Infant Travel Essentials
Note: there are more items listed below all the descriptions and explanations. I just didn’t want to completely overcrowd the image!
Solly Baby Wrap: If you haven’t read my post “Baby Carriers”, go check that out. This was my absolute favorite carrier for Anthony, especially when traveling as an Infant. I do recommend to keep any kind of carrier that you’ve been using with you while traveling, especially through an airport. It minimizes that germ exposure because they’re wrapped up close to you, and you do not have to take the baby out while going through security.
Carseat Canopy: I personally recommend these for traveling, not only to keep the germs away, but to keep the random creeps away that think it’s okay to come into your stroller and touch your child. BOUNDARIES, PEOPLE. Also, it’s great for when they’re napping and it’s sunny out.
Pacifier: Anthony wasn’t a big fan of the pacifier until the week before he turned one. I always had one with me just in case, to have him chew on and to keep him preoccupied.
Bottle: The ones I linked are the ones I used for Anthony until he was about 9 months old. I liked them the best while I was breastfeeding because they feel like a real breast. Check out the end of my “Registry Favorites” blog post to see the other bottles that we loved.
Travel Diaper Changer: Basically everything you need for a diaper change ANYWHERE. The last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere with a full poop diaper and no wipes, so always double check that you have some on-hand. I included the travel diaper bag dispenser because there’s nothing more amazing than a hot and smelly diaper sitting in your car until you find a garbage can.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) (for babies <6 months old), Ibuprofen (Motrin) (only use in infants >6 months old) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl): Quick note here: Before using any medication, obviously consult with your Pediatrician. Something that a lot of new moms do not know: Motrin (ibuprofen) should not be used for infants under 6 months of age. It is safe after 6 months; before that, only Tylenol (acetaminophen) is safe for fevers and pain. Benadryl isn’t technically approved before the age of 2, but can be used if you do weight-based calculations. I have always had it with me because you never know when an allergy will ensue. Because your little one has not been exposed to many things, you don’t know what he/she is allergic to. God forbid when you start your little one on solid foods, you discover that your child has a severe allergy (e.g. peanuts). Sometimes even the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will suggest this - my friend had this happen to her, and she luckily had it on hand. It can help keep your child’s symptoms at bay until you either get to the hospital or until EMS arrives to further evaluate and treat. I have a rectal thermometer here as well because I feel that they are still the best. Yes, there are forehead and ear thermometers, but they are not as accurate as rectal thermometers.
Doona Carseat to Stroller: I personally didn’t have this because my husband and I didn’t travel enough to make it useful, and I already had the UppaBaby Vista with the Mesa carseat attachment. But, if you are a big traveler and didn’t already invest in a stroller like the UppaBaby Vista, this may be a good option for you. It is so unbelievably practical and I know so many people who swear by it. It’s literally a carseat that converts into a stroller.
Note: Like I said, I personally did not own this product and instead used this stroller: Graco Jetsetter: We took it not only to Switzerland with us where most roads are gravel and not smoothly paved, but also to New York City. It is so practical! It is literally SO light and folds up small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of a plane so you don’t have to worry about checking it. You can take it all the way to the gate, fold it and place it above your head so you don’t have to wait for them to give it to you after everyone gets off the plane. The only thing that I will say is that it doesn’t allow for your baby to completely sit up straight, there is a slight permanent recline, it can recline far back for naps, but it doesn’t fully sit up straight. I will try to demonstrate this in the video that I plan on adding tomorrow. I didn’t have a chance to film it today!
Love Meadow Stroller Connector: I really enjoyed having this when I was in Switzerland because it attached to the fold-down table on the airplane as a little distraction and then was easy to attach and detach to the carseat and stroller. It was just easier to grab this when we were on the go than to take a bunch of individual toys.
Hussh Travel Sound Machine: I keep this sound machine with me in my diaper bag on a regular basis. Don’t let the size fool you - it has amazing volume with different sound options. No batteries, just recharge it with a USB.
Bottle Brush: This is essential, especially if you are bottle-feeding. You want to be able to clean out your bottles when you’re away from home.
Travel Size Body Wash/Lotion/Shampoo/Bottle Soap: The last thing you want to do is change up the products you’ve been using for the little one. You don’t want them to have a reaction to something and then have to deal with a new rash while traveling. Try to stay as consistent as you can.
Slumberpod: This invention is an absolute game-changer. It is so easy to put together and take down. If you are traveling and staying in the same room as your baby, this is a must. It goes over a pack-and-play and even most of the hotel-provided cribs. It is basically a black-out tent for your baby. There are zipper “windows” for you to put your baby into the bed and take them back out, and then a clear pocket compartment for you to place a camera into. (I recommend the HelloBaby Monitor- it fits perfectly in here, you can rotate it from the LCD monitor remote, and it does not require WiFi.) USE DISCOUNT CODE: MOMMYREALIST for 10.00 off of your purchase.
Not pictured, but still important:
Burp Cloths: Bring two, so you have a spare when you’re washing the other one.
Hand Sanitizer: Literally just take this out and hand it to any family member as they approach the infant. It is so much easier than asking them to go wash their hands. Passive aggressive, but whatever.
Sanitizer Wipes: To wipe off EVERY SINGLE THING on the airplane. I bagged up a bunch of Clorox wipes because I was freaking out about plane germs.
HelloBaby Monitor: Doesn’t require WiFi, super easy to set up, and you can move the camera from the LCD remote.
Sleep Sack: If your baby is used to sleeping in one of these every night, DO NOT FORGET IT. You want to keep your infant’s routine as close to the one you have at home as possible. This is the one that Anthony used until about 6 months: Happiest Baby Sleep Sack.
If you aren’t sure whether your hotel will be able to provide a crib for you, I definitely suggest bringing a pack-and-play. I know they can be heavy, but it may be worth it, especially if you’re taking the Slumberpod. Or, get the dimensions of the hotel crib to make sure that the Slumberpod can fit over it.
If you have any other MUST-haves that I’ve missed, please leave me a comment below or email me at: Samantha@mommyrealist.com. I would love to update this for other moms. Thanks in advance!