What to pack for a vacation with a baby. An awesome packing list of things to bring on a trip with a baby. Some of these are genius, but so essential!
This post is sponsored by Levana.
Going on vacation with a baby can be scary. And it can also be stressful! The first trip we went on after our son was born I was so worried about everything. We flew from Iowa to Colorado to Utah, and then drove up to Idaho. We spent a few days in Idaho, and then we repeated the trip in reverse. It wasn’t very long, but as a new mom, I had no idea what to pack for a vacation with a baby and what to bring to help make the trip easier.
Fortunately for you, that little baby is now 2 1/2, and we have been on lots more vacations with him and our one-year-old. So basically, I’m a pro now (right?).
Today I want to share what to pack for a vacation with a baby so that when you travel with your little one, you will hopefully relax and enjoy it a bit more than I did!
1. Chest carrier and/or umbrella stroller. If your baby is under three-months-old, you’re probably fine just bringing a chest carrier, but if your baby is older, you might want to consider bringing both. If you’re going anywhere where you will be walking around, these are a must! And if you’re flying, they are going to help a lot while you’re at the airport!
2. Blanket. You might think this is obvious, but I wanted to make sure I mentioned it specifically. It doesn’t matter where you’re going, a blanket is a super good idea to bring along! It helps make naps on-the-go a lot easier!
3. Tiny baby toiletries. Instead of bringing your giant baby wash and lotion, go buy some cute little ones. They will be the perfect size to last you on vacation, and they will take up a lot less space in your suitcase!
4. A new toy. When you travel, chances are that baby is going to have to be sitting either in a car or on a plane for a long time. A new toy is a great way to keep your baby occupied and it will help you keep your baby under control!
5. Video baby monitor. When we go on vacation, we usually all sleep in the same room. But my husband and I definitely don’t go to bed at the same time as our kids! Having a video baby monitor is perfect because we don’t have to sit outside their room and constantly check on them to make sure they are okay. We can go downstairs and play games at Grandma’s or go hang out in the lobby of the hotel, or even sit outside on the balcony at our family reunion! Your vacation doesn’t have to be put on hold when your kids go to bed!
6. Lots of extra outfits. Babies make messes with food and blowouts, so you’ll want to make sure you have several extra backup outfits for when that happens on vacation. I usually bring 1 extra outfit for every 2 days you’ll be somewhere. That can vary depending on how messy your baby is, but just be prepared. (Extra tip: pack outfits in gallon-size ziploc bags with everything you need so you can just grab and go!)
7. Portable crib. We always bring our pack n’ play when we go on vacation, unless we are staying somewhere that has one already. For example a grandparent’s house or a hotel with free portable cribs. Just make sure your baby will have a safe place to sleep! Bringing a portable crib is always a great idea when you are heading out on vacation with a baby.
8. Obvious essentials. Of course there are the obvious things you need to pack, too, like a car seat (if you are flying), either formula (if you aren’t nursing) or baby food, a pacifier or two, and diapers and wipes. Those are important things to pack for a vacation with baby, too!
Traveling on vacation with your baby can be a lot of fun. And if you come prepared, you will be able to relax and enjoy your trip a lot more! Don’t let the age of your children stop you from going on vacation. Some of my favorite vacation memories have been on trips when we brought our babies!
Good luck, mamas! And for more tips for traveling with littles, check out how to fly with a baby, how to take a road trip with a toddler, and wholesome snacks for a road trip with kids.
Rachel says
Love this list! I went crazy when we took our daughter at 9 months from California to Florida, but thinking back it was such a nice vacation and I would love to do it all over again
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks! It really is fun to travel with them when they are little, even if it is a little out of control sometimes!
Catherine @ Parentinn says
Thank for sharing this list, Chelsea! For me, the 3 things that you can’t leave at home should be baby monitor, portable crib, and ofc a stroller.
Chelsea Johnson says
Yes! A stroller is absolutely a must. I mean all of those things are, but a stroller for sure!