Welcoming three babies while living far away from family taught me many things—including some effective tips and tricks for making those trips less of a trip. All told, we’ve spent countless hours in the car, on planes, and walking circles through airport terminals in the pursuit of some worthwhile family time. Along the way, I honed my list of must-have baby essentials for traveling. 

Now, I’m not going to venture as far as saying that traveling with a baby is easy even when you have the right products. But being prepared with gear certainly helps while you enjoy making family memories together.

What baby travel essentials are really essential?

Ultimately, a big part of this answer is up to you—and your baby. Think of what your must-haves are for daily life at home and, if possible, see if you can take them on the road. I’m not ashamed to admit that we brought my first born's much-loved bouncer along for one early road trip. That said, by the time we got to baby no. 3, I whittled down the packing list a good bit. 

My advice is to take what you can, consider what you will have access to at your destination (like a pack-n-play or high chair), and prioritize the rest. 

Helpful items to pack for traveling with a baby

M+A Arms Out Sleep Bag: If your baby is accustomed to a sleep bag at home, that should be at the top of your packing list for your trip. This one in particular is perfect for packing because it’s lightweight and will keep your baby warm and comfortable even if Grandpa is blasting the AC. 

Fleece Zipper One Piece: Convenience and comfort are the name of the game while traveling—and this one-piece is a great way to save some space in the suitcase. Made from soft, cozy fleece and featuring a zipper closure for easy changes, this is a favorite for laying or wearing alone on warmer days.

BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light: Just 13 lbs., super simple to set up, and suitable for ages 0-3, the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib earns the (minimal) space it takes up on your trip. It’s more compact than most other travel cribs we’ve come across without sacrificing on the space and comfort your baby needs to sleep soundly. 

Yogasleep Hussh Compact Sound Machine: The fact that this has “compact” in the name should be a good clue that it’s great for traveling! There can be a lot of sensory stimulation in a new environment, so drowning some of it out with white noise can help your little one get zzzs. 

ezpz Mini Mat: Just about anything from ezpz is helpful for traveling. If I had to pick just one thing to bring along to help out at mealtime, it would be this durable silicone mat that helps keep your baby’s food where it belongs. 

M+A Silicone Bib: Likewise, you’re going to want to protect your baby’s clothes while they are eating—lest you want to pack an extra 10 outfits for constant changes. This 100% food-grade silicone bib is also 100% easy to clean. 

Brushed Yarn Robe: No one said packing when you are traveling with a baby needs to be all about their needs! This robe is perfect for relaxing morning, noon, or night. You know, getting in the vacation mindset. 

Stokke Flexibath Bundle: This foldable bath easily fits in the trunk of the car and can be used for ages 0-4. That’s some great peace of mind to take along if you’re worried about the bathtime situation at your destination. The full bundle set includes a changing mat and travel bag for added value.

Safe travels… You can do this!

Emily Glover is a contributing editor for Monica + Andy. She was a founding team member at Motherly and writes about parenting topics.