If you’re travelling with a baby you’ll be surprised at the extra gear even such a small person requires. And while some items, such as diapers, are a no-brainer to bring along, others may not come to mind so easily.

After three trips within Canada and ten weeks abroad in our baby’s first 13 months, I have started to get the hang of things. With that, here is my list of essential items for travel with a baby (you choose the level of adventure). In some cases I have recommended a specific product. You’ll no doubt find the ones that work for you! While gear doesn’t make the world go around, having the right items with you will definitely make your trip easier.

Don’t miss my other post in this series, Adventure Travel with Baby: 40+ Helpful Tips and Insights.

Want this info in a handy-dandy, printable checklist? Download the e-guide or sign up for the newsletter to receive a free copy!

All Purpose

Blankets – For nursing, keeping baby warm, sun protection, playtime on the ground. Have one lightweight and one fleece blanket on hand. I love Aden+ Anais Bamboo Swaddles.

Baby Wipes/Disinfecting Wipes – These come in handy for everything – for baby’s bum and body, parents’ hands, restaurant tables and high chairs, etc. I prefer natural wipes so that I can use them safely on baby’s face and hands, as well as for surfaces the baby will eat off of.

Face Cloths – You’ll be wiping baby’s face, arms, hands, as well as tables, high chairs, etc.

Clothing

You’ll have to figure out what you need to bring depending on the climate you’ll be in, but bring extras! Baby clothes don’t take up much space. You can’t always control how clean an environment is like you can at home and clothes get dirty quickly and frequently.

Diapering/Laundry

Washable Diaper Bag – We used a Bummis Organic Wet Bag for storing diapering items, such as change pad, diapers, wipes, creams and sprays.

Washable Laundry Bag – A Large Bummis Organic Wet Bag is the perfect way to gather your laundry. Throw the bag in with your load.

Eating

Travel High Chair – One we particularly liked was My Little Seat. See notes under “Transit”.

Baby Food Containers – We brought three and it was the perfect amount. In the morning we could cut food up into bite size pieces for my daughter and have it ready while we were on the move.

Reusable Squeeze Pouches – This is something I didn’t bring but wish I had! Some brands of fruit purees only come in containers that don’t let you reseal. These pouches would have allowed us to reseal the puree in a container that’s also easy to feed from.

A Reliable Bottle – Our favourite is from Comotomo. Keeping baby hydrated is essential so bring along a bottle he or she likes.

A Plastic Plate or Bowl

A Knife – Find one that folds into the handle. Convenient for cutting up food for the baby.

Fun and Play

We kept toys to a minimum (mainly made toys out of objects around us!), but enjoyed having these two on hand:

Stacking Cups – These second as fabulous beach toys, too.

Books: Indestructibles were our favourites. Baby can’t tear them, and water can’t ruin them either!

Medications/Remedies

Pack a Ziploc full of baby medications and homeopathic remedies (Tylenol, Camilia, Gripe Water, etc.) – The last thing you want to do is buy it when you actually need it. Save yourself some grief and have it on hand.

Packing

All Purpose Travel and Diaper Bag – I love, love, love the Lug Puddle Jumper

Reusable Shopping Bag – The kind that stuffs into its own bag. This came in handy for, well, shopping!

Skin

Coconut Oil – A fabulous natural moisturizer. We used it as cooking oil, too!

Baby Bug Spray – Try the Natural Newborn Bug Stopper Spray.

Sleep

Sleep Sheep – For white noise. Actually we just brought the speaker, and left the stuffed animal behind.

Baby monitor

Earplugs

Sleep Sack

Baby Bed – Unless your baby is a master co-sleeper anywhere you take him or her, bring along a baby bed. We brought a Pack and Play for our rambunctious sleeper, and airlines let us check it for free.

Homeopathic Sleep Drops – These may help your baby overcome jet lag and restlessness when adjusting to new environments.

Swimming/Boating

Infant Life Jacket – Bring your own if you’ll be near water. We’re glad we had one because some operators didn’t have jackets small enough.

Swim Diaper

Sun Protection

Hat – I highly recommend the Sunday Afternoon’s Playhat.

Baby Sunscreen – Thinkbaby Sunscreen

Sun Protective Suit – We liked the long-sleeved Nozone Baby Suit

Baby Sunglasses – look for ones with a strap so that they don’t come off or can’t be pulled off

Transit

Soft Structure Baby Carrier – Onya Baby Outback (also has a built-in chair harness) or Boba Carrier

Want this info in a handy-dandy, printable checklist? Download the e-guide or sign up for the newsletter to receive a free copy!