Packing for a flight can be stressful at the best of times, so if you are flying with a baby or toddler, we sympathise with you. We understand the importance of having what you need 35,000 feet above land and shops. This baby carry-on packing list may seem excessive, however, airports and aeroplanes have a minimal if not non-existant selections of baby products on hand. If nothing else, having a baby means much more luggage is needed than ever before and it’s that much easier to pack if you have a checklist!
We would suggest maximising your allowable baggage allowance by splitting the contents between two bags of carry-on luggage. Most airlines allow you to take a standard carry on backpack type bag + a smaller handbag. This makes fitting everything in, slightly easier.
Baby Carry-On Packing List:
Travel Documentation
- Airplane Tickets
- Passports and Identification (for the baby if they don’t have a passport, bring their birth certificate)
- Consent form if both parents are not travelling together
- Reservations & hotel correspondence
Essentials
- Baby carrier. This is the only sane way of managing getting around an airport with extra bags in tow.
- Money / Credit Cards
- Pen for filling in documentation in flight
- Phones and Chargers
- Camera and Chargers
- Laptop / Tablet
- Headphones
- At least 1 change of clothes for you. You never know when your little one might cause a mess all over you!
- A jumper in case it gets cold on the plane
- Hand sanitiser
- Water bottle
Baby Essentials
- Nappies – At least 1 per every 2 hours of your journey is a good guide.
- Baby wipes – You can never have too many wipes, so much versatility!
- Changing Pad
- Nappy rash cream
- Prescription Medications (plus a letter from a doctor about medications depending on what they are)
- Travel size age suitable paracetamol/ibuprofen
- Syringe for baby medicine
- Extra dummies (if baby takes them), a dummy clip can also be useful to avoid them being lost or dirtied
- 2x Blankets. They are really useful in case the aeroplane is cold, to prop your arm up, or to create a shaded area from the lights of the plane.
- Babys sleep teddy or comfort blanky
- 2 to 3 changes of clothes for baby. Whole bodysuits are easiest for travel instead of struggling with multiple items. Also, they are comfy for sleeping.
- Plastic bag to hold dirty clothes
- Dirty nappy bags
Food
- Snacks can be a lifesaver and timekiller, puffs and rusks are great!
- Food for baby. Pack extra, you never know what delays might occur. The squeezy packets are super easy for flying with.
- Formula or milk. Again bring extra in case of spills or delays! Put the formula in a snap-lock bag with formula scoop to take up less room.
- Clean bottles and/or sippy cups
- Flask/Bottle of water
- Baby spoon
- 2 bibs
- Breast pump & accessories (if pumping)
Most airports have liquid and powder limitations, however, this doesn’t apply when it comes to baby items like formula or milk products. Try to keep everything in original packaging or have it clearly labelled. As long as your baby is under 2 this rule applies. The amount also needs to be ‘reasonable’, reasonable isn’t elaborated but as long as you not bringing litres and litres of breastmilk, I’m sure you will be fine!
Distractions
- Toys – Try to bring new ones, and maybe a favourite
- Books
- Colouring Book / Pencils if old enough
We hope you find this list useful and it makes travelling a breeze, well as much as a breeze as it can be with three times as much luggage!
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Thanks so much we are heading away for our first flight from Melbourne > Gold Coast next month, so have printed this off for us to use!