S Little Girl on Road ummer is officially here and so is family vacation season!!! Going on vacation with a baby and/or toddler can be an
exciting, yet daunting, experience! It may look like you’re moving out when packing for just a couple days. However, more is sometimes more when it comes to preparing for a trip with the kiddos. You can always run to the store, but you’ll want to have several items on-hand, so let’s get packing!

Here are links to my packing lists downloadable/printable PDFs for mom and for baby!

Download Printable PDF by clicking link

OR Use the Text Version – Bottom of Email

My family just returned from our first long vacation with our 9 month old. We almost didn’t make it out of the driveway with our SUV packed to the gills. Here are some suggestions that will help when packing and living out of your luggage while away:

– We learned the hard way – desperately trying to shove our huge, non-travel sized items. There were a few travel items that I recommend purchasing to save some room: a 1) blowup bathtub so you don’t have to clean the tub every use. Baby Stroller on Beach

2) A smaller stroller than the one that comes with the travel system (ex. Umbrella stroller or a carseat stroller).

3) A playyard was very helpful in a non-baby proofed environment or when you just need to put baby down for a few minutes. I recommend North States Superyard XT Play Gate. It was great for corralling babies or gating off danger zones like stairs.

– For certain activities: I suggest packing separate bags (either compartmentalized inside your suitcase, stuff in those little empty spots in your PACKed car, or leave in your car or a not so accessible location). I’m referring to bags that are only needed for a certain activity, like your workout bag, bathing, beach/pool bag, or anything needed for a special event or activity (see lists for details).

– Pack a diaper station bag that you setup to change diapers at your destination (this would be in addition to your on-the-go diaper bag for outings).

– Pack all feeding-related items together so you can access them quickly and place in your kitchen area when unpacking- for use, this ended up being like 3-4 bags for my 8 month old since she was on bottles, sippy cups and solids all at once!

– Buy what you need at your destination – pack the food you need for your travel x 2, and then buy whatever you’ll need at grocery store when you get there. Or if you are visiting someone, ask if they can pick up some things when they go grocery shopping before you get there. No room to pack your port-a-crib? This may be somewhat shameful, but I think it’s so practical if you really don’t have the extra space or are paying per weight, buy a pack-n-play when you get to your destination and return it at the end of the trip (Wal-Mart and Babies R Us will let you return for refund).

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PACKING LISTS – TEXT VERSION

BABY’s DIAPER BAG (on-the-go)

Snacks/Food/dishes/spoon

Homemade food – Cooler / Ice packs

Formula – travel

Water for formula

At least 3 bottles

Sterilizer/palmolive

Diapers

Diaper Changing Pad

Wipes – check stocked

Butt cream

Disposable Bags for dirty diapers

Hand sanitizer/Anti-bac wipes

Boogie Wipes/Tissues/Qtips

Face/Hand wipes

Pacifier/Toy/Bottle Wipes

SUN – sunglasses /sunblock / hat

Shopping bags for dirty stuff

Sound Machine (white noise/music)

Spare Batteries for necessities

Bibs

Change of clothes, Socks, PJs

2 Pacifiers

2 blankets

Burp cloths

Toys, Books

Medicines use everyday

–Mommy’s Stuff: keys, wallet, sunglasses, gloss, water, snack, tissues, Camera

Health Bag (for longer day trips – see list)

BABY HEALTH BAG (can leave in car for long day trips)

Nasal aspirator/ Qtips, tissues, pain/fever Medicine, syringes, vitamins, teething gel, teething ring, nasal spray, gas drops, Thermometer Lotion/cream, nail care, Medicines for special needs or prescriptions

BABY ACTIVITY BAG

Blankets to layout, sun hat, toys, whatever extra needed for activity time.

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Baby Overnight Pack Suitcase

(Below items should be packed as extra in addition to the Diaper Bag List and Health Bag)

*L = Pack Last Minute

? = Optional or questionable depending where you are going and how much space you have

BABY CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES

Baby’s Schedule, Notebook, Post-its, Labels, Pen/Sharpie
Extra blankets
Extra Burp cloths
___ PJs/Wearable Blankets for # nights + 2
___ Change of clothes for # days + 2 (onesies, pants, dresses, outfits, long sleeve)
Sweaters/Sweatshirts/Jackets (good to have extra layer handy for each outfit)
Socks / Shoes to match outfits
Bloomers
Headbands / barrettes / ponytail holders
Weather Wear (coats/hats/summer wear/swimming / rain gear) See Beach Bag
Toys, Books, Activities
Lovey, stuffed animals

BABY TOILETRIES/BATH/MEDICINES

*L Health Bag (See Above Under Diaper Bag)
*L Pack Diaper Bag
Extra Pacifiers, Paci holders
*L? Tub
Laundry
Towels
Washcloths
Body wash/Soap
Shampoo
Bath toys
Hair Products
Body Lotion
Teeth
Just-In-Case Medicines for Trips (in addition to Health Bag): pain/fever, extra syringes, rash cream, pedialyte (travel), tummy medicine, cold medicine, backup thermometer, constipation medicine, anti-diarrhea, extra prescription medicines

BABY EQUIPMENT

*L Port-A-Crib – Rock-N-play OR Pack-N-Play (be sure to pack accessories, such as pad, change of sheets
?Nest for Port-A-Crib*L Boppy Pillow*L Monitor/camera/plugins*L Night Light/Mobile/Stary Ceiling
*L Sound Machine (music / white noise)
*L Booster seat/High Chair
*L Stroller/Car Seat
?Bouncy seat/Jumper/Swing/Baby Gym
Spare Batteries – bring what need for Must-have items
Tiny Screw driver for replacing batteries
Baby Carrier / Sling

BABY DIAPERING STATION

Wipes
Lots of Diapers
Cream
Changing pad
Small Bags for individual dirty diapers
Diaper Pail Bags
Hand Sanitizer

BABY FEEDING/CLEANSING

*L Food containers/dishes/bowls/Sippy Cup
*L Formula
* Bottles
Cereal
Spoons
Water Bottles
Extra Detergent*L ?Bottle Soaking container
*L ?Sterilzer
Extra Sterilizer Bags, bottle brush, paper towels
Several Bibs
*L Homemade Baby Food / Cooler / Ice packs (how many days x servings per day)
Store-Bought Baby Food for convenience (how many days x servings per day)

BABY PACKING FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

BABY BEACH/POOL BAG

Bring to Beach (In addition to diaper bag)

Spare bathing suits
Spare swim diapers
Beach umbrella
Beach Blankets
?Play Yard or Play Pen
Cover-ups
Towels
Sun block
Extra food and cooler
Sun Glasses

Pack to Prep for Beach/Pool

bathing suits
swim diapers
cover-ups

BABY BREASTFEEDING MUST-HAVES

Pump, (tops, bottles/caps, plug, diaphragms, tubes), milk storage bags, something to clean parts I’ve never done this with a baby, so copied list of carry-on from Parenting Magazine’s article “Travel Mamas Packing List for Babies and Toddlers” Also, be sure to check TSA’s restrictions and allowances for babies.

BABY AIRPLANE CARRY-ON

breastfeeding cover, alcohol milk testers, nipple cream, pads, anything else needed for successful breastfeeding.
Milk / Cooler / Ice packs
Regular Diaper Bag, plus some extras AND be sure liquids/creams are following TSA regulation sizes.
Car seat (Even if not booking a seat for baby – it can be gate checked) and/or CARES Restraint from kidsflysafe.com for children who weigh 22 – 44 pounds
Stroller (It can be gate-checked too)
Change of Clothes for Baby (And maybe one for you)
Bottles (Enough to make it through the flight, plus 2 – 3 extra)
Nursing Cover-Up (Like one from http://www.bebeaulait.com)
Pacifiers (Plenty of ’em stuffed in more than one bag to make retrieval easy)
Powdered Formula (Pre-measured into a plastic container with serving dividers)
Healthy Snacks, “Forbidden” Snacks, No-Spill Snack Container
Bib (Plastic-coated so it is easily wiped clean)
Travel DVD player or Video iPod and Plenty of Kid Movies (And a couple “grown-up” movies for you in case the baby actually sleeps!)
3 – 9 Favorite Books, 1 – 2 New Books
1 – 2 Favorite Small Toys
Cuddle Object (Favorite blankie or stuffed toy)
2 – 6 New Small Toys (You can gift wrap these for older toddlers to buy some time)
Pack of Fat Crayons or Washable Markers and a Coloring Book
Stickers, Flash Cards, Lacing Cards or Other Compact Activity (For older toddlers)

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MOM’s SUITCASE

*L = Pack Last Minute

MOM’s ACCESSORIES/TOILETRIES (in small bags in suitcase)

Hair: dry shampoo, clips/ponytail/headbands, brush, hot-rollers, curling/dryer, products
Toiletries: Lotion, Perfume, deodorant, makeup, extra razors, gloss, medications, teeth, safety pins
Medicine: vitamins, pain, stomach, band-aids, allergy, prescriptions, birth control, Pads/tampons, cold medicine, cough drops, nasal spray, motion sickness, anything use for sickness
Shower: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, face, washcloths, towels, shaving, _________
BedSide: sleep, nightlight, book, ear plugs, mirror, lip balm, sleep mask, Post-its, Pens
*L Face regiment bag
Jewelry
*L Blanket/Pillow

MOM’S CLOTHING

Undies, Bras, Socks, undergarments,
Shoes – chill, dress up, workout, boots
Dressy Clothes
Chill clothes – cute/comfy
Sleep clothes
Hats
Gloves/scarves
Coat/s, Jackets

MOM’S Activity Bags

GYM BAG: Workout cloths: sport bras, gym socks, tanks tops, t-shirts, pants, sneakers, headphones, gym carry.
BEACH/POOL BAG – Bathing suits, cover-ups, towels, sunblock, hat, blanket/s, reading material, sun glasses
*L ENTERTAINMENT: DVDs, Laptop/Charger, Work files, office supplies, ipad/charger, extra phone charger, reading, camera?/batteries, adapter, extension cords, HDMI, reading material, anything use for entertainment.
Travel Purse: Makeup, anti-bac, wallet, meds, Phone/Charger, deodorant, glasses, gloss, snack, water, travel info, medicines (may combine w/ Diaper bag), post-its, pens
*L Travel Outfit laid out, with jewelry you are wearing/bringing, weather gear too
CARRY-ON bags should only have regulation size liquids, and put 2 quart size ziplock bags in travel bag to put liquids you claim at security. Also, should include your purse, entertainment, food, sweatshirt, and anything you need to have a comfy flight.