Infant and Toddler Travel Essentials!

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Are you planning a trip with your infant or toddler, and thinking of what travel essentials you need to bring along to make your trip a success?

If you’re like many moms, you may be looking for ways to make your upcoming travel easier, less stressful and less exhausting, while still being fun for your family.  In this post, I will share our handy checklist of travel essentials we pack on every trip.  Plus as a bonus, I’ve included the most useful travel essentials I brought along on our most recent international vacation, and will on every journey from now on.

Travel Essentials: Packing for your Little One

Now that we have taken several trips with our daughter, it has become a lot easier to predict some of the travel essentials we may need on our journeys.

Whether you are planning a road trip, short getaway or international vacation, your packing list can make or break your trip.  I talked more about that in this post, where I shared our experience from the first trip we took with our then, newborn baby.

The travel essentials you bring along for your infant or toddler can make a huge difference to how comfortable they are, and how prepared you feel.

Preparing for a Trip: Where to Start with Travel Essentials

When I am planning a trip, I always consider the particulars of the journey when determining what I need to pack.  Considerations like how long are we going, how far will be from home, how accessible is shopping if I forget anything, as well as weather and our itinerary for the trip will make a big difference in terms of what I pack.

Thinking about these variables can be extremally helpful when you’re trying to narrow down exactly what you need to bring along.

Travel Essentials: The Basics

On every trip, no matter where we are heading or for how long, I usually bring along what I refer to as “the basics”.  These are the items that my daughter usually uses or needs on a daily basis and help her to feel secure and comfortable no matter where we are.

The basics typically include items need for clothing, eating, bathing, sleeping and play, as well as any required medications or comfort items, such as her favourite stuffed animal.

Your basics will be unique to your child(ren) and family, but these categories are great to get you thinking.

Here is a sample checklist our basics:

Clothing

• Daytime clothing (onesies, long sleeves, tops, bottoms, etc.)
• Pajamas
• Dressier clothes
• Outerwear (sweater, jackets, winter apparel, if needed)
• Socks
• Shoes

Eating

• Plates/Bowls
• Cutlery
• Bottles/Sippy Cups/Open Faced Cup
• Bibs
• Snack Cups
• Food/Snacks for travel

Bathing/Dressing

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Towel
• Washcloth
• Soap
• Lotion/Body Oil
• Hair Products
• Any additional skincare products (diaper rash cream, chest balm, eczema cream, etc.)

Sleeping

• Travel crib/Portable bassinet
• Sleepsack or blanket
• Pajamas
• Portable sound machine
• Transitional object (i.e. teddy, blankie, etc.)

Play/Entertainment

• Small toys
• Books
• LCD Tablet, Tablet or other electronic device
• Trip/season specific toys (sand toys for the beach, winter toys for snow, etc.)
  

I don’t recommend bringing any toys that your child is very attached to, unless you’re prepared for the chance that it may get lost/damaged during travel.  Some families consider purchasing a second of their child’s favourite toy or stuffed animal when travelling, for this reason.

You should consider what is best for your child(ren) and family.  We usually bring a “second” favourite or another toy she is very familiar with and likes.

A great suggestion that I received ahead of our first international plane ride (which you can read more about here) was to buy a few new very cheap toys for our trip.  The logic was that the novelty of the new toys would capture your little one’s attention and distract them for a longer period than a toy that they were already used to.  They also won’t be as upset if this new toy gets lost.

Other Essentials

Don’t forget other important necessities that should be taken along on each and every trip with your baby, in the event that you may need them.  These may include:

• Pain relievers (such as Tylenol or Motrin)
• Allergy medication (especially for infants over 6 months who are consuming solids)
• First aid items (such as thermometer, nasal aspirator, nail cutter)

Beyond the Basics

Once we have the basics covered, I usually continue to consider the dynamics of our trip to determine what else we may need.  Depending on your travel details, you will have to decide whether to bring along some bigger or less regularly used items.

One important category to consider is larger travel gear, such as car seats, strollers and pack-n-plays.  Some families feel more comfortable traveling with their own.  If this is you, be sure to check the travel policy of your mode of transportation (airline, bus, train, etc.), if you aren’t taking your own vehicle.  Some allow you to bring these items at no extra charge, while some limit how many or charge a small fee.  It is also possible to rent these items, which may be less hassle.

You may opt to purchase travel versions of these items which are usually lighter and easier to travel with.  Some great examples include:

Graco Nimblelite Travel System

Pamobabe Travel Crib

Other travel essentials to consider include additional toys, comfort items, additional clothing, food and eating supplies, or other things that you may not use daily but you feel will make your trip easier or more enjoyable.  Remember, do what works best for your family.

 

Travel Essentials: Game Changers

Now that we’ve reviewed the basics and some other considerations, I want to share some of the travel essentials that I consider game changers for infants and toddlers.  During our most recent vacation to Canada, I found these items particularly helpful.  They made our trip easier, less stressful and a lot more manageable, especially with a growing and active toddler.

8 Travel Essential Game Changers you Shouldn’t Overlook

*This post may contain affiliate links.  This just means that if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  It just helps me to keep this site running.  For detailed information, check out my full disclosure.

 

1. Disposable Placemats

   

   Infants and toddlers can be messy eaters.  No matter their age, spills, accidents, falling and flying food and other messes are the norm with little eaters.

   When you’re on vacation it’s likely that you’ll be eating on the go some of the time.  What I found really helpful were these disposable placemats.

   I packed a few into our baby bag and brought them on outings in the event that we stopped to eat: whether we brought along food for our daughter or purchased something while we were out.

   The adhesive strips on the back on the placemats made them easy to stick on to any table or surface.  This made it easy to keep my daughter from touching or eating food off of public surfaces, keeping her away from gross germs and unhygienic spaces.   When we were done eating, we simply unstuck them and threw them away.

   The fun prints also kept my daughter entertained.

2. Tablet/Phone Holder

   

   Whatever your views are on screen time, travelling is one time that you may be willing to bend your rules and limits a bit,  for the sake of distraction.  Tablets, phones and other devices can be a useful tool to distract your little one on planes, in the car or while you’re on the go during your trip.

   What we found helpful was this handy tablet holder (which can also be used as a phone holder).  It easily attaches to the headrest  making it a great tool to hold the device while your little one watches from their car seat or on the plane.

   This model can be used with various tablet models, including iPad’s and Galaxy’s.

3. Skiphop Snack Holder

   

   If your infant or toddler is like my daughter, a lover of snacks, then this one is for you.

   During trips, I try to minimize what I pack and bring along, but one thing that I found really helpful to take with us just about everywhere was this snack holder.

   It’s design makes it really easy for my daughter to self-feed, which she loves, but also limits things falling out or getting into her snack bowl.  The snap top design keeps her snacks fresh, while the handle makes it easy for her to carry along.

   This was a must have for us on the plane, and helped avoid having snacks fall all over the floor.

4. Munchkin Cool Cat Water Bottle

   
   Whether you’re bringing along water, milk or juice for your little one, this insulated drink bottle helped to keep my daughter’s favourite drinks cool for a long time, up to 15 hours.

   I loved that it featured a straw, and a closing lid that helped to keep it clean.  It is leakproof with easy to grip handles.

5. iClever Kids Wireless Headphones

   

   Looking for a way to keep your little one entertained on the plane or in the car.  These headphones allowed our daughter to listen to music or watch her shows, while ensuring that she didn’t make too much noise for other travelers.

   They were small enough to just fit on her head (from 16 months), and are extendable, so provide room for her to grow.  The noise control feature made me feel comfortable using them for our young daughter, because it allowed us to limit the volume settings, and protect her little ears.

   The battery life lasted for the duration of both of our 5 hours flights, without having to charge them, which was a huge plus.  They came with an adapter to plug them in if needed, but we appreciated the wireless bluetooth design.

6. Baby Carrier(s): Acrabos and Lillebebe

   

   Whether you opt to travel with your bigger travel gear (car seat, stroller, pack-n-play, etc.) or rent while on your trip, we can never leave home without our baby carriers.  My husband and I have different preferences in terms of which we use, so we usually each travel with one.
   
   For me, I like the Acrabos wrap carrier.  It is a long, lightweight cloth style wrap that can be tied to support your baby in the forward facing or rear facing positions.   It can be used from newborn up to 45 pounds.

   What I like about it is it’s comfortable for both me and baby, keeps her snug and close to my body, and the fabric can be used to cover up while breastfeeding.
   

   My husband’s carrier of choice is the Lillibebe 6-in-1 carrier.  It can also be used to carry your newborn right into toddlerhood, from 7-45 pounds.  He likes the durable straps that he can use to harness our daughter to him, again, either in forward or rear facing positions.

   Whichever style you choose, a baby carrier provides handsfree support for your little one, which is vital during both short and long trips.  We used ours in the airport, at the mall, on sightseeing trips and just about everywhere we went during our most recent trip.

   It is a great way to keep your baby close and secure while freeing up your hands.  It was a big plus for when our daughter napped on-the-go.

7. Jan and Jul Adjustable Cotton Sun Hat 50+SPF

   
   Regardless of the weather on your next trip, this Jan and Jul hat will help to keep your little one shaded and comfortable.  We use it when we’re outside playing, at the beach, while sightseeing and when we visit attractions.  We even used it to block the sun from getting in her eyes during cold days while on our trip to Canada.

   It is very lightweight and provides great shelter from harmful rays, even when it is cool out.  I love that the straps can comfortable adjust under their neck and behind their head, to keep the hat in place.  A great plus is that it can be worn in the water and dries easily, which comes in handy at the beach.

8. Busy Board

   
   Looking for something to help keep your infant or toddler occupied?  These busy boards are an interactive, fun, educational and time consuming way to keep your little one busy on the go.

   They feature a range of Montessori-style activities that keep their little minds and hands going.  They are lightweight, easy to pack and even easier for your child to carry along.  Great for on the plane, in the car or for independent and adult led play time.

9. Pack-n-play blackout cover

   

   Sleep is such a vital component to a successful vacation.  When your little one isn’t sleeping well, neither are you, and that can have serious implications on your trip.

   A dark, cool room are two of the keys to great sleep for littles.  For more information on that, check out my post on establishing a good sleep routine. 

   If you’re traveling with your pack-n-play, these blackout covers are amazing to help block out the light and other distractions when your infant or toddler is sleeping in a new environment.  They typically fit over any style pack-n-play and are small enough to fit in your hand luggage.
   

   Not traveling with your pack-n-play?  You can opt for travel blackout curtains instead!  Checkout this set that can be affixed to virtually any window using the suction cups that are included.  Its comes in an easy to pack, portable bag.  

10. Sippy Cup Bungees (also works for toys, snack cups, etc.)

    
    These handy bungees/holders work as a tether to keep cups, toys, snack cups and other items from falling on the floor.  As a parent, I’m sure you can count the amount of times in a day you have to pick up these objects from your floor.

    When you’re traveling and are encountering all sorts of different locations and environments, you will want to keep your child’s things as far away from germs and unhygienic surfaces as possible.

    These bungees are a great way to keep these items secure by attaching them to high chairs or strollers.
    

Final Thoughts

Travelling with your infant or toddler can be overwhelming!  However, preparation can go a long way to helping you have a less stressful and even fun trip or vacation.  Whether you’re embarking on a day trip or longer vacation, packing the right travel essentials are one of the most important part of your  preparation process.

I hope that this post has helped you to create or complete your packing list of infant and toddler travel essentials.  Be sure to prepare early to avoid the stress of packing!

Hopefully our top 10 must-have travel essentials list have given you some ideas as to some key travel essentials you can pack to make your trip even more amazing.  Be sure to check them out!

Enjoy your vacation!

I Would Love to Hear from You!

Have some more travel essentials to add to the list? Contact me or leave a comment below! I am sure other Mama’s would love to hear from you.

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