We’ve gone on so many trips and this is the packing list that we run through every time. Mostly created by my husband who is the more organized one between us. Feel free to copy this list and make it your own!
Travel Documents and Admin
- Passport
- Travel insurance details
Daily Clothing
Pack based on the number of travel days, plus a small buffer in case of spills and leaks which always happen!
- Daytime outfits, enough for the trip plus 2 extras
- Night clothes or pyjamas, enough for the trip plus 2 extras
- Pairs of socks
- Underwear, if toilet-trained
- Bibs
- Lightweight cardigan or jacket
- Denim or light jacke
- Swaddles, for younger babies
- Laundry bag for dirty clothes
- Extra outfit for the plane or travel day
- Extra outfit packed in the diaper bag, not just checked luggage
Sleep Essentials
- Comfort toy
- Pacifiers, plus extras
- Lightweight blanket
- Sleep sack if needed
- Cot sheet, if your child is sensitive to hotel bedding
Diaper Supplies
We usually keep diaper supplies in a dedicated dry bag so we can just grab it and rush to the toilet if needed.
- Diapers, enough for the travel day plus extras
- Diapers for the trip, or enough until you can buy more locally
- Diaper rash cream
- 2 travel packs of wet wipes
- Portable diaper changing mat
- Disposable pee pads
- Diaper disposal bags
- Extra wet bag or dry bag for soiled clothes
Feeding and Milk Supplies
We keep feeding and milk supplies in a small dedicated bag so bottles, snacks and cleaning items are all in one place.
- 3 milk bottles
- Toddler water bottle
- Formula, if needed
- UHT milk packets, enough for the trip plus a buffer
- Food pouches
- Baby snacks or biscuits
- Snack container
- Baby spoon and fork
- Bibs
- Suction plate or bowl, if useful
- Portable bottle cleaning tools
- Liquid bottle cleanser
- Portable collapsible basin
- Bottle drying rack or drying cloth
- Portable warmer
- Thermos flask for hot water
- Burp cloths
- Disposable placemats
- Food scissors
Breastfeeding and Pumping Supplies
- Breast pump
- Pump wipes
- Breast pads
- Nipple cream
- Nursing cover
- Milk storage bags
- Milk storage bottles
- Breast milk chiller or thermos flask, such as Ceres Chill
- Alcohol testing strips, if needed
- Small clean cloth for pump parts
Bath and Toiletries
- Baby towels
- Wash cloths
- Baby head-to-toe wash
- Baby shampoo, if separate
- Baby moisturiser or lotion
- Baby toothbrush
- Baby toothpaste
- Baby hairbrush or comb
- Baby nail scissors and filer
- Cotton pads or cotton buds
- Travel laundry detergent
- Baby-safe dishwashing liquid, if separate from bottle cleanser
Medication and First Aid
We keep medication and first aid items in one dedicated travel pouch so that we can easily find them.
- Baby sunscreen
- Gentle baby balm or all-over ointment
- Thermometer
- Baby paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- Antihistamine, such as Zyrtec, if advised by your doctor (for our daycare baby who always has a runny nose)
- Cough syrup, such as Prospan, if suitable for your child’s age and advised by your doctor
- Oral rehydration salts
- Saline nasal spray
- Nasal aspirator
- First aid kit
- Plasters
- Antiseptic wipes
- Fever cooling patches
- Mosquito patches
- Insect repellent
- Bug bite cream
- Baby lip balm
- Child-specific prescriptions, such as inhalers like Ventolin or Flixotide
- Syringe or medicine spoon
- Any regular vitamins or supplements
- Motion sickness medicine, if age-appropriate and recommended by a doctor
Always check with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before travelling with medication, especially for babies, toddlers or children with specific medical conditions.
Swimming and Water Play
- Swim diapers
- Swimsuit or swim costume
- Swim sun cap
- Swim floats or pool toys
- Goggles, for older toddlers
- Wet bag for damp swimwear
- Hooded towel or poncho towel
- Baby sunscreen
- After-swim moisturiser
Warm-Weather Essentials
- Sun hat
- Lightweight breathable clothing
- Baby sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Portable clip-on fan
- Cooling towel
- Sunglasses, if your child will wear them
- Sandals or water-friendly shoes
Cold-Weather Essentials
- Thermal layers
- Fleece jacket
- Beanies
- Mittens
- Warm socks
Carrier, Stroller and On-the-Go Gear
- Baby carrier
- Stroller
- Stroller rain cover
- Lightweight blanket
- Compact umbrellas
- AirTag or luggage tracker for stroller or bags
Plane and Travel-Day Entertainment
- “Plane-only” toys and books saved just for the flight
- Sticker books
- Water colouring books
- Busy board
- Small cars or figurines
- Flash cards
- Favourite snacks
- Plastic or rubbish bags
- Hand sanitiser
- Wet wipes
- Tissues
- Extra clothes for child
- Extra top for parent
- Diapers and wipes for the flight, plus extras in case of delays