Three Hub Circus

Bringing a baby on a trip adds a whole new dimension to packing.  Sanity lies in very complete lists. If you are aware of everything you might need in your travels, and have it in a checklist, you’re vacation preparation will be much more stress free.

I have created checklists to help you pack everything you will need for your baby on a trip. The lists assume you are travelling in the United States, that you are flying on a plane, and that the climate is warm to cool. My aim is to make these the most specific and complete lists available online, but depending on your family and your destination, you will certainly need to modify the checklist.   You can download a PDF version to mark up with a pen or a Word version to change to your heart’s content.

Some additional tips for traveling with your baby on a plane:

• As you’ve probably discovered, traveling with a new baby, you will probably need to take a large carry on. Be sure to include diapers, wipes, changing pad and an extra change of clothes for you and your child.  Take-off and landing are the most difficult times for a baby because of the change in air pressure. Plan to have them eating or drinking something during these times so that the pressure in their ears will equalize.  If they have had a recent cold, the pain can be worse for them. If they scream very loudly and appear to be in extreme pain, this could be a sign of an ear infection.
• When packing, if you are taking more than one suitcase, be sure to put one sleeper and one baby outfit into each bag. You may want to throw some of your clothes into their bag also, in case luggage goes missing.
• One great tip is to pack each of the baby’s outfits into an individual plastic zip baggie.  If you have more than one child, you can label each bag with the matching child’s name. When you get to your destination, just throw the bags into whatever clothing storage is available and they stay organized, clean and neat. You can always find a use for the empty baggies, such as storage for dirty diapers or laundry.
• Be sure to follow the TSA guidelines for your carry-on liquids and those for formula and breast milk to get through airport security properly.
• See if you can do laundry at your destination. Then you can do a wash at the halfway point in the trip and bring half the number of clothes.

Finally, don’t panic if you forget something. One time I forgot pajamas for both my boys. A quick trip to a nearby big box retailer solved that problem. Most likely, you can easily buy the missing item at your destination. 

Three Hub Circus Packing Checklists for Traveling with a Baby

Other Packing Lists to Try:
The Universal Packing List - interactive tool creates lists for travelers according to their input.
Better Homes and Gardens - interactive packing list.
Babycenter Packing List 
About.com Packing Lists

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