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If you read my post about my first trip with Kennadi you know I mentioned just how much stuff is needed when traveling with a baby! I am breaking down all the baby travel essentials in this guide.
For my guide on baby airplane essentials,click here.
Where to start!? First, I HIGHLY recommend writing down everything you use in a day. I chose a day that I was home with Kennadi and wrote down everything I used, from bottles to sleep sacks. That night, I re-wrote my list into different categories and left it on our kitchen table so I could add to it throughout the week. This helped my brain visually see all the travel essentials I would need to pack and make sure not to forget anything important.
The items with a question mark are items I used but felt I could travel without or find something in the hotel to use instead (like the counter with paper towels instead of a drying rack.) The other category you will see is “Palm Springs.” This category was specific to the activities we had planned and can be swapped out for wherever you are traveling to.
Baby Travel Essentials: Must Haves
Aside from the baby essentials you use every day, there are some specific items that can make traveling and weekend getaways SO much easier.
- Portable Sound Machine: If you don’t already own one, run and buy one! I use ours for car rides all the time if it is Kennadi’s nap time. This sound machine was SO helpful to have on when she napped by the pool and I used it at night next to the pack n play (she usually sleeps with the Hatch.)
- Pack n Play: Okay so most hotels will have a crib BUT I am a little picky and don’t want to be surprised with an old, questionable crib upon arrival. If you are driving, it is fairly easy to bring a pack n play to set up in the room. Bonus: it makes for a great space to lay baby down with toys while getting ready!
- Travel Toiletry Containers: Anything to save space is an essential! It was much easier to fill these with her body wash, lotion, rash cream, and bottle soap instead of packing the full size bottles.
- Portable Bottle Warmer: This is especially helpful if you don’t have a stovetop in your hotel and your baby prefers warm bottles. This is the only truly portable bottle warmer that doesn’t need to be plugged in. I personally used the stovetop in our hotel room (it was much quicker) but I loved using this at the pool and when we were out walking around in the evenings.
- Stroller Fan: If you are going somewhere warm, this is a MUST HAVE. When you are in the hotel room, obviously, you can control the thermostat. But, being outside, it can easily get way too warm for a baby. Especially if your baby is like Kennadi and gets spoiled with a 70 degree inside temperature at home. This fan is my favorite! I held it by hand to cool her off in the shade and then I attached it to the car seat and stroller and let it blow on her while she was napping or being pushed around outside.
- Power Strip: You never know how many outlets your hotel room will have. I found it helpful to pack a power strip to charge everything. I had so many things that had to be plugged in and charged each night and this made it very easy and accessible. Her owlet, sound machine, bottle warmer, and stroller fan were all together in one spot.
- Elvie: I swear by my Elvies! Hands free pumping is life changing, especially on any kind of trip! I could pump poolside without needing an outlet or bottles/cords. I also pumped when we were walking around downtown.
Hopefully you found this guide to baby travel essentials helpful! These items are what I found to be truly essential. One last note.. really focus on the things that are irreplaceable (or you would rather not have to replace.) It is easy to run to the store for more diapers or wipes but having to go purchase more expensive items that you left at home isn’t as convenient.
Traveling with your baby internationally? Read all about our first international trip with Kennadi here.
Are you preparing to take your baby out of town? Was there anything important I missed? Have questions? Comment below or connect with me on Instagram! And don’t forget to subscribe to be notified of new blog posts.
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