What to pack when travelling with a baby?
Creating a checklist for travelling abroad with a baby sounds quite daunting—so that is why we’ve done all the hard work and research for you!
We have developed our essential tips on what to pack when travelling with a baby to make your holiday as smooth and memorable as possible.
Here we will give you all the information you could possibly need to ensure you are fully prepared to travel with your little one. You will find our essential packing list checklist and what we would recommend you should take with you in your flight bag.
We have also written some top tips for travelling with a baby, which we know are going to make your holiday as stress-free as possible!
What documents do I need to travel with a baby?
There is a lot to take into consideration when travelling with a baby, but the main thing is ensuring that you have all the correct documentation to allow for a smooth, stress-free experience when you are at the airport.
Whilst documentation may vary depending on where you are travelling to, the key documents you should consider taking along with you are:
- A passport photo of the baby
- A copy of birth certificate
- Official documents which confirm maternity
- Visa or travel permit
Babies are allowed to fly from as little as seven days old, if they are fit and healthy to do so. If your child is between 7 days and 3 months old, then it would be advisable to seek approval from your family doctor for them to rule out any health problems. If they see that your baby is fit enough to fly, then also take this documentation with you to the airport.
Essentials to pack in your hold luggage
These are the items that we think you simply cannot do without on your trip abroad with a baby between the age of 0-2 years.
If you tick off this ‘essentials’ checklist for travelling with a baby, then you have yourself covered for a lot of eventualities.
Toiletries:
These are the toiletries we recommend taking for your child when you are going abroad.
Travel Bag:
Possibly one of the most important things to prepare before your adventure is the bag that you take on the flight. We know the reality of what it’s like travelling with a little one. But, with this list of essentials you are guaranteed a safe and hassle-free flight with your baby.
Take a look at our suggestions for the best carry-on luggage to make your trip stress-free!
Whilst your baby is number one priority, please don’t forget your packing list!
Clothes:
We believe a travel packing list for baby clothes helps you to not overpack and minimises the amount of luggage you are taking away with you.
Here’s the list of clothes we would suggest you should pack for your baby.
Extras if you have the room:
These are the extras that you probably haven’t even thought about, but we can guarantee that they are going to be a true game changer for your first time going away with your baby.
Not everyone has space for the items below, but if you do then definitely consider taking them!
› Snack Divider
Snack dividers are the easiest way to keep all your snacks fresh for a long journey. They aren’t an essential item but can allow you to bring a huge assortment of treats within a small space.
› Plug-in night light
If your child struggles to sleep without a light on, then this would be a great thing to bring with you on your travels. It can bring that little bit of home comfort to your baby whilst you are travelling and help them to feel safer throughout the night whilst they are in a new place.
› Travel Chair Harness
This piece of equipment allows you to turn most chairs into a secure baby seat, meaning your child won’t miss out on any meals or activities during the holiday.
› Travel Cot
A pop-up travel cot can bring you a lot of peace of mind when you are on the go and exploring a new destination. They’re lightweight, foldable and easily portable so you can easily take the cot away with you.
› Silicone Sink Plug
A silicone sink plug can make washing any items in any sink extremely efficient. Once you get one of these, you’ll wonder what you ever did without it!
› Travel Pillow
A travel pillow can make the journey in an often cramped space that little comfier, and more enjoyable.
Useful tips for travelling alone with a baby:
1. Book the extra seat
You might think you can manage the two or three-hour flight with your baby on your lap, but trust us on this one: buy the extra seat!
Travelling with a little one can be stressful, unpredictable and at times it can be uncomfortable. But if you have more space to scatter your bits and bobs around during the flight, then you will not regret it.
Booking an extra seat makes your journey more pleasant and can improve the wellbeing of your little one during the flight.
2. Arrive Early
The airlines suggest getting to the airport around two hours before your flight which seems manageable if you are a single traveller.
However, as we all know, having a baby can throw you unlimited curveballs so it is best to be prepared and allow yourself plenty of time to make the flight.
For an international flight, we would suggest you should arrive a minimum of three hours before if you are checking in luggage. It is better to have time to spend, than to be rushing around the airport—especially because you are travelling alone with your baby.
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3. Get a baby carrier
As much as it would make life easier, it is never just the one travelling bag for a baby that you take away with you.
This is why a baby carrier for travelling is an absolute game changer when you are rushing through the airport with all your babies’ essentials.
Carrying them on your front not only gives them a comfortable place to relax and zone out of the hectic airport, but it also frees up both of your hands to carry all the other things on your checklist. Not only this, but a lot of airports will allow you to jump long queues if you have a little one to manage on your own.
4. Pack enough snacks
There’s no such thing as too many snacks and if they do their job correctly, then they can guarantee your baby will be occupied and quiet throughout the duration of the flight.
Packing travelling food for a baby is an absolute must and is not something you can miss. Taking extra snacks also means you aren’t depending on supermarkets in an unfamilair country/area throughout the duration of your trip to feed to your baby.
It also minimises the risk that they might not have what you’re looking for and gives you peace of mind.
5. Book an afternoon flight
Try your best to take advantage of nap time and book your flight when you know your little one will be ready for a nap.
A lot of European cities have multiple flights to the same destination throughout the day, so it is worth factoring in nap time when it comes to deciding which flight you are going to purchase.
All the excitement of getting to the airport should have tired them out ready for when you are settled on the flight.
Conclusion
Whilst the idea of travelling with a young one might be daunting and sounds stressful, if you follow the above detailed checklist for travelling with a baby then you can go on your adventure knowing you have everything you need.
Get ready to make lifelong memories, whilst knowing you have everything you could possibly need whilst being away with your little one!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Moonsand receives a commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of our trusted affiliate partners, at no extra cost to yourself.
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