to knowing the essential things to carry when on a trip.
Traveling with a baby is not for the faint of heart, nor for the light packer. After all, how could you possibly foresee everything that might happen on the trip? What are the most important things to bring that won’t make you accidentally overpack? Here’s a quick run-down of some of the items you might be needed, regardless of wherever in the world you choose to travel to.
1. Eating Sets
No matter where you go, food will always be a constant. However, not all restaurants or eateries may have booster seats, high chairs, or even the right utensils that are ready for use. It’s wise to have some easy to carry eating sets ready for dining out.
They’re generally not too heavy for luggage, so these can easily be packed in your carry-on suitcase. These kits also have a variety of items that your baby would be needing when eating—bibs, a spout cup, and even mini utensils that your child can easily hold on to. That way, you can be sure that your baby will be able to eat properly in any restaurant.
2. Diapers
These are pretty much a staple at this point. You could try to get a pack made for traveling, which would have a lot inside (and likely for a more affordable price as well). And with these comes the necessity of diaper cream as well, which is essential for whenever you need to change diapers.
It might be helpful to put the diaper-related items or products in a smaller bag inside your main luggage so that it’s easier to navigate—and carry once you’ve reached your destination—in between all of the other items you have already packed. This then saves you the stress of having to rummage through your suitcase to find what you need.
3. Baby blankets or cloths
Baby clothes serve a lot of purposes. And the beauty of multipurpose items means you get to maximize your packing space. Besides actually keeping your baby warm, blankets can be used as burp cloths. They can be also useful for covering up in the event that you would feel the need to breastfeed. It’s up to you to gauge how many you might need, although three or four would probably be a good number. Be sure to check your hotel (or wherever you’re staying) for any laundry areas where you can clean the blankets so that you can reuse them throughout your stay.
4. Pacifiers
These can be especially helpful if you’re going to an area with a lot of people. There are actually pacifiers that are created for traveling babies. These pacifiers come in pouches that can be easily packed in your luggage or your handy carry-on.
The really useful ones would have snaps that make it easier to attach to any bag, and there are others as well that are water-resistant. If you manage to find ones that come in a bundle, you might also see some that also contain a sterilizer. However, if you’re unable to find a sterilizer for the pacifier, be sure to at least have some way to clean it regularly during the trip.
5. Antibacterial wipes or sanitizer
The world has definitely become more conscious of the spread of germs in the past two years, and so carrying antibacterial wipes or at least a handy hand sanitizer is important. There are travel-sized packs for wipes that can be easily carried around. Some hand sanitizers as well can latch onto your bags for much easier access.
6. Car Seat
This might be heavier when it comes to packing, although it’s always best to ensure your baby’s safety. After all, you never know when you would have to travel by car once you reach your destination. You would have to check with the airline you use, however, for more specific rules when it comes to bringing car seats.
What else?
Of course, these items are only a few of what you ought to be bringing with you on the trip. As previously stated, packing a light isn’t exactly an option when you’re traveling with a baby. So how would you guess what else you can bring on holiday? When in doubt, you could always consult specific travel guides. You might also be able to get specific recommendations on what to pack depending on your chosen location. Safe travels!