Travel Baby

Getting ready for a trip with your baby can be made a lot easier with some pre-planning. Here are some ideas…

1. Don’t wait for the last minute. Start preparing to pack a few weeks before you travel. Keep an ongoing list of items to bring, or put items out on a table or chest of drawers as you think of them. Get a free ebook Packing Lists for Baby Travel Here are some item to consider.
   • Diapers- One for each hour you’ll be in transit, plus extras in case of emergencies or delays.
   • Baby blanket- Bring at least one for comfort, shade and warmth.
   • Plastic bags that can be resealed- Pack some medium-sized ones for stashing dirty diapers, clothes and bibs.
   • Diaper rash cream.
   • Baby wipes.
   • Baby bath and lotion.
   • Tissues.
   • Extra soothers.
   • Clothes- One to two outfits per day. Pack cotton layers for traveling.
   • Washable bibs.
   • Bottles.
   • Sun hat and sun screen.
   • Food, formula, water and/or juice- Bring more than you think you’ll need for the trip, as you can’t predict travel delays.
   • Breast pump- For expressing breast milk.
   • Baby carriers- Easy to pack and a great way to reduce the amount that your baby cries during the trip. Studies have shown that babies who were carried in a sling or in their parents’ arms cried less than other babies. It also frees your hands up for other items.
   • Travel bed to keep baby safe and comfy.
   • Baby car seat for safe travel by car, plane, train, or bus.
   • Portable baby stroller.
   • Portable high chair.
2. Use a baby diaper bag with a waterproof lining and a shoulder strap. Make sure that your diaper bag has lots of compartments for organizing your items.
3. Pack an extra shirt or top for yourself in your hand luggage in case of accidents.
4. Prevent leaks by packing medicines and toiletries in re-sealable plastic bags
5. Bring a changing mat to put under your baby during diaper changes. Better yet use a diaper bag that has a built in changing mat.
6. Pack an energy-boosting snack handy for yourself.
7. Bring your camera and plenty of film or digital memory cards.
8. Pack a clip-on reading light so you can read without disturbing your baby.

Getting ready for a trip with your baby can be made a lot easier with some pre-planning. Here are some ideas…

1. Don’t wait for the last minute. Start preparing to pack a few weeks before you travel. Keep an ongoing list of items to bring, or put items out on a table or chest of drawers as you think of them. Get a free ebook Packing Lists for Baby Travel Here are some item to consider.
   • Diapers- One for each hour you’ll be in transit, plus extras in case of emergencies or delays.
   • Baby blanket- Bring at least one for comfort, shade and warmth.
   • Plastic bags that can be resealed- Pack some medium-sized ones for stashing dirty diapers, clothes and bibs.
   • Diaper rash cream.
   • Baby wipes.
   • Baby bath and lotion.
   • Tissues.
   • Extra soothers.
   • Clothes- One to two outfits per day. Pack cotton layers for traveling.
   • Washable bibs.
   • Bottles.
   • Sun hat and sun screen.
   • Food, formula, water and/or juice- Bring more than you think you’ll need for the trip, as you can’t predict travel delays.
   • Breast pump- For expressing breast milk.
   • Baby carriers- Easy to pack and a great way to reduce the amount that your baby cries during the trip. Studies have shown that babies who were carried in a sling or in their parents’ arms cried less than other babies. It also frees your hands up for other items.
   • Travel bed to keep baby safe and comfy.
   • Baby car seat for safe travel by car, plane, train, or bus.
   • Portable baby stroller.
   • Portable high chair.
2. Use a baby diaper bag with a waterproof lining and a shoulder strap. Make sure that your diaper bag has lots of compartments for organizing your items.
3. Pack an extra shirt or top for yourself in your hand luggage in case of accidents.
4. Prevent leaks by packing medicines and toiletries in re-sealable plastic bags
5. Bring a changing mat to put under your baby during diaper changes. Better yet use a diaper bag that has a built in changing mat.
6. Pack an energy-boosting snack handy for yourself.
7. Bring your camera and plenty of film or digital memory cards.
8. Pack a clip-on reading light so you can read without disturbing your baby.

When your baby is born what you really don’t need is to be rushing off to the shops for muslins and another nursing bra. So we’ve put together a shopping checklist which includes everything you’ll need to see you through those first six weeks.

Do remember that the only two things you need to buy new are the carseat and your baby’s mattress. Everything else – clothes, travel system, baby bath etc – can all be borrowed or snapped up at a local NCT sale. And don’t forget to write a wishlist. Friends and family are going to shower you with gifts galore so steer them gently (but firmly!) towards what you actually need.

Sites like Raising Kids, Think Baby and Babyworld have heaps of advice and product reviews so before you splash out do your research!

And when you’re ready to hit the shops make life easier by doing it online. Our favourite stores like John Lewis, Mamas and Papas and Daisy and Tom all have excellent websites with good customer service and returns policies.

Carseat, check. Change bag, check. Baby, check!

Equipment

New car seat

Cot (including sheets, blankets and a new mattress)

Travel system, pram or buggy

Sling or baby carrier

Baby monitor


Clothes

Six sleepsuits/long sleeved suits

Six vests/ short sleeved suits

Two cardigans/ jackets

Shawl or snow suit

Hat, mittens and bootees


Feeding

Breast pads


If bottle feeding or mixing breast and bottle you’ll need:

Nursing bra and Bottles/teats/bottle brush

Breast pump

Steam steriliser

Bibs and muslins (galore!)


Changing and bathing

Changing mat

Nappies

Cotton wool pads

Baby lotion

Baby wipes

Bath thermometer

Baby bath

Nail scissors

Nappy sacks or nappy disposal system

Change bag


By: Danny Concannon