10 Baby Travel Essentials For Every Journey + Baby Packing Checklist

Baby travel essential #1: A baby carrier

Being able to walk hands-free through crowds, upstairs, on and off public transport is a vital part of travelling with a baby, so without a doubt, a baby carrier tops our list as the most essential baby travel item.

After trying several different types, our favourite has been the Ergo Baby. As well as front wearing from newborn (with an insert), it can be used as a back carrier for years to come, right through the toddler years.

Since we first purchased ours back in 2012, you can now also get the Ergo 360 model that allows baby to be forward-facing on the front. It’s by far the most versatile and comfortable carrier for a long-term investment.

TIP: There are so many things to consider when investing in a baby carrier that will become a travelling essential for years.  From our experience, the newborn insert for the Ergo wasn’t brilliant, for a newborn I would still recommend something like a Boba Wrap where they can be held in close to you (practice, practice, practice using these at home with some help though before heading into the big wide world and first trying it on at the airport!!!). If you will be heading to the beach or a resort, consider a waterproof baby sling.

I would also only consider a more heavy-duty child carrier like the popular Dueter Kid Comfort child carrier backpack beyond 12 months old, and only if you do a lot of walking/hiking.  For occasional and urban use, the Ergobaby will comfortably see you through for several years. (And for the really brave – you CAN wear the Ergo on your back with a toddler with a newborn wrapped on the front – sorry we never got a photo of this in action!!).

For more on suitable hiking carriers see this post

Baby travel essential #2: A reliable travel system

Oh, how we’ve agonized for years on finding “the right one” – I bet this will be one of the biggest baby purchasing decision you and your partner will make and the one you’ll agonize and argue over the most – after all it’s a lot of money but so important for everyday life AND travel.

I first stated it here – and many times again – you will end up owning multiple strollers!!! No one stroller will fit all your needs from birth to toddler.

We got to baby #3 before we found what we felt was the best model for us – the Quinny Zapp Travel System. The base folds up small enough to put in the footwell of the car, and it takes seconds to fold out again and pop the car seat in (after perfecting the manoeuvre!).

The Quinny Zapp Xtra is a really good space saver and was the best solution until our youngest outgrew his car capsule. We weren’t big fans of the toller seat though and subsequently upgraded to an ultra-compact stroller = totally life-changing!!!

If you are frequent flyers, then honestly this is what I would invest in from the start. There are currently three brands we would recommend that can be used from newborn and come with car seat attachments:

• Mountain Buggy Nano
• Baby Jogger City Tour 2
• Baby Zen Yoyo + Newborn Pack

If you are looking for twins or children close in age, check out this selection of lightweight double strollers perfect for travel. The only one that you can adapt from newborn in this category at present is the Mountain Buggy Duo.

RELATED POST: How to select the best travel stroller

Baby travel essential #3: Infant capsule / infant car seat

So seeing as we’ve talked travel system, the infant capsule is essential to this.  Our favourite for years has been the Maxi Cosi Infant Car Seat.

We love that it’s such a well-known brand all infant travel systems that we’re aware of can adapt to fit the Maxi Cosi. There’s a huge range of add-ons and accessories that are purpose made to fit.  When travelling with an infant, being able to easily move from one transportation to the next with baby easily tucked in is great!

If you think you’ll frequently be flying with a baby, check out this detailed guide to infant car seats suitable for airplanes.

Baby travel essential #4: Nursing Cover

Without a doubt, one of my personal, most loved possessions over the years has been my Bebe au Lait nursing cover. Available in lots of amazing colours and patterns but I liked my sophisticated and subtle black, it’s allowed me to breastfeed with confidence out in public all over the world.

You can see our complete guide to picking the best nursing cover to suit you here

TIP: Don’t forget when your travelling to pack extra breast pads, even if you don’t normally leak, the impact of time change and jet lag can throw your natural feeding cycles out of rhythm and lead to leaky boobs on the move!

Baby travel essential #5: SnoozeShade

I’ve seen many wonderful and innovative products come up even in the last few years since I’ve become a mum – a lot of entrepreneurial mommies out there trying to solve our parenting problems!  – but one of the best I’ve seen is the SnoozeShade.  

I’ve seen some lovely hand designed cotton ones too (far better than my effort throwing a muslin over the pram with a bulldog clip) but this one built with breathable mesh fabric that also blocks out UV rays is a real winner and a must for your travel gear.

But do check out some newer alternatives too which may suit your style – wearable nursing covers that can also double as a sunshade. What do you think?

Baby travel essential #6: A stroller hook

While we’re still on stroller essentials, where or where would we be without a Mommy Hook?! (Sorry Dad, you can use it too though!)

Seriously, far from being gimmicky, this is one of the handiest investments you can make. Hanging bags, toys, shopping off your stroller; definitely get this one on your baby shower list, you won’t regret it!!

There are several similar brands available, all do roughly the same job. Just be careful not to overload the back of a stroller or it becomes liable to tipping over.

Baby travel essential #7: Portable travel cot 

Forget pack and play systems unless weight and size are no object; these old-style “travel cots” are out and the newer, more versatile Traveller style cots and pop up pods are in!   

It depends how long you want your product to last you and what sort of travelling you do. We love the KidCo Peapod from newborn (or Peapod Plus from 6 months) which is like a canopy tent.

However, we later discovered the Phil & Teds Traveller Cot and this would really be our top choice to last you through to the toddler years as well – super lightweight though does involve a few construction skills. If you’re using it outside, don’t forget your bassinet sunshade.

You can see our full comparison guide on travel cots and bassinets here, or check out some of these designs and options:

RELATED POST: Sleeping on the go and dealing with jet lag

Baby travel essential #8: Quick diaper change kit

If you don’t already have an easy-grab diaper/nappy change kit, its time to invest!  Taking an entire diaper bag into an aeroplane toilet is cumbersome and unnecessarily bulky – not to mention some of the weird and wonderful places you might find yourself needing to squat for changes during a travelling adventure!

We have used and loved our Skip Hop Portable Changing Mat. Being small but all in one means we can easily swap it from bag to bag, or throw it under the stroller for use at home or away.  

You can still fit your travel-sized ‘bits’ like a pocket diaper cream, disposal sacks, wipes and a little sanitiser into the pockets.

Moved on a stage? If you’re approaching potty training, check out this great post for tips dealing with this difficult stage on the move, and our detailed guide to picking out portable potties!.

Baby travel essential #9: Large Muslin Cloths

Over the years these aden + anais extra-large muslin swaddles have become a much-beloved item (yes even with bigger kids too!). They are so immensely versatile from cleaning up spills to swaddling, emergency sun cover or breastfeeding cover, quick blanket for on a lawn – we’ve used them for just about everything!

Being so light and thin they are especially good for warmer climates and very easy to rinse and dry if they do get dirty. You MUST have some of these in your travel bag – and I bet you will for years to come!

Baby travel essential #10: Feeding Essentials

If you are bottle-feeding or weaning, a pre-filled formula container is an essential piece of travel kit. A Philips AVENT dispenser has been our product of choice for years.

Note: Always check the latest airline regulations for the country you are flying from for liquid rules.  At the time of publishing this post this is the latest TSA advice:

“Formula, breast milk and juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 millilitres are allowed in carry-on baggage and do need to not fit within a quart-sized bag. Separate formula, breast milk and juice from other liquids, gels and aerosols limited to 3.4 ounces.  Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk and juice are allowed in carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. You may also bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred and processed baby food in carry-on baggage. These items may be subject to additional screening.”

Transport Security Administration

We have a more detailed guide about transporting milk which can be found here, along with a guide to breastmilk cooler bags or check out this complete guide to travelling with bottles.

And 3 more “nice to have” baby items we’ve loved when on the move

Stroller Organiser: Your stroller will likely be the biggest bit of gear you take with you, but rather than looking at them as cumbersome, they are seriously useful! (Just careful if you need to fold the stroller up everything doesn’t fall out). Now my kids are a bit older, our stroller has become just as useful as the communal family dumping ground as a stroller!

Is it wrong to keep using one when they’re over 5 just as my beverage holder? 

Infant sunglasses: OK, I can hear some of you mocking me from here, but first-timers do stick with me!  A lot of babies, do hate them and will pull them off immediately, but for the record, my number 3 DIDN’T (well up to about 7 months old).

Definitely worth it if you can make them work, but I’m afraid there’s no magic way to know if they’ll take to them without trial and error.

Why not try these highly recommended ro•sham•bo baby sunglasses?

Beach shade:  If you’ve never taken a baby to the beach before – you’ve been warned!! SAND.GETS.EVERYWHERE! I can’t promise these little beauties will solve all your sand issues but they are a great way for baby to sit and play with less sand while being protected from the sun.

I’d say perfect from approx 5 months or sitting, through to 12 months or walking.  One with an easy fold frame and carry case is a must.

You can catch our complete guide to baby beach shades here

Best of the rest – download your baby packing list now!

Pop over to our ultimate baby travel checklist here, or join our online community and immediately get your hands on the printable PDF version of our baby travel checklist – plus our complete range of packing lists for every type of family travel.

Note we will ask you to sign up to our mailing list when downloading the checklist, but if you decide it’s not for you, you can unsubscribe at any time.

More Baby Travel Essentials

We have several more detailed reviews and advice posts covering you through the years of baby travel. Why not pop on over and read next:

• Your first time flying with a baby; Everything you need to know from booking seats to dealing with a baby on board
• Hiking with a baby – essential baby gear for hiking before you fit the trails
• What to pack in a first aid kit when travelling with a baby and young children
• Summer sun protection for infants – dealing with the sun and heat on a family vacation
• Ideal travel toys for infants under 18 months keeping it simple, what are the best baby toys for airplanes and long journeys?

Our complete catalogue of baby advice articles can be found here

Bookmark this page now or save it to Pinterest for later

Why not check out our pregnancy and baby Pinterest board

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

© Our Globetrotters