Packing Light (in My Dreams) | Part 2

Last week I highlighted how I always have certain things ready to go for a trip so that I am always ready for travel. Today I’m going to just get right to it and share with you a couple of packing lists. Obviously things on my lists will differ from yours based on your child’s age, needs, and your personal preferences. However, I think these lists should be a good starting point! I tried to link some of the products that I have found to be especially helpful or innovative to the easiest place to find them, so it would be easy for you to find as well. 

When we travel via plane, I have three lists: one for a carry-on bag (usually my purse), one for the baby’s diaper bag, and one for suitcases or checked luggage. For my bag I like to use a carryall so I can fit as many things as possible in there. We use this diaper backpack – we really like it because it holds so much. It has plenty of compartments, including two insulated ones. As far as the suitcases go, it depends on the trip! 

We also take our stroller to the gate and check it there. We traveled with a car seat once and were able to take it on the plane with us because there were empty seats in our row. I also take the carrier and usually wear baby onto the plane because it makes it easier to have my hands a little more free. 

So here we go! 

Carry-On Bag

• Plane Tickets
• Passports & Other ID
• Hotel Vouchers/Reservation Correspondence
• Credit Cards/Money
• Phone & Charger
• Sunglasses
• Tablet, Charger, headphones
• Prescription Medications
• Pen
• Camera & Charger
• Guidebooks
• At least 1 change of clothes for Mom & Dad
• travel-sized toothpaste
• travel-sized moisturizer
• travel-sized deodorant
• travel-sized antibacterial
• toothbrushes

Diaper Bag

• 1 Diaper per every hour of your journey
• Wipes, wipes & more wipes
• Toys
• Books
• Blanket
• 2 changes of clothes for baby
• Plastic bags to hold possible laundry
• Snacks
• Food for baby
• Clean Bottles/Sippy Cups
• Bib & Burp Cloths
• Extra Pacifier
• Hand sanitizing wipes
• Toy & Pacifier sanitizing wipes
• 1 Ziploc bag for baby containing:
  • liquid baby acetaminophen
  • liquid baby antihistamine
  • Disposable washcloth
  • Saline Drops
  • Nose Frida 
  • travel-sized diaper cream
  • a few oral re-hydration powder packets
  • essential oils 

Checked Luggage

• Photocopies of passport & drivers’ license – packed separately, in case ID is lost or stolen
• Medicine bag

TOILETRIES

• Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
• Brush & comb
• Shaving gear
• Contact lens paraphernalia
• Glasses
• Skin cream, makeup
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Afterbite, for insect bites
• Sun block

MISCELLANEOUS

• Pen & paper
• Assorted plastic bags
• Assorted plastic containers
• Needle and thread
• Small amount of dish and/or laundry soap
• Waterproof sheet

CLOTHES

• Lots of t-shirts or other tops
• Long sleeved shirts
• Pants
• Sweater or jacket
• Dressy outfits
• Rain gear
• Sleepwear
• Swimwear
• Underwear
• Socks
• Good walking shoes
• Accessories

*I usually make a separate list of outfits by day and then pack accordingly, and obviously this list will vary depending upon where you are going and what time of year you are going, but this covers the basics.

SPECIFICALLY FOR BABY!

• Baby food
• Eating utensils (Spoons, food containers)
• Bottles & Nipples
• Bottle Cleaning set
• Sippy Cups
• Extra Pacifiers
• ‘Special’ items like blanket, toys, etc.
• Crib bedding
• Changing Pad
• Diapers
• Wipes 
• Diaper Cream
• Bath Toys
• Bibs
• Approx 2 outfits per day if not planning on doing laundry
• Sweaters
• Socks
• Shoes/Sandals
• Pajamas
• Toiletry bag

*If a trip is longer than a weekend, I usually buy diapers when I arrive at my destination. And recently, I decided I am going to try shipping diapers and wipes from Amazon to my hotel. Diapers occupy so much valuable packing space.  

I hope this helps! Happy travels!

xo,