Traveling With Your Baby For The First Time? Here Are 11 Things You’re Gonna Need

For years, you’ve been a passenger in an airport observing frazzled moms wrangling their unruly kids, sticky car seats, and luggage…and now, that’s you. A lot of planning and preparation go into any trip, especially if you’re bringing a baby. But it’s really not as intimidating as it seems. Whether you’re driving a few hours or flying across the country, here are 11 things you’re definitely going to need.

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1. Carseat

If you’re traveling by car, a car seat is obviously a no-brainer, but you’ll probably need one even if you’re flying. Believe it or not, your car seat has to be approved by the FAA before you can travel with it, so make sure that yours is plane-approved before going through the trouble of bringing it to the airport. Once you’re on board, you can even let your baby chill in his or her car seat while you’re flying, and while it might be more to keep up with, most car seat models nowadays are super easy to travel with or check as luggage.

2. Sling, Wrap, or Swaddle

Most babies love to be wrapped tight or swaddled because it reminds them of being in the womb. If you’re doing a lot of waiting around in an airport and baby is in an unfamiliar place and overly stimulated, then swaddling, baby-wearing, or wrapping is a good way to both make them more at ease and transport them from place to place. A wrap like the Boba wrap is a great option because it’s adjustable for weight and size, but still breathable – and cute.

3. Pacifier or Teether

Some babies love a pacifier, and some don’t. For those that do, every parent knows what it’s like to be out in public without a pacifier. This is also a good reminder that seasoned parents know no one’s usually paying attention to a fussy child, but as a new parent, it always feels like all eyes in the room are on you. If your child doesn’t like pacifiers but is close to teething or currently in the teething stage (and more prone to fussiness than normal), have a teether in your back pocket for when their sore gums make them more irritable than usual.

4. Toys for Distraction

You don’t have to lug 50 books or car seat toys with you, but one or two small items which can easily fit inside a diaper bag never hurt. For young babies, toys with patterns and different textures and sounds (which don’t require batteries, because no parent enjoys that) are a good option to keep them distracted.

For young babies, toys with patterns and different textures and sounds are a good option.

5. Paperwork

It never hurts to have your child’s info on hand, especially if you’re leaving them with a babysitter or your in-laws at some point during your trip. This includes their doctor’s name and phone number, insurance info, allergens or medications they take, and other stuff like that. You can even include tips on getting them to sleep, how they like to be held, their daytime schedule, and other routine reminders.

If you’re flying, you’ll also need to secure a ticket for your baby. Babies under the age of 2 fly for free with most major airlines, but you’ll still have to reserve a seat for them. This policy can also vary from airline to airline, so be sure to double-check well before departure. Have all of this paperwork on hand, and keep it in your wallet or an easily accessible pocket in your purse or diaper bag.

6. Comfort Item

Even if your baby is just a few months old, they probably already have a specific pacifier, blanket, swaddle or rattle they can’t leave home without. If you’re having trouble figuring out what this might be, think about leaving home without your diaper bag and which specific item you’ve left behind that would quickly and easily soothe your baby. For many babies, t-shirts or other things that smell like mom can be a good option. You’ll want to pack liberally, especially if you’re flying, but when baby starts to fuss, you’ll be glad you brought that item to soothe and relax them.

7. Food

This really depends on the mom, but suffice it to say, if you’re formula feeding, make sure you have plenty for your days away from home. Make sure baby is fed well before you start your trip, and if you’re going by car, look out for rest stops or welcome centers along the way in case baby needs a break from their car seat and to eat a quick snack. 

As a mom who exclusively breastfeeds and has relatives a few hours away who we often drive to see, I’ve had plenty of opportunities for trial and error when it comes to me and my baby’s feeding schedule while traveling. For one, we always nurse right before getting in the car so baby can ideally settle into a nap, and I use a manual pump in the car if I’m getting too full. (Make sure to bring a nursing cover or a bulky sweater if you don’t want to get looks from other passengers nearby…) I also have pumped milk with me if my little one gets hungry and we need to stop, and I always have a cooler with ice packs on hand for milk storage. Manual pumps can be a pain, but I’m always glad I have one when I need it!

8. Stroller 

A stroller to transport your tot throughout your journey, especially if you’re spending tons of time in an airport, is a must-have for many moms, especially since strollers have never been more compact or portable, and most models have complementary car seats which fit into them. You can also stow diaper bags or other carry-ons underneath, and most models are easily foldable and able to go from travel to storage in seconds. Strollers can be expensive, but the good news is you don’t have to have all the bells and whistles to have a solid option that does its job.

Strollers have never been more compact or portable, while still providing storage space.

9. Portable Pack ‘N’ Play

A portable playpen that can double as a bed is probably better for car traveling with more trunk space, but the good news is most models these days are both affordable and compact. Once you get to your destination, your baby is going to need a place to sleep, nap, and be contained during playtime, and there are many fantastic types of playpens out there that vary in both size and price depending on your specific needs.

10. Noise Machine

A noise machine can easily help your baby feel more relaxed, especially if they’re traveling in a car seat for a long period of time. Fancier noise machines might also double as night lights or play music, but they also need to be plugged in – not great for an airport or car scenario. Fortunately, there are tons of portable options out there which just require charging ahead of time and can usually fit around a car seat or stroller, a perfect option for delivering sound close to your baby. White noise is one of the best ways to soothe, calm, and get your baby to sleep, and this one definitely does the trick.

11. A Well-Stocked Diaper Bag

Before you leave home, make sure your diaper bag is well stocked with extra diapers, wipes, and changes of clothes. A blowout (or two) can happen at any time! It’s also a good idea to pack a few plastic grocery bags in case you need to store poopy clothes somewhere safe for a few hours. If you’re traveling by car and changing diapers on the back seat, bring a large bath towel to protect the seat – you’ll thank me later!

Closing Thoughts

Fear not, mama. You aren’t the first to have a fussy baby in an airport or a long painful car trip you wish would come to an end, and you certainly won’t be the last. Prepare well ahead of time, look at your sweet little one whenever you need a dose of cuteness, and power through. You’ll make it out just fine, and after the first time, you’ll be an expert.

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