Whew! So I just got back from my very first flight as a new, single mum with my baby, and let me tell you… I was nervous, excited, and exhausted all at once.
I read ALL the lists, asked questions, and still made my own rookie mistakes, but we made it. And now I want to help you feel a little more prepared than I was, sis.
Whether you’re flying solo or you’ve got someone tagging along, here are 25 baby travel essentials that truly helped, or that I wish I’d packed.
Let’s get into it…
1. Sound Machine or Monitor
If your baby is used to sleeping with a little white noise, do not leave this at home.
A compact sound machine helped us recreate him sleep routine in unfamiliar hotel rooms and loud Airbnb spaces.
If you co-sleep, a baby monitor isn’t necessary—but it’s great for independent naps on-the-go.
2. Earmuffs or Noise-Canceling Headphones
Airports are chaotic, and planes?
Even louder. I got baby-sized soundproof earmuffs to block out the noise during boarding, takeoff, and landing.
They helped so much.
3. Baby Carrier (Ergo Baby 360)
Wearing my baby made getting through TSA, waiting in line, and boarding the plane way easier.
The Ergo Baby 360 kept him snug and close, while freeing up my hands.
It also made him feel calm and safe in noisy, unfamiliar spaces. I used it every single day of the trip.
4. Lightweight Travel Stroller
Renting a stroller that folds up small enough to fit in the overhead bin saved my life.
We used the Ergo Baby Metro+ and it handled airports, walks, and naps like a pro.
Plus, I didn’t need to wait at baggage claim or risk it getting lost or damaged. Worth every cent.
5. Spinning Stick Toys
Simple suction toys are the truth.
These spinning toys stick to almost anything—tray tables, windows, bottles—and keep little hands busy.
They’re quiet, don’t roll off, and are easy to clean.
Bonus: they kept him entertained while I scarfed down an overpriced airport sandwich.
6. Mum-Mum Cookies or Baby Snacks
These rice crackers were magic. Light, easy to pack, and just the right size for tiny hands.
My daughter loved them and they kept him quiet during takeoff.
I always pack more than I think I’ll need—because nothing diffuses a meltdown like a snack you can hand over fast.
7. Washcloths or Cloth Rags
You can use them to clean messes, dab foreheads, or—my favorite tip—soak one in warm water and place it over baby’s ear during pressure changes in the air.
That trick? Saved us from a lot of tears. I packed a few in a ziplock and was so glad I did.
8. Blanket or Playmat
Hotel floors? Airport layovers? Nope.
I laid out a soft, clean blanket and let my baby stretch, roll, and play safely.
It gave him something familiar in unfamiliar places. If you’re dealing with long stops or overnight stays, this one is a must for your sanity.
9. Bottle Cleaning Supplies
Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula-feeding, keeping bottles clean while traveling is tricky.
I packed a mini brush, travel-sized baby-safe soap, and a small drying rack.
Hotel sinks aren’t ideal, but this setup made washing bottles so much more doable.
10. A Few Favorite Toys
Don’t overpack here—just 2 to 3 toys is enough.
I brought one teether, a stuffed toy, and one that lights up.
Too many toys equals too much clutter.
I rotated them throughout the trip and she stayed entertained without me needing a toy backpack of him own.
11. Gate Check Strategy
If you’re traveling with someone, have them board first with the bags while you and baby wait until the last call.
That way, baby can move around at the gate, get out some energy, and then sleep easier on the plane.
We tried this and it worked like magic.
12. Diapers, Wipes, Extra Outfits
I know it sounds basic, but bring more than you think you’ll need.
On one leg of our flight, we had a diaper blowout mid-air.
I needed two outfits, extra wipes, and two diapers just for that one incident. I’ll never pack light when it comes to these again.
13. Ziplock Bags
Don’t underestimate these.
I used gallon-size bags for dirty clothes, organizing snacks, and even storing wet washcloths.
Having a few on hand helped keep my diaper bag from turning into a chaotic mess and made cleanup way easier on the go.
14. Bottle or Pacifier for Takeoff/Landing
Sucking helps with ear pressure, so I gave him a bottle right before takeoff and another as we began our descent.
She didn’t cry once. Pacifiers also work.
Either way, keep something handy for baby to suck on as the cabin pressure changes.
15. Baby Medications
Even if your baby has been totally fine at home, travel throws off everything.
I brought gripe water, gas drops, and baby Tylenol—just in case.
You never want to be caught in a new city without what you need when baby starts acting not quite right.
16. Extra Shirt for Mama
Yup—this one’s for you, mama. My daughter spit up all over me mid-flight, and I didn’t notice right away.
Having an extra shirt packed in the diaper bag was a tiny act of self-care that made me feel so much better the rest of the day.
17. Functional Diaper Bag
The kind that opens wide, stands upright, and has lots of pockets. Mine had stroller clips, too, which helped during long airport walks.
Make sure it’s something you can carry hands-free—backpack style is best when juggling baby and bags.
18. Soft Wrap or Sling for Naps
Sometimes, baby won’t sleep in the stroller or on the plane seat—but they will sleep on you.
A wrap saved my arms more than once.
It let him nap while I walked around, waited in lines, or even stood in the aisle mid-flight swaying him to sleep.
19. Travel-Size Sanitizer and Wipes
We touched so many things: tray tables, armrests, elevator buttons… Having a small sanitizer and a pack of disinfecting wipes meant I could do a quick clean of surfaces before she touched them.
Peace of mind for me and protection for him.
👉 Check out baby clothing options
20. Portable Changing Pad
Airport and restaurant changing tables are not the cleanest.
Having a foldable pad that I could lay down anywhere (even on a seat or bench) was a must.
It also gave baby a familiar surface when she needed to calm down mid-diaper change.
21. Downloaded Baby Songs or Shows
I try to limit screen time, but I downloaded two songs and one cartoon clip on my phone as a backup.
It came in handy during a long delay when nothing else was working.
Even just the music helped him relax and gave me a minute to breathe.
22. Comfort Item from Home
That one blanket, teddy, or soft toy your baby loves? Don’t forget it. My daughter’s lovey was a total lifesaver in unfamiliar places.
It helped him settle faster in new cribs and gave him something that smelled like home.
23. Travel Insurance or Baby Docs
I kept all our travel insurance info and him vaccination card saved as PDFs in my Notes app, just in case.
You may not need it, but having it easily accessible can save time and stress if you hit a bump in the road or need help abroad.
24. Patience and Grace
Honestly, no physical item will help you more than this.
Flights get delayed. Babies cry. Things spill. You won’t do it perfectly, and that’s okay.
Give yourself grace, breathe through the chaos, and know that you are doing something amazing.
25. Snacks and Water for You
It’s so easy to forget to feed yourself when you’re focused on baby.
But you can’t pour from an empty cup. I packed trail mix, granola bars, and a big reusable bottle.
Staying fueled and hydrated kept me calmer and more capable when she needed me most.
