What Should You Pack When Traveling With a Baby?
Pack for a baby in three groups: what you need in the next 24 hours goes in your carry-on, what you need for the trip goes in checked bags, and bulky basics you can buy at your destination stay home. Most parents over-pack clothes and gear and under-pack diapers, wipes and spare outfits for the travel day itself.
On this page
travelingwithchildren.com/packing-list/baby/
The checklist (62 items)
Built for: baby · flight or road trip · warm or cold climate · 1 week. Tags show when an item only applies to some trips. Quantities assume one week.
Documents 8 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
Clothing 15 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 2 sets | ||
| 4 pairs | ||
Health 13 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 2 packs | ||
| 2–3 days' worth + buy there | ||
Gear 18 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | ||
Entertainment 4 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | ||
Snacks 4 items
| Packed | Item | How many |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | ||
How to use this list
This checklist covers babies from newborn to 24 months, for a trip of about a week. Use the “Print this list” button at the top of the page and tick items off as they go into bags, not as you think of them.
Cross out what doesn’t apply. A 3-month-old doesn’t need snacks, and a 20-month-old may not need bottles. For a list tailored to your baby’s age, trip type, climate and length, use the packing list generator.
Start packing 3–4 days before you leave. Babies change fast, so check that clothes and diapers still fit a week before the trip.
Diaper math
Most families should pack their baby’s usual daily diaper count times the number of days, plus about 20%. The table below shows typical ranges. Your baby’s real count at home is always the better number.
| Age | Typical diapers per day | For a 7-day trip (with buffer) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 month | 8–12 | 80–100 |
| 1–5 months | 8–10 | 65–85 |
| 6–12 months | 6–8 | 50–65 |
| 12–24 months | 5–7 | 40–60 |
For travel day, carry one diaper per hour of travel plus 3–4 extra. Delays happen, and changing tables are not always easy to reach. Past 3–4 days, it’s usually easier to buy diapers at your destination than to carry a week’s supply.
What people over-pack and forget
Parents over-pack clothes, toys and gear. Plan one outfit per day plus two spares, and do laundry mid-trip. Two or three small toys are enough for most babies, and new household objects work just as well.
The items people forget are small and hard to replace on the road:
- A full change of clothes for you in the carry-on, not just for the baby
- The birth certificate or a copy, for proof of age as a lap infant
- The bottle brush and a small bottle of dish soap
- Night-light and white-noise app or small machine for an unfamiliar room
- Outlet covers and a few zip-top bags for dirty clothes
- Any prescription medicine, plus the pediatrician’s phone number
If your baby is on formula, bring enough of your usual brand for the whole trip. The same brand can be hard to find abroad.
Carry-on vs checked
Your carry-on should get you through 24 hours if your checked bag goes missing. That means diapers, wipes, changing pad, two outfits, a blanket, feeding supplies for the flight plus a delay, and any medicine.
Formula, breast milk and baby food can go through security above 3.4 oz. Declare them at screening. Check tsa.gov for current rules.
Checked bags hold the rest: most clothes, extra diapers, bath items and sleep gear. Car seats and strollers are generally checked free on US airlines, at the counter or the gate. If you bought your baby a seat, bring an FAA-approved car seat on board. See car seats on airplanes for the label to look for, and flying with a baby for the flight itself.
Buy it there instead
Anything bulky and common can wait until you land. Diapers, wipes, baby wash, sunscreen and snacks are sold in most destinations with shops.
Gear is often available too. Many hotels lend cribs, and baby gear rental companies operate in many cities. Confirm by email before you go. For more on planning the whole trip, start with our complete guide to traveling with children.
Frequently asked questions
How many diapers should I pack for a trip with a baby?
Multiply your baby's usual daily count by the number of days, then add about 20% for delays and blowouts. For the travel day itself, carry one diaper per hour of travel time plus a few extra.
Can I bring formula and breast milk through airport security?
Yes. TSA allows formula, breast milk and baby food in reasonable quantities above 3.4 oz in your carry-on. Take them out and tell the officer at the start of screening. Check tsa.gov for current rules before you fly.
Does a baby need a passport or ID to fly?
For US domestic flights, children under 18 don't need ID when traveling with an adult, but airlines may ask for proof of age for a lap infant, so bring a birth certificate or copy. For international travel, every baby needs their own passport.
Should I bring a car seat when traveling with a baby?
Usually yes, if you will be in a car at your destination. The FAA recommends children under 40 lb ride in an approved car seat in their own seat on the plane. Car seats are generally checked free on US airlines if you don't use one on board.
What baby items can I skip packing?
Skip large packs of diapers and wipes, full-size toiletries, and more than one outfit per day. Many hotels and rentals can provide a crib, and baby gear rental services exist in many cities. Call ahead to confirm before you leave anything behind.