What To Bring On Vacation With Baby
To be honest, there is no right answer to this question. It all boils down to one simple thing: what you’ve deemed important for your child. For instance, if you know that it will be difficult for your baby (or toddler, as the case may be) to nap on a moving vehicle, then of course you should ensure that you have every single nap assistance gadget possible. So, in this article I’ll try to cover at least some of the possible items that you could bring when traveling with your little one.
Cleaning and packing baby stuff, researching public transportation to the beach, dining options and real estate in your vacation destination can be overwhelming. Part of the reason is that you have to coordinate a lot of details while also figuring out what to pack for you and your family when you go on vacation with baby. The last thing that you need is to bring a bunch of stuff with you on vacation that’ll just add increased stress and become annoying.
Don’t think you need to bring much on a vacation with a baby, do you? In fact, have you maybe even packed less, hoping that your mini-me will sleep all the way through the trip without the need for diapers or lotion? Not so fast!
Vacationing with a baby is a whole new type of challenge! That’s why we’re here to help. Below I’ve listed the items I can’t travel without when me and the wife decide to hit the road with our little monster.
Baby’s first family vacation is an exciting time. You’re eager to show her the wonders of the world, but what do you actually bring with you? All of your baby essentials and a little extra? Pack everything or only carry-on?
What To Bring On Vacation With Baby
Packing for any family vacation is stressful enough, and once you throw a baby into the mix, forget it. Between bottles, clothes, toys, and accessories—so many accessories!—there’s a lot to remember. And forgetting anything from your baby packing list could lead to what feels like vacation disaster.
The Essential Baby Packing List
Before you panic about forgetting something important for the plane, beach, or hotel, take a deep breath and relax. Our complete baby travel packing list outlines all the must-have items for traveling with a baby. From diaper-bag necessities to in-flight essential items, we’ve thought through everything you’ll need on your next family vacation. Read on for packing tips, a printable packing list you can customize for each trip, and details about our favorite picks for each category.
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Packing Tips: Traveling with a Baby
Traveling with a baby is no easy feat. You need a baby packing list, of course, but it’s also important to know the best strategies. Here are five important tips for taking your baby on vacation.
1. Embrace being prepared
This is the only time in your life when overpacking might actually be the right thing to do. While you don’t want to go too overboard—you’re likely also traveling with bulky items like a car seat and a stroller after all—there’s something to be said for simply having the items you know you’re going to be using. You still have to haul them, but then you get to focus on just being at your destination rather than turning vacation into errand-running time
2. Consider shipping or delivery
The age of delivery translates well to vacationing with a baby. Yes, you could pack a box of diapers (if that’s your approach, see the tip on vacuum compression bags below), but depending on your destination you might also be able to schedule a delivery of necessities to show up at the hotel or vacation rental at the same time you do. Want your own stuff? Consider shipping items ahead so you have everything you need without carrying it with you.
3. Use compression bags
Traveling with a stock of diapers? Don’t want to leave the favorite blanket or snuggly sleep sack at home? The best way to increase packing density is by using vacuum compression bags for those bulky items.
4. Practice in advance
All those items, they’re all so little, right? But when you put them all together, they can take up more space than you’d expect. Do a quick dry run before you’re packing against the clock so that you can make any adjustments when you have time to creatively problem-solve. But first? Make a packing list. You’ll likely save both some sanity and money with this approach.
5. If it increases your chance of vacation success, bring it
This is an especially difficult approach to embrace if you’re used to traveling light, but sometimes it’s worth hauling extra gear if it means you and your family will be able to settle in and enjoy themselves more. Debating whether or not to bring the baby monitor, or the playmat, or a third set of jammies in case of middle-of-the-night leakages? If it could make the difference between 10 minutes more leisure time for you, and a happier baby to boot, it’s likely worth it.