I have found that traveling with an infant requires a lot more stuff than traveling with older kids. My packing list for my baby is hefty because there is just so much that he needs throughout the day.

Here are some of the really important things that I bring along on our travels that help make our days (and nights) away easier!

Infant Travel Necessities

1. Travel Crib

In my opinion, there is nothing more stressful about travel than figuring out where your baby will safely sleep. Obviously every family’s sleeping situation is different, but for me, having a safe, portable crib for my little guy is a must.

This Graco Pack-n-Play has made sleeping away from home so much easier. The adjustable mattress height makes this perfect for a wide age-range. When my son was just two months old, we used the bassinet feature on this portable crib as both a sleeping spot and a changing table. When we traveled more recently, he slept on the lowered mattress.

Each time we have used this, I have felt secure knowing that my baby is on a safe sleep surface.

And it folds up so easily that it is easy to transport, no matter how you are getting to your destination.

2. Sound Machine

While we are on the topic of sleep, let’s chat about sound machines. This is something you cannot afford to leave at home! Traveling can be noisy, and having white noise to drown out the sound can be an absolute necessity to make sure your baby gets rest.

Everyone should have a portable sound machine. You can take this thing everywhere with you! Plus, when you are home, it can serve as a back up in case your primary machine stops working (that’s happened to us, and it is a major bummer).

This is something that is completely worth getting to make your trip that much more enjoyable!

3. Baby Carrier

When you travel, you tend to be on the go more than usual. That is why a good baby carrier is a must.

I have two go-to carriers:

Moby Wrap

The Moby Wrap is great for carrying your newborn, and adjusts with baby as they grow. This wrap lets your sweet little one cuddle up close to you in an optimal sleep position.

As with any wrap, it can get a bit warm wrapped up in it, but it’s comfortable and supportive. I spend hours walking around Disneyland with my then-3-month-old on my chest, and I felt pretty good.

The one thing about the Moby Wrap that I don’t love is that it is tricky to put on. Once I learned how to tie it (which took me way too long), I still struggled because it is SO LONG and the side often drag on the yucky ground as I put it on. But once on, this wrap is great!

Ergobaby 360

The Ergobaby 360 is my absolute favorite baby carrier. It works for babies and toddlers, front and back wearing, and is perfect for mom, dad, or whoever else wants to take a turn.

The clips make it easy to put on, and it is incredibly simple to adjust it to fit the wearer.

A big plus with this carrier is that my husband likes wearing it. That means I’m not stuck wearing the baby the whole day!

I love how versatile this carrier is, and would say that it is well-worth the investment!

Things to Consider Before You Go

Here are some questions that you should ask yourself before your trip to make sure you have thought of everything:

• Do you need to bring a car seat? If you are taking a plane, will you check the car seat or bring it on board? Check out @safeintheseat on Instagram for lots of car seat information!
• Will you be able to do laundry at your destination? Blow-outs are not uncommon, so make sure that you bring enough clothes, pajamas, and sleep sacks to withstand the inevitable poop leaks. 💩
• Is there anything you need to bring to feed your babe? If you breastfeed, maybe not. But think about whether you will need to bring formula, bottles, a breast pump, etc. These are things you do not want to forget!
• Is there a need for a baby monitor? Monitors are great to bring if you are staying in a house and your baby will be sleeping in a different room. I use this one while traveling because it does not need WiFi.
• Will you need a passport? This is something you definitely need to plan ahead for!

Planning ahead and packing carefully will help ensure that everyone, including you and your baby, enjoys the trip!

Check out my posts on toddler travel necessities and airplane trips to make sure you are ready for everything!