What should you bring when vacationing with a baby? Find out on this "Vacation Packing Checklist with Babies" page! Updated August 7, 2007. Related info---   HOME ::   Latest News ::   Travel tips and checklists ::   Clothing Checklists ::   Baby travel checklists ::   Travel Medicine Bag ::   Road Trip Planning Timeline ::   Checklist for Diabetic Travelers ::   Diet tips while traveling

Vacation Packing Checklist for Babies

My husband and I were young, broke and living in the west Texas town of Odessa. There was only enough money to go somewhere "exciting" (like heading out of town to Disneyland) on rare occasions, but my philosophy was...and still is...that "you can learn something ANYWHERE you go." So, we'd take day-long mini-trips to see the small towns throughout West Texas. And, by golly, we'd always end up finding something interesting!

In the photo to your left, we were visiting "Alley Oop Park," in the tiny town of Iraan, Texas. An Alley Oop comic strip-lover built this park...just for visitors to come along and enjoy it!

And in the 2007 photo to your right? That's my new grandbaby, Jet, visiting the Denver Aquarium in Colorado.





It's been many years, however, since I've traveled with a baby. So, to build this "baby travel checklist" page, I enlisted the help of a penpal! Her name is Christine Albury, and she runs the very interesting and informative website, Homemade-baby-food-recipes.com. As you can tell from the spellings in her article below, she's British! (Isn't the web a wonderful place...you can meet new friends from all over the world!)

Below, is her article about traveling with a baby, which includes a check list of things you won't want to forget to bring on vacation. At the end of her article, I'll link you to her delightful site...so that you can learn still more interesting baby info, if you'd like.

Vacation Packing Checklist for Babies: "Travelling with Your Baby"

Article by Christine Albury

It may take a little extra planning and organisation, but travelling with a baby does not have to be the nightmare some parents imagine!

The Items You'll Need When Travelling With Baby

• Baby first aid kit
• Enough food and milk for your trip (always bring more than you think you'll need!)
• Water and juice(if appropriate)
• Diapers/nappies and wipes
• Scented diaper bags
• Disposable bibs or a wipe clean bib
• Feeding bowl and utensils
• Food warming equipment
• Sun protection
• Your baby's blanket - its familiar scent will be reassuring
• Spare clothes for baby AND you
• Spare pacifiers/dummies (if needed)
• Breast pump (if needed)
• Nightlight (great for night feeds in hotel rooms, which can be very dark
• Baby sling or carrier
• Sterilising equipment

Feeding

• If possible, breastfeed your baby - by far the easiest option when travelling! If you need to express, you can safely keep breastmilk in a cooler with ice for up to 24 hours.
  
  
• If baby is formula fed, you can pre-make the feeds and keep them cool, or use "ready to drink" cartons of formula. Alternatively, measure baby's formula into bottles, then mix with boiled water as required.
  
  
• If you ask for bottles to be warmed for you, always check the temperature of the milk VERY carefully before giving it to your baby.
  
  
• Pack portions of solid foods into a cooler, with ice. Alternatively, bring foods that can be easily mashed "en route" and served at room temperature - avocado or banana, for example.
  
  
• If your baby is old enough, bring plenty of finger foods - they will help keep him occupied during the journey!
  
  
• If you need to sterilise feeding equipment, consider bringing a microwave steriliser bag, disposable sterilising bags or pre-sterilised bottle liners.

Top Travel tips

• Think about driving at night, or coincide part of the journey with baby's daytime nap.
  
  
• Always place your baby's car seat in the rear of the car and make sure you operate the doors' child safety locking system.
  
  
• Infants require a rear-facing car seat, not a forward-facing car seat like their older siblings use
  
  
  
• Many parents prefer buying an "infant travel system." When you use an infant travel system, the baby's car seat unlatches from a base which stays attatched to the back seat of your car...and then it pops into a stroller mounting when you reach your destination. Baby stays napping, without having to be lifted out of a car seat and re-strapped into a stroller. (see photos to right)
  
  
• Use removeable window shades to shield your baby from the sun.
  
  
• If driving during the day, stop every 2-3 hours - the break is good for your baby AND for you!

• If you can afford it, consider buying an extra seat - infants under 2 fly free, but are expected to sit on your lap throughout the flight. Alternatively, call the airline in advance and request an infant sky cot/bassinet
  
  
• Bring a stroller or car seat carrier to use at the airport - you can usually keep it with you until you reach the departure gate.
  
  
• Ask if there are any empty seats on your flight when you check in. If so, ask if you can be seated next to one - you'll be glad of the extra room!
  
  
• Breast or bottle feed your baby on take-off and landing, to avoid ear pain.
  
  
• Offer your baby plenty of drinks throughout the flight - flying can be very dehydrating.
  
  
• Always ask for baby food/milk to be warmed BEFORE your baby is screaming with hunger - there is no microwave in the aeroplane galley, so warming the food may take some time.

Vacation Packing Checklist for Babies: Link to Christine's Baby Recipes Website

Plan a Southern California family activity: Beaches ::   Theaters ::   Camping ::   Road Trips ::   Parks ::   Zoos ::   Water Parks ::   Fun Centers ::   Restaurants ::   Shopping ::   Theme Parks ::

Plan a family trip to Hollywood! Hollywood Attractions ::   Kodak Theater and Hollywood & Highland Center ::   Grauman's Chinese Theater ::   El Capitan Theater ::   Disney Soda Fountain ::   El Capitan Theater Past Premieres ::   The Hollywood Bowl ::   Hollywood Walk of Fame/Hollywood Sign ::   The Doors Star ::   Hollywood Blvd Family Activities

Begin a new search:

	Web www.family-vacation-getaways-at-los-angeles-theme-parks.com