Whether you’re off on a family holiday with a baby, organising your baby’s first holiday, going away for a weekend or just enjoying a family day out, packing smart for your little one is essential. Our baby travel essentials checklist will help!
As all parents know, leaving the house with a newborn requires a little thinking ahead. When you’re travelling with a baby further afield, it’s even more important.
Naturally you’ll probably remember your wardrobe and your baby’s. We’ve put together this handy list of baby travel essentials– created with the support of Mamas & Papas – to help as you juggle childcare, laundry and getting your own suitcase ready. You can find all your essentials at Mamas & Papas.
(This post was created with support from Mamas & Papas.)
This baby travel essentials packing list will make travelling with a baby quicker and easier than ever – scroll down to get it as a PDF to print out. Armed with these tips, you can be sure that your UK family break won’t end up being one long stressful last-minute shopping trip.
Getting around
A good pushchair, with the emphasis on good
What makes a good pushchair? One that’s easy to use, versatile and packs without much effort. Some things you’ll thank yourself for:
- a lie-back option, so baby can sleep comfortably and naturally
- cushioned seat that provides support
- reflective trim for visibility at night
- easy to store
- folds with one hand
We love the Strada pushchair – it has a lightweight frame, is easy to steer with small wheels but with tough tread for a variety of terrain, folds with one hand and has a lie-back seat as well as multi-recline positions.
Warm, lightweight travel blanket
Take along your favourite cellular blanket (if it’s folded over, it counts as 2 blankets), fleece, knitted or other blanket. Great for warmth and for spreading out to play.
A baby carrier, backpack or papoose
A good alternative to your pushchair from time to time and it allows baby to take in the scenery at your eye level.
Car seat
If you’re not driving your own car, you’ll need to bring one even for short rides in a taxi or longer rides on a bus or train. (Get advice on choosing the perfect car seat for your baby.)
Window sunshade
The kind that sticks onto the glass with a little sucker. So easy.
Changing bag checklist
Nappy changing essentials
Nappies, nappy cream, wipes, nappy bags – pack these in abundance. Your baby’s particular brand and size of nappy may be difficult to find on the road. Some say to pack 2 extra days’ worth. We put in as many as we can. One benefit of having a lot of what you need – as well as peace of mind – is that your bag gets lighter the longer you’re away.
Quality changing mat
Make sure this is big enough that no part of your baby has to touch the table or surface you’re changing on.
Muslins
They don’t take up much room but can work for just about anything, from burp cloths to mess-stoppers to emergency bibs and sunshades. You can also use them for bath time, so no need to pack flannels as well. Wash them in the sink and hang them up to dry in the evening and they’re ready to go again in the morning.
Plenty of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes
These are even more important as we cope with Covid-19. We keep a small bottle and pack of wipes in our bag, and full-sized versions in the car.
Lotion
Choose one lotion that works for baby as well as your own hands, shoulders, knees and toes.
Change of clothes for you and baby
We used to only pack one change of clothes for our child, until what we call ‘The Incident’ occurred on a train. Put in a couple for baby and at least a fresh top for yourself and your partner.
Reusable waterproof bags
Great for storing dirty clothes, wet socks, used muslins and just about anything else that’s damp or dirty.
Baby travel essentials for bedtime
Universal bath plug
Turns any sink into a tiny tub or makes it easy for you to have a bath with baby in the big one.
Baby sleeping bags
Whoever invented these things was a genius – baby sleeps comfortably and parents don’t have to keep getting up to reposition kicked-off blankets. If you’re unsure of how warm the room will be, pack one (perhaps a 2.5 tog) and adjust the clothes baby wears underneath.
Scratch mittens
Easy to forget but so essential if your child tends to wake up with grazes on their face.
Travel cot with cot sheet
It’s not only a comfortable bed, it’s also a safe space to put them for a little play while you take your shower, use the kettle or get organised.
Portable blackout blind
Guards not only against sun but lighted signs, exterior lamps and streetlights.
Baby monitor (optional)
These are great to let you keep checking without opening the creaky door between the TV room and bedroom in your holiday accommodation.
Nightlight
This is more for you but can be invaluable when going someplace new. We stayed at one rental apartment that was blissfully dark at night, but found ourselves stumbling around bumping into things and feeling for the cot in an unfamiliar room. Save your shins and pack one.
Feeding baby while travelling
Bibs
At least two. These are even more vital if your baby is teething and dribbling.
Bottles and microwave sterilising bags
Sterilising bags make this process so much easier and work in a few minutes. We also like to throw in a small bottle brush to make cleaning before sterilising quick.
Formula
We measure this out beforehand and put it in little tubs or sealed baggies, ready to quickly dump it into a bottle and mix – especially important if baby gets hungry in the car or on a train. Just in case, we throw in a couple of Tetra packs of premade formula.
Snacks
The best kind don’t crumble, leave a residue or roll.
Portable high chair for older babies
A baby booster seat with detachable tray is great in this regard. https://www.mamasandpapas.com/products/baby-bud-booster-seat-with-detachable-tray-grey-412468001
Baby travel essentials for the beach
Sunguard shirts for yourself and baby
Newborns should use physical barriers like sun protection shirts rather than sunscreen. For grownups, they just make it easier while playing together – no need to continually reapply.
Sunscreen
For babies 6 months and older, use sunscreen that provides UVA and UVB protection, with an SPF of at least 30, experts say. < https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/>
UV pop-up tent
Perfect for naptime.
Sunhat and sunglasses
They’re not just cool. Experts recommend all children, especially those under age 10, should wear hat and sunglasses to protect their eyes. Ideally sunglasses should be rated UV400, which offers virtually 100% UVA protection.
Swim nappies
These can sometimes be hard to find sometimes so better safe than sorry!
Pool toys and flotation devices
Lilo with cup holder optional.
Talcum powder
Good for getting sand off feet at the end of the day.
Beach towel
If not available at your hotel, B&B or rental.
More baby travel essentials
A first aid kit
In addition to the standard items, it’s also good to put in a list of your baby’s immunisations (or take a picture) and have the number of your doctor to hand. It should include:
- sachets of baby paracetamol
- sachets of rehydration salts
- insect repellent
- Cortisone cream
- allergy medication
- non-alcohol wipes
- burn ointment
Baby wash
We use one wash intended for both hair and skin, decanted into a little travel container, of course.
Baby toothbrush and toothpaste
If they have teeth that you’d like them to keep for a while.
Infant nail clippers
If you’re going to be away more than a week, it’s a good idea to toss these in your toiletry bag.
A small bottle of hand-wash detergent
Works not only on muslins, but vests and babygrows, your tops and anything else that you thought for sure wouldn’t get *that* dirty.
See anything we’ve left off? Tell us what you can’t live without on your UK staycation with baby!
More advice on baby travel essentials, packing and holiday advice
About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net, tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.