gear travel with baby

38 Best Baby Travel Gear Items for 2024 + What NOT To Bring

Hi All! My name is Lyric Fergusson. My husband, Asher, and I are the parents of two incredible babies named Kingsley and Aurora (pictured). Our little ones have been with us to France, Italy, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, South America, five Caribbean Islands & on a road trip to California and the Grand Canyon — and having them along has been amazing and mostly stress-free!

This said, as a mama, I fully understand how intimidating it can be to travel with a baby, especially for the first time.

We feel that having the right gear is key to making a family trip a truly enjoyable one, and we believe it is a large part of why we’ve had such wonderful travels with our babies. That’s why we created this guide for the must-haves and great accessories that will make traveling as a family way easier!

38 Essential Baby Travel Items

1. travel stroller.

Airport security rules state that any stroller that weighs over 20 lbs (9 kgs), is too bulky, or is non-collapsible must be checked at the ticket counter .

Mamas, this means if your stroller exceeds the weight limits, you will be schlepping your baby and ALL of your bags through the airport with no stroller. Suffice it to say, you’ll regret the decision to bring a heavy stroller.

This Summer Infant 3DLite is our top travel stroller pick. It’s inexpensive, durable, only 13 lbs, and has a multi-position recline that goes practically flat for an on-the-go nap. It fits in the smallest of trunks and we’ve even hauled it (pretty easily) up and down six flights of stairs in Paris. If the 3D Lite isn’t your bucket-list stroller, check out the Nova for luxury, the Summer Two-Seater , or a foldable wagon which is always a fun idea (especially if you’re hauling around more than one toddler or headed to a beach destination!)

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Stroller + Car Seat Combo

You can compromise with the best of both worlds – opting for this 3-in-1 Trio system by Chicco . It is designed with travel in mind, helping you create a full-blown system that your kids can grow with. While in stroller mode, the canopy expands for UV protection, or you can push it down and click it into place to activate car-seat/booster mode. It quickly folds and unfolds to suit your needs and holds so much stuff like groceries, blankets, etc.

I will say, it’s slightly bulkier than some options, but that’s the trade-off of having an all-in-one piece, which means fewer items to carry around. Overall, it will make your baggage lighter and cut down on the amount of equipment you have to keep up with.

3. Convertible Travel Carseat

While the stroller + car seat combo is ideal for infants, this option is better for families needing more weight flexibility and a car seat for growing kids.

I would never put my baby in a car without a car seat. However, I cannot imagine lugging around our 35 lb one across the airport, let alone Europe! This one weighs only 12 lbs and works for children from 5-65 lbs (check the weight limits for each mode, forward or rear-facing).

Note: All airlines will check your car seat at the ticket counter free of charge.

4. Travel Crib (a.k.a. Travel Playpen)

In our experience, the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib is the best of the best when it comes to travel cribs. It’s only 12 lbs, really well-made, and you can put it together and take it down in less than 10 seconds (without reading any instructions!) The crib has an extremely cushy mattress pad that lays flat on the Earth, (unlike the Guava Lotus which we didn’t like ) and most other travel cribs where the mattresses hover above the ground and wobble whenever your baby shifts during the night (sounds comfy, right?)

It even comes with a chic, easy-to-carry case. Our little guy has slept beautifully through the night on every trip we have ever taken and I really think it is because of this crib. You can let them play and nap in it before you head out so they can become familiar with it. They will sleep so much better!

Note: All domestic airlines will check your crib at the ticket counter free of charge. I always check with international carriers about their policy prior to traveling.

5. Quick-Dry Travel Towels

Travel towels are one of the most versatile items you can pack. It can serve as a drool rag, seat cover, packing cushion, and much more. They’re also amazing for cleaning up spills! When we discovered these, we stopped bringing along bulky towels or trying to pack fluffy ones that the hotel provides when going on beach trips. This one dries 10x faster than cotton and weighs less than half a pound — perfect for in the diaper bag!

6. Travel Insurance for Your Trip

Since your domestic provider typically does not cover you outside of the country, the last thing you want to worry about is rushing a spouse or child to the hospital and having to pay out-of-pocket for a five-figure bill. Protect your vacation investment and your loved ones with travel insurance – it’s a small price compared to anything else you’re booking, yet will cover you for flight cancellations, delays, baggage loss, theft, and expensive medical emergencies.

We use Faye because they are revolutionizing the insurance game! While most providers make the process miserable with tons of paperwork and hoops to jump through – Faye reimburses you through their mobile app, making the claims process a cakewalk. Get a customized quote for each trip and traveler. It’s very affordable for young families since it goes up in cost with age and is worth it for the sheer peace of mind.

Get a quote in less than 60 seconds with Faye ➜

7. Diaper Changing Pad

My husband and I use the  Kopi Baby changing pad religiously during travel because it folds up easily into a small bag, keeping everything clean (wipes, diapers, etc.) even when we’re in seriously dirty places.

We have used it on the airport floor, in the Louvre, and in Caribbean bathrooms that had no changing tables. Yuck! It’s honestly the bomb and really worth the spend for travel.

8. Short-Sleeved Bib

These amazing bibs from Bumpkins are my favorites because they are wearable like a shirt. Simply latch the back and your kiddo’s outfit will have full coverage from even the goopiest of foods. It’s waterproof and therefore super easy to clean — even in small cruise ship sinks — while also drying quickly and saving you a lot of cleanup!

9. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Moms deal with more STUFF than basically anyone on the planet (wipes, tissues, first-aid, snacks, toys, oh my!) Use this hanging toiletry bag to organize all of your family’s toiletries in one bag instead of dealing with unhinged chaos all over the hotel room. This is a way easier system than piling tons of plastic sacks with liquid bottles that you’re trying to keep from leaking all over your suitcase.

We’re obsessed with this bag from Eco Sun, a sustainable company in Hawaii that is made by travelers, for travelers. It organizes all of our self-care routines (and thus, our sanity!) with a leakproof design and stain-resistant material. There are 4 pockets on the inside with elastic bands to hold your bottles and brushes in place, plus 3 external compartments for smaller items that you need easy access to. It’s an elegant and cohesive system for an area of my life that would otherwise be pretty stressful on the road.

10. Stroller Clips

Whether you are using a blanket to block out the sun or to keep your little one warm, stroller clips are awesome because they’ll secure the blanket just where it needs to be. That way, your baby can sleep peacefully — and you can push them easily (no more blankets getting tangled in the wheels, blown off by the wind, or dragged on the floor).

Stroller clips are also great for attaching the diaper bag, your purse, baby’s toys, or really anything else to the stroller.

11. Stroller Protector Bag

You will typically have to check your stroller at the gate between flights and this bag will save it from getting wet or damaged as the flight crew is literally throwing it on and off the belly of the plane. The Hap Tim Stroller Bag is extremely sturdy and streamlined, which is helpful when moving the stroller in and out of taxis, hotels, and rental cars, and it has a long set of straps that make carrying the stroller a piece of cake.

12. Wet/Dry Sacks

Poop can happen at any time. In case you don’t want to mess up your nicer diaper bags, having wet/dry bags on hand at all times is beyond useful. These are just as durable as your high-end bags but not so precious that you’ll worry about them getting ruined (about what you would spend on a week’s worth of ziplocks). It also is easier to clean in the washing machine and traps the stinky diaper smell so you’re not trapped in a stink bubble all day! Besides being leakproof, you’re helping Mother Earth by going reusable.

13. TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

After having items stolen out of our check luggage, we never forgo luggage locks. We bring a couple of sets for suitcases, city lockers, using backpacks in crowded areas, and more. Plus, these are TSA-approved so you won’t suffer through any hang-ups at security.

14. Insulated Food Jar

This jar has saved us so many times. If your baby is eating solids but is picky, likes warm snacks, or is just not into eating restaurant food yet (and you aren’t too keen on always giving them jars of pre-packaged food), I would bring along one of these. You can bake them a yam at grandma’s or order some steamed veggies at your hotel and throw the food in the Foogo Thermos , and it will stay warm for hours while you tour Rome or head to the beach.

15. Neck Wallet

When traveling with little ones, things can get hectic REAL QUICK while going through airports, taxis, and beyond. This neck wallet makes it super easy to keep track of where your family’s passports, phones, credit cards, cash, and plane tickets are while also preventing petty theft or sticky fingers. My hubby wears his with all four of our family’s passports and when we’re in crowded places, he conceals it under his shirt. This one also comes with RFID-blocking material to stop e-thieves from scanning your financial data.

16. Diaper Bag

For your full-blown Diaper bag, this bag is awesome for allowing you to have tons of storage in a waterproof case. This diaper bag from BabbleRoo is stylish, lightweight, and won’t break the bank. It also has 18 pockets to hold everything from diapers to a water bottle to your cell phone. And if you spill milk (or baby pukes on the bag), no problem! The wipe-clean material is super easy to clean. Bonus: It comes with a matching changing pad in case you forget your Kopi Baby !

17. Sleep Sack

We love the Woolino sleep sack! It is 100% natural, made from premium soft Australian merino wool, has an organic cotton outer shell, and is machine-washable. It also regulates the body temperature and is comfortable for baby from external temperatures as low as 60°F (16°C) to as high as 77°F (25°C).

It’s a great way to keep your honey cozy on an airplane, and so helpful for unpredictable temperatures in hotels or and even at grandma’s house. One extra bonus: we don’t have to travel with many blankets which keeps our luggage weight down.

18. Homeopathic First Aid Kit

Don’t leave home without these remedies – we certainly don’t. They are natural, safe, effective, and don’t cause harmful side effects.

They have saved us repeatedly during teething, tummy aches, or crabby spells. I can’t recommend them enough.

• Camilia Teething Relief  – These all-natural drops relieve painful gums and irritability from teething, as well as associated digestive distress. The single-use containers help prevent contamination.
• Natural Gas Relief  – Even with the grape flavor, these drops have NO artificial flavors or dyes. They provide natural relief for all the symptoms that come along with gas, like bloating, colic, constipation, and restlessness.
• Baby Calm – If your baby is fussy or won’t sleep, try these tablets. They’re quick-dissolving and provide immediate relief, so you can both get back to sleep.
• Earache Relief  – If your baby has an earache, these all-natural drops will help relieve symptoms like fever, pain, irritability, and sleeplessness. The dosing dropper makes it super easy to apply the drops.
• Echinacea Drops  – Our little guy has yet to get sick while we’ve traveled, and I really think It’s due to these drops. If Kingsley looks like he is possibly heading in the sick direction I give him this and it boosts his immune system immediately. He even likes the taste.
• Baby Vitamin C – Vitamin C is another awesome immune booster which I give our son a few days before we begin traveling. I give it to him again if I think he seems like he might be catching something.

19. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Did you know that you risk your private data whenever you join a public network at cafes, Airbnbs, hotels, and the airport? And many people can monitor your online activity without your permission, including cyber thieves, your internet provider, government entities, and nosy neighbors! A virtual private network (VPN) keeps all of your digital information secure from hackers so you don’t have to worry about your credit cards, passwords, or other confidential info getting stolen.

You’re bound to connect to a random Wi-Fi network when traveling, so take the extra step to encrypt your network with a VPN like NordVPN . It’s super affordable and will also limit any local censorship you may face, which can block your favorite websites like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and more. We never travel without a VPN and even use it at home to ensure a safe connection! Give it a try, there’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

View options at NordVPN ➜

20. Luggage Straps

Just as every outdoorsman should carry rope – every parent should have this adjustable strap! It’s a multi-purposeful item that can serve you in a variety of ways (depending on how creative you want to get). First and foremost, it secures your checked luggage and carry-on bags for rough handling and takes the pressure off of your zippers.

Beyond this, the brightly-colored straps will help your family’s bags stand out at the arrivals terminal (where everyone and their uncle has the same black bag), so it’s a massive timesaver.

More creatively, you can tether a bunch of bags together, create a makeshift strap if one breaks, compress items that are overpacked, and basically secure anything that is falling apart. I once used these to fix my friend’s suitcase that broke, which got us through to the next flight. And the built-in contact card is invaluable if your bags end up getting lost. It’s one of our favorite discoveries and a must for any traveler’s packing list!

21. Packing Cubes

If you have ever dug frantically into a suitcase looking for a single clean baby sock while your whole family is downstairs waiting for you, you will understand why packing cubes are a necessity! I usually put my son’s t-shirts and shorts in one cube, his long-sleeved sweaters and pants in another, and accessories in another. It seriously helps us stay organized!

Available on  HeroTravelSupply.com  with an exclusive 15% discount using the coupon code  “HERO” .

Or view on Amazon.com ➜

22. Mini White Noise Machine

You might think, “Why do I need a white noise machine when I have an App on my iPhone?” Well, let me tell you that if you use your phone for white noise, that means your phone is held hostage in the baby’s room while you are in the living room trying to make a dinner reservation or check work emails, etc.

This pocket-sized white noise machine was the best purchase we made before our Caribbean cruise adventure. Both at our hotel in Puerto Rico and on the cruise itself, we had to deal with some really rowdy people yelling at all hours of the night. We were kind of shocked – our little dude slept peacefully through the night when we had this white noise machine on. I won’t travel without it now. It takes up virtually no space and you never know who is going to be your neighbor!

23. Sanitizing Wipes

These are awesome! They are cheap and I’ve used them to wipe down airline trays, restaurant high chairs, bathroom changing tables (and of course, our hands) while exploring. The individual packets fit easily in your diaper bag or your coat pocket without being bulky. An absolute 5-star in our book.

24. Baby Carrier

Ok, I know most of you probably already have a baby carrier, but I have to mention this Baby Bjorn Carrier because it’s been amazing for us while traveling.

It’s really comfortable, not bulky, and can easily fold up and fit under the stroller. We even use it as a portable high chair! How? Well, when my little dude was too tiny to fit in a restaurant high chair but was eating solids, he could comfortably have his entire meal while strapped to my hubby. It made eating out really enjoyable and low-stress, plus the carrier is super easy to wipe down and wash.

25. Universal Power Adapter

There are 15 styles of outlets around the world, so it’s nice to avoid buying a brand new power adapter for each country. This universal option is compatible with outlets in 100+ popular destinations and has multiple USB outlets for efficient charging. Not to mention, it very well could be the last adapter you ever have to buy since it comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee.

26. Inflatable Travel Bed

This adorable inflatable toddler bed is a game-changer for kiddos who are too big for a crib but need their own space to sleep on a trip. I worry about my tots falling out of massive beds at hotels or Airbnbs, and this option is comfy, easy to blow up, and keeps them close while still giving them a sense of independence. We’ve traveled with two of these for years and our kiddos are big fans!

27. Neck Pillow for Toddlers

Speaking of difficulty in transit, a neck pillow for kids is smart to have on-hand in case your babes can’t sprawl out. For those of you familiar with the strange positions your children’s heads can get into on long car rides, this one will support your toddler’s neck and be useful in almost all traveling scenarios. Moms that are breastfeeding may consider an inflatable nursing pillow that is made for travel and lumbar support.

28. Windproof Travel Umbrella

An umbrella should always be in your travel artillery and this one weighs only 1-pound and fits in your diaper bag. It comes with a convenient carrying case and has sheltered us from some pretty vicious storms since it’s windproof and covers 2 people (plus baby if you all snuggle close!)

29. Portable High Chair

We love bringing our foldable high chair to make mealtime go much smoother whether you are at an AirBnB or at grandma’s. It works for babies up to toddlers and is a great solution for restaurants that don’t have booster seats or high chairs. It’s compact and has some sneaky pockets, plus a carrying case. The tray is free of harmful chemicals like BPA, and it’s dishwasher safe.

30. All-in-One Food Processor

A food processor is so useful for blending up fresh fruits and vegetables for your little one on-the-go. This set comes with silicon molds as a freezer tray and glass cases for storage. My babies loved easy concoctions like mangos with sweet potatoes, carrot with orange, and bananas with strawberries. Yum!

31. Cooling Towel

For any tropical escapes or warm destinations, this cooling towel is a godsend! It’s absolutely non-toxic and safe for baby to hold onto. By adding water and wringing it out, the towel magically drops to 20-30 degrees colder than the outside temp. Anytime you need more icey relief, simply add more water. It will save baby, dad and mom from heat-induced melt-downs. Try it out and you can thank us later!

32. Baby-Proofing Gear

Babyproofing is something you should consider doing anywhere you stay. Whether they’re crawling, scooting, or starting to walk, it’s a preventative measure worth taking, especially if you are traveling to a home or Bnb that you know is not baby-proofed

Of course, a gate should be kept anywhere you don’t want your little one to roam (like the stairs or outside). For your curious explorers, you may also need outlet covers , safety straps for cabinets, door knob covers , and corner protectors for tables or sharp edges.

33. Car Seat Protector Backpack

Many parents complain that their car seat has gotten dirty, cracked or damaged when they’ve traveled — especially if they check it at the ticket counter. Because of this bag, we’ve never had any trouble.

It’s padded, and although you might look a little ridiculous with it on your back, I can’t tell you how nice it is to have two free hands when you are trying to wrangle multiple children and luggage. I’m a pretty tiny woman, and I can very comfortably wear it while using my hands for other things.

34. Inflatable Baby Bathtub

Not only is this thing cute as can be, but it blows up easily to make a bathtub that’s fantastic for travel. The textured bottom means baby won’t slip around, but it’s small enough to keep them in place. It’s surprisingly scientific since it has hot-white technology that lets you know when the water is too hot, displaying a different color. It was awarded ‘top baby bath’ in 2016 and is easy to drain from the bottom without any heavy lifting.

35. Baby-Safe Dish Soap

Cleaning bottles, sippy cups, bibs, and pacifiers on the go can be a bit of a challenge, I know! And it’s really hard to get to a destination and realize you have no soap to wash your bubba’s stuff (story of my life in the Caribbean… whoops!) I now bring along baby-safe dish soap so that I can be sure that all of Kingsley and Aurora’s belongings stay clean even when I’m rushing to wash them in a tiny bathroom basin.

36. Travel Potty-Training Seat

This is excellent for traveling families with a toddler in toilet training! Not only is it adorable, but it comes in many different colors and latches onto most standard-sized toilets. The foldable design means you can store it in your diaper bag and then whip it out when necessary at hotels, malls, airports, on planes, or wherever. WAY easier than holding your kid in the air as they hover over a gross toilet seat! And super easy to clean.

37. Diaper Rash Cream

This is hands down the best diaper rash cream out there! We initially got it in a gift set with our first baby but have now bought countless tubes. It is the main diaper cream we use, especially if we are trying to treat a rash. We will sometimes use Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment if we are just preventing irritation on a clear butt. If we have a really bad rash, we will layer and use both. This cream is so thick, smells lovely, and works without the harsh chemicals.

38. Your Favorite Bedtime Story

Maintaining your routine while traveling will add a sense of normalcy to the experience. Your little one will find comfort in familiarity and it will help them sleep in a new place. So bring along your favorite book or try a new one to end the day with a sweet story. Reading aloud builds a network of words in their heads and can help them develop their language and speaking skills more quickly. Plus, your voice is so soothing to them and will help ease them into sleep.

Additional Baby Travel Gear to Consider

• Crib Sheets
• Travel Laundry Bag
• Baby Monitor
• Changing Pad
• Cheap Burp Cloths
• Cooling Towels
• Nursing Cover-up
• Breast-pump Backpack
• Travel Nursing Pillow
• Baby Dishes
• Baby Utensils
• Pacifier & Bottle Wipes
• Roadtrip Organizer
• Travel Towels
• Soft Washcloths
• Swim Diapers
• Stroller Fan
• Spillproof Snack Cup
• Luggage Locks
• Plane Window Toys
• Weleda Baby On the Go Kit
• Kid-Safe Bug Repellent
• Laundry Soap

What NOT to Bring when Traveling with Baby

1. don’t bring a bulky stroller (no jogging strollers.

They’re hard to get in and out of a small rental car, and almost impossible to lift when you’re juggling baby AND luggage at the same time (and don’t even think about trying to collapse it!).

2. DON’T TAKE a bulky car seat

A big, heavy car seat also makes it hard to hold baby and deal with luggage, and even harder to run through the airport to catch your flight! Plus car seats can get damaged when traveling, so you don’t want to be using an expensive one.

3. DON’T PACK cloth diapers

Cloth diapers are eco-friendly, but don’t feel bad if you don’t want to mess with them when traveling. They create a lot of extra work, and you’ll already be plenty busy traveling with a baby.

4. DON’T BRING heavy toys

There’s no need to lug around your baby’s heaviest toys when you’re traveling. Bring their lightweight ones instead, and you can always buy a few new toys at your destination for added fun!

5. DON’T PACK too many blankets

It’s tempting to think you should bring tons of extra blankets “just in case.” Just don’t. Go for a sleep sack instead – they’re easier and they stay put on their own. Bringing extra blankets is asking for weight, bulk, and extra laundry!

6. DON’T TAKE too many diapers

Disposable diapers are bulky, so think about how many you’ll need before you pack (do bring some extras – just not too many extras!). Better yet, have  Honest Company Diapers  ship a pack to your location, or if you’re going overseas, just buy them when you arrive.

7. DON’T BRING heavy baby books

Maybe you want to use your vacation time to catch up on some reading, but this is not the time to tackle that 500-page book on everything you’re doing wrong as a parent. You’re on vacation, treat yourself to some light beach reading instead, and make it even more convenient by using a Kindle .

8. DON’T PACK too few baby clothes

I know this sounds odd, but it’s a balance. Of course you don’t want your suitcase to be too heavy, but you don’t want to spend your whole trip washing either. And honestly, it’s not like baby clothes weigh much!

9. DON’T TAKE full-sized bottles

Traveling with a baby means packing lots of liquids (baby shampoo, baby lotion, dish soap, etc.), on top of your own toiletries. So many regular-sized bottles will be way too heavy, so pack all your liquids in travel-sized containers instead.

10. DON’T PACK too many disposable items

No matter where you’re traveling, you’ll probably be able to get things like wet wipes, tissues, and plastic bags pretty easily. So just bring as many as you’ll realistically use, and know that you can easily pick up more if you end up needing them.

FAQs about traveling with a baby

1. does my baby need a passport.

Yes. Regardless of their age, your baby needs a passport for international trips, including to Canada.

To get them a passport in the U.S., you will need a copy of the birth certificate and two 2″x2″ photos of the baby (from the shoulders up), and both parents need to come with the baby to a passport acceptance facility. Single parents must present a custody agreement, and if one parent is not able to come (such as if they’re stationed elsewhere), a signed and notarized Form DS-3053 will also have to be presented.

2. How should I choose a hotel when traveling with a baby?

• To minimize your time schlepping everything around, look for a hotel that’s near the attractions you plan to visit or at least near public transportation if you’ll be using it.
• Having quiet at nighttime is key, so try to avoid hotels on busy streets, as well as older buildings, which may not have good soundproofing.
• You’ll probably need to do laundry at some point, so check for either coin-op laundry in the hotel or a nearby laundromat.
• Try to find a hotel with large rooms, which will allow plenty of space to set up a crib or playpen.
• Make sure the bathroom has a tub, and not just a shower, which seems to be getting more common.
• Even if the room doesn’t have a full kitchen, it’s useful to at least have a refrigerator, as well as some counter space to make bottle-washing easier.
• If you’re not planning to bring a travel crib, call the hotel before you book to double-check that they’ll provide one.

3. What should I do to baby-proof our hotel room?

• Ask before you arrive if the hotel offers baby-proofing supplies (or even baby-proofed rooms)
• Check that all the furniture in the room (including the TV) is stable
• Check the floor (including under the bed) for anything a baby could put in their mouth: coins, rocks, pills, bottle caps, etc.
• Put blue painter’s tape over outlets.
• Tape foam squares over any sharp corners near the floor
• Tape the toilet lid down
• Tape any electrical cords to the furniture out of baby’s reach

4. Does my baby need a plane ticket?

Different airlines have varying policies on infant travel, but buying a ticket for children under two years old is usually optional. Without a ticket, the baby has to be held on your lap throughout the flight, and some airlines charge a “lap child fee,” especially for international flights.

If you’re planning to fly with a child in your lap, you should inform the airline in advance. But if you’d rather have a separate seat for your baby, you can book them one at a child’s fare.

5. Which airlines are the most baby-friendly?

The best airline for you depends on what’s most important to you when it comes to flying with your baby. These airlines are regularly rated as the most family- and child-friendly:

• Eithad: Their Flying Nannies are special flight attendants whose job is to help you fly with your baby, and they also offer a bottle-warming service on board.
• Emirates Airlines: The Dubai airport provides complimentary strollers, and the airline provides children on the plane with an entertainment kit that includes blankets and a fuzzy “We Fly With Me” stuffed animal.
• Air New Zealand: Their Economy Skycouch connects three seats and converts into a bed for comfort and easier sleeping, and the airline also provides bassinets on board.

6. How much baby food and milk/formula can I bring in my carry-on luggage?

Bring as much as you’ll need for the flight. Baby food, formula, and milk are exempted from the 3-ounce rule for liquids, but you do need to declare it at security so it can be inspected separately. They run a harmless test on excepted baby liquids, and once they’re done they will reseal it and give it back to you.

Even for parents traveling with children, water is still not allowed, so plan to buy it or bring a reusable filtered water bottle to fill up once you’ve passed through security.

7. How can I help my baby sleep on the plane?

Parents planning on using a bassinet, book a front-row seat if possible to make sure there’s plenty of space. Consider bringing a  sleep sack  to keep them more comfortable and a blanket or scarf to drape over the bassinet and block out light. And of course, bring their pacifier and any favorite toys. Feed your baby during take-off, which will help pop their ears, reduce discomfort, and calm them down.

8. How many diapers do I need to bring on a trip?

A good rule of thumb is to bring one diaper per hour of flight or car time, but it’s always a good idea to bring some extras beyond that, just in case.

9. Can I go camping with a baby?

If you’ve never been camping before, this might not be the best time to get into it.

Otherwise, it’s a good idea to get an okay from your pediatrician first, but many families absolutely go on camping trips with infants, and have plenty of fun! You’ll just want to be more aware of weather, drive time, cleanliness, baby-safe  insect repellent , and supplies, and it probably goes without saying that your baby likely won’t sleep through the night in a tent.

10. What are the best places to travel with a baby?

Depending on your travel preferences, beach destinations and national parks can make for great baby-friendly getaways. They tend to be mellow and allow for a lot of flexibility with your schedule and activities.

Alternatively, all-inclusive resorts make things easy and will usually provide all the amenities you need – plus they tend to be VERY fun!

Of course, a staycation or a visit to family or friends are good options, too, and will probably feel a little more familiar to you and baby.

11. What kinds of things are required when flying with a baby? Do I have to have a special seatbelt?

YES, you do need a special seatbelt for toddlers and up to a certain weight. Babies will likely need their own carseat, or you can typically hold them in your lap. If the airline doesn’t require you to purchase a ticket for a lap-child, this is a great way to save money as long as you’re comfortable holding your little one the whole time.

In instances like this it’s handy to have a  baby sling  which can be tightened to hold baby close, or loosened to act as a lap-cradle to relieve your back and arms while baby sleeps.

Verify the TSA requirements for traveling with small children  here .

Here are some links to the relevant car seat rules for the major US airlines so you can be prepared for your next flight:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines (and also here )
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines
• Virgin America (and also here )

Lyric Fergusson

• Baby & Toddler
• Baby Health & Wellness
• Toddler and Baby Gear

The Best Baby Travel Essentials for Your Next Family Trip

All parents know that bringing baby anywhere pretty much guarantees a bag (or two) brimming with gear —and when you’re packing for an extended trip, the prospect of carrying everything around (and remembering it all!) can be daunting. Thankfully, there are plenty of sanity-saving baby travel essentials out there, all designed to lighten your load. From on-the-go changing and feeding accessories to feather-light strollers and packable playards , these trusty products will make any trip more seamless. Below, browse our handy baby travel essentials checklist, then shop our favorites for an array of categories.

Baby Travel Essentials Checklist

Packing for yourself and your little one doesn’t have to be a headache. To make sure you don’t forget any baby travel essentials, keep this checklist handy as you prep:

Travel car seat

Travel stroller

Travel crib

Baby carrier

Portable high chair

Travel diaper bag (and diaper bag essentials , of course!)

Travel changing pad

Wet/dry bag

Portable wipes dispenser (and your favorite wipes )

Diapers (or training pants !)

Travel potty seat (for little ones who are potty training )

Travel white noise machine

Travel nursing pillow (if you’re breastfeeding )

Baby bottles

Insulated food jar

Formula and snack dispenser

Portable baby bathtub (for newborns and younger infants)

Pacifier clip

Travel toys

Baby Travel Essentials To Shop

Missing a few key items, or not sure where to start when it comes to picking out baby travel essentials? We’ve got you covered. Here, check out top-notch travel strollers, portable high chairs, diaper bags, car seat toys and everything else in between so you’re prepped for any and all travel plans.

Best travel car seat

Searching for a top-notch infant travel car seat? You can’t go wrong with this design from Nuna . It’s made from premium materials, has a secure five-point safety harness and can easily be installed with a seatbelt (no base needed!). This car seat is also Aircraft-certified and can be seamlessly connected to any Nuna stroller. Another feature you’ll love: It has a removable, full coverage canopy that’s UPF 50 to keep baby shaded in sunny weather.

Dimensions: 27.25” (L) x 17.5” (W) x 23” (H) | Weighs: 6.9 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 32 pounds

Best travel booster seat

Traveling with a tot or a kiddo? Don’t forget to bring along a travel booster seat . Our favorite is this design from Peg Perego . It can be adjusted in four different ways to ensure your little love is comfy and safe while en route to your destination. This booster can be installed using just a seatbelt and folds easily for added convenience. When inevitable messes occur, you’ll also love how the cover is machine-washable.

Dimensions: 26” (L) x 22” (W) x 17.25” (H) | Weighs: 14.8 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 120 lbs.

Best travel stroller

Talk about on-the-go: This lightweight travel stroller is just 16 lbs. and meets International Air Travel Association (IATA) requirements, meaning it can be stored in a plane’s overhead compartment. When on the ground, unfold it in seconds and enjoy features like the spacious underseat basket, the protective sun canopy and the advanced four-wheel suspension. Better yet, you don’t have to sacrifice sturdiness for the small size—the stroller can be used from 6 months up to around the four-year mark.

Dimensions: 36.42” (L) x 17.72” (W) x 40.31” (H) | Weighs: 16 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 48.50 pounds

Best travel crib

Wherever you’re headed, making sure baby has a safe place to sleep is a top priority. Thankfully, the Lotus solves that problem. This lightweight travel crib (13 lbs.) folds into a compact carrying case that fits in the overhead compartment and can be worn as a backpack. Once you’ve reached your destination, it sets up in 15 seconds and is super-sturdy for peace of mind. Plus, it doubles as a playard, with a side zip door so baby can crawl in and out.

Dimensions: 45.5” (L) x 31.5” (W) x 25.5” (H) | Weighs: 15 lbs. | Maximum capacity: No weight limit

Best toddler travel bed

Need something a bit more tot-friendly? Then this toddler travel bed will have your (and your kiddo’s) back. Highlights include the sleeping pad, the adjustable sunscreens and the secure anchor straps. This portable bed can be used by little ones between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old, so you can count on it for many outings to come. The best part? It easily folds into the included carry bag when not in use.

Dimensions: 19” (L) x 3.5” (W) x 19” (D) | Weighs: 3.65 lbs. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best baby carrier

A carrier will let you walk around with baby without having to work hard—and still have the freedom to use both hands. Pro tip: Wearing baby through the airport will let you wheel along your luggage and sail through security without taking baby in and out. A longtime parent-loved brand, Ergobaby stands out for form and function, giving you the option to wear baby in multiple positions.

Dimensions: 6.2” (L) x 9.1” (W) x 10.4” (H) | Weighs: 2.2 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 45 pounds

Best portable high chair

Clip it on, clip it off; this portable high chair creates seating for little ones where there otherwise is none. Suitable for up to 37 pounds, it’s sturdy and durable enough to last through the toddler years. Best of all? It packs flat into the included travel bag. Now comes the hard part: Picking just one of the cute colorways available.

Dimensions: 14” (L) x 17” (W) x 11” (H) | Weighs: 4.96 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 37 lbs.

Best travel diaper bag

Road, train or plane trips with kiddos are what this weekender bag was made for. It weighs only 3 lbs., but don’t let that fool you—there’s plenty of room for your gear, thanks to the convenient mesh packing cubes included and the wipe-open compartment. Need to be hands-free? No problem. Just adjust the strap to turn it into a crossbody. Other highlights include a cushioned changing pad, an insulated bottle pocket and a handy luggage sleeve—score!

Dimensions: 17.5” (L) x 9” (W) x 14” (H) | Weighs: 3 lbs. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best travel changing pad

Make on-the-go diaper changes a bit less messy with the help of this travel changing pad. No matter where you are, it will offer a hygienic, cushioned surface for baby to lay on while they get cleaned up. We love how this one can be opened with just one hand—plus, it features two storage pockets for diapers and wipes. When you’re all done, fold it flat and tote it in your diaper backpack , your carry-on bag or your suitcase.

Dimensions: 13.8” (L) x 8.4” (W) x 1.6” (H) | Weighs: 7.04 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best wet/dry bag

What do you do when you’re nowhere near home and you’ve got a handful of dirty cloth diapers and soiled clothes? Grab one of these totes, which separately store wet and dry items in the same bag. Sealed seams prevent wicking and leaking, and a snap handle makes it a breeze to carry.

Dimensions: 12” (L) x .05” (W) x 15” (H) | Weighs: 3.2 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best portable wipes dispenser

When it comes to on-the-go diaper changes and post-meal cleanups, you’ll likely have your hands full. This is why OXO designed a dispenser that, with a one-handed push of the button, reveals a large opening for easy access to wipes. The handy strap and slim shape mean you can hang it from your stroller or tuck it neatly into your bag. Dimensions: 1.5” (L) x 6.2” (W) x 11.3” (H) | Weighs: 4.9 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best travel potty seat

Thanks to this cool design, potty training doesn’t have to stop just because you’re out and about. When nature calls, unfold this travel potty seat and place it on any adult-sized toilet to create a smaller, more comfortable seat for your kiddo. Then, simply wipe it clean, fold it back up and place it in the included travel bag.

Dimensions: 13.75” (L) x 11” (W) x 0.75” (H) | Weighs: 12.8 oz. | Maximum capacity: 50 lbs.

Best travel white noise machine

If you’re traveling with a little one who’s still lulled by white noise, this is a must-have. It has all the features you’d want in a sound machine—a variety of white noise and sound options, volume control, long battery life and a lock—all in a compact, highly portable design. There’s even a clip to hang it from baby’s stroller or car seat.

Dimensions: 3.5” (L) x 3.75” (W) x 1.75” (H) | Weighs: 6.72 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best travel nursing pillow

Nursing pillows are the perfect companion to long breastfeeding sessions—and this one is ideal for on-the-go moms. The unique sling style offers you and baby support, with the distinct advantage of folding into a convenient travel bag, thanks to its slim, lightweight design.

Dimensions: 22” (L) x 3.5” (W) x 5” (H) | Weighs: 1 lb. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best baby bottle

Bottles are essential baby travel gear for families with newborns or infants. Our favorites are these from Phillips Avent, which have natural response nipples that allow baby to control their feeding pace. They also have a no-drip design, making them perfect for taking out and about.

Dimensions: 2.8” (L) x 8.39” (W) x 6.54” (H) | Weighs: 11.04 oz. | Maximum capacity: 9 fl. oz.

Best insulated food jar

If your little one has moved onto solids , this insulated food jar is the perfect way to keep their food fresh while you’re not at home. The container keeps contents warm for seven hours and cold for five—plus, it even comes with built-in utensils for an on-the-move meal.

Dimensions: 3.5” (L) x 4.7” (W) x 3.5” (H) | Weighs: 8.2 oz. | Maximum capacity: 11 fl. oz.

Best formula and snack dispenser

Keep snacktime contained with this handy container. It seals shut for ultimate freshness and is complete with removable inner sections that let you pack different snacks all in one place. What’s more, its convenient spout makes formula storage and transfer a breeze.

Dimensions: 3.94” (L) x 3.94” (W) x 6.10” (H) | Weighs: 3.68 oz. | Maximum capacity: 27 fl. oz.

Best portable baby bath

Baby is practically guaranteed to make a mess wherever you go—but a portable tub will help you deal with the aftermath. This lightweight one by Stokke folds completely flat, so you can easily fit it in your luggage.

Dimensions: 33” (L) x 10” (W) x 20” (H) | Weighs: 9.5 lbs. | Maximum capacity: 46 pounds

Best pacifier clip

Trying to keep a pacifier in baby’s mouth and off the yucky sidewalk (and all other dirty surfaces) can be next to impossible—that is, without a pacifier clip. This one is a traveling parent’s best friend, thanks to its soft (and washable!) design and easy-to-use plastic clip. This pack of six will have you covered for many adventures with baby to come.

Dimensions: 6.3” (L) x 5.43” (W) x 0.71” (H) | Weighs: 1.58 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

Best baby travel toy

Last but certainly not least on our list of baby travel essentials is this best-selling car seat toy. Your little one will love how it’s super-soft and features plenty of engaging textures, patterns and activities to explore. On the other hand, you’ll love the convenient clip-on design that keeps it within baby’s reach—perfect for when you’re driving, or traveling in general. It’s easy to see why it has tens of thousands of glowing Amazon reviews !

Dimensions: 5.3” (L) x 2.8” (W) x 11.5” (H) | Weighs: 15.36 oz. | Maximum capacity: N/A

How We Chose the Best Baby Travel Essentials

We get it—parenting requires a lot of gear, and it can be hard to find the best fit for your family every time. To streamline your shopping (and packing) experience, we browsed baby travel essentials from an array of leading baby brands and trusted online retailers. We considered a list of criteria when sourcing products, such as ease of use, weight, size, portability, quality and durability, value, style and, of course, safety. We also read user reviews to understand how these products have worked for real families on the go, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. What’s more, we also looked for products that meet IATA requirements or have Aircraft Certification where applicable.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here .

Plus, more from The Bump:

12 Awesome Car Seat Toys for Families on the Go

The 5 Best Infant Car Seats

30 Tips to Keep in Mind When Traveling With an Infant

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Childproof your next trip with these must-have baby travel gear items

Editor's Note

As a new parent, traveling with your baby can seem like an insurmountable goal. You want your baby to feel safe and comfortable, but you can't pack up your entire nursery to do so. Here at TPG, we've spent a lot of time traveling with children, and we've tested a lot of baby gear along the way.

Related: 43 real-world family travel tips that actually work

We know every trip — and every baby — is different, but these items can keep you and your baby happy whether you travel by plane , train or automobile and, of course, once you reach your destination.

GB Pockit Travel Stroller

Weighing in at only 10.4 pounds and folding up small enough to fit in most airplane overhead compartments, the GB Pockit was named the world's most compact stroller by Guinness World Records. This travel-friendly stroller folds up in two easy steps, but don't let its small size fool you. It still has a weight capacity of up to 55 pounds and can handle a bumpy sidewalk as well as it handles the moving walkway at the airport.

Related: These are the 10 best travel strollers for your next trip

The GB Pockit doesn't come with all the accessories other strollers come with (which is why it folds up so easily). However, it has a mini sun canopy, an adjustable harness and a small storage space underneath the seat. It is also designed for babies 6 months and older, so parents of newborns will have to wait a bit to use this small but mighty stroller.

To buy : GB Pockit Travel Stroller on Amazon , $193.59

PAK Reve Wilder Bundle

Even before testing Pak Reve's line of travel bags, we knew they would stand up to anything parents could throw at them because they were designed by globe-trotting travel writer Jordi Lippe-McGraw . You can buy the full-size backpack, mini backpack, waterproof wristlet and insulated lunchbox separately. However, they all attach together to create one fully functional travel system, so we recommend purchasing the full bundle.

Dubbed The Wilder Bundle, this travel system connects and disconnects with ease. Having the full system on the plane or on a long road trip ensures you have every bottle, snack, change of clothes and toy close by. You can use just the pieces you need when you arrive at your destination. You may only want the mini backpack for a quick excursion, or you can bring along the waterproof wristlet, so you have somewhere to store dirty clothes in case of an accident.

The full-size backpack has tons of organizational features, including a front pocket that converts into a jacket sleeve, theft-proof pockets, a laptop sleeve, a keychain ring and exterior water bottle pockets.

To buy : PAK Reve The Wilder Bundle , $335

Snoozeshade Pack n' Play Cover

The Snoozeshade Pack n' Play Cover is life-changing when you have to share a hotel room with your baby. You no longer have to hide the crib away in a bathroom or closet. Now, you can give your baby the environment necessary to get some rest while keeping them close by.

Related: 21 best all-inclusive resorts for families

While your baby is snoozing away in their dark and cozy crib with a breathable mesh shade, you can (quietly) enjoy your vacation. This shade is machine-washable and comes with a convenient carry case.

To buy : Snoozeshade Pack n' Play Cover on Amazon , $59.99

Tula Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier

There are dozens of baby carriers out there, and which one works best for you will largely be based on personal preference, but we have found the Tula Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier to be a great go-to carrier.

This carrier can be used for babies from 7 to 45 pounds, making it a great choice for newborns and toddlers alike. The front mesh panel keeps you and your baby cool, and the adjustable straps and waistband ensure a comfortable fit for you and a secure fit for your baby. The padded shoulder straps provide additional comfort, and you can use the carrier in front-carry and back-carry positions.

To buy : Tula Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier on Amazon , $179

Enovoe Portable Diaper Changing Pad

The Enovoe portable changing pad is ideal for changing your baby on the go anywhere. It's not too bulky, which means you can easily slip it into a carry-on bag. It also has storage space for a few diapers, a small pack of wipes, an extra pair of pants and a onesie for good measure.

Even though it's fairly slim, the head area has additional padding for the baby's comfort, and there's an attachable strap to hang it from the stroller when you're on the move. The changer comes in handy when you're at the beach, on a long road trip, at the park or pretty much anywhere. As an added bonus, it's unisex and cute.

To buy : The Enovoe portable pad is available on Amazon for $19.99.

Nuby Lightweight High Chair Booster Seat

Finding vacation rentals with high chairs is ideal, but it's not always possible. This Nuby travel booster seat attaches to chairs and is fairly portable — and it can be tucked into a checked suitcase . The chair is soft yet sturdy, so little ones don't mind eating in it.

The straps are durable and fairly secure. Just remember, the chair is only for short periods while your baby is eating, and you should never leave your baby unattended in this seat.

To buy: The Nuby Easy Go Booster Seat is available on Amazon for $22.99.

Bumpkins Silicone Grip Dishes

Bumpkins silicone plates grip whatever surface you set them on so your baby can't throw the plate on the floor. They are ideal to tuck into your bag and bring to a restaurant, hotel or vacation rental when traveling. Easy to clean, dishwasher safe, BPA-free and oven safe, they come in a variety of colors and patterns to suit your taste.

To buy: Bumpkins silicone plates are available on Amazon, with prices as low as $10.99.

Bottom line

It can be hard to decide what to pack and what to leave at home when traveling with your baby. It can also be overwhelming to figure out which travel stroller to buy, which baby carrier to get and all the other essential items you will need on your journey.

While these choices are largely personal and depend greatly on your family and the nature of your trip, these products are favorites among the frequent-traveling families at TPG.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

By Kerry Davis McGuinness

Traveling with your littlest people can feel overwhelming for new and experienced parents alike. Equipping yourself with portable, practical gear can help—from making the trek to the airport gate smoother to getting a good night’s sleep in an unfamiliar space.

We polled well-traveled parents and caregivers for their must-haves when they leave home, then we compared the top choices, including favorite travel car seats, strollers, high chairs, travel cribs, blackout shades, and more.

Above all, we looked for lightweight, easy-to-use equipment that can be packed down to fit into a suitcase or toted around easily—giving you one less thing to weigh you down on your next flight or road trip.

Travel car seat

Travel crib, toddler travel bed, portable blackout shades, portable high chair, portable baby monitor, portable sound machine, kid headphones, travel stroller, on-the-go toys.

Cosco Scenera Next

Top-pick convertible car seat for travel, buying options.

Top-pick backless booster car seat for travel

One of Wirecutter’s picks for the best travel car seats , the Cosco Scenera Next is light enough (only 6.8 pounds) to chuck into a car-seat backpack and hustle through the airport, as I do every time I fly to see my in-laws. And once I arrive at a new destination, I can install it in taxis, Ubers, or the grandparents’ cars in two to three minutes. One drawback of this convertible car seat, though, is that some kids may outgrow it early because of the low position of the shoulder straps. We recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 as our pick for kids who have outgrown the Scenera Next but aren’t yet ready for a harness-free booster. For those who are ready, the no-frills Cosco Rise booster seat is great for older kids who are at least 40 pounds or 43 inches tall.

Guava Lotus Travel Crib

Staff-favorite travel crib.

With a smart travel bag that can be either carried in-hand or worn as a backpack, the 15-pound Guava Lotus Travel Crib packs a lot of versatility. We compared it with the similarly designed Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard and BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light , and we liked the Guava Lotus Travel Crib the most for its portability, comfortable mattress, and large side zipper opening that allows you to nurse or cuddle your child, then roll away—making it easy to transfer a sleeping baby, especially in a strange room. Breakdown is clear enough (match stars and moons to fold up the frame), but you do have to fit it in its bag just right; it doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room.

JetKids CloudSleeper

Staff-favorite toddler travel bed.

Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed with Safety Bumpers

A cheaper (but bulkier) toddler travel bed.

The JetKids CloudSleeper inflatable travel bed efficiently packs down into an 11-by-15-inch travel cube—about the size of a thick sheet cake—and comes with a manual pump inside the bed that inflates it in a few minutes. The sides are raised higher than the middle, creating a cozy cocoon feeling that makes my 2½-year-old son feel safe. Plus, I like that it’s large enough to last until he’s 6 or 7. The downside is that it isn’t a bargain. The Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed is more affordably priced but also much bulkier packed up (roughly two basketballs side by side).

Tommee Tippee Portable Blackout Blind

Staff-favorite blackout shade.

The Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtain 2.0

For an even darker room.

If a completely darkened room helps your child go to sleep, the Tommee Tippee Sleeptime Portable Blackout Blind may be worth the packing space. One 78-by-51-inch shade—large enough for a standard-size window—folds down easily into a legal-envelope-size travel bag. We’ve found that the shade’s many suction cups stay up well, though it can be irritating to attach the tiny Velcro sections along the edges so it fits a smaller window. If an absolutely blacked-out room is essential, you may want to consider The Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtain 2.0 . It costs about five times as much, but it has cleverly designed angled suction cups that prevent any light from bleeding out the top of a window, and it stays up for days without needing to be readjusted.

Phil&teds Lobster Clip-On Highchair

Also-great high chair.

Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat

Another also-great high chair.

Phil&teds’s foldable Lobster Clip-On Highchair can be used at home, then easily packed up into its travel case to take on a trip. One of our picks in our guide to the best high chairs , it works for babies and toddlers up to 18 months and allows a tot to sit more upright than similar clip-on seats. It also works on more tables than other clip-on chairs, with claws that can safely grip tables between 0.8 and 3.75 inches thick—a broader range than other similar seats. The 4-pound high chair is small enough to fit into a suitcase, and the fabric zips off to be washed.

We also love the Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat , a longtime pick in our high chairs guide. It’s much less expensive than the Phil&ted high chair but also bulkier, making it more appropriate for a road trip rather than air travel.

VTech VM5254

Budget-pick video baby monitor.

If you want to leave a pricey monitor at home but still want to keep tabs on your child while on the road, the VTech VM5254 is an inexpensive local-video monitor (meaning it doesn’t require internet access to connect) that also comes with a convenient night-light. Another of our picks in our guide to the best baby monitor , the more versatile VTech RM7766HD , can pull double-duty at home or on the road since it can be easily set up with or without Wi-Fi—plus it comes with a night-light to save your toes in an unfamiliar room. Note that due to security concerns , we recommend connecting baby monitors to Wi-Fi networks you know and trust, and not unsecured, public networks such as those at a hotel.

YogaSleep Hushh

Staff-favorite portable sound machine.

The YogaSleep Hushh Portable Sound Machine is made by the same company that makes the YogaSleep Dohm , one of our picks for the best white noise machines . The size of a hockey puck, this compact version includes three sound options and can carry an eight-hour charge via USB, so you can hook it onto a backpack, stroller, or baby carrier for naps on the go. My family has found the Hushh machine invaluable for camping trips too. Just be wiser than me, and make sure it’s charged so it lasts overnight—or you too might see your baby’s eyes pop open at 5 a.m. once birds begin to sing.

Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet

Top pick noise-canceling kids headphones for travel.

One of our picks for the best kids headphones , the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet includes active noise cancellation, making it ideal for travel and helping sensitive ears navigate noisy spaces. Kids can connect wirelessly to a device (such as a tablet ), or you can use the included cable to watch onboard movies or daisy-chain headphones together so two kids can listen to the same device. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Onanoff BuddyPhones Explore+ , our budget pick for toddlers, is also a sturdy set of headphones with volume-limiting circuitry to protect young ears.

Uppababy Minu V2

Top pick travel stroller.

Our pick for the best travel stroller , the Minu V2 , is comfortable, sturdy, and handles bumpy streets better than the competition. It’s also easy to fold one-handed, an important feature when navigating airport security lines. The stroller also includes an underseat basket that holds up to 20 pounds, a simple recline option that’s good for napping, and a handy backseat pocket for storing odds and ends. Of the travel strollers we tested, it has the easiest harness to adjust, and the most intuitive brakes. It also has a large, zip-out sun canopy and can be used—without attachments—with children as young as 3 months, and with Uppababy’s bassinet or select car seats with newborns. A kid doesn’t officially outgrow it until they reach 50 pounds. And if you’re looking for a less-expensive option for travel, the Summer 3Dlite is the best umbrella stroller . It’s not as full-featured as the Minu V2, but it’s also a quarter the price.

Melissa & Doug Water Wow On the Go Travel Activity

Staff-favorite travel toy.

We’ve been recommending the Melissa & Doug Water Wow On the Go Travel Activity as a great kid gift for years, and they’re especially well suited to travel. The pages are reusable, and the water brush adds color to the pictures. Once the page is dry, the color disappears, allowing your child to start over and rediscover the trucks or butterflies again and again.

We also love the Schleich Farm Animals 4-Piece Set for packability—and potential to keep little hands busy during travel. One of our favorite gifts for 2-year-olds , the life-like figurines can inspire stories about going to a grandparent’s house or searching for lost treasure—or something else that buys you at least 15 minutes. The trick, of course, is to wait until travel begins to unveil any new goodies (you can even wrap them to make it extra special).

This article was edited by Ellen Lee and Kalee Thompson.

Meet your guide

Kerry Davis McGuinness

Kerry Davis McGuinness is a freelance writer based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Tech reporting has been her main beat for 10 years, but she has branched out into covering baby gear since becoming a parent, which has also made her obsessed with trying every packaged toddler snack she can find.

Mentioned above

• After testing 17 lightweight, portable car seats, we have six good options for infants, toddlers, and big kids to recommend. The Best Travel Car Seats  
• Our favorite high chair is one-fifth the price of competitors—and it’s far easier to clean and use. The Best High Chairs  
• The humble Fisher-Price high chair is easy to use and can go anywhere. Why We Love the Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat  
• Local-video? Wi-Fi? Hybrid? Audio-only? The best baby monitor for you depends on your needs and preferences. We have picks in all four categories. The Best Baby Monitors  
• A white noise machine can mask irritating noises that make it hard to sleep or difficult to focus. The LectroFan EVO is the most effective option for the price. The Best White Noise Machine  
• Whether you need kids headphones for entertainment, school, or travel, we have recommendations—and they all limit the maximum volume to protect young ears. The Best Kids Headphones  

Further reading

How to Sleep Well (or at Least Better) While Traveling

by Christine Ryan

Our sleep and travel editors recommend gear for coping with travel-induced insomnia, vetted through hours of testing and years of personal experience.

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

by Haley Perry

You don't have to be a digital nomad to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible.

The Best Underwear for Travel

by Liz Thomas

We tested 37 pairs of travel underwear and found that ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief and Patagonia Women’s Active Hipster panties are the best around.

The Best Travel Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

After testing seven travel strollers on various trips and excursions, we’re confident that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the one to get.

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For expecting parents, travel can seem like one of those parts of life that’s off the table after having a baby. The ability to be spontaneous, to just pack a carry-on bag and head to some far-off destination for a few days, to run around exploring new cities, restaurants, beaches — all of it seems impossible. It doesn’t help that many parents and grandparents who have been there before will warn you to travel now, “while you still can!”

But as the parent of a now-16-month-old, I can say from experience that this is categorically false. I’ve now taken my daughter on many trips, including flights to the Midwest and Canada, and road trips to upstate New York and Washington, DC. The first trips we took were nerve-wracking: Did we pack all the right things for her? Would she sleep okay in the new place, thus allowing us, her parents, to sleep okay? Did we remember every possible item we might need to have at arm’s reach in the event of catastrophe while in transit?

With each successive trip, though, we got more and more confident. Each time, we learned a little bit more about how to optimize our travel routine. We learned what items we needed and what we would be fine without. We learned that you should definitely pack a lot of wet wipes, and that navigating the airport is a lot easier with a lightweight travel stroller than with your big everyday stroller.

You can absolutely travel with a baby, as long as you accept that it will look a little bit different from the way you traveled before. And one of the ways it looks different — besides having to juggle your vacation plans around the baby’s nap schedule — is that you need a lot of gear.

Specifically, there are a number of things that can make traveling with a baby or toddler much, much easier. There is a wide world of products out there, some of which are for making plane travel smoother, while others make vacation at your eventual destination more enjoyable. Wading through the options can be overwhelming, and it’s hard to know which products are worth the money and/or packing space.

The recommendations we’ve put together — by talking to travel experts, parenting specialists, and seasoned moms and dads on the Vox staff — are not meant to be one-size-fits-all. Pick and choose what feels most useful and valuable to you based on your travel style and budget. You might, for instance, be totally fine skipping a travel high chair if you don’t mind having your baby sit on your lap for meals. You might feel your regular stroller works well enough for vacation and you don’t need a travel stroller.

And remember: You don’t always have to spend money to get these products. A secret of modern parenting is there is a whole economy of parents swapping baby and kid stuff they’re done with. Ask friends and family who have kids older than yours if they have what you need, or source from a neighborhood parent group or local Buy Nothing group . If you’re able to get (or borrow!) something for free, that can be more valuable than having the “best” brand .

Things to pack that are genuinely useful

Travel stroller.

That perfect stroller that you spent months researching and selecting before the baby was born? It may not be very well-suited to traveling, particularly if it’s a big, heavy model. When traveling, you want something that’s lightweight and compact, since you’ll need to fold up the stroller when going through TSA checkpoints and when gate-checking it.

All of this means traveling will be easier if you get a second stroller specifically designed for travel. There are two kinds: travel strollers , which generally fold up into thirds in a little compact rectangle, and umbrella strollers , which tend to be cheaper than travel strollers and fold up more like a long stick or umbrella shape.

I have the Summer Infant 3DLite stroller, which is a relatively inexpensive, light umbrella stroller. This thing has gotten us through trips big and small.

Summer Infant 3DLite stroller , $79

For a travel stroller, Vox audio producer Victoria Chamberlin recommends the GB Pockit+ All-Terrain stroller: “We took this to Germany, Scotland, and Italy. It folds to half the size of a rolly suitcase and can go under most seats and in all overhead compartments,” Chamberlin said. “Highly recommend if you have an international flight connection because if you gate check a stroller, you will not get it back until your final destination. When we got stranded in London overnight, I was very happy I had this in my hot hands.”

GB Pockit+ All-Terrain Stroller , $280

And Corinne McDermott, author of the travel website Have Baby Will Travel , recommends just bringing your regular stroller on trips, provided it can play double duty. “It’s not necessary to purchase a second stroller specifically for travel if your main one works well,” McDermott says. “A stroller is not just a stroller when it comes to travel with babies and little kids. It is a bed, a high chair, a buggy for all of your stuff, and a baby jail for when you need to know your baby is in a secure spot while your hands are full and attention is elsewhere. Our beloved stroller was the UPPAbaby Vista, which was our everyday stroller that worked great for travel. It is easy to maneuver, the basket holds a lot, it’s high enough to push up to a table for mealtimes, and the deep recline was great for naps.”

UppaBaby Vista V2 Stroller , $969

Travel car seat

One of the most annoying things about traveling with a baby is that you need to lug your car seat around everywhere if you plan to take a taxi or ride in any car at all. You could try bringing your regular car seat if it’s small, like an infant car seat — but otherwise, most parents I know recommend leaving the heavy convertible car seat in your car and getting a much lighter travel version.

Vox video managing producer Val Lapinski recommends the Cosco Scenera Next, a travel car seat that weighs just 10 pounds. Says Val: “It’s ubiquitous for a reason — it weighs nothing.”

After having a miserable time dragging our bulky convertible car seat through Newark Airport and around our destination of Toronto, my husband and I bought the Cosco car seat upon Val’s recommendation to use for our future travels. Just a month later, we took it on a trip to Chicago and immediately knew it had been worth it. It was much lighter and easier to carry around; my husband’s shoulders were grateful.

Cosco Scenera Next car seat , $60

Travel bags for both the car seat and stroller

If you’re flying, most airlines allow you to gate-check a stroller and a car seat for free. But items can be damaged during the gate-check process, so it’s a good idea to invest in travel bags to protect them from scratches and other wear and tear. I have these simple red bags from J.L. Childress.

J.L. Childress Car Seat Gate Check Bag , $20

J.L. Childress Stroller Gate Check Bag , $23

A lightweight baby carrier

If your baby is still small enough for babywearing , bring a carrier — it’s nice for carrying the baby around the airport once you check or gate-check your stroller, and it’ll be helpful when you want to do short outings where a stroller might feel cumbersome, like going to a restaurant.

Emily Oster, an economist and author of the parenting books Expecting Better , Cribsheet , and The Family Firm , recommends the BityBean carrier: “It’s a very lightweight baby carrier that goes front or back and can range from a very small baby up through a 2-year-old. I spent many an hour in the back of an airplane flight bouncing a kid in this thing. Generally, in my view, the less gear the better, so this was a big win when we discovered it.”

BityBean Ultra Compact Baby Carrier , $70

Travel crib

Unless you’re staying somewhere that offers a crib, you will need a travel crib that folds up compactly and is easy to carry around to provide a safe sleep space for your baby.

The Graco Pack ’n Play is beloved by many parents (including myself). It’s easy to assemble, fold up, carry, and store, and comes with a bassinet attachment for younger babies.

Graco Pack ’n Play Playard , $80

Chamberlin recommends the Guava Lotus travel crib: “This is way lighter and easier to put together than a pack and play, and takes up less space as a backpack than similar models. Also, it has a bassinet insert you can get if your baby is that little.”

Guava Lotus Travel Crib , $249

Travel high chair

You most likely already have a high chair at home, but when traveling, you might want one that’s easy to collapse and carry.

Says Chamberlin: “This is our go-to travel high chair. It is good for the floor, and also attaches to a dining chair. And if you take the tray off, it’s a camp chair. We have used it for travel to visit family, camping, and hotels.”

Summer Infant Portable Booster Chair , $30

Baby headphones, if you’re into screen time

Screen time can be a godsend on vacation when you want to have a nice dinner at a restaurant and need your toddler to sit still and be quiet for a little while. Bring your iPad with preloaded shows, but don’t forget baby headphones so the rest of the restaurant’s patrons don’t have to listen to Ms. Rachel. I use these.

BuddyPhones Explore+ Headphones , $30

Portable white noise machine

One of the most important keys to a successful vacation with your baby is sleep. Maintaining a baby’s sleep schedule and making sure they get adequate naps and good sleep at night, even in a new setting, is crucial. If you use a white noise machine at home as many parents do, then you likely want a small portable one to pack on vacation. I use this one, which is chargeable and has a little hook that makes it easy to strap onto your stroller or car seat for naps on the go, too.

Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine , $27

Portable blackout curtains

Many kids need total darkness to be able to sleep, and the varying light situation in hotels and Airbnbs can wreak havoc on daytime naps. Many Vox parents recommend portable blackout curtains to create that perfect darkness — everyone will be happier if the baby has had a solid nap.

Catherine Spangler, a supervising producer on Vox’s video team, says: “These blackout curtains with suction cups have been lifesavers across three continents for us.” The suction cups make them easy to attach to any window, and they’re lightweight and easy to fold up and throw into your carry-on bag.

Tommee Tippee Portable Blackout Curtains , $19

A diaper bag that holds everything you need for the flight

A diaper bag that holds and organizes all the essentials you might need in flight — from diapers and wipes to snacks and bottles and the iPad and headphones and an extra change of clothes — is important to a less stressful flight.

Your everyday bag might work, but Jessica Darrington, who runs the baby travel website and Instagram Where Is Briggs, also recommends the ultra-structured travel diaper bag from No Reception Club. Says Darrington: “This diaper bag has been a game changer when traveling with a baby because it has kept all of our gear organized. I’m amazed at everything I can fit inside and love that this bag counts as a personal item and can go under the seat in front of me on the airplane.”

No Reception Club “The Getaway” Bag , $235

Things you can probably skip bringing

Tons of diapers.

Save your suitcase space and bring only enough diapers to get you through the trip — you can always buy more diapers when you arrive at your destination.

The SlumberPod

As far as I can tell, this is basically a tent for babies to sleep in , but the entire $180 tent is made of blackout shades. Some parents I know love it, but we’ve never invested in one — portable blackout shades have worked just fine for us and are much cheaper.

Travel baby monitor

Travel baby monitors are things that exist, but there are also a million baby monitor apps that turn devices like iPads, with cameras and microphones, into monitors that stream to your phone. Save your money and skip buying a travel-specific device.

How to travel now

• Respectful Tourism
• Solo Travel
• Flight Advice
• The “Perfect” Vacation

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The Best Baby Travel Gear To Pack For Your Next Holiday [2024 Guide]

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

Our youngest daughter Avie has been on more flights and trips than we can count.

When you travel with a baby as often as we do, you manage to weed through all the travel gear for baby to work out which travel gear for babies are truly worth the money.  

As a result, we have written many reviews & guides on our family travel blog to help you find the best baby travel gear for your situation.

In this article, I want to provide you with a comprehensive list of all, in our opinion, the best baby travel accessories that you will need to help make your trip a success.

Our Pick of Best Baby Travel Products in 2024

Find below a handy table to give you a quick overview of our top baby travel products. Keep reading further to read more about why we love each of these products so much.

The Best Baby Travel Gear That we Currently Use!

The right gear is key to making a trip with a baby a truly enjoyable one. It will also ensure that your trip is stress-free (or as much as a trip with a baby can be anyways). 

No matter where you are heading, or how long you are going for, the travel essentials for babies that you will definitely need all revolve around eating ,  getting around, diapering  and  sleeping . 

I wanted to point out that I do not recommend that you purchase all of these items. You should find the age appropriate items that will make your holiday easier (not harder). 

1. Best Travel Baby Gear for Sleeping

We all know just how hard it can be to travel with a baby that is not getting enough good sleep. It can be horrible. And that is why it is absolutely essential to have the best baby travel gear for sleeping!

a) Portable and Lightweight Travel Cribs  

Most hotels will provide you with a baby crib. Some will charge you a small fee for this, but most of the time they will offer it for free.

We have had so many issues with hotel issues cribs - some were ridiculously tiny and our baby was uncomfortable in the tiny space, some weren't secure and would disassemble when she pressed on the sides (YIKES!), many were just simply 'gross' and really needed to be replaced.

Read our comprehensive guide to help you find the best travel crib for your next trip.

1. KidCo Peapod

So! The simplest way of ensuring that your baby will have a safe, comfortable and clean space to sleep in, is to simply take along your own travel crib.

We used the KidCo Peapod throughout all our travels in Japan. It is a great option as you can fold it up and pop it in your luggage (if you space). You open it up and it simply pops-up. The crib is super lightweight and weighs a small 2.45 lbs. It is perfect for small hotel rooms.

We did find the velcro and zip slightly annoying for night-time feeds, but they were small annoyances considering how easy the crib was to carry, unpack and pack pack up.

>>> Click here to see the KidCo Peapod .

2. Lotus Travel Crib 

For those after more of a 'crib' option, I recommend you check out the Lotus Travel Crib.

They are slightly bulkier to tag along, but I love that it can double up as a travel playpen for a baby and of course it is easier to pop baby in and out for those night-time feeds.

It is the better option for babies who are still little and who wake up regularly at night.

It is 11 lbs which is a lot heavier than the 2.45 lbs Kidco Peapod, but at least it comes with a handy backpack style carry bag.

>>>  Click here to see the Lotus Travel Crib  .

b) Sleep Sack or Sleeping Bag

We find that a sleep sack is truly invaluable on trips.

Firstly, we use a sleep sack at home, so it helps to keep baby in her normal sleep routine.

Secondly, we find that airplanes are either too hot or too cold, so it is a handy product to have in your baby carry-on bag.

Thirdly, hotel rooms are always cold! And many don't allow you much flexibility when it comes to the aircon settings. And we have NEVER been provided with blankets for the hotel baby crib. 

Fourth, it means you can leave your baby blankets at home, which helps to keep luggage weight down.

We love the Woolino Baby Sleep Bag .  The sack will regulate the body temperature and can be used with external temperatures as low as 60°F (16°C) to as high as 77°F (25°C).

The sack is 100% natural and made from the soft Australian merino wool!

>>>  Click here to see the Woolino Sleep Sack .

c) Baby Monitor

We always take our baby monitor with on our trips with our baby. Our baby monitor has a video screen so we can watch her sleep.

We find it invaluable when we are away - for peace of mind mostly, but it is also handy when you are staying in a private villa that has a pool - so you can be outside in the sun whilst your baby is napping.

We simply tag along our home monitor. We love the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor .

d) White Noise Machine

A white noise machine is also a good idea, espesially if your baby is a light sleeper.  Many hotel rooms are noisy, even more so when you are trying to get your baby to have a nap in the day (and kids in the next rooms are busy running, playing and shouting). 

We love this small baby white noise machine , they don't take up much room and do an excellent job at blocking out distracting noise.

You never know who is going to be your neighbour! Better be safe than sorry.

>>>  Click here to see the white noise machine.

e) Baby Blackout Curtains with Suction Cups

I don't know about you, but our baby wakes up with the sun. Which means that if we can keep the room darker for longer - we can get more sleep. It is also super helpful to have a dark room in countries where the sun only goes down at 9 or 10 pm.

These travel blackout curtains are brilliant as they come with suction cups. Not only do they create a darker room, but they also block harmful UV rays and reduces outside noise.

Measurements: 78 x 50" 

We love staying in Airbnb's and this is an absolute lifesaver for us.

>>>  Click here to see the black out curtains.

2. Best Travel Items for Baby for Getting Around

Getting around with a baby overseas can be stressful for many parents.  You might not know what to expect - will there be a car seat for my baby? Will the terrain be stroller-friendly? Figuring out which travel with baby gear you should take along can be pretty tough. 

Here are some tips to help you decide what to take and what to leave behind.

a) Travel Strollers 

We always take a travel stroller along, every single time. It doesn't mean we always use it, I think we barely touched our stroller in Bali, but I always take it along for peace of mind.

A stroller has many benefits (in comparison to a baby carrier):

• Your baby might fall asleep easier in a stroller
• The stroller will have a shade roof to keep the sun out of baby's eyes
• You don't have to struggle under the weight of your baby (so true when they are older and weight more!)
• You won't get as sweaty - hot destinations + baby carrier = sweaty combination for both you and your baby.

It is important thought o find a stroller that folds up small and that is fairly lightweight and easy to take along.

1. Mountain Buggy Nano 

One of the most compact travel strollers that we have used is the Mountain Buggy Nano . It folds up so small that you can take it as a carry-on and stow it away in the overhead lockers. This is a MASSIVE bonus because I still remember carrying my sleeping baby through massive airports - talk about dead arms! Having your stroller at your side is a big win!

This stroller is not only compact but it is also lightweight (11 lbs). It also works with most universal car seat adaptars so that you can add on your infant capsule if your baby is still too small to sit upright in the stroller.

It has a sunhood, can recline and comSummer Infant 3DLitees with a travel bag. 

>>> Check out the Nano here

2. GB Pockit+ All Terrain Baby Stroller

Another popular stroller for travel purposes, is this GP Pockit+ Stroller . This is a great option for older babies from 6 months +. It also folds up really small (you can pop it in the overhead locked), it is   only 9.5 lbs, and has a recline for nap time.

>>> Read more about this stroller on Amazon here

b) Baby Carriers

Baby carriers are brilliant and again we always take one along. 

Here are the reasons why we love them:

• Even though we have a lightweight compact stroller, many airlines request that we check ours in to the oversize luggage counter.  Which means that we are stroller-less for the duration of the airport. A carrier is a lifesaver whilst you deal with scanning your luggage, handing over tickets and passports etc.
• When you get stuck on an overnight flight where the baby bassinets are all taken, a carrier is a lifesaver to allow both you and your baby to get some sleep.
• So many tourist sights and attractions have stairs, making exploration by stroller unpractical.
• They allow you to enjoy hikes out in nature.

1. ErgoBaby Carrier

We personally use and love our Ergo Carrier. We use the ErgoBaby 360 which is great for babies from birth (you will need to purchase the newborn insert for babies under 4 months) to 36 months. 

We love this carrier because you can have baby facing in our out. When Avie got to around 1 years she hated the carrier when she had to face in as the wanted to see what was happening in the world. You can also use it on the front, the hip or on your back.

Helpful that you can breastfeed whilst baby stays in the pouch. We have also made good use out of the  tuckaway baby hood as well.

>>> Click here to see the ErgoBaby 360

>>>  Click here to read more about how to choose the  water baby carrier .

>>> Click here to read more about how to choose the best baby carrier .

2. Baby Hiking Carrier

If you are planning on doing a lot of hiking, you might want to invest in proper baby hiking gear.

In that case, I would suggest that you leave the ErgoBaby behind and that you invest in a comfy good quality hiking carrier instead.

We highly recommend the Clevr Cross Country Baby Backpack Carrier . This is one of the most popular baby backpack hiking carries that we have seen.

They are great for babies who are 6 months and older (up to 4 years).  They are lightweight at only 5 lbs. Has a canopy to protect your baby from both rain and sun and they are comfy to carry with their thick padded shoulder straps.

>>> Click here to learn more about this hiking carrier .

c) Travel Car Seats

The  American FAA strongly recommends that you use an approved child restraint device when travelling with infants less than 2-years old. Ultimately car seats are the safest and most comfortable way for infants to travel on a plane. But it also means that you need to pay for that extra seat ticket!

The bonus of tagging along the car seat for the airplane is of course that you will also have a car seat to use in your transfers and taxi's during your holiday. So whilst it is a bit of a pain to take a car seat along, it really comes down to simply keeping your baby safe on both the plane as well during holiday transfers.

We highly recommend the   Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat   for babies as the seat offers enough padding to keep baby comfy. It is FAA approved, it is lightweight and slim enough to fit on the airplane seats. It works as a rear seat for infants or a forward-facing seat for older babies and toddlers.

Don't forget to grab a great travel seat carrier as well. We love using this car seat travel bag .

>>> Find a   best car seats for travel  here or browse through some great car seat alternatives for travel  here.

d) Primo LapBaby

For those who can't afford the extra seat for the car seat, this is a great alternative to keep your little one safe. It will also allow you to get some shut eye as well. You can also use it whilst eating as well.

It isn't as friendly for breastfeeding which is a bit frustrating and you can't use it during take-of and landing, but it is great for peace of mind.

>>>  Click here to grab a Primo LapBaby .

3. Best Infant Travel Gear for Diapering

a) Travel Diaper Bag

Forget about a shoulder diaper bag when you are traveling. Diaper backpacks are so much better as they allow you to have two free hands when traveling.

Look for a diaper bag bag backpack that has loads of pockets and compartments.  Ensure it has enough space to fit all your bottles! I've shared the video here to show you how much we can pack in our favorite diaper bag: RUVALINO Multifunction Backpack Diaper Bag .  We can fit 4 bottles in the side bottle pockets. Love this bag, it has been to many many countries with us!

>>> Click here to see a full guide on the best travel diaper bags

b) Clean Hands Changing Pad

There is nothing worse than changing your baby in a space that just doesn't feel very hygienic. Even worse when they get to that age where they reach for everything and start rolling around. 

These changing pads are brilliant for travel. The sides fold up and create a barrier that you can use for attaching hanging toys to keep your child’s hands occupied whilst you go about changing them. It folds down to a small small clutch size which is great for those tiny plane cubicles.

>>> Click here to grab these from Amazon

c) Booster Diaper Pads

Another fabulous trick is to use booster diaper pads . These pads will help you get more bang out of your diaper buck. These long-wearing extra-absorbency disposable pads increase absorbency of your diapers by 8 fl oz.

Hooray for diapers lasting longer whilst traveling!

d) Packing Cubes

We LOVE packing cubes and use them to sort and organize all our families luggage items.  I love using the smaller sized packing cubes in my diaper bag as I find them so handy.

• You could use a small cube for a set of spare baby clothes.
• Also handy to hold all of your babies food and snacks for the flight.
• Once baby is older, you could use the cube for all the baby toys. Handy because you can easily keep this cube with you during the flight.
• We also use a cube for a quick-to-grab diapering cube - it has the changing pad, 2 x diapers and a small container of wipes.  So handy for those insanely small airplane toilet cubicles!

We use two different brands at home and my favorite is the PRO Packing Cubes .

>>> Click here if you want to compare packing cube brands .

4. Best Baby Travel Gadgets for Eating

Here are some of the most essential baby travel items for mealtimes:

a) Inflatable Travel Nursing Pillow

For my breastfeeding mums, this pillow will be worth the weight in gold. We know how important good posture and support is when we breastfeed. How incredible is this inflatable nursing pillow!? Obviously it won't be as good as your decent pillow at home, but I reckon it is a good compromise. 

The nursing pillow deflates and folds up so small that you can pop it in your handbag.

>>>  Click here to grab an inflatable nursing pillow from Amazon

b) Travel High Chairs

Once baby is eating solids, you will also need to think about dragging along a travel high chair. We find that it can be rare to find baby high chairs in restaurants in various destinations overseas.

You really want something that is lightweight and easy to pack. We love the   First Years On-The-Go Booster Seat . It is very easy to use, fold up with a carry handle, and it does not take up much space at all. 

Further Reading: Here is our guide on the best travel high chairs .

c) Other Eating Accessories

1. silicone bibs.

Leave the wipe-able bibs at home as they will get grotty and you won't have any easy way to wash them.  Instead pack in some silicone bibs. Silicone bibs are great as they have a handy lip to catch any food.  

You ca also give them a quick wash in your hotel or restaurant bathroom sink after use. We love the amazing silicone bibs by Happy Healthy Parents . You should definitely add those to your list of travel accessories for babies.

2. Bottle Babies

If your baby is drinking from a bottle, you will have to pack some bottle feeding supplies as well. We always take a tub or two of the formula that we use at home. And take 2-3 bottles, so that you always have a clean one on hand.

Don't forget a baby bottle brush  to clean them and a  formula dispenser  for when the plane and for when we were out and about.

You also have to think about how you will be warming the milk as well as how you will be sterilizing the bottles.

Click here to grab a handy baby warmer that you can take on the plane .

3. Babies on Solids

If your baby is eating solids, we also highly recommend that you pack in loads of food jars and snacks that they are used to eating. If your baby is a fussy eater, you might also like to invest in a portable insulated food jar . 

The Foogo Thermos will keep food warm for hours whilst you are out and about exploring. So the food will be warm and ready for whenever baby gets hungry.

Also a great idea to always have a nice soft little spoon on you as well. We love this On-the-Go travel spoon .

5. Best Bath-Time Baby Travel Items

Next problem is having to give your little one a bath. We often try to shower our baby, but man add a bit of soap and your little one really turns into a slippery squirmy baby. Our youngest really loves to bath but hates showering, so to keep the peace we travel with this awesome item.

a) Sink Bath (0 - 6 Months)

Find it hard to shower your little baby? This is such a brilliant product. The Lotus Bath works in all sinks. The plush, soft, flower creates a wonderful way to safely cradle and clean your baby. What's better is that it lays flat when not in use and only weighs 1.1 pounds!

>>>  Click here to grab these from Amazon

b) Inflatable Baby Bath (6 Months +)

This is a great option for little ones aged 6 - 24 months. You inflate it and pop it in the bath. It is lightweight (1 pound) and just so easy to use and pack away. What a fabulous baby travel item to pack in if your hotel or Airbnb will have a bath. 

6. Best Playtime Portable Baby Travel Equipment

Another item you might need to think about taking along is an activity station. Our daughter got super frustrated on the ground from around 3 months of age, so a portable activity station was a lifesaver (until she started crawling at 7 months).

a) Portable Baby Activity Station

This KidCo portable light weight 7 pound activity station is designed to fold and go. It also includes a carry bag!

It has 4 adjustable heights and includes a snack and drink holder. It has 5 nylon loops where you can attach your little one's favorite toys. 

7. Best Baby Accessories for the Plane

And lastly, I think it is the plane bit that normally seems the scariest when we book that holiday. So here are some items to make your life on the plane that little bit easier.

a) Baby Banz Earmuffs

If your little one is sensitive to noise or tends to wake up with every noise in the house, these earmuffs might just save you a lot of frustration. Airplanes are noisy, people moving about, announcements going off or food being served.

These earmuffs are perfect for little ones from 0 months to 2 years. They are cushioned with foam and the headband is covered with high quality, soft leather. They do a fabulous job at cutting out loud noises.

b) Baby Portable UV Sterilizer

If your little one uses pacifiers or bottles, you will need to sterilize the nipples at some point. This can be tricky whilst you are flying or stuck in an airport. This UV sterilizer can be a real lifesaver. It safely eliminates 99.99% of E. coli and other viruses and bacteria in less than a minute.

It has a built-in USB rechargeable battery, and it is the ideal appliance for traveling. It can last up to 2-3 weeks when fully charged. It is small and lightweight and something you simply should have in your plane diaper bag.

c) Spill-Proof Snack Container

Once your little one is eating solids, we also suggest you grab some of these spill-proof snack containers ... and fill them with food that takes forever to eat. Your little one will enjoy digging them out and it will keep them busy for a while. 

Snacks that work well is things such as dried fruit - raisins, yogurt coated berries, baby biscuits etc.

Best Baby Beach Gear For Those Beach Vacations

Are you heading off for a lovely beach holiday?  We have some really handy guides that you might like to read to help you pack and prepare for your trip.

• Click here to read about the best baby beach gear to take along
• Click here to read more about the best baby beach tent to pack
• Baby swim shoes are really important to help protect soft little feet. Click here to see our favorite baby beach and swim shoes .

Other Handy Baby Travel Accessories

A travel playpen or Pack 'n Play is also handy to have once baby is mobile and moves around a lot. If we know that we will be spending loads of time in a car, I also often take a baby car mirror with.

And when we head to countries (especially in Asia), that we know will be steaming hot, we always take a fan for the stroller too - although you can often buy these on the streets in those destinations as well.

Another item that is fairly important to have on hand is a digital temperature reader.

I don't like playing guessing games when it comes to temperature, so I love to have an accurate reader on hand. I love the Anthsania Forehead Thermometer . 

 And of course once you start toilet training your toddler, you will also want to take along your own travel potty as well. 

We would love to know if you love using any baby products for your travels that we have not included in our list? What do you think are the best baby travel products?

Further Reading:

• See a list of all of our travel gear recommendations .
• Check out the best kids suitcase on wheels
• Grab some more tips for how to travel with your baby here .
• Here is a list of the most  baby-friendly travel destinations .

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19 Products That Make Traveling with a Baby Easier

By Cassie Shortsleeve

Last summer, a few weeks after my daughter was born, my husband and I made a trip to Block Island . Deciding to travel as we had pre-baby, we opted to go car-free, as lightly-packed as possible. We wound up requiring a few oversized dollies to carry armfuls of baby gear on and off the ferry—and the help of uncles and ferry attendants alike to do so.

The lesson was learned the hard way. Traveling with a baby requires a lot of stuff—no matter the means of transportation.

Fortunately, the baby gear industry accommodates to the particular needs of traveling families : There are strollers that maneuver down airline aisles with ease, baby carriers that transform into six different positions when strollers aren’t allowed, strollers that double as car seats, sweet animal-inspired sound machines that clip on to car seats. You get the point.

But the objective remains the same: When traveling with a baby, bring as few things as possible and have as seamless and as easy of a trip as possible. The items below—from diaper bags and food mats to strollers and traveling high chairs—help you meet that goal.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Noah Kaufman.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller

The Doona is a game-changer for travelers. The rear-facing stroller is super-compact, measuring just over 17 inches across, and fits babies weighing four to 35 pounds or up to 32 inches long. It works perfectly in cramped spaces like crowded trains or markets, thanks to an adjustable handlebar that lets you maneuver the stroller the same way you would a wheelie bag. But the Doona’s most useful feature is that it transitions easily into a car seat : Just press a button on the back, glide the seat forward, and the wheels seamlessly tuck under the seat. The stroller also fits down the aisle on most planes , so just roll to your row, then convert the stroller into a car seat for the flight—no need to gate check or lift anything into the overhead bin. (See more of our favorite strollers for travel here .) While the stroller comes in colors like blush pink and cool gray , we like the Midnight edition, a luxe all-black look with a faux leather handlebar cover.

Dagne Dover Diaper Bag

You won’t make it far with a baby and no diaper bag (as many new parents—this one included—learn the hard way). The conundrum? You don’t want everything you own to scream baby . That’s where this Dagne Dover neoprene diaper backpack, made from the same fabric as wetsuits, comes in. Part cute carry on, part super-functional baby gear, the bag comes with storage galore, a mini changing mat, extra pouches for creams, wipes, and the like, and clips so you can strap it to a stroller. Better yet: It fits most 15-inch laptops, meaning there’s room for your work (or baby’s entertainment) to join you on your trip.

Ceres Chill Breastmilk Chiller

Breastfeeding might be somewhat travel-friendly (feed the baby anywhere, fewer bottles to pack), but storing milk always presents a challenge: You either need a super reliable freezer bag, an actual freezer, or this solid steel bottle that keeps your milk cool for over 20 hours. It stands out from your average steel water bottle in that it’s compatible with all major breast pumps. The top part of your pump will fit on one of the bottle’s inner chambers, which means you eliminate inevitable and messy spillage. Now all you need to do is find a place to pump (many airports and major transportation hubs have Mamava pods, free-standing lactation areas where you can pump in peace).

+Elvie Wireless Breast Pump

If you can swing it, having an extra pump for travel can simplify and de-stress life on the go (no more worrying about locating the nearest outlet). This one checks all of the boxes: It’s small, fits inside a nursing bra, has only five parts to put together and take apart, and connects to an app to track milk volume in real time. The charging cable also connects to a USB source, so your computer can double as a source of power in a moment of need. Plus, Elvie is one of the quietest pumps on the market, which might not matter much under the loud hum of a plane but will be nice if you need to pump in the quiet car of a train or at a restaurant.

CNT Editors

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Zoli Formula and Snack Dispenser

Depending on who you ask, snacks might be the most necessary thing to have on hand when traveling with tots. In that case, you're going to need a snack dispenser. This stackable container from Zoli is compact and handy for storing multiple snacks on the go. It can also be used as a formula dispenser.

Líllé Baby Carrier

Several museums and tourist attractions don't permit strollers. Having a baby carrier on hand is essential for those crowded, stroller-free environments—and if you're traveling with a newborn, it's sometimes just easier to let them sleep on your chest than worry about transferring them out of a stroller. The Líllé carrier transforms into six different positions that correspond to the baby's age (it can hold up to an 18-month-old), and has an oversized pocket in the front so you can go hands-free and store the essentials, be it your cell phone or a pacifier.

The Lotus Travel Crib by Guava Family

This travel floor crib has a side zipper door that allows the crib to double as a playard, a comfy waterproof mattress, and the option to bundle it with Guava’s bassinet (which can be used as a rocker for small babies). It’s a good pick for growing families, and because the carrier can be worn as a backpack, it’s an incredibly easy option for a crib on the go. If you're staying at a hotel, though, be sure to call ahead of time—some accommodations provide cribs and in that case, there’s no need to lug anything around.

LulyBoo Baby Lounge To-Go

This super-light travel bassinet collapses into a backpack that you can easily sling on during a walk to the park or onto a plane. It's also sturdy, with just enough cushion, so you won't feel like your newborn is sleeping on an unsupported flat mat. It's indoor/outdoor ready, waterproof with a shade for the sun, and it comes with a cute, removable "toy bar" with two dangling stuffed dice.

Ezpz Fun Mini Mat

Traveling with babies can get even more complicated when you're eating every meal out, but this suction mini mat helps make it a little easier. The all-in-one placemat and plate suctions to the table surface, creating a stable base for your child to eat from with multiple compartments (two two-ounce sections and a larger four-ounce one). The silicone material is easy to clean and lightweight, and it comes in a reusable bag for compact storage.

Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50

Did you know it’s still possible to get sunburned on a plane ? (UVA rays from the sun can actually penetrate glass.) And while you can rely on double-duty SPF face lotions, derms and pediatricians alike usually recommend mineral-based blocks (those with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in them) for babies’ sensitive skin. This one from Sun Bum fits the bill, gives broad-spectrum coverage, and is non-greasy but will easily blend onto your baby’s skin. Plus, it’s small enough to throw into a diaper bag or purse.

My Little Seat Travel Highchair

You usually don’t realize how much you need a highchair until you find yourself without one. The other issue: Even ones made for travel tend to be cumbersome, awkwardly-shaped, and tough to move from point A to point B. Fortunately, your little one doesn’t need anything fancy when it comes to providing a place to eat. My Little Seat’s highchair is essentially a pillow-back getup with a five-point harness that clips onto any chair and works for babies who can sit unassisted up to 35 pounds. Sure, there’s no tray, but your child will likely love sitting at the table with you, and this product’s packability is a perk that outweighs the need to spoon-feed purees.

Inglesina Fast Table Chair

Another option: Inglensina’s Fast Table chair, which attaches directly to any table and straps your baby in at the perfect height to both see and interact with you. It’s ideal for kids too small to use the clunky generic high chairs that public places often provide. Plus, it comes apart and folds down flat into an attached travel bag that makes it a cinch to stow inside luggage.

WavHello SoundBub

If your baby drifts off to sleep at home with the help of a sound machine, it’s best to replicate that aspect of their environment on the road. The SoundBub plays six different white noise tracks for naps on the go or overnight sleep somewhere new and easily clips to a stroller or car seat. Just charge it up when it dies. Another major perk: It’s Bluetooth-enabled, so you’ll have music while on a walk, at the beach, or just hanging out. It’s also durable and chew-safe, so you don’t need to worry if your baby wants to play with it.

WeeFarers Sunglasses

By no means a requirement for traveling families, these baby wayfarers (weefarers!)—which, might we add, appear to be near indestructible and beyond bendable—are adorable additions to any baby’s travel day outfit. But they also serve a purpose beyond sun protection: They give your child their very own pair of sunglasses, which any parent knows tends to be the number one grabbed-for parent accessory of all time. Hey, it could buy you a few minutes of much deserved downtime.

Flyaway Kids Bed

This may not be suitable for a baby’s very first flight—they’ll have to be old enough not to be held the entire time—but the inflatable flyway bed transforms a kid’s seat into a mini lie-flat. Because it takes up almost all of the seat space when inflated, it has the added bonus of helping to stop toys and pacifiers from dropping and rolling around on the floor. It can be inflated in less than two minutes and meets all of IATA’s standards.

Slumberpod Privacy Pod

The chances that any new parent has had more than three hours of consecutive sleep recently are, well, small. And while you may not have control over whether your baby wakes up crying in the middle of the night, a Slumberpod—essentially a blackout tent placed over a crib—can help kids from feeling out of sorts when sleeping in a new room for the first time. A nice side effect is that parents can stay up and keep the lights on when they’re sharing a hotel room with an infant. Condé Nast Traveler contributor Sarah Firshein even found it successful when keeping her little-one down after a red-eye flight.

Clear Membership

Babies are not known for their patience, so forcing them to wait in a long TSA line to get scanned may not go over well. Alleviate that wait with a Clear membership , which will let you and your kids (who are included in a family membership for free if under 18) bypass the long lines.

Arlo Baby Monitoring Camera

We’ve gone back and forth on whether to pack a baby monitor when we travel. On the one hand, in a hotel it’s less likely a parent would be so far from their baby they couldn’t hear them wake up. On the other, it sure would be nice not to constantly be listening for every little rustle of a blanket. The bottom line is that on every trip we forgot to bring it, we wished we had the monitor with us, especially if it’s as easy to use as the Arlo. The camera connects to any Wi-Fi network and shows audio and video on your phone, so the camera is all you need to bring. It can also run on battery power for about a night, so if it’s a short trip, there’s no need to pack the cable. We would suggest leaving the cute bunny ears and feet at home to keep it as compact as possible.

Eagle Creek Isolate Clean/Dirty Cube

Traveler editors love packing cubes of all sizes to help us stay organized. But the needs are a little bit different when there’s a baby involved. With separate compartments for clean and dirty clothes, Eagle Creek's cubes will let parents deal with the fact that everything their new addition wears becomes wet, sticky, or wet and sticky in a matter of minutes by preventing those items from messing up everything else in their suitcase.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Details here .

40+ Must-Buy Baby Travel Essentials

Nasreen Stump

Travel Car Seats

The question here is: infant car seat vs convertible car seat? Each has advantages. Convertible car seats can be more expensive to buy, but they save money over time because they are “convertible.” Evenflo’s All4One convertible car seat took us from infant through preschool. Some even convert into booster seats. That means they carry your big kid all the way to regular seat belt use. Here’s the downside: They are beasts. They’re heavy. Many don’t fit standard airline seats and transferring them from one car to another is a chore, let alone moving them from plane to rental car. On the other hand, an infant car seat is lightweight and easy to move baby around in. Some even pair with lightweight stroller options , which makes them work great for travel. The downside? You’ll end up buying another seat once they grow out of it.

One we love is the Peg Perego Primo Viaggo. In my opinion, it’s one of the best on the market for under $300. My paramedic husband referred to this as “Fort Knox for babies.” Some of the reasons we love it include its narrow base which helps it fit into a backseat with other car seats and European safety features not yet required in the US.

Read More: Learn how to install a car seat with no base, what to look for in a travel car seat and the one car seat safety travel tip most parents overlook.

Travel Strollers We Love

This post is intended to be the quick and easy overview to our favorite travel baby products. Rest assured we’ve done some really in depth articles if you want more information. Here are our picks for strollers in all price ranges for all family types. And here is the quick scoop on our favorites: If you’re bringing an infant in an infant car seat, choose a lightweight stroller with a folding basket base. They are lightweight and easy to use. The infant car seat sits on top. Best of all, you can easily transfer a sleeping baby from car to stroller.

Baby Trend makes one that accepts numerous brands of car seats . If you plan to travel extensively or are out and about a lot, choose the upscale Doona, which sells for $550 on Amazon . It’s an infant car seat that turns into a stroller! Seriously, it’s like magic. The wheels come right out of the car seat. If your baby is slightly older, the Pockit can be a great choice. This is the Swiss Army knife of strollers. It’s easy to get through TSA and folds small enough to fit into an overhead airplane bin.

Must-Have Diaper Change Supplies

While you’re traveling, you won’t have a changing table and diaper pail nearby. But there are ways to make roadside diaper changes easier and more comfy for baby. The first thing you’re going to want is a nice folding changing pad . There are a LOT of choices. In my opinion, there are two key things to look for: a handle and a spot to carry bags. This makes it easy to carry the diaper changing supplies and the baby. Plus, it gives you the ability to wrap up stinky diapers in a bag when you’re in tight spaces (plane, car) without that odor-blocking diaper pail.

Most good changing pads will have a couple of mesh sections or pockets for baby wipes, a change of baby clothes, extra diapers and even butt cream if diaper rash is a concern. These changing pads are great for a quick run into a restroom or an airplane diaper change. To tote all the goods, though, you’ll want to consider a full diaper bag. In my humble opinion there are two things that make a diaper bag worth having: good accessible space and easy portability. We’ve veered towards backpack styles that can be easily carried and large tote bag style travel bags for overnights.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Don’t limit your internet search to “diaper bags” only. Sometimes the best bags have been gym bags or regular backpacks. One of my all time favorites was a Champion gym tote . For $25, it had great straps and enough room for supplies when we were cloth diapering. Learn More: Here’s how to change a diaper on an airplane .

Baby Travel Essentials: Feeding

Keeping baby happy and fed on the road doesn’t have to be a hassle. I look for space-saving items that make my life easier. No SheBuysTravel is going to haul a high chair on the road. Luckily, there are some fun travel ones to make feeding time easier. Some are fabric and some are basically mini versions of high chairs . Personally, I think the fabric ones are more versatile but the mini ones come with trays, so they tend to feel more familiar to little ones. What did we do before the squeezable baby food pouch? Seriously, those things are travel life savers.

One product I promise you will love as much as I do is this pouch with a spoon that screws right onto it . It is perfect for babies who are still being spoon-fed and can’t hold and squeeze the pouch themselves. Pouches are easier to pack and less likely to break. The spoon addition makes them perfect. I also bought reusable food pouches . They’ve been used through one baby/toddler. My older kids use them for yogurt and snacks at school. Two years later, they’re still going strong. It’s a great way to serve applesauce or yogurt for snacks.

How to Keep Baby Bottles Clean When You Travel

For bottles and sippy cups, it’s important to bring what your kiddo is used to. There are disposable sippy cups on the market that can be convenient for travel, but if your toddler has never used that type before, it might not be a success. I strongly recommend giving any new bottles or sippy cups a test run at home before you hit the road. My oldest daughter would only drink from Dr. Brown bottles . They have a bunch of small parts.

I was SO happy to discover microwave sanitizing bags . I tuck the parts into the bag and pop the whole thing into the hotel room microwave. It’s super easy. The bags can be used to sanitize everything from baby bottle parts to pacifiers to breast pump attachments and teethers . If you want to bring a bottle brush, I recommend a silicone one so you can easily dry it off before repacking. We all know that babies are messy. Bring bibs. There are some plastic wipe-clean ones that are great for travel. Baby swaddle blankets and muslin blankets also are great for protecting baby’s outfit. They’re thin and can easily provide a food or breast milk barrier and are great for cleaning up spit up.

Sleeping Away from Home: Baby Travel Gear You Need

When you’ve got a new baby who has settled into some sort of routine, sleeping away from home can present some challenges. One way to make it easier? Plan for future travel even if you don’t know when it will happen. How? Well, for us it was using a small sound machine every night. At home, it was necessary because of those three older (loud) siblings. It paid off when we traveled, though. Our son associated the white noise with sleep. In Pavlovian fashion, he fell asleep easily in hotel rooms once we turned on the machine.

Now, let’s talk about cribs. By the fourth kid, we were done with cribs. In fact, my husband wrote an entire post on why you don’t need a crib. Our youngest slept in a pack-and-play-style bed until he graduated to a tent-style pack-and-play. Most hotels say they have cribs available. Ninety percent of the time those “cribs” turn out to be pack n’ plays. So if kiddo is used to it, they’ll sleep better. Pack an extra pack-and-play sheet and a baby blanket in your luggage. They’ve been missing in many of the places where we’ve stayed. Serious travelers may want to consider a more travel-friendly option like the Lotus travel crib , which folds down into a backpack-sized case.

Traveling with a newborn? A pack-and-play is awkward to use and feels way too big for baby. The Munchkin Brica Baby Travel Pod opens with the push of a button and is lightweight for easy travel.

Other Baby Travel Essentials for Sleep

Night lights . Although “no one puts Baby in the corner,” we’ve definitely had our baby sleep in a closet. When you’re trying to get one kid to sleep without making everyone else turn in, placing the crib creatively is the answer. Our youngest has slept in a Four Seasons Jackson Hole closet (with the door cracked open) larger than my upstairs bathroom and we were glad we had the nightlight with us to cast that comforting warm glow.

Soother. This is baby’s comfort item. The best baby can go from chill to crying if a loved soother is forgotten. If your kiddo has a favorite stuffed animal, do not forget it. Also, new moms, if there’s an item that your baby loves, please learn from my mistake. Buy two. Inevitably, at some point it will go missing or be left behind and having a substitute is worth its weight in gold.

Sleep swaddle. Hotel rooms can sometimes be chilly, so consider packing a heavier sleeper or even sleep swaddle to bundle up baby. They’re often easier to pack than baby blankets and easier to wash. We used to keep the blanket for the car and use swaddles at night. Also not to age myself but sleep swaddles are amazing! When my oldest was young we didn’t have them and had to baby burrito him by hand. Sleep swaddles are one of my all-time favorite baby products.

Baby Travel Items that Make Bath Time Easier

Bath time can be a little tricky if you’re staying in hotels that don’t have bathtubs. We might have been a bit more casual about baths while traveling and given some baby wipe baths. But a lot of folks use bath time as part of their nighttime routine. Travel bathtubs have gotten way better over the years. Even folded in half, they were huge. Now, plenty exist that pack completely flat.

I highly recommend a lay-flat baby bath over an inflatable tub. There’s room for mildew and trapped water and no one wants to be drying a tub off as they’re trying to get out of a hotel room. The sponge-y material ones can turn any sink into a spot for baby to bathe .

Read More: All the Tips You Need for Taking Baby on a Road Trip

How to Ditch the Baby Bath Tub

Another method is to get baby used to the shower. My oldest daughter had colic and breastfeeding was a struggle for us. One of the ways I calmed her was to take her in to a warm shower with me. The water soothed her. Why am I telling you all this? Well, I obviously didn’t want to hold a slippery baby every time I showered, so I found a baby carrier designed for swimming and water. It changed everything. Now, bathing baby on the road is as simple as putting the baby in the ring sling.

For safety reasons, always choose a sling with metal rings (plastic can degrade). The rings should have no visible seams on them. Pick a pricier option that’s been safety tested. Beachfront Baby has great options in a variety of colors. The slings have been chlorine tested, too. If a ring sling seems hard to use, consider a  Boba Air soft structured carrier (SSC) . The nylon material is quick drying and it folds up tiny. We used it at water parks several times.

A Baby Travel Monitor

Not necessary for hotel stays, but a baby travel monitor is helpful when visiting relatives’ homes or when staying in a multi-room vacation rental. The VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor has a soothing night light too – we love products that do double duty!

Baby Carriers: The Must-Have Travel Baby Product

Baby carriers are my all-time favorite baby travel essentials. I started with a Baby Bjorn with my almost 18 year old son and have worn every baby since. It is easy for me to fall down a baby product black hole when talking about carriers. So I’m going to mention some of my favorite soft structured carriers that are readily available to the general public.

Tula is a brand name that many new parents know. There are two main types: solid fabric or the Coast, which is a mix of fabric and mesh. Whichever one you buy, add Frogg Toggs to the order if you’ll be wearing it in the summer. These cooling towels absorb cold water and don’t drip. You can use them to make a cool layer between you and your older baby. You will stay cool without getting wet. I prefer the Tula because it is easy to switch so it also fits my larger husband. In addition, it easily went from baby to toddler.

We also had an ergobaby for my daughters but design changes over the years weren’t my favorite. If you have back problems the LILLEbaby can be a good option; it offers additional lumbar support. There are some cheaper entry brands like Infantino . As baby grows, they may not have some of the comfort elements for you that the pricier carriers offer.

Name Brands Do Matter

No matter what you do, look for name brands. Baby carriers are required to be safety tested in the US. No name options shipping on Amazon may not adhere to those requirements. Love hiking with baby? Check out hiking style carriers for added storage room and stability. (And read our tips for hiking with babies!)

Baby Products that Make Road Trips Easier

If you’re road tripping with baby, you want to be as prepared as humanly possible. I totally get it. Road trips can hold a lot of unknowns (traffic, potty stops, etc) so being ready for anything is essential. The good part? You’re the captain of your destiny. Here are 6 things I always pack for to make road trips easier.

A Silicone Bucket

Puke happens. If baby is tiny, you obviously won’t be able to use a bucket for spit up (and you won’t really need one). But a bucket is useful for other things — dirty clothes, toting toys and even playing with at stops. Silicone buckets are a lifesaver because they collapse. They are space saving until you need them.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. Buy one before your trip. Trust me. I found myself in upstate New York panic buying one at Target. Fun story, they don’t carry the cheap ones in store. I ended up with an expensive one that played music and had a remote control. After dropping $40 on that, I had to go back in and buy scissors to open the package. Don’t make my mistakes. Get a simple cheap baby mirror . If you’re sitting in traffic you’ll be glad you can see baby.

Did you see the story above? Make sure there are scissors in the car. Yes, they’re not a “baby item” but there will be a reason to use them. In fact, get trauma shears . They can cut through practically anything (and can replace those special seat belt cutting safety tools).

First Aid Kit

Seriously, it’s not just because my husband is a paramedic but yes it kind of is. Bring a basic first aid kit when you travel. Even if you do something as simple as getting a minor cut it becomes complicated if you have to go on a band-aid hunt with a baby.

Seat Back Organizer

A seat back organizer , even a super basic one, will come in super handy on road trips with baby. You can fill it with diapers, wipes, bottles of water and more so that everything is easily within reach at stops.

Extra Binkies/Teethers

If your baby likes to chew on things bring extra. For some reason, cars become binkie black holes on road trips. They enter but never come out. Buy in bulk.

The Right Toys

You want Junior to stay entertained in the car but please take this advice to preserve your own sanity: Limit toys that make noise, have parts, or are hard to clean. My secret? Tub toys . They’re sturdy, washable, easily sanitized and are usually bright and popular with babies. Bathtub books are also very easy for another child to read to baby and they double as a chew toy!

Sunscreen and a Sunshade

If you’ll be hitting the road for hours at a time, consider sunscreen for the baby. While sunshades are great and can help block glare, constant car sun exposure can have an impact. We round up our favorite baby and toddler sunscreens in this post. I’m a huge fan of the sunshades that come with both window clips (that go over the window as it rolls up) and suction cups. That way nothing falls off the window. We share way more about road tripping with a baby over here. Check out our full post of tips, tricks and what you need to know.

What other baby travel essentials do you pack when you travel with baby? Have a question or need a recommendation? Drop us a comment and we’ll help you out!

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Baby Travel Gear: Complete List of Travel Essentials

• Updated June 29, 2023

Traveling with a baby may seem like a STRESSFUL business, but you can have fun with the entire family as long as you know what to bring!

This list contains all the portable baby travel gear items you might need to bring when you’re planning a local or international trip.

Best Baby Travel Gear Essentials: Travel Items Packing List

Don’t just pack all the baby travel items you think you might need—plan accordingly to where you’ll be staying so you can have the optimal experience when traveling with a baby!

1. Baby Travel Car Seat

Babies can be fussy when sitting down, so you want something that will strap them in safely.

This item is one of the best baby travel essentials parents can purchase when they hit the road.

Travel car seats will be your best friend on the road and plane ride if you don’t want to carry your baby on your lap all the time and end up with a NUMB LAP.

While you might already own a car seat for daily life, a car seat for travel will be different.

Ideally, you’ll want one that’s easy to lug around during your trip and one that’s as compact as can be.

If you decide to bring this seat type to a plane, make sure it’s ALSO appropriate for use on an airplane .

If it is, you’ll be able to find a label that says “ This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft ” on it.

You can find a list of non-toxic car seats here to bring to your next travel destination.

NOTE: If you have a newborn baby, avoid using a forward-facing seat. It’s much safer for newborns to sit on a rear seat that’s facing the BACK of the car!

2. Baby Carrier

Imagine walking through the streets of Rome and catching all the beautiful sites before you.

Except you can’t because you’re too TIRED from carrying your baby around to enjoy your trip.

That’s why you’ll most likely need an organic baby carrier with you when you travel with a baby. We have a few organic baby carrier options , so you don’t have to scour the internet.

Aside from that, a baby carrier will be helpful if you ever need to do something else with your hands, like preparing your baby’s formula or handling another one of your kids if you have one.

Baby carriers are also perfect for places that aren’t stroller-friendly, so that’s something to keep in mind when planning for your next trip!

3. Lightweight Travel Stroller

Don’t just bring any everyday stroller to your trip — especially not a bulky stroller! Be sure to bring a baby stroller that’s lightweight and compact .

You’re not going out for a day trip to a park. You’ll need something to easily transport around sightseeing spots, hotels, and other travel destinations.

It’ll be a real hassle if you find yourself tiring over having to carry a heavy stroller around.

You’ll preferably need foldable strollers that fit a small rental car or the overhead compartment of an airplane.

If you’re boarding an airplane, make sure to check the dimensions and weight requirements of strollers with the airlines you’ll be using.

Aside from passing travel requirements, get a non-toxic stroller. You can find a comprehensive list of non-toxic strollers over here .

Stroller Cover

If you bring your baby out in a stroller during the day, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll need to cover the front with something so that your baby doesn’t get sunburn .

While you could attach a blanket to your stroller to use as a shade, your baby might feel too hot from it, especially during the summer.

Stroller Clips

Stroller clips help keep blankets in place .

No longer are the days where you have to chase after a blanket during a windy day or fix the blanket after your baby kicks it up in their stroller.

4. Portable Baby Bassinet

If you have a newborn infant with you when you travel, take a portable bassinet with you.

That way, you can allow your baby to sleep in comfort and feel safe even if you go out to eat or walk through the beach.

Be sure to bring a cover for the bassinet to block out the sun when out on a sunny day.

5. Baby Travel Crib or Travel Tent (a.k.a Pack ‘N Play)

If your baby is older than six months , bring something more sturdy like a portable travel crib or tent so they can sleep well even in your hotel.

While hotels offer cribs to rent, you might want to bring your crib sheets, especially for babies with more sensitive skin.

If you want to get rid of the uncertainty that comes with renting cribs, buy your own travel crib and let your baby sleep or play in it so they can get used to it.

However, if you have a toddler with you, bring a portable toddler bed or travel tent for them to sleep in instead.

6. Baby Swaddle and Sleep Sack

Infants can be fuzzy before sleeping, and that holds especially true when you’re in an UNFAMILIAR place.

Giving them a swaddle can give them more comfort, meaning they can sleep wherever they want to.

Be that an airplane, a hotel room, or even just grandma’s house.

If your newborn is old enough, then consider using sleeping sacks for babies instead.

7. Portable Diaper Changing Pad

This one is an essential item, especially if you plan on hiking or walking around.

Your baby will need to change their diapers whenever they need to. If you let your baby keep their dirty diaper on for too long, they could get a diaper rash.

A portable diaper changing pad lets you change your baby’s diaper on the go . These include filthy places without a diaper changing station.

8. Diaper Bag

This isn’t even a debate.

A handy diaper bag is going to be full of equipment you’ll need when changing your baby.

You’ll need to fill your diaper bag or diaper backpacks with items like:

• Diapers (preferably disposable)
• Extra Clothes
• Diaper cream
• Bottles and Formula
• Baby food and snacks

You might want to find one that has more space to avoid worrying about not being able to bring baby gear like these during your trip.

9. Wet-Dry Bag

Parents who don’t want to use disposable diapers don’t need to give up their ideals for a trip.

All you need to do is bring a wet-dry bag for your baby’s used cloth diapers.

Aside from dirty diapers, you can use wet-dry bags for soiled clothes or dirty bibs .

Be sure to bring two for dirty clothes and stained bibs so the mess doesn’t mix.

10. Baby Toiletries

Parents absolutely cannot leave the house without these baby travel items:

• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Shampoo and Body Wash
• Baby Lotion
• Sunscreen (optional)

While the sunscreen might depend on where you’re going, it’s never a bad idea to bring the other baby travel products on the list.

You want to keep your baby feeling fresh and clean all the time when you travel, that’s for sure.

11. Breastpump

Not keen on having to breastfeed your baby in PUBLIC?

Bring this piece of baby gear, use it, and put the milk away for later.

Even if you don’t breastfeed your baby, bring one just in case.

You might want to go out to have time for yourself and leave a bottle or two for your baby while you’re gone, or maybe your partner will take the baby out while you relax in bed.

If possible, bring a manual pump in case you get stuck in a place with no electricity or experience a power outage (fingers crossed this doesn’t happen, of course).

12. Nursing Cover

While it’s perfectly okay for mama bears to breastfeed in public without a cover, this depends on your comfort and safety .

Bringing one is one way to ensure that the woman breastfeeding your infant will feel safe or keep the locals comfortable.

13. White Noise Machine

Picture yourself getting ready for bed in a hotel room.

You’ve put away all your things, got changed, and have your baby in a crib.

You’re settling down in your own bed, but then your neighbors start acting up next door.

Next thing you know, your baby can’t sleep due to all the noise.

Bring a white noise machine as part of your baby gear to help your babies and infants settle in for their sleep routine .

If you don’t want to purchase one, you can get a white noise app on your cell phone for the same purpose.

Just make sure you don’t need to use it in the evening when your baby needs to use the white noise app to sleep.

You’ll be surprised to know that this is exactly what your baby will need to sleep soundly when you’re away from home!

14. Portable Travel High Chair

Sometimes restaurants don’t have high chairs for your baby when you need to dine in.

You can obviously just let your baby sit on your lap while you have your meal, but it might not be as comfortable, especially if your baby kicks up a fuss.

Bringing a portable/foldable high chair might save you a lot of strength and give you the rest you might need, so make sure to get the most convenient travel high chairs possible.

15. Baby Bibs

It’s no secret that babies and toddlers alike can make a mess when they eat .

Pack a baby bib .

It might not stop your baby from getting a stain on their clothes, but it DEFINITELY helps.

16. Table Mat

Aside from the mess a baby or toddler makes on their clothes, they’ll also leave their mark on the table.

Bring these particular baby travel accessories to make cleaning a breeze for you and the people around you.

17. Bottles, Sippy Cup, and Spill Proof Snack Cup

Baby travel essentials like these are one of the best baby travel essentials for families when traveling with a baby.

Baby Bottles

You’ll need to feed your baby using reliable nursing bottle when they’re hungry, so be sure to bring one whenever you go out of the house , even if it’s just a short day trip.

Don’t Forget Dish Soap!

We also recommend bringing your own baby bottle dish soap for longer trips so you can clean your bottles without worrying about bacteria and the like.

If you have a toddler, then they’ve most likely graduated from drinking from baby bottles and have begun to drink from sippy cups.

You can start to give your toddlers something to drink aside from milk, so you can give them more options to choose from (water, 100% juice, etc.).

Just be sure not to make it a habit to drink sugary beverages since it can lead them to grow UNHEALTHY habits.

Spill-Proof Snack Cups

As your child begins to grow up, they’ll start developing a taste for solid food as well.

Sometimes your transportation can go through bumps which could cause a mess when it comes to snacks. To prevent that from happening, get feeding supplies like a spill-proof snack cup .

All your toddler needs to do is reach through the flaps or silicone covering of the snack cup and get their baby food and snacks from the inside.

Bring more than one spill-proof snack cup so you can give them more than one kind of snack while you’re on a journey.

18. Inflatable Travel Bathtub

If bathing in a bathtub is part of your baby’s or toddler’s bedtime routine, try not to skip on it just because of your trips to a different place.

An inflatable bathtub is one way to help your baby or toddler to ease into their new environment faster and, in turn, get them to sleep with ease.

If you can’t get one, you can use a sink if they still fit or wipe them down with a warm cloth.

19. Baby Travel Toys

You don’t need to bring your baby’s whole box of toys wherever you’re going to go.

Just bring two or three toys for your baby or toddler. It’ll be a lifesaver so they won’t get bored and cause a ruckus.

If your baby gets bored with their toys, play a game with them instead.

That way, you can also bond with them!

BONUS TIP: You can even consider buying toy steering wheel attachments for car seats!

20. First Aid Kit

While it’s a parent’s worst nightmare for their baby or toddler to get sick, you’ll need to be prepared anyways.

Bring these essential baby travel items to save yourself the headache:

• Thermometer
• Baby Tylenol
• Teething relief
• Baby vitamins

You can find a drugstore to buy all those items, BUT it’s not worth the risk of running around not knowing where to go while your baby or toddler doesn’t feel well.

Packing for Baby: How Much to Bring on a Trip

The first thing to note down:

Do. Not. Over. Pack.

Remember, your baby is not the only person going on this trip. You will end up hauling WAY MORE things than you want to if you overpack your suitcase with things you might not even need.

Leave the baby stuff you won’t need at all during your travels. At worst, you’ll have to go out and buy something you didn’t bring.

Where Are You Going?

Now that you’re packing under that first principle, remember where you’re going to go .

We mentioned bringing sunscreen, but you won’t need that item if you’re planning to go to a place like Tokyo during the winter season.

Or are you going for a day trip to a nearby beach? Are you really going to need that stroller when you can’t even push it through the sand?

Better bring a bassinet with a cover or an umbrella instead.

How Long Will You Be Gone?

If you’re not staying overnight to whatever place you’re going, skip the crib.

Your baby can always sleep in their stroller while you push them through a park.

There’s a crib waiting for them at home anyways.

That said, there’s no need to worry about overnight items if you’re going home at the end of the day.

Don’t Have Space?

If you lack the space to bring all the essentials with you, you can find a reputable baby equipment rental company at your destination.

You won’t have to worry about somehow getting all your baby’s items in your already overstuffed bag.

Baby Travel Tips: How to Travel With a Baby Safely

How to Travel With a Baby in a Car

Before you hit the road with your baby or toddler, be sure to check that you have everything you need; all your baby travel essentials and other products you might need while you’re stuck in a car.

How Soon After Birth Can a Baby Travel By Car?

Most families bring their newborn infant home with a car, so there aren’t any real restrictions for going on a road trip.

However, you’re going to need to be prepared for a road trip to keep your baby safe and comfortable throughout the car ride .

We recommend you take short practice trips with your baby to get a feel of what they’ll need during the car ride.

This is one way for you to know what particular baby products you’ll need , and how long your baby will last without kicking up a fuss .

Most importantly, everything else you’ll need to keep your entire family happy .

If you’re looking for a specific range on how soon your newborn can travel long distances by car, around 3 months old is a good range to keep your baby safe.

How Do I Keep My Baby Cool in Car Seat?

We’ll go through all the most important things you’ll need to know to keep your baby cool in a car.

• Choose light-colored car seats instead of dark ones. Dark colors absorb heat more and will cause your baby discomfort.
• Use a car seat cover to keep the car seat cool when your baby uses it. You can also buy a car seat cooler which is the same thing but is meant to be frozen overnight.
• Dress your child appropriately for the heat. Don’t overdress them, and don’t use clothes with materials like fleece, wool, or flannel.

The last thing you’ll want is your baby getting sunburnt or overheated while you travel.

How Long Can I Travel With My Baby?

According to The Lullaby Trust , your baby should NOT be in a car seat for more than 2 hours at a time and should be taken out frequently.

Make sure that you let your baby rest by taking frequent stops during the drive. During your breaks, stretch your legs and let your baby take a breather.

If possible, keep one adult in the back seat as well to keep an eye on the baby. If your baby changes its position, be sure to adjust them to the correct position .

If you’re traveling alone, stop the car as soon as possible and adjust their position yourself.

How to Travel With a Baby on a Plane

Before you leave for your flight, be sure you have all your baby travel essentials and everything else you need, like your passports, gadgets, and snacks if you need them.

Can a 2-Month-Old Baby Travel By Plane?

While there are no actual restrictions to newborns flying on airplanes, it may not be safe, especially for long-haul flights.

To really play it safe, ask your doctor for more information.

Make sure to check the country or place you’re visiting for information about the weather and if any diseases are spreading there.

How to Travel With Baby Formula on the Plane?

You’re probably aware of the 100 ml liquid rule strictly imposed in airports when you travel to a different destination in your country or to another one.

However, according to the TSA , baby formula or milk is exempted from the rule . You can bring it in carry-on luggage but should keep them separated from other liquids.

When Can You Travel With a Baby?

Many parents want to travel to different places with their children, which is perfectly understandable.

Before your infant reaches the 3-month mark , their immune system won’t be fully developed yet, making them prone to catching colds and other infections .

That doesn’t make it impossible to travel with your newborn, though. The CDC recommends that you ensure that the water you give them is clean and the hotel you stay in passes the safety standards .

Can a Baby Travel Without a Passport?

Even if your kid is a baby, you will need to get them a passport to go abroad .

They’ll need it to leave your home country and re-enter it. However, there are exceptions to the rule, like when traveling from the U.S.A. to Canada and vice-versa.

REMEMBER: Your children will eventually grow up, meaning they will have plenty more required documents to obtain.

Getting them a passport at a young age will give both you and the child an easier time handling such requirements. 

Can a Baby Travel With a Birth Certificate?

Families traveling with a baby from the U.S. to Canada won’t need a passport for their child. That’s GOOD NEWS if you find it difficult to head to your nearest embassy.

Minors below the age of 16 only need a birth certificate to leave and re-enter.

Check the passport and visa information of the place you’re going to travel to be sure.

Can a Baby Travel Without a Plane Ticket?

Luckily, there’s no need to worry about getting kicked out of the boarding gate because some airlines don’t require you to buy a plane ticket for your baby .

Some will give charge you a fee for a “lap child” especially for international flights. You might want to take advantage of this perk while your children are still young.

While most of them charge 10% of an adult’s ticket , some taxes could rack up a lot of money so stay cautious.

In the end, you can buy another ticket for your baby to keep them comfortable when you travel.

Can I Go Camping With My Baby?

YES! You can go camping with your baby!

However, you’ll need to make extra preparations like getting mosquito-repellant , checking the weather and temperature , boiling clean water , and other things.

However, if it’ll be your first time camping as well, don’t go and wait until your kid is a bit older.

Indeed, you won’t have to worry about breastfeeding and keeping everything incredibly clean.

Leaving the Nest Together

The thing about babies is that it doesn’t have to be stressful when you bring them to travel.

In fact, there are MANY families out there who get to have more fun when they bring their kids.

So remember to pack your baby travel essentials ONLY.

Don’t go pack everything you see without a thought and make sure to plan things thoroughly.

But most importantly…

Have a great time while you travel with your baby! After all, enjoying life is the secret to HAPPINESS!

About the author

Angelica Graham

A few years ago, Angelica found out about all the plastic and toxic ingredients that got into most children’s products. And this worried her to no end. Because of this, she began to research what the best ingredients and materials were for children and made it her mission to share this information with other mothers.

The Good Nursery is an independent website that provides content for informational purposes only. The content is not meant to be a replacement for professional service advice.

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23 Best Travel Essentials for Babies in 2024: All You Need to Bring

The whole point of this blog and many other family travel blogs is to show you that you don’t need to stop traveling just because you had a baby. In fact, a baby’s first year is an excellent time to travel (we speak from experience!).

The only daunting factor is the number of items a baby needs. How do you take all the stuff on your baby registry with you on a trip? Obviously, you don’t!

We and some other family travelers have put together a list of travel essentials for babies so that you don’t have to worry about what to bring and what not.

Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom. We’ve added a downloadable baby travel essentials list underneath this article. Oh, and it’s editable so you can remove any things you don’t need – or add them if we missed any baby travel items.

There’s a good chance this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase anything through one of our links, we’ll receive a small fee (it won’t cost you anything, promise!). As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you would like to learn more about our affiliate partners, click here for our disclaimer .

We traveled a lot when my daughter was a baby and the one thing that made things so much easier was keeping my hands free the majority of the time. The thing that helped me with this the most? A backpack-style nappy bag !

The usual, messenger style, the nappy bag was so difficult to carry around, I was constantly having to adjust it and the strain it caused on one shoulder was immense. So, I switched to a backpack-style nappy bag and I’ve never looked back.

As well as keeping both hands free to care for the baby, backpack nappy bags usually have a ton of different shapes and size pockets and compartments so keeping all that baby gear organized is a breeze.

The biggest benefit to me was the fact that the weight is distributed evenly across your back , so there is no shoulder pain or constant moving of the bag to get comfortable!

If you’re traveling with a baby, it’s always a good idea to bring snacks. A whole lot of snacks.

In fact… that’s also a great tip for traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Not only will this keep them occupied, but it can also help avoid tantrums (if your baby is an almost-toddler). Snacks can also help pass the time on long flights or car rides. And let’s be honest, the food on planes is not exactly suitable for babies (or anyone, really).

So save yourself some hassle and pack a few snacks for your little one. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.

Items that can be carried along while traveling with a baby (include the ones that are appropriate for your baby’s age) :

• cooked rice/ rice balls
• pureed fruits/ cooked vegetables like apples, carrots, beetroot, sweet potato, peaches, green peas
• any kind of porridge/ cereal/ cooked legumes
• finger foods like cooked potato/ carrot/ cucumber sticks, meatballs, hard-boiled and chopped eggs, chopped ripe fruits like apples, mangoes, strawberries, watermelon, nuts and dry fruits
• soft whole wheat pancakes in different flavours

Make sure to carry insulated containers to keep the food hot/ frozen until use, and enough serve-ware.

This tip by Ale from Universo Viajero is definitely one we use. A couple of extra onesies are part of our baby travel kit anywhere we go. Ale suggested one extra outfit, but I’m going to up that and propose 3 extra sets, just to be sure (imagine being on a plane and having a couple of poo-splosions!)

When you’re traveling with babies, disasters are imminent, no matter how careful you are at feeding hours or letting them play. They may even find a water pond on the street and decide that crawling on it is the perfect game.

At any minute there may be an explosion of food, diaper, crying and many others. Protecting yourself against any eventuality is practically impossible, but there are always some tips to make the solution more bearable.

One of my favorites is to never leave your accommodation without a complete change of clothes for your baby, it can even be more than a complete change if you are going to be too many hours away without a return option. You will not use much space in your bag and you can leave them in the stroller or backpack diaper bag until it is necessary.

Don’t forget to include a disposable or washable bag to leave the clothes that have been spoiled there, keeping odors and dirt separated from the rest of your belongings.

You might’ve thought about spare clothes for your baby, but parents usually forget to think about themselves. And yes, technically, you could keep on wearing that shirt with baby vomit for the remainder of the journey.

But, trust me, you’ll thank yourself if you threw an extra t-shirt into the hand luggage!

Travel essentials with baby: moving around

This must-have item was contributed by Chelsea from Pack More into Life. For us too, this is the most indispensable piece of travel gear for babies. In fact, when we were only traveling with our Little Elf, it was the only item we brought!

Traveling with babies can be a bit daunting, but having the right gear to travel with kids can make all the difference. One of my favorite items is a soft structured baby carrier such as an Ergobaby , Tula , or Kinderpack (#AffiliateLinks).

These carriers are easy to roll up and store in a backpack or clipped onto your back when not in use. Then when your little one is ready for a nap or needs a ride , you can easily toss them into the carrier, snuggle them in, and off you go to explore! 

We used our carriers at home as well as when we were traveling. They are perfect for inside airports , on public transportation , and when exploring a city that doesn’t lend well to strollers . The carriers all have multiple adjustment points and can often be shared between two adults when someone needs a break from carrying the little one.

If you are up for a bit more of an adventure, make sure to swap your baby carrier for a more outdoor-sy equivalent! Katalin from Our Life Our Travel did the same.

We are an outdoorsy family and a hiking baby carrier is essential for our travels. Strollers are great for parks and for short walks, but if you want to spend several hours hiking with your baby, the only convenient way to do is using an ergonomic hiking carrier.”

With a hiking carrier, you have two free hands for taking photos or just holding hands with your partner, and neither rougher terrains nor stairs are a problem to pass. The young ones can observe the surroundings much better from your back than from a stroller, so it is easier to keep them occupied for longer periods of time. They also enjoy being carried and close to you , so it’s a double win!

Contributed by Melissa from My Travel Strollers

If you aren’t familiar, a travel system is an infant car seat and stroller that can click together . The advantage is that if your baby falls asleep in the car or on a flight , you don’t have to remove them to transfer to a separate stroller.

One of our favorite pieces of gear for traveling with a baby was our travel system.

It was perfect for traveling (as well as use around town) because we didn’t have to worry about strict bedtime or time zone changes while on vacation. For example, when we took our son to Hawaii at 3 months old, he would fall asleep on our drive to dinner (6pm locally, but 8pm back home). We could just clip his car seat into the stroller and sit back for a nice quiet dinner!

If your baby is not tiny anymore, you could use a travel stroller instead of a travel system. Chris from More Life in your Days loves bringing a compact stroller on vacations.

One of our traveling-with-a-baby essentials is to take a compact travel stroller with us.

Whilst we love our baby carrier, there comes a point when your back needs a rest and your baby has had enough of being cooped up. This is where a travel stroller can be a lifesaver, giving you the chance to explore at your own pace.

A travel stroller will come in handy throughout your trip. From getting through the airport to sightseeing at your destination and even changing a nappy on the go ,  you will definitely appreciate having somewhere to put your baby down that you know is clean, comfy, and portable.

There will be no need to put the holiday on hold while your baby naps. Let them sleep in the stroller and enjoy some fresh air while you explore new places.

When we first traveled with a baby we took a full-size stroller and it was such hard work to have to haul it around with us on and off the buses and trains.

We now know better and have discovered that there are some amazing travel strollers that are as good as full-sized ones, just in a nice tiny package. Many of these have newborn setups so you can take them exploring with you from a very young age!

If you are up for a bit more of an adventure, make sure to swap your travel system or travel stroller for an outdoor-sy equivalent! Mary Beth from A Reluctant Mom will tell you all about one of her favorite travel accessories for babies.

We do a lot of outdoor and national park travels, so bringing the best off-road stroller  is one of our favorite travel essentials for a baby!

Its large rubber tires make it great for hiking, and we’ve been able to use it on a surprising number of park trails. It recently got us through some awesome hikes at Yosemite, Big Sur, and the Grand Canyon.

I’ll be honest, they’re a little bulky to travel with. But if your travel itinerary includes taking baby off-the-beaten-path , an all-terrain stroller is a must.

They can tackle rocky, uneven trails like a breeze, and the suspension keeps the baby comfy while bouncing over all those bumps. They’re also versatile enough for urban exploration, unlike your average travel stroller which probably wouldn’t be sturdy enough to go from city streets to  no  streets.

We promised ourselves that we’d keep traveling to the parks after the baby came along, and our outdoor stroller has made it easy to keep that promise!

Bringing along a car seat is a great idea whether you’re traveling by plane especially if you’ll be renting a car at your destination. Kate from Tear Free Travel thinks so too and always brought one when her kids were smaller.

As much as we can see the benefit of having a car seat on the plane, we don’t see ourselves dragging along such a huge travel gadget for babies.

One of the most indispensable travel items for trips with babies is a   portable car seat for travel .

We’ve traveled a lot with our kids when they were young and bringing along the car seat always makes traveling with young babies a breeze.

We typically bring our Maxi Cosi bucket seat as this car seat is super lightweight, easy to buckle in with a regular seatbelt, approved for the airplane, and fits onto our Uppababy Vista stroller .

Although we don’t typically buy a seat for our infants under 2, we have had a few occasions where we were able to score an extra seat on the plane and brought our car seat on with us. Being hands-free while the baby slept quietly on the plane was an amazing feeling indeed! 

If you’re planning on using a car eat in your rental car, but you didn’t book an extra seat for your baby, bring a gate check bag for your car seat to make transport easier.

A travel car seat is not to be missed on a trip with a baby, don’t leave yours at home! 

If you do bring a car seat for your older baby or toddler, it won’t fit into the travel system anymore. If you don’t want to drag a chunky item along, think about bringing a car seat cart. Lauren from My Favorite Jobtitle is Mom will tell you all about it.

The car seat cart is the travel item we never leave without when traveling with a baby. 

The cart is made of lightweight plastic and folds into a square that easily fits in carry-on luggage. 

When unfolded it has a buckle similar to an airplane seat belt to secure the car seat to the cart . 

Once the car seat is attached, the child can be strapped in and pulled like roller board luggage. 

This makes it super easy to travel all the way to the gate with the car seat without having to carry it .  It also allows our convertible car seat to replace a big stroller . 

The cart is a basic design that fits all convertible car seats . Therefore, you don’t need to worry about finding one that is specific to your car seat brand.  This cart is definitely an indispensable part of our baby travel gear.

Traveling with baby essentials for sleeping

When you’re used to a co-sleeper on the side of your bed, bringing along a baby nest is a great way to co-sleep without having to put your baby in your bed .

Betty from MomBrite loves using the DockATot . Babies love the comfort of their own bed. When they are traveling and need to sleep in a new, foreign crib or bed, they may feel anxious and therefore not able to sleep as well. She loves that the DockATot provides the comfort and safeness from home.

The rounded sides create a barrier between your baby and the parents so that you can sleep with your baby peacefully in your bed.

The DockATot is designed so that the baby feels snug and cuddled while sleeping, which oftentimes allows the baby to sleep better and longer.

For traveling, you can simply get a travel bag for the DockATot and bring it with you as part of your luggage.

This baby travel product can be used from 0 to 8 months and is lightweight and portable.

Having your baby sleep well while traveling can make a huge difference in your experience since you can feel energetic and awake while exploring the sights! Plus, you can also use it as a changing pad and activity gym (with a few extra accessories) in your room, so that’s travel baby items to bring.

As an alternative, you can bring along a travel crib, but if your baby is used to sleeping close to you that might cause some trouble. You can also just put your little one into bed with you, but always (always!) make sure to bedshare safely (especially if you’re not used to doing this regularly).

If you don’t want to bedshare with your baby – be it with or without a baby nest – a travel bassinet is a perfect solution. Another big bonus is the fact that you can take it along for naps when you’re out at a restaurant too.

Mandi from Big Family Small Adventures loved using a pop-up travel cot when her kids were still small. She found it the most useful travel essential for babies when she went camping with her large family.

“I love the pop up travel cot because it is so light and folds away so small it can easily be stored within your suitcase . When you reach your destination, just take it out of the bag and there you have it: the perfect place for your little one to sleep.” – Mandi

However, if you don’t mind the extra space, it might be more comfortable for your baby to bring along a portable cot . Many places state that a cot is included, but you can never be sure if it will be suitable for your child, therefore taking your own with you guarantees a good night’s sleep for both you and your baby.

Or you can always do what so many parents do: ask your hotel to provide a baby bed. You can save a lot of space by not bringing your own portable crib. When you’re staying at a hotel with your baby , make sure to call ahead and ask for a crib to be set up before you arrive.

Cath from Passports and Adventures has one item which she would class as one of the best travel essentials for baby and that is a white noise item.

Her product of choice was Ewan the Dream Sheep , who became a member of their family when their son was one month old in a bid to help him nap better during the day.

Ewan the Dream Sheep is a cute little sheep that has a built-in white noise machine that can play four different sounds , a built-in night light , and his Velcro tail allows him to be attached to a cot bar or stroller arm .

Because he was a firm part of the family’s nap and bedtime routine, Ewan also became a baby travel essential when they took off with their son.

He has traveled to Slovenia, New York, and Ireland among many places, and they only stopped using him after their son turned four. He ensured their son was able to drift off to sleep in new surroundings without any hassle and soothed him back to sleep if he woke during the night.

Alternatively, you can download an app with white noise sounds – or any other soothing sound. We highly recommend White Noise Baby Sleep Sounds .

It’s an app with 40 different sounds ranging from heartbeats, a plane, or a hairdryer. We originally downloaded the app because we wanted our son to be soothed by the sounds of the ocean (we thought that would come in useful when traveling), but turns out he only wants to sleep with the vacuum cleaner on. So that’s what we have been listening to for the last 10 months *sigh*.

I don’t know if we are the only ones always putting up towels or bags in an attempt to clock out the light, but turns out Emily from Journey of Parenthood has a way better way of doing this: black-out curtains ! So we’ve gone ahead and purchased them and we couldn’t be happier! Little Dragon sleeps so much better when it’s dark in the room!

If you’re thinking about traveling with an infant or older baby, black-out curtains are a huge help. It’s a must-have for a family vacation that many parents don’t think to pack.

When driving in the car it’s perfect to help to block the sunlight coming in from the windows to allow Baby to sleep.

When staying in a hotel room the curtain can be used to cover the window (suction cups are included!) so Baby can sleep and get the rest they need in order to be happy and content for the family vacation. 

We’re trying to keep things as normal as possible for our little ones, so if you use a sleeping bag at home, bring it along on your trip!

For babies under 4 months, we recommend a swaddling sleeping bag to keep them cozy and comfortable. We are a big fan of the swaddle sacks with arms up since babies like to suck on their hands to soothe themselves.

We’ve been using this sleeping bag for Little Dragon until he was about 6 months and always took it along for overnight trips.

Pay attention to the weather at your destination. If you’re going to a place with a hot climate, think about bringing a sleeping bag in a light fabric such as muslin. For example, this really cute one with hedgehogs

Our kids never batted an eye when we didn’t bring their favorite cuddle bear or blanket as a baby ( that did change a lot when our daughter turned 3 though! ). As we usually bedshare, they always just needed their moms close to being able to sleep well.

However, many kids are much more attached to their favorite soft toy and can’t sleep without it. In that case, it becomes one of the must-have baby travel items you should bring as leaving this behind could be disastrous!

When we were travelling with a newborn by car for the first time, my daughter was very unsettled and grizzily but we just thought it was the car trip that was unsettling her. Later that night at our destination she continued being very upset and unsettled, and crying a lot which she doesn’t normally do. We then realised our rookie error, we had forgotten to pack her favourite blankie that she always cuddled when sleeping. Luckily for us my brother was joining us the next day and was able to bring the missing blankie with him ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep for baby, us and our neighbouring holidayers from our second night onwards. We learnt quickly from this mistake and ever since then, the favourite blankie has been the first thing listed on our packing lists! Ingrid from Fabulous and Fun Life

Travel baby essentials: eating

You may be debating whether a travel high chair is really essential baby gear for travel, but if your kids are as messy and wriggly as our youngest, then it definitely is! 

It is hard enough to feed a baby in a new environment, but if they are sitting on your knee, can’t see you, and you’re trying to spoon feed them, it is pretty hard to keep clean, and calm.

Adding a portable high chair is key to a good restaurant experience with a baby but even if you’re just having a picnic, things just get so much easier.

There are many different types of travel high chairs , but both we and Jennifer from Backyard Travel Family went for the so-called ‘hook-on high chair’.

The Phil and Teds lobster saves the day when it comes to eating out with babies. 

This travel high chair is super compact . You can keep it under the passenger seat in the car and it is pretty lightweight , so you can bring it along in your suitcase as well.  It has two “claws” that clamp onto any surface that has a decent flat overhang.

You can use it at playgrounds or camping spots, attached to a picnic table, but it will also work in restaurants (with the right tables) and kitchen benches at your Air BnB.

Safety straps will hold them in, but what’s especially great is how deep the sides are .  There is no chance of a baby wriggling out of this high chair. It is easy to clamp on and off, and if you give it a push, it is as solid as a rock. 

#19 Inflatable Nursing Pillow (<6months)

I’m a breastfeeding mom and one of the things I love most is that you always have your baby’s food with you, wherever you go. You don’t need to bring anything else.

But that’s not to say there aren’t any breastfeeding essentials that can make your life easier. For Marta from Backpackers WRO , for example, an inflatable nursing pillow is one of her baby travel must-haves.

At home, I always use the feeding pillow, and this is one of my favorite baby essentials.

Fortunately, inflatable feeding pillows were invented, which makes me feel even more comfortable when traveling. I am sure that I maintain a proper feeding position , and my little fellow feels safe and cozy as well.

The main benefits of an inflatable feeding pillow are that it is light , compact , and does not take up much space in our backpacks, as it has the size of a small book!

If you’re traveling by car and have enough room, you can always just bring your regular breastfeeding pillow. Especially when your little one is still a newborn, that pillow comes in handy for a lot of things.

Another one of those travel baby accessories when you’re breastfeeding, is a travel pump.

Maybe your partner is used to bottle-feeding your baby regularly? Or you’re planning on using babysitting services offered by your family or by the hotel? In those cases, bringing a travel pump is a necessity!

Whether you choose an electric pump or a manual pump is completely up to you. The former takes up more place, obviously. It all depends on how much you will need to pump and how easy your body gives up the milk if it’s not the baby hanging at your breast.

I’ve always been very happy with my  Medela Maxi Swing  , but it’s a little on the expensive side. So you can check out the ones below for more budget-friendly travel breast pumps.

Alternatively, you can always express milk manually . Just bring along one bottle that you can use to store it or – if you only want to use it in your baby’s bath or just throw it away – a plastic water bottle will work fine too. Some people have noticed their breasts give milk easier by hand-pumping than by using an electrical or manual pump.

Travel gear baby: bathing & caring

Another one of those indispensable items that should be in your baby travel kit is a first aid kit. Things tend to happen when you’re traveling with a little one – especially when they start crawling and walking.

My kids love to play outside and run around, but things happen and someone will trip or run into wild weeds. This is when our first aid kit comes into play. First aid kits can easily be purchased; however, we like to make our own and throw it in our diaper backpack when we travel. In our first aid kit, we typically put general items such as band-aids, vitamin E ointment, thermometer, allergy medication, alcohol wipes and sanitizer, as well as specific items for allergic reactions, fevers, inflammation, and burns.  There will be places that will not have these items readily available or families may find themselves in locations far away from any store or pharmacy. Going out into the wilderness, camping, safaris, boating, and other activities where first aid may not be available. Having your own first aid kit is essential, as a few simple items can make a big difference when traveling with kids.  Diana – The Elusive Family

Contributed by Priyadarshini from Glorious Sunrise

Baby wipes are one of my favorite family travel tips as it’s the most important item I always pack when traveling with kids. They come in super handy especially in buses, trains, or flights to clean the surface before you seat your kids.

In airplanes, when you change diapers for the little ones in the bathroom, wipe down the changing table before placing the changing mat.

On road trips, when the kids are done with their snacks, pass them a wipe to clean their hands and their seat . This helps in keeping the mess in the car and sticky car seats and sticky toys at the minimum.

Wipes help clean up the toys and pacifiers that inevitably fall when you are out and about.

Tip: Having baby wipes in a plastic bottle or travel-size pouch makes it easy for dispensing.

This might seem like a little early for a baby’s first year, but as we are big supporters of Elimination Communication , I felt that it did belong on this list. Ever since our daughter was 9 weeks old (and our son was only 10 days old!), we integrated listening to her signs about needing to go to the toilet into our daily lives. It was all about communication, but not having to do ‘regular’ potty training was a big plus! She stopped wearing diapers at the age of 10 months and we were accident-free by 1,5 during the day and 2 at night. We used the Potette for a long time ourselves, both at home and while traveling.

Noelle from Diary of a Travel Family loved using the Potette travel potty as well when her kids were small.

The Potette folds up really small in its carry sack and comes with little disposable bags . It’s like throwing away a dog poo bag. Ew, I know. But hey, #parentlife. If you’re lucky enough to be by a bathroom when nature calls, the Potette’s sides fold out to fit on a regular toilet seat .

We think back fondly on all the places we used our Potette: near ancient ruins in Tulum, in bushes by the monkeys at the zoo, in the parking lot at Dollywood… so many memories.

Phew, you made it to the end of this list. As I said, you don’t need to bring every item you see here. It’s merely a reminder for you so you can go all “Oh yes, I completely forgot about that!”. Remember, some people travel minimalistic and some like to bring as much as possible ‘just in case’. It’s all up to you – either way is fine.

Happy travels with your baby!

Mums on Flipflops  is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.de, amazon.fr, amazon.it and amazon.es. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Babs Rodrigus is the co-founder and main writer of Mums on FlipFlops . She is absolutely crazy about traveling – especially together with her wife and kids. Babs loves animals, chocolate (what did you expect from a Belgian?), reading, and writing.

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11 Genius Airplane Travel Tips for Traveling With a Baby

By Yasmine Moussa Published: May 23, 2023 Updated: October 28, 2023 This article contains affiliate links. Please see our full affiliate policy .

Traveling with your little one, whether it’s to see family that’s far away or to have an adventure of your own, is a lot different than traveling without kids. Mostly, you’ve got to be prepared for any situation that might arise while in transit and have the necessary gear packed for your stay. But with the right preparations and tips, a laid back attitude, and an extra outfit (or two)—traveling with a baby is totally doable. 

In this section, we’re going to cover tips for traveling with your baby in the first year. We’ll also cover advice about how to make the duration of your stay a bit easier too. Let’s get you adventure-ready!

1. Book your airplane seats strategically

The first step of any trip is booking your flight. As you may know, children under the age of two can fly for free as lap passengers which is appealing if you have family that lives far away. However, it should be noted that the Federal Aviation Administration does state that the safest place for your little one is in a car seat , not on your lap. So, if you can swing it financially it’s best to book baby their own seat and bring your car seat aboard. Take advantage of early boarding to get set up and situated before takeoff.

When you book your tickets, try to choose seat towards the front of the plane to reduce turbulence and likelihood of motion sickness. If you are taking your little one on a long flight (say, overseas) opt for a seat with a fold-down bassinet. It’s so worth it to have a place for baby to rest and sleep on a flat back for extra-long travel. Even with their own seat and a car seat, on a very long flight, you will want to have another space for them to be in. It’s unrealistic that they’d stay strapped in a car seat for many hours, and having this space will save you. You may need to call the airline to check about the availability of this amenity and make sure you can reserve it.

If you decide to bring baby on board as a lap baby, having an extra seat is still so helpful for spreading out, nursing, and all the baby stuff. When you arrive at your gate, I highly recommend going to the desk and speaking with the attendant. They may be able to move your seat (or someone else’s) to get you a seat next to an empty seat or in an otherwise empty row if the flight isn’t fully booked. Once when I flew alone with my firstborn the gate attendant secretly did this for me, it was the best surprise!

2. Pack lots of extras in your carry-on

Your carry-on will be your lifeline for the duration of your flight and time in the airport. Keep in mind that if your luggage gets lost (gah!) or your flights get delayed or canceled, you may be living out of your carry-on for much longer than expected.

For this reason, make sure to pack WAY more than you think you’d need. Have double the amount of diapers , baby food , baby clothes , etc. When choosing clothing, prioritize breathable materials that won’t cause irritation or discomfort to your child’s skin. This is especially crucial for items like socks or underwear that have close contact with the skin.

Avoid tight-fitting or synthetic materials, particularly in hot weather, as they can be less comfortable. Instead, opt for cotton or bamboo socks and underwear, which are known for their breathability. You can  try these  organic cotton toddler socks in various types and sizes to find the best options for your child.

To be extra prepared, have a change of clothes for you and your partner as well. If baby vomits on you or has an unexpected blow-out, you won’t be stuck traveling in dirty clothes. I always make sure to keep a few zip-loc bags , or a reusable wet bag in my diaper bag/carry on too, for soiled clothes and burp cloths.

If you are traveling with your breast pump , carrying this on the plane is best. You don’t want to find yourself without a pump and wind up with plugged milk ducts or an infection during your trip. Sometimes babies nurse less frequently during travel due to all of the distractions, so you may need to pump even if you usually don’t.

Additionally, pack the supplies you need to safely store breast milk during travel. Breastmilk is an exception to the limited liquid guidelines, so you just need to plan extra time to have it inspected at security.

3. Nurse during take-off and landing

If your baby is still breastfeeding, nursing during takeoff and landing can really help them cope with the ear pain that often occurs with the change in pressure. (Read this article for tips on how to breastfeed in public .)

Nursing your baby during the flight might also put them to sleep, which will make for a calmer, more relaxing flight for everyone. You can assess the pros and cons of nursing during take-off and landing vs. keeping them in their car seat to decide what makes you feel most comfortable and safe.

One thing to keep in mind is that I recommend not putting off feeding them to make sure they’ll eat during takeoff. You don’t want to board the plane with a hungry and fussy baby who can’t calm down to latch. Ideally, you can feed baby 30-60 minutes prior to takeoff, so that they aren’t starving, but aren’t so full that they won’t eat either. This can be tricky to predict in the event of delays, so if you’re unsure, just follow baby’s lead and keep them full and happy. 

4. Wear your baby through security

Most mamas who’ve traveled with infants and babies will tell you that wearing your baby in a baby carrier through the airport and security is the easiest. You don’t have to worry about germs, you’ll be hands free, and security is a breeze.

5. Gate-check your stroller

But even if you’re wearing baby, I still recommend bringing your stroller through the airport. Why? To hold all the baby things of course! Your stroller can become a holder for your carry on, car seat, etc. while you wear baby.

Most airlines offer complimentary gate check for strollers and car seats (if you’re not bringing it on board), this way you can get them right when you exit the plane at your destination. It also limits the likelihood of your stroller or car seat getting lost or damaged if you check them in the traditional manner.

Even when gate checking these items, I do recommend putting them in travel bags . This is another way to limit potential damage while they’re under the plane or being handled by airport personnel. 

6. Use curbside check-in

Traveling with a baby usually means bringing along some extra items. If you are checking luggage, use curbside check in. It will make your life so much easier than lugging everything from parking, onto a shuttle, and into the airport to check in.

7. Follow diaper-changing etiquette on the plane

Before boarding, make sure to change your little one’s diaper and use the restroom yourself. If it’s a shorter flight, hopefully you won’t even have to deal with a diaper change in the air.

But if you do, it’s usually best practice to change them in the lavatory. Surprisingly, many airplane bathrooms actually have a fold-down changing table. You can call ahead or ask when you board to check. If you do change your baby at your seat, I’d recommend only doing so if you have an entire row to yourself and only a wet diaper, out of consideration for those around you.

8. Do some research ahead of time about the airport and airplane

On the same note about checking if your plane will have a changing table, do some other research about your airport and any airports where you’ll have a layover. Most airports have lactation rooms for nursing mothers. It can be nice to have a quiet, calm, baby-friendly space to nurse and snuggle your babe between flights. For more mobile babies that need to wiggle, airports often have indoor play areas for children.

If there’s not a lactation room in your terminal or close to your gate, private restrooms often referred to as ‘family restrooms’ can be a quiet respite. It’s a place you can turn off the lights and help your baby fall asleep in a carrier or wrap if they’re having a particularly tough time travelling as well.

9. Bring some entertainment for your older baby

If you’re traveling with an older baby, entertainment will be important. Pack some books , small toys , and even a busy board if you have room for it. For toys and books, ideally you would want them to be new and novel to your baby so they are a little more interested at first. Depending on your baby’s age, some toys I would recommend are:

• Tegu magnetic wooden blocks
• HABA clutching toys
• Fat Brain Toys Pip Squigz
• Pop up peekaboo book

10. Bring some snacks and solids

If your baby is already eating some solids, you should plan to bring along some snacks, homemade baby food , and/or organic baby food pouches , Putting snacks in snack containers that give baby a challenge can be effective at occupying them for some of the flight.

11. Keep everyone healthy

Before traveling with a baby — especially on an airplane — it’s smart to work on your and your baby’s immune system. If you give supplements such as baby probiotics and vitamin D , this is a good time to make sure you aren’t skipping days.

Throughout your flights and time at the airport, be diligent about hand hygiene to minimize your and your baby’s exposure to germs. Wearing your baby through the airport can help ward off strangers from touching or getting too close to your baby and spreading illness.

You can also use baby wipes or hydrogen peroxide wipes to wipe down your seats, arm rests, etc. when you board the plane. This may not be totally necessary because of the cleaning precautions already in place, but go ahead and bring some on board with you if you prefer to do this. (I pack a few in a little baggie rather than trying to lug the entire can around.)

Now You’re Adventure-Ready!

Having a baby isn’t a reason to stay home and avoid travel. Traveling with a baby can be fun and manageable. You can do this!

Using the tips in this section your airplane travel will be a little bit easier. Most important for a successful trip? Semi-low expectations, planning and preparation. If you have the right things at the ready, you’ll be prepared for whatever the trip throws your way! Remember to take lots of pictures (get in them, too!) and have fun making memories with your family. And if you need something you didn’t think of, you can always rent baby gear at your destination.

Keep Reading:

• 10 Helpful Tips for Staying in a Hotel or Airbnb With Your Baby
• How to Safely Road Trip With a Baby: 11 Essential Tips
• 3 Best Non-Toxic Play Yards for Babies and Toddlers

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MEET THE AUTHOR

Yasmine moussa.

Founder and Chief Mama Officer of The Gentle Nursery. Yasmine is the founder of The Gentle Nursery as well as the CEO of Biomeology , a prenatal wellness company. She is a wife, proud mom of two boys, a graduate of the University of Southern California, and a Functional Nutrition Coach. With a 10-year background in research, analytics, and leadership for a Fortune 100 company, Yasmine applies the same principles and attention to detail to every article she writes and researches.

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The Best Baby Travel Gear – A Complete Guide

Baby and travel. They’re not two words that new parents would think can be put together, but guess what. They can! You can totally travel with a baby, it just needs some extra planning. And to help you out, I’ve put together a list of the best baby travel gear so you don’t forget anything. This is a comprehensive list of the best baby travel products to ensure your first trip with baby goes as smoothly as possible.

Stroller clips

Change of clothes, baby monitor, spill-free snack pots, first aid kit and medication, faq’s for traveling with a baby.

Our son started travelling when he was four months old when I drove and took the ferry from Wales to Ireland to visit our family. The journey, in total, was 7 hours each way and was a baptism of fire. A few months later we were jetting back to Ireland for weekends with family before heading to Gran Canaria for our first family holiday.

Since then he’s covered over 70,000 nautical miles, as well as having many miles of road tripping under his belt. But, when travelling with him as a baby, things were a lot different to how they are now he’s older. We learned along the way, found out what we absolutely needed and some things we didn’t, and there were even some mistakes made and items we wished we had known about to make travelling with a baby even easier.

So, with all of that in mind, I’ve put together this list of the best baby travel gear, which includes some of our all-time favourite baby travel items, and some we didn’t know about at the time but have since realised would have made those days much easier.

Best Baby Travel Gear

When you are a new parent embarking on your first trip as a family, one question that is probably going around and around in your head is

What to pack when traveling with a baby.

There are certain items of baby gear travel that are a necessity and some that are “nice to have”. When traveling with a baby, portable baby stuff is also a must and small baby travel items are too. To help you prepare and learn exactly what you might need to bring for your first family trip, I’ve listed out my top picks for the best baby gear for travelling. These are divided into sections for generally getting around, travelling by airplane, eating, sleeping and other great accessories to consider.

Best Baby Gear for Travel – Getting there and around

Let’s start with how you are getting to the destination for your first vacation away with your baby and how to safely get around while you are there. And safety is key when it comes to transporting our babies while travelling.

Baby Travel Car Seat

A must-have for baby car travel is a baby car seat . In most countries around the world it is illegal to travel in a car with a baby without them being in a child restraint seat or baby seat. No matter where you are travelling with your baby in a car, a baby safety seat is a must. If you are going to be taking a road trip with a baby, for added security ensure your baby car seat is an Isofix one.

Our choice of baby car seat for our son was a Maxi Cosi seat with an Isofix base . It was super easy to lift the baby seat in and out of the car, which meant if he was asleep, we were highly unlikely to wake him up. Lifting him from the car seat to his crib was another matter!

Once your baby grows out of their baby car seat, you need to invest in a child safety seat in the next group up. These safety car seats can be easier to move between vehicles and our child safety seat of choice was a Klippan Triofix for my car, the one we used the most. This is a group 1-3 model which comes with an Isofix base and can be used rear facing until your child is 18kg. Our son was rear facing until almost 5 years of age when his legs started becoming too squashed.

For my husband’s car which we used occasionally with our son, our choice of car seat was a Graco Slimfit .

Baby Travel Stroller

To ensure you have the best baby gear for travel and can get around easily to enjoy some exploring on your family vacation, you are going to need to think about a stroller . Now, I am not talking about your travel system you have for when you are home and out and about. I am talking about a lightweight, versatile stroller that can go all the way to the airplane door with you. Note that for most airlines, any stroller over 20lbs or 9kgs must be checked in.

We realised we would need one after I had to haul our travel system stroller with me, in the car, all the way to Ireland and back. It took up a lot of room in the trunk and I soon realised it wasn’t going to be easy to use while taking a plane. So, we went in search of something better and landed on a Maclaren stroller that was umbrella-style. Maclaren is a brand that has been used in my family for decades and I knew it would be well-made and durable. Which is what you need if baggage-handlers are going to be hauling it from terminal to plane and back again.

Whether you go for an umbrella-style, lightweight travel stroller, or a folding one, it needs to be lightweight. Friends of ours went with an UPPAbaby MINU Stroller which weighs just 15.2lbs or 6.9kgs and has one-hand folding.

Another addition to the market since our son was a baby is the Pockit+ . This super lightweight stroller can be folded in two easy steps and actually taken on board as hand luggage. It’s small enough to fit into most overhead compartments. The weight of this stroller is just 10.4lbs or 4.7kgs. It is recommended only for babies that can hold their own head up. Had this been available when our son was a baby, we would have bought this for flying.

Travel Baby Carrier

One of the best baby travel items I had was a baby carrier . While my son took some time to adjust to it, our baby carrier was a lifeline, both at home and while travelling. I could get my housework done while he slept as he hated being put down in the early days. And it made flying solo with him so much easier. There is nothing worse than landing and having to struggle to cart the diaper bag, other bag and baby from the plane to the carousel while you wait for your stroller to arrive.

Having a baby carrier frees up your two hands and make life easier. We were gifted a Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier and it was just brilliant. It was super comfortable to wear and made travelling with a baby easier.

Stroller and Car Seat Cover

If you are going to be heading somewhere warm and sunny, you may want to think about investing in a stroller and car seat cover.

A car seat cover will help shade your baby, keep bright lights off them and help them to sleep while on the go. The Snoozeshade Car Seat Canopy Lite is a universal car seat shade that will create a dark space for your baby to sleep in while also shading them from harmful UV rays.

We didn’t have a car seat shade but we did invest in the Snoozeshade Stroller Sun Cover which helped keep the bright sun of the Canaries off our son. It also worked at home in Wales on sunny days.

One word of warning though. Use this only when your baby is due a nap and try to keep them out of the sun during the heat of the day if you are in a hot country.

We found that it got quite warm inside the stroller, even with the shade, when we were in the Canaries, so use it sparingly with your baby and monitor the heat inside if you are in a hot environment.

When I discovered stroller clips for my diaper bag, they changed my life. Ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration but they did make travelling with my son super easy.

Not only can they be used to attach your diaper bag to your stroller and keep it secure, they can use used to attach other items to your stroller like a blanket for shade or your baby’s favourite toys. They can even be used for grocery bags. There are various types available on the market but my personal favourite were the ones shown in the image.

Best Baby Airplane Travel Gear

This section is dedicated to the best baby airplane travel gear. Flying with a baby can be nerve-racking for the first time but these items can help make you a bit less nervous and hopefully steer you towards a great flight with your little one.

Sanitizing wipes

Something we don’t get on an airplane without these days are sanitizing wipes . Our son picked up what we were told was flu, on a set of flights from Portugal to Thailand in December 2019, and he became seriously ill. So much so, he needed to see a doctor as his fever was not going down.

Now, we take sanitizing wipes in our hand luggage and clean all surfaces on and around our seats before we do anything else. It is a precaution and some passengers may look at us like we are crazy, but if it prevents one of us from becoming ill, then we’re happy to do it.

Make sure to sanitize all surfaces including belt buckles, arm rests, tray tables, the whole surface around it and any plastic/metal surfaces you or your baby may touch. We also, always, carry hand sanitizer too.

Stroller Protector Bag

One of the baby air travel essentials that you might not have considered is a stroller protector bag. I’m sure you have had a suitcase come out on the carousel looking like it’s gone twelve rounds with Mike Tyson.

Now imagine your stroller coming out in that state and discovering it has been damaged beyond repair. Or you arrive at your destination to pouring rain and your stroller arrives soaking wet.

Enter the stroller protector bag. Not only can these help keep your stroller dry, they can add a bit of protection to them and encourage baggage handlers to take a little more care with them. If you have an umbrella-type stroller for travelling, then we recommend this stroller protector bag .

Car Seat Protector

Just as above, you need to protect your child’s car seat if you are bringing it on the flight and it is going in the hold.

A car Seat Protector bag will help keep your baby’s seat dry and free of germs, and if you pack it with towels and blankets, you can add further protection to it as well. If your car seat manufacturer does not do custom-made bags, consider purchasing this car seat protector bag for your next flight.

Lightweight blankets

Planes can get pretty chilly, especially long-haul. So, to ensure your baby has an as comfortable flight as possible, bring along a few lightweight blankets . They need to be light so as not to take up too much weight or room, but should be sufficient enough to help keep your baby warm.

Travel toys

Although babies don’t need a huge amount of entertaining, not compared to toddlers or older kids, it is still wise to pack a few toys in case they start to get a bit bored. Try not to pack too much (weight) and try to avoid noisy toys that may annoy your fellow passengers.

Make sure you pack at least one change of clothes for your baby in your carry-on luggage, more if you are flying long-haul. Travel sickness could hit or your baby might spit up their feed and you don’t want your baby to be uncomfortable along the flight. It is also a good idea to at least pack a change of tops for you and your partner in case they get you in the process.

This was one of those tips for flying with a baby that I heeded from the very start. You can find lots more tips in that post including making sure you have more than enough diapers and food for your baby for the trip and anymore unforeseen delays.

Travel Baby Gear – For sleeping

You are also going to want the best travel baby gear to ensure they nap and sleep comfortably. Their sleep patterns may be disrupted somewhat, but there are some things you can use to ensure this disruption is minimal.

Baby Travel Sleep Bags

In my opinion, the best gear for traveling with baby has to be baby travel sleep bags. We were gifted a Grobag for our son after he was born and they literally transformed our lives. From then, and until our son was about one and a half years of age, we used Grobags both at home and when we were travelling. We never experienced any significant disruption to his sleep because they were part of his nap and bedtime routine.

Now, you don’t have to just go with Grobags. Any baby travel sleep bags will do just as well. Make sure to assess the tog rating as you don’t want a 2.5 tog in a very hot country, and vice versa.

If you are looking for an all-seasons baby sleep bag, then I highly recommend the Woolino Merino Wool Sleep Bag . This optimal weight merino wool bag can be used in four seasons, negating the need for different baby sleep bags in different togs, meaning you only need one for home and away!

In our travel gear for baby items we had for our son, one of the best investments we made was in a sleep pod. Originally called the Sleepyhead, the Dockatot is a versatile, lightweight and portable baby lounger that we used mainly for safe co-sleeping and as a place for our son to sleep while travelling.

It came with me on that first ferry trip home to Ireland and not only did my son stick to his sleep routine, he slept soundly because his sleep pod smelled like home. He didn’t really realise we were in strange surroundings. Combined with his Grobag baby sleep bag, his sleep was not disrupted, then or on future travel trips.

White noise machine

Another great baby item in our arsenal was his white noise machine. We bought a Ewan the Dreamsheep that has four different white noise sounds and both he and I regularly fell asleep listening to the harp song. It was seriously that relaxing. Putting Ewan on when our son was in his sleep bag and placed into his sleep pod let him know that it was time to sleep. And although the song played for 22 minutes, he never got to the end of it.

Any white noise machine that is lightweight and portable could be your secret weapon to ensuring your baby sticks to their sleep patterns and routine, even when traveling. I prefer the ones that are incorporated into a cuddly toy so that it can even be brought onto the plane to help with nap-time.

If you cannot get Ewan, this rabbit white noise machine from Amazon looks super cute. It has 10 lullabies, a night light and doubles up as a sleep comforter.

Blackout curtains

Another one of those must-have items for traveling with baby are blackout curtains. Unless you are going to the Arctic Circle in the depths of winter where there is very little daylight, you are probably going to struggle with creating a dark enough environment for your baby to nap in. That is where portable, travel blackout curtains come into play.

We purchased the Gro Anywhere Blackout Blind and even used it at home during the bright days of summer. It meant daytime naps were easy thanks to the dark room they helped create.

They fold up small and come with their own storage/carry bag. So, if you are going to be travelling somewhere that is likely to be bright and sunny during the day, invest in some travel blackout blinds.

Travel Crib

If you don’t like the idea of a sleep pod, another option is a travel crib. Also known as travel play pens, these can double up as somewhere for your baby to play safely while also being your own sleeping crib in hotel rooms or other vacation accommodations.

Pro tip: Get them used to the space at home before you travel so it is a familiar place for them.

The LuckyDove Portable Travel Crib and Pack ‘n’ Play is a perfect travel crib. This travel crib provides a safe place for your baby to play and sleep in, and it has a side zipper door for easy access for parents. It weighs just less than 14lbs or just over 6kgs and comes with its own bag for easy transport, even on planes. Don’t forget your crib sheets!

Baby Travel Tent

Another sleeping option is a baby travel tent, such as the KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Tent. Baby travel tents can be used for sleeping, playing in and many can be used at the beach, making them multi-purpose.

The KidCo Travel Bed Tent is lightweight, portable and comes with its own carry bag. It weighs just 3.5lbs or just over 1.5kg and packs down small enough to fit into standard carry-on bags. The built-in UV protection makes it ideal for using outdoors as well as indoors and it can even be used camping. This is recommended as a travel bed for children between the ages of 1 and 5.

Our first family holiday abroad to the Canary Islands saw us leave our baby monitor at home. Big mistake. Although we had a terrace directly off our room, the door could not be left open if we needed the air con on. And it needed to be on. The heavy patio doors also meant hearing our son wake from naps was quite difficult.

Next time, we didn’t make that mistake and brought our baby monitor with us. This made us more comfortable staying in hotels and accommodation and sitting on the balcony and terrace in the evenings while still being able to keep a close eye on our son in the bedroom beside us. And more importantly, that we could leave the air con on if necessary. We could close the door so no insects or mosquitos entered the room, keep the rom cool, all while still chatting or reading our books while our son slept.

Whatever type of monitor you have will suffice but we went with a Motorola video baby monitor with two-way audio. It has sufficient range to work wherever we were and lasted until we retired it when our son was three years old.

Best Travel with Baby Gear – For feeding

One thing your baby won’t let you forget is to feed them. So, in this section you’ll find my recommendations for some of the best travel gear for baby for feeding. Whether your baby is still milk fed or they have moved onto solids, you’ll find ideas for some of the best travel items for baby feeding on the go here.

Large muslins

Muslins were a godsend when our son was a baby. Burp cloths, nursing cover-ups, ideal for placing on surfaces when you’ve forgotten a blanket or towel. They have a multitude of uses. We had regular, small sized ones and I also had a few large ones. These I used as a cover for nursing but they also came in handy as a stroller shade if I forgot our Snoozeshade.

The Aden and Anais essentials swaddle blankets are lightweight muslin blankets that fit the bill. Plus they are such a pretty design. Do not head off on your travels as a family without muslins!

Portable high chair

One of the best travel baby items we were gifted when our son approached 1 years old was a portable high chair. It meant that if we were dining anywhere as a family that either did not have any baby high chairs, or all the available ones were taken, we could still sit and enjoy a family meal.

We had one of the Totseat portable travel high chairs that is made to fit almost any seat or chair. It was also washable too which is always handy with a weaning baby and is suitable from the age of 6 months old when your baby can hold their own head AND sit independently.

However, even better was the portable high chair our friends had for their baby 12 months later. The Chicco Quickseat hooks onto dining tables and comes with a tray table for babies and toddlers.

It folds up quite flat for easy transport and storage and was a nifty looking baby travel gadget. Part of me wished we’d known about that when our son was a baby.

Portable UV sterilizer

If your baby uses a pacifier or dummy, then having a portable UV sterilizer to clean it after they drop it is a must when traveling. And the Munchkin Portable UV Sterilizer is the idea travel item for the job.

With 99.99% efficacy against bacteria and viruses, it is battery or USB powered and can be used for pacifiers, mouth guards, teething toys, bottle nipples, anything that will fit comfortably inside.

Thermos flask

One baby travel item that made traveling with our son easier was our Tommee Tippee thermos flask . It made preparing our son’s bottles on a plane or ferry very easy.

For flying, we passed security with it empty. Then, once we were in the departures area of the terminal, we got boiling water from one of the food retailers and the thermos flask kept the water hot until we needed to use it. We topped it up with bottled cold water to ensure our son’s bottle was the right temperature. For long-haul the cabin crew were more than happy to give us some boiling water in the flask so we could make our son’s feeds when necessary.

It was also very handy on road trips too if we were going to need to stop to feed our son. Any thermos flask will do but I can highly recommend the Tommee Tippee one from personal experience.

Baby food jar thermos

If your baby is anything like my son was and does not like cold food and you are going to be traveling when they are due a meal, then invest in a baby food jar that keeps food hot.

The Thermos Foogo insulated stainless steel food jar is perfect for keeping your baby’s food warm. It keeps food hot for up to 5 hours and food cold for up to 7.

Silicone baby bibs

Instead of packing a million cloth bibs, or worse, disposable ones which add to landfill, why not pack some easy-to-clean, waterproof silicone bibs.

The best ones are those with a catcher at the end to try and keep restaurant floors as clean as possible. These soft, silicone washable bibs are the perfect baby travel item to have in your bag. Ideal for babies over 6 months old.

Snacks and drinks are a must when traveling with kids of any age, and babies have simple needs when it comes to these. You will need a sippy cup for them to drink water from and we found the best ones for our son were those with handles. Any other kind were just too difficult for him to handle.

And these Nuby sippy cups were the best we found for preventing spills when he let the cup drop too. They can be used from 4 months to encourage self-feeding and drinking.

As your baby gets a bit older and is looking to feed themselves more, spill-free snack pots will ensure minimal spills and mess, especially important for plane or car journeys.

Munchkin snack catchers are the pots we used with our son for snacks such as strawberries, baby rice cakes and even smaller things like rice krispies! Even if your baby holds it up-side-down, the snacks stay inside.

Best Baby Travel Accessories – Other Essentials

There are lots more items that need to be considered and in this section I list out the other best baby travel accessories and essentials you may need for journeys, both at home and abroad.

You cannot travel anywhere with a baby without one essential baby travel item, your diaper bag. Whether you use cloth or disposable diapers, the fact is, babies go through a lot of them and you don’t ever want to get caught short.

So, you need a bag to carry it all in. Your choice of diaper bag is a personal one but I recommend going for a diaper backpack .

A diaper backpack can leave both your two hands free to carry your baby from their stroller to the plane and will mean that the bag isn’t constantly slipping off your shoulder. Make sure it has plenty of compartments for everything you will need for a road trip or flight.

Diaper changing pad

An item that often comes with diaper bags these days are changing pads. However, if your bag of choice doesn’t come with one to place your baby on, invest in one to ensure you always have somewhere clean to place your baby to change their diaper.

This portable diaper changing pad is an ideal one as it comes with a detachable pad, insert for wipes, mesh compartment and can even hold things like your phone and car keys. It can be popped onto your stroller handle or off one of the bars and is padded and wipe able.

This is also ideal for taking into airplane toilets where space is at a premium. Just load it with diapers and wipes before going in and use it to keep your baby out of direct contact of the changing table.

Inflatable Baby Bath

When putting together your baby travel list, an inflatable baby bath is something to consider. If you are traveling with a baby that cannot sit independently, you are going to need some sort of aid for bathing them in hotel rooms or in your vacation accommodation. Enter an inflatable baby bath.

This inflatable baby bath (as shown) comes with a middle column to help prevent your baby from slipping down into the bath. It weighs just 2.24lbs or just over 1kg, has an anti-slip base and is perfect for traveling, especially road trips or when visiting friends.

If your baby is not sitting independently then a baby bather like the Boon Puff Inflatable Baby Bather is another option for you.

Thermometer

One thing we try to never forget when travelling with our son is a thermometer. You just never know when you might need it. Our thermometer of choice is a Braun No-touch Forehead Thermometer .

This thermometer doesn’t need to touch a baby’s forehead, meaning you can monitor their temperature, even while they sleep. While it does have audio, you can turn it off, making it silent at the same time. Perfect.  When making your baby travel essentials list, make sure one of these is on it.

Wet and dry bag

Your baby travel stuff should also include a wet and dry bag . These can be super handy if you are using cloth diapers to store them until you reach your destination.

They can also be used for wet clothes after leaks or spit-ups. And you can even use them for your swimming costumes if you decide to start swimming lessons with your baby at home!

You should never leave home without a basic first aid kit that includes baby pain relief, teething relief and nappy cream. These are essential items to have with you whether you are traveling out for the day or heading off to a far-flung destination for a family vacation.

Basic pain relief would include infant paracetamol (Calpol in the UK). Ensure that the pain relief is suitable for your baby’s age and seek medical advice beforehand if necessary. Teething relief to include in your first aid kit is Camilia Teething Relief . And for diaper rash and healing, add a tube or two of Aquaphor to your baby first aid kit.

Other teething relief you may want to consider putting on your list of baby travel gear are teething toys. This Haakaa Teether is suitable from 3 months and can be sterilized even in steam sterilizers.

This completes my list of the best baby travel gear. Many of these items we used when our son was a baby and some came onto the market or were used by friends after our son was a baby and were items we would have purchased had they been available or had known about them at the time.

What not to add to your baby travel list

Here are a few items I would suggest NOT packing when traveling with a baby (unless in your own car)

• Bulky jogging strollers – they are just too cumbersome for travel and are often impossible to get into the trunk of small rental cars.
• Your expensive, bulky car seat. Unless you really need your own car seat and have a bag protector for it, leave it at home and rent one if you really need to.
• Heavy, bulky toys. Leave them at home. Your baby won’t miss them and you won’t miss the extra luggage space and weight!
• Cloth diapers. I touched on this already and unless you have access to laundry, just go with disposable ones for the duration of your trip. It will just make things that little bit easier. And while we are on the subject, don’t take too many diapers unless you are traveling somewhere that is unlikely to have disposables readily available. Bring enough for the first day or two and stock up once you land.
• Don’t pack too many blankets, especially if you are bringing your baby’s sleep bag. One lightweight blanket and some large muslins are enough.
• Don’t bring full-sized toiletries. Save space by bringing travel toiletries and stock up once you land. It will free up weight. This is one of my top tips for packing for a family vacation . And only bring enough baby wipes too. You can buy them when you land unless you know they are not readily available like disposable diapers.
• Heavy baby books. You just don’t need the added weight.

Top tip: Make sure you bring enough baby clothes, especially if you don’t have access to laundry. No-one wants to spend half their time handwashing stained baby clothes!

Yes. There was a time that babies could be added to their parent’s passports but now, for most countries, your baby requires one of their own. You should organise this as soon as you can and well before any travel you have planned with your baby.

Most airlines allow a baby or child under the age of two to travel “free” on their parents lap. You may need to pay an admin fee. But, you will need to keep them on your lap for the entire flight. You could purchase a seat for your baby but you may need to call the airline if this option is not available through online booking. Be aware, there will be a fee for the seat.

Personally, we found hotels hard with our son. Kettles were not always readily available to make his bottle when we switched to bottle feeding, nor was there any easy way to heat his foods or sterilize his bottles. Private accommodation with kitchen facilities are much easier. Hotels do not always provide a bath in rooms too.

You can bring as much as you need for the flight and these are exempt from the liquids restrictions. Some airports may ask you to taste it but most have move to non-invasive testing at the security desks. You need to remember to declare it at the desk when you approach it so have it ready. Remember that, even for babies, water is not allowed over 100ml so wait until you are through and buy bottled water to put into your baby’s sippy cup.

This depends on the age of your baby. Infants can be held on your lap but older babies will need to be secured with an extra seatbelt which the airline will provide. If you purchase a seat for your baby, you could use an airline-approved car seat.

If you are lucky you can get a seat where the bassinet is located. These are limited so either pre-book it or get to the check-in desk early and request one. Use any of your baby’s favourite items for sleep to help them drop off. Bring their baby sleep bag, white noise machine, pacifier if they use it, comforter and try block out light with a cover or dark muslin.

There are two options. Either feed your baby on take-off or landing, or use a pacifier. Our son never had any problems with his ears as we gave him his pacifier. Even when we got rid of it, we made him drink some water at these times. Even now that he’s older, we still make him drink to help equalize his ears.

This list is comprehensive and contains the best baby travel gear we personally used, or travel gear for babies that we have since learned about and wish we had known about or wish was available when our son was a baby. You don’t have to purchase everything on this list, but the majority will make traveling with a baby easier and smoother.

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Baby Travel Gear Guide: Sleeping

Do We Really Need Baby Travel Sleeping Gear?

For now, the days of traveling light are long gone…  As a new mom, I wondered how such a tiny person could fill and clutter our small city house. I also wondered how, all of a sudden, we had the same amount of luggage as J.Lo. Except, of course, our luggage is not Louis Vuitton and we have to schlep it ourselves. Come to think of it, J.Lo had twins. Can you imagine what her luggage cart looked like? Did her babies sleep well on the road? Baby travel sleeping is an every parent issue.

Related Articles:

• How to Help a Baby or Toddler Sleep on a Plane
• Everything You Need to Know About Airplane Bassinets
• Coping with Time Changes & Baby Jet Lag
• Re-establishing Baby’s Sleep Routine Post-Travel
• Baby Travel Sleeping Tips

Can’t You Just Co-Sleep?

Co-sleeping or bed sharing never really worked for us. It was more like co-thrashing-around-bed-hogging. So a safe travel sleep solution was important.

Our first experience with a hotel crib was not a good one. From then on, we always brought something with us.

Travel Bassinets and Portable Cribs and Inflatable Toddler Beds, Oh My!

Beyond the actual portable baby bed , there are other baby travel sleeping accessories that can make bedtime easier in a strange hotel room.

My absolute number one tip is to bring your crib sheets and bedding from home. So even if your little one does not sleep well outside of their own crib, the familiar feel and scent of their bedding will help relax them. Trying to stick to your usual routine and bedtime rituals will help, too.

If you’re staying at a vacation rental or with family, see if they can provide an approved crib or bassinet and you won’t have to worry about any of this. Another option is to put a call out via family and friends who live near where you’re visiting to see if anyone has something kicking around that you can borrow.

We are constantly revising and updating our lists of travel sleeping gear. Please let us know if you have a favourite travel crib or must-have!

Baby Travel Sleeping Solutions for Infants, Toddlers & Every Stage in Between:

This list is a collection of all of our recommendations for travel cribs, cots, toddler travel beds, and other gear and accessories that help encourage sleep while you’re traveling…

Next to a travel stroller , a portable baby bed is an essential piece of baby travel gear. Knowing that your baby or toddler has a safe and comfortable place to sleep is important, especially if you have a sleep routine you want to maintain.

And since one of the biggest fears about traveling with a baby is that travel will mess up baby's sleep , if your baby or toddler has a travel bed they are famiiar with, chances are they'll sleep better. And then, chances are, you will too!

Below, please find our recommendations for the best portable baby bed, toddler travel bed, and safe travel crib options and sleep accessories...

Best Travel Bassinet & Portable Baby Bed Options

If your baby is older with an established sleep routine, a  travel crib  that can be set up elsewhere as a second bed might be the right choice. And, if your baby is older and more active, you might be better off with a more sturdy  portable toddler bed  instead.

But if you’re planning to  travel with a newborn  or young baby and/or co-sleep, a travel bassinet or portable baby bed might make the most sense and get you greater value for your money.

The Best Baby Travel Bed Options & Sleep Gear

Unless you are absolutely certain that your hosts or hotel will supply a safe crib or cot, a baby travel bed should be on your list of things to bring.

There’s no shortage of available travel cribs and sleep accessories, so we’re here to help you wade through the best baby travel bed options when  planning a trip with baby .

What Is the Best Portable Toddler Bed for Travel?

Sleep usually is easier to figure out once your baby becomes a toddler. EXCEPT when you’re traveling.

Chances are they will outgrow their  travel crib  or portable cot much sooner than their crib at home. If you’re shopping for a portable toddler bed for travel, you will want it to be big enough and last long enough to justify the expense.

BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light - Black

Of all the travel cribs available, this is our favourite. It is by no means the lightest or the most compact; However, the BABYBJORN Travel Crib is sturdy, super easy to set up, and is the only baby travel bed that comes with its own travel cot mattress. It wipes clean easily, but I prefer the darker colour so as not to show stains.

Lotus Travel Crib - Backpack Portable, Lightweight, Easy to Pack Play-Yard

The Lotus Travel Crib is one of the highest-rated baby travel beds out there. This latest model folds into a carrier with convertible backpack straps. Once assembled it's only 13lbs, it comes complete with its own travel cot mattress, and the cover is removable and machine-washable.

phil&teds Traveller Crib, Black

This is the lightest and most portable travel crib out there. The Phil & Teds Traveller is only 6 pounds; as they say, it's lighter than the baby! Once folded, this baby travel bed can easily fit in a suitcase, making this a good choice if traveling super light is important to you.

Check out all of our Baby Travel Gear Guides for Eating , Sleeping , Playing & Getting Around when you’re traveling with a baby or toddler…

Have Baby Will Travel  is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates/Influencer Program. If you make a purchase through this site, we may receive a small commission. Click here to check out our Amazon Store .

• The Complete Guide to Baby Travel Gear
• Baby Travel Gear Essentials
• The Ultimate Baby Travel Tip List: Sleeping
• Our Complete List of Tips & Resources for Flying with a Baby or Toddler
• Information & Tips for Traveling with Babies & Toddlers
• How to Help a Toddler Sleep on a Plane

sleep , travel crib

3 Responses to Baby Travel Gear Guide: Sleeping

We’ve found the Safe-T-Sleep great – it wraps around the mattress and has velcro straps to keep baby on her back / side. (so no standing up or trying to escape the cot either!) We’ve used it since DD was 6m, as she would keep rolling over onto her tummy in her cot and be unable to get back over. You can buy ones that fit everything from bassinets to king size beds – although, they can’t be used with the typical portacot mattress, they say the mattress should be 10cm+ thick. Can be used until they’re 3 – or until they work out how to undo the straps and escape! She is now 15months and still loves using it – we’ve used it in numerous locations on cots, single beds or even a thick couch cushion! Looking forward to using it on our next overseas trip.

Forgot to mention that it folds up to a very small size – imagine single bed flat sheet all folded up, perhaps even smaller.

Thanks for the tip! Will be updating the gear guides soon and will definitely check it out!

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Adventure Travel With a Toddler: Basic Gear for a Fun, Active Getaway

When my family road trips, we go all out. Bumming it on the beach or lazing around the Airbnb just isn't our speed. Don't get me wrong, I love a solid beach day, but maximizing our exploration is our top priority. To put it simply, the more miles we cover, the better.

A common fear is that kids spell the end of carefree travel. And in fairness, we’ve certainly changed some things. But patience, a willingness to try new things, and the right gear have kept us on the move!

This year, constant snow and bitter temps in Minnesota had us looking south. The jungles and coastlines of Costa Rica felt like the perfect spot for a new adventure, and we were excited for our toddler to join.

But from a gear perspective, road-tripping with a toddler felt a bit like a backpacking excursion. You want to have all the essential amenities but also cut your weight (and items!) as much as possible. The best pieces of gear will serve multiple purposes.

During our 10 days in Costa Rica, we explored five towns, traveled 300+ miles, and stopped at every beach possible. We brought a lot of gear with us. But the gear below proved absolutely essential to our trip. It helped us see as much of the country as our 4×4 rental (and kid!) could handle.

Essential Gear: Adventure Vacation With a Toddler

Backpack child carrier.

If we could have only brought one piece of gear, it would be a backpack child carrier. Let's face it - one of the most daunting realities about traveling with toddlers is that they are both very mobile and also want to be carried at the same time. Oh yeah, and they weigh about the same as a 20-pound kettlebell.

Using a backpack child carrier allows you to carry and contain your kiddo with ease. It also allows a great bird’s-eye view for them! For us, the best part about a backpack carrier is that it became a mobile crib. Our little guy would doze off and rest while we continued to explore.

We used The Osprey Poco during airport layover naps, jungle night walks, busing through cities, a coffee and chocolate tour, hiking to waterfalls, and much more.

The Poco carrier comes in a couple of different models , but we found the standard Poco worked best. Functions we appreciated included the built-in sunshade and the storage section within the base. The two grab handles at the top and the easy-to-access kickstand made picking up and setting down the carrier easy.

Don't skip out on the extra accessories if you can manage it. For us, that meant the Poco Carrying Case . The Poco itself is a bit clunky when not in use, and this case allows you to carry the Poco more easily and check it on your flight!

Travel Tent

Our family took a 10-day road trip in California a couple of months prior to our Costa Rica trip. While the trip was a delight, we went through a pretty dramatic sleep regression. We don't normally co-sleep, so it was really challenging for all three of us to be in the same room.

We even tried putting the travel crib in the bathroom and small closets, but our little guy wasn't here for it. For this larger trip, we wanted to set us all up for success, so we brought a tent for the travel crib.

The Slumber Pod is a blackout tent that goes over your travel crib. Or, if you have older kids, they can use it just like a tent. The tent takes about 3 to 5 minutes to set up and is super flexible. Wherever the crib fits, you can put the tent over the crib. There is a main zipper where you have access into the tent, and two small pockets up top.

We had a fan in one pocket and a sound machine in the other pocket. We used the fan that came with the slumber pod but it requires to be plugged in, so I suggest buying a fan that is chargeable or is battery-operated.

Every night, we'd turn off the room lights, sing a short lullaby, and put our little man in his tent. About 30 seconds later, we'd turn the room lights back on, bust out the playing cards and crack a beer. It truly was a game-changer.

Food Containers

After several road trips and flights I've learned my lesson on food containers: Bring them!

We wasted way too many leftovers because the to-go box didn't fit in the cooler or was dropped and spilled all over the floor. And a fed baby is a happy baby, am I right?

Having to-go containers allowed us to always have meals and snacks with us. This was essential when a hike or a drive took longer than expected.

The Kleen Kanteen Food Box set came in handy on day one, in the first hour of our trip. We had a 6 a.m. flight, so we grabbed some egg bites and pastries for the three of us right before we boarded. We thought that we'd eat right away once we got settled on the flight, but his nap schedule had other plans.

The egg bites and pastries fit nicely in the food boxes until we were ready for them a couple of hours later. And when it was time to dig in, they weren't smooshed! Better yet, the food boxes are made of stainless steel so they were still a little warm!

Every single time we went out to eat, we had leftovers. It was awesome to have these durable (and leakproof!) containers with us to keep every last bite!

Water Bottles

As a dyed-in-the-wool gear junkie, there is one thing I have a lot of - water bottles. And it is no different for my toddler. For our trip, we actually brought two.

This might seem excessive but it was nice to have a bottle for milk and one for water. That way, we always had access to whichever beverage he wanted (fewer tantrums?).

There are a million different water bottle types, so how do you choose?! For us, we switched to a CamelBak Eddy+ for kids right after we weaned our kiddo off of nursing and bottles. With its well-known "Flip-Bite-Sip" function, it seemed like a natural option. We also received the recommendation from several other parents. We use this bottle for both milk and water, and it's been great.

Truly, what I love about this is its 14-ounce size - super easy for our toddler to handle. And when those hands are tired, you can easily carabiner it onto a backpack. Also, it is dishwasher-safe, and it all comes apart, which makes cleaning a breeze.

Sun-Protective Clothes

Leaving Minnesota’s -20 winter for 90 degrees can be a bit of a shock. As Midwesterners, when we fly south during the winter, we are always extra cautious about the sun those first couple of days. So of course, it was important to us that we both have ample amounts of sunscreen (we love BabyBum Mineral Sunscreen ) and a sun shirt. When you are out all day, it's easy to forget to reapply sunscreen.

But as a new parent, I didn't want to take any chances.

Patagonia's Baby Capilene Silkweight UPF Hoodie kept our little guy covered up when the rays were high. The hoodie checks all of my boxes for a sun shirt: lightweight, dries quickly, and is UPF 40. When he refused to wear his hat , we were able to put his hood up, keeping his head protected for more time exploring.

At the beach, in the jungle, at dinner - your kiddo gets wet, sandy, dirty, and messy. Having a pair of quick-drying and easy-to-clean pair of shorts allows you to bring fewer clothes overall.

Baby baggies - did you know there was such a thing? I didn't until now. Now, we are a full-on baggie family. Between the three of us, we had 10 (yes, 10!) pairs of baggie shorts with us on the trip.

They are lightweight, dry quickly, have pockets, and the list goes on. If you pair it with the right shirt, you can easily go from exploring to dinner in these bad boys. I could truly write a love letter to these iconic shorts.

Bonus baggies: The Baby Baggie Pants might have been the real star of the trip. Like the shorts, they are super light and dry quickly. When we were out in the sun for long periods of time and we couldn't keep the sunscreen on, we'd put him in these, keeping those little legs protected.

I went back and forth about what type of shoes would work best, but once I decided that we needed a pair of close-toed shoes everything else became easy.

I never thought I'd be a Croc mom but I am here for it. And, surprise - we have a matching pair!

I love them because they are lightweight, easy to clean, keep his little toes covered, have great traction, and stay on their feet! High in the mountains of Monteverde, the temps dropped at night, and there were days where we even rocked the socks n' crocks look.

Zippies and Blanket

Our child has been wearing merino wool since the day he arrived earthside! Merino Wool has temperature-regulating properties that help keep you warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm.

The iksplor Adventure Zippie became his official airport outfit (don't lie, we all have one). We love that the Adventure Zippie has a two-way zipper - making those airplane diaper changes a lot easier. It's also UPF 50 and moisture-wicking.

We also brought the Adventure Blanket ! This merino wool blanket came in clutch. We used the blanket over the car seat while we were in the car for sun protection. We also used it in his crib, at the beach, and in the jungle when temps dropped.

The best part about iksplor Merino Wool? It’s machine washable.

Why bring a baby chair? This may seem over-the-top, but we actually found it useful in many situations. For one, high chairs can be really hit and miss wherever you go - I'd argue even here in the states.

I have found that when Leo is sitting independently on his own, he focuses on eating a lot more (and so can I!). We used his chair at restaurants, hotel rooms, picnics, we even used it at the beach.

How are these chairs not in REI yet? They are incredible. The Summer Pop n' Sit chair is a glorified baby camp chair. It's a chair that comes with a cute little bag, a tray, and 4 straps to secure the chair when needed.

There is also a buckle on the chair to buckle your little one in to keep him from climbing out.

‘Snackle Box’

As parents we know that snacks are King. And, while this isn't specifically for babies, it makes the perfect "snackle-box".

What is a "snackle-box," you ask? It is typically a plastic fishing lure box filled with snacks for kids (peak Midwest!), but I couldn't find a fishing lure box small enough for the trip, so we ended up using the largest Cotopaxi packing cubes .

It was perfect to fit dozens of snacks, foldable cups (we used Sea-to-Summit’s X Cups), a couple of sporks, and shelf-stable milk. The handle on the side is great for pulling it out from a cooler or a bag with ease.

On the flight or while we were waiting for dinner, the zipper would also keep busy little hands entertained.

Now that you have all of your clothes, accessories, snacks, and shoes (and the list goes on) all laid out, you need to figure out what kind of bag you want to bring. For me, I need my bags to check a couple of boxes: roller or backpack, durable enough for me to throw or drag, and brightly colored so I can always spot it.

I've been traveling with Patagonia's black hole bags for almost a decade and I've never looked back. Again, another item I could write a love letter to. I had no idea how crucial they would be when it came to traveling with kids.

Out of the Black Hole family, we brought the 120L Duffle (note, this size was discontinued in 2018, but if you can find one on Worn Wear , snatch it up!), 100L roller bag , Waist Pack 5L , and a daypack. I suggest the Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack 27L . Yes, we’re a Patagonia family, but REI, The North Face, Black Diamond, and Big Agnes all make extra-large (and small size) duffels.

It says it in the name but it's truly a black hole. We were able to fit the Slumber Pod, Chair, Travel Crib, beach toys, and other miscellaneous gear all in the 120L bag while all of our clothes and shoes fit in the 100L.

It is also my theory that because the Black Hole bags stand out with such bright colors, it's why we've never lost a bag (Knock on wood!).

I was really nervous about becoming a parent and what that might mean for my passion to travel. Many people choose to leave their little ones behind, and while there is a time and place for that, I've found real meaning in traveling together.

Armed with the right gear and a willing spirit, I now have a new reason to travel, to show my boy this great big world.

The post Adventure Travel With a Toddler: Basic Gear for a Fun, Active Getaway appeared first on GearJunkie .

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I’m a Lifelong Camper — Here’s the Cooking Gear You Need to Have an Actually Good Meal in the Woods

Make more than just s'mores on your next trip.

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Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

Camping is a great way to step out of our day-to-day and be present in our surroundings, whether communing with nature or building memories with loved ones. As an avid camper, I’m more than happy to leave technology at home, but I’m much less willing to forgo the pleasure of eating (and sharing) a home-cooked meal on my outdoor adventures. Sure, there’s an undeniable nostalgia of cooking s’mores or hot dogs over an open fire, but camping gear has come a long way since my childhood camping trips. 

When it comes to packing, I’ve managed with just the bare essentials for multi-day backpacking trips when every ounce counts, and I’ve also loaded up a boat full of coolers and provisions to feed seven campers for a long weekend. With any camping trip though, preparation is key. A functional camp kitchen involves a camp stove , cooking equipment , utensils , and storage at a minimum. There’s also ample opportunity to integrate packable, space-saving cooking gear to up your camp culinary experience without overloading your car. Assembling a camp kitchen also means you’ll be ready for impromptu trips without forgetting any essentials. 

Wherever your next adventure takes you, these are the 15 camp kitchen essentials this lifelong camper recommends for enjoying gourmet meals al fresco. 

Coleman Classic 2-Burner Propane Stove

For some, camping is about getting back to the basics. In the same vein, I love the simplicity and classic design of this two-burner camp stove . I can fit a pair of 12- and 10-inch pans (or a sizable griddle) on the cooktop — opening my campsite menu to more elaborate dishes. Equipped with dual 10,000 BTU burners, the Coleman Classic delivers solid heat output, but it’s the precise temperature control that I appreciate most. On simmer, it browned my pan-fried gnocchi to perfection.  

The stove is compatible with the standard 16.4-ounce propane cylinders, which is a breeze to set up. In the words of one happy camper , “It is incredibly simple to use; just pop it open, connect the propane port to the stove, connect the propane tank to the port, turn the dial on the stove to start the propane, and fire it up.”

Jetboil Flash Cooking System

When I’m backpacking, I swap my bulkier two-burner for this lightweight, all-in-one cooking system . Comprising an insulated thermos that doubles as the cookpot, plus a burner, bottom cup that’s both a measuring cup and bowl, stabilizer stand, and butane fuel canister, the packed weight is shy of one pound. It’s capable of boiling one liter of water in 1 minute and 40 seconds. Tacking on the Pot Support makes it compatible with Jetboil’s Summit Skillet , expanding your cooking options beyond dehydrated meals and anything that just requires adding boiling water. 

Since it’s so packable, I also bring it on car and boat camping trips, as it’s adept at boiling water, freeing up a burner on my Coleman stove for more complex cooking tasks. One adventurer emphasized how it’s revolutionized their coffee. “I've done dehydrated meals, noodles, and all the standard fare, but my favorite is how it's elevated my coffee in the field. If you love coffee like I do get the French Press attachment and thank me later.”

Ignik Gas Growler Deluxe

As an avid camper and nature lover, I try to reduce my environmental footprint whenever possible. For frequent campers, investing in a refillable fuel canister can cut down on a ubiquitous form of waste: single-use fuel canisters. After my first time using it, it quickly dawned on me how many green canisters I’ve gone through in 30+ years of camping. I also love the portable and durable design of the storage case. The four-foot connector hose is easy to attach and long enough for flexible kitchen setup. Any extra length can be wrapped around the canister, so it’s safely tucked out of the way. 

As one camper notes, “I just got home from a 5-night beach camping trip. We cooked breakfast and dinner every day, and I still have at least half a tank.” The sustainability perks were noted by many customers. Another camper chimed in: “After going through countless 1-pound canisters, I decided to buy this 5-pound. tank. It cost me $5 to fill it up and has lasted quite a long time.”

Gerber ComplEAT 16-Piece Cookset

Gerber Gear

Having once relied on a Tupperware bin containing mismatching plates, pots, and pans, I’ve found the streamlined design of this camping cookset does wonders for simplifying my packing list and enhancing meal prep. The entire 16-piece set neatly stacks together for compact storage bag (I’m a big fan of the diagram explaining the order to repack the set). Starting from the bottom, there’s a deep sauté pan, hot pad, and stock pot with an integrated strainer lid — adding versatility and practicality. Moving up, the tableware is another standout for me, as the distinct colors help clearly identify whose plate is whose. I also appreciate the versatility of the mixing bowl and the space saved by the detachable pan handle. 

In their review, one camper emphasized that “the ‘nesting’ feature to minimize space is simply amazing.” Another raves about the functionality and quality construction: “It's literally everything I need for a camping trip...and is definitely durable to withstand being outdoors.”

Gerber ComplEAT Griddle

From eggs and pancakes to burgers and grilled cheeses, a griddle is a must-have for whipping up campsite comfort food or cooking for a crowd. Measuring 1 foot by 11 inches, this carbon steel griddle is a compatible addition to almost any two-burner stove. Hardly anything sticks to the carbon steel surface, and I love the raised sidewalls, which help keep everything in the pan for less mess and better flavor. 

The griddle handle is the same detachable handle used in the ComplEAT 16-piece cookset . As one camper puts it, “What’s better than preparing an entire breakfast with 1 tool?” adding that the removable handle made it incredibly easy to clean and pack away.  

MSR Folding Utensils

Backcountry

Whether car camping or backpacking, I make space for essential utensils to upgrade my campsite dining experience. This folding utensil set covers the bases with two forks and two spoons. Made from lightweight, BPA-free nylon, they hardly make a dent in my packed weight and avoid the risk of leaching chemicals into camp meals. They measure just 4.5 inches when folded, and 8 inches when unfolded and locked into place. 

With a 4.5-star average rating from over 200 campers, the utensils are a tried-and-true step up from plastic models. As one shopper says: “What I really like best is that they are easy to clean. No grooves or channels to clean and you don’t have to separate the pieces to scrub them.” 

Gerber ComplEAT Cutting Board Set

Cooking outside my home requires a bit more focus and planning. While nature is perfect (to me at least), it rarely provides an ideal kitchen setup, so bringing a quality cutting board is essential for safe and effective meal prep. This cutting board set includes a pair of cutting boards — one bamboo and one polypropylene — alongside two knives and two trays (I actually swap out the inner tray for more storage space). Having a dedicated tray for raw meat and veggies helps divide tasks between sous chefs and adds assurance that I won’t put myself or fellow campers at risk of food poisoning. 

The whole set stacks together securely for compact storage, though the 4-pound weight means I reserve it for car and boat camping trips. The functionality was praised by many customers. As one adventurer puts it, “I was impressed with the well thought out design and concept behind the whole package,” adding that the rubber feet do a great job of holding the board in place during use. 

Radius Outfitters Small Camp Kitchen Organizer

Having all my cooking equipment at the ready helps put me at ease when settling into a new camp kitchen setup. This kitchen organizer provides intuitive storage across a series of utensil sleeves, knife sheath, and see-through pockets for whatever campsite dining requires. Besides knives and cutlery, I typically pack in a bottle opener, corkscrew, lighter, scissors, and spatula, with some room to spare. The durable exterior keeps everything clean and protected from the elements. 

The ability to hang the organizer just about anywhere is a major plus. When the picnic table gets busy (or there isn’t one), I hang it from a nearby tree, which gives the benefit of having all my cooking equipment at eye level. If cooking for a crowd, the large kitchen organizer may be a better choice.

Sea to Summit Frontier Collapsible Pour Over

Sea to Summit

I do most of my camping these days in New York’s Adirondack Park, and coffee is a must for chilly mornings and an energy boost for my morning paddle. And with no house chores or deadlines to worry about while camping, I have ample time for making a more flavorful cup (or several) of pour-over coffee. This collapsible pour-over system is both convenient and effective at making morning brews. The filter is made with a stainless-steel mesh filter and EU food-grade silicone, ensuring quality and safety. 

The pour-over base can fit virtually any mug or thermos. I love how easy it is to clean and that it folds flat for packing. Weighing just 2 ounces, it’s also a feasible backpacking coffee solution. When camping with larger groups though, I pack this insulated French press to keep up with demand. 

Yeti Rambler Stackable Mug

Since I pack my own reusable water bottle for staying hydrated, any additional drinkware is meant for morning coffee and alcoholic beverages. This insulated mug does the trick for hot and cold drinks alike, helping pare down my packing list. The double-wall vacuum insulation and magnet lid provide excellent temperature retention and leak resistance. In the succinct words of one shopper : “Easy to clean and keeps my drinks hot for a long time.” 

I also appreciate that the short and wide design makes it less prone to tipping over. If it does fall, the stainless-steel material holds up well to wear and tear. For storing at home, I love the stackable design. Simply remove the lid and nest each mug on top of the next.

Collapsible Dish Basin

Having to do dishes is perhaps my least favorite part of camping — and by way of cooking delicious camp meals, I aim to get out of this chore whenever possible. But when camping with just my husband or a smaller group, it’s an inevitable duty that I’m happier to embrace with this user-friendly basin. While cooking, I typically have it set up nearby to pre-soak anything that’ll take more effort to clean later. The removable drain plug opens with a simple twist but is secure enough that it won’t accidentally release. 

Measuring 12 inches by 12 inches by 2.8 inches when collapsed, it neatly tucks in any number of my gear bags. The convenience and space-saving perks have earned it a 4.8-star average rating from over 1,400 shoppers. “Easy to use. Easy to clean. Easy to empty,” said one satisfied camper . 

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash Soap

While toiletries and kitchen cleaning products are distinct categories at home, camping (and backpacking especially) require a more strategic approach. This highly concentrated soap can be used for dishes, laundry, and washing up. I mainly use it for dishes and handwashing — and a couple of drops is about all I need to get the job done, even with cold water. The 100 percent biodegradable formula is essential given the outdoor use. 

It comes in a 3.3-ounce bottle, which goes a surprisingly long way while still being TSA-friendly. “We use it for all the things, from cooking to clothes in a pinch,” said one camper, adding that it lasted their family of six on a tour of U.S. National Parks. 

Yeti LoadOut GoBox Gear Case

Alongside my insulated, hard-top Yeti cooler , I rely on this durable gear case to keep my camping provisions and equipment safe and sound. The 30-liter gear box comes with me on multi-day boat and car camping trips. I appreciate how the removable divider and caddy trays help keep gear organized and in place, especially during transit. The divider or trays can be taken out to accommodate larger items as well. 

It’s yet to go overboard on any of my boat trips, but the dust-proof and fully submersible construction has given me the confidence to leave it out during rainstorms without any leaks. According to one reviewer, it’s “very sturdy, very durable, and seems to me it will last a lifetime.” For greater storage needs, note that the LoadOut GoBox is a stackable design that pairs with Yeti’s 60-liter and 15-liter versions.

Radius Outfitters Gear Box 3000

Whereas the LoadOut GoBox holds more durable equipment like my camp stove, this gear box is my go-to for transporting wine, snacks, and more fragile items. It comes with three removable Velcro dividers that can be configured and customized to best suit your storage needs. There’s also Velcro on the bottom to hold the box in place on the floor of your vehicle. I love the convenience of the removable lid for having one-handed access to anything I need while cooking. 

The design blends style and durability. Leather handles add character while providing a secure and comfortable grip. The 1680D Cordura exterior covering can stand up to the elements and handle the wear and tear that comes with outdoor adventure. When not in use, I’m a fan of the ability to disassemble and store flat in my closet. Reassembling takes just a few minutes.

Kelty Noah’s Tarp

Being prepared can help make light of rain and bad weather. This spacious tarp gives somewhere to congregate outside the tent, plus shelter for the camp chef and dining area, and if the weather takes a turn. For those camping in the desert or open areas, the tarp is also well-suited for sun protection. It’s typically the first thing I set up on arrival, as the 12-foot by 12-foot tarp (there’s a 16-foot by 16-foot version , too) protects all my camping gear while I set up the tent and get the lay of the land. 

I’ve always been able to secure the tarp to trees for camp kitchen coverage, thanks in part to the multiple guy-out points. However, it can be set up with poles if needed. As one camper notes, “The 12-foot version easily covers a picnic table [with] room to spare.” Another traveler chimed in that “It’s built to last many seasons of use,” adding that there are tons of options to configure the tarp for camping. 

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