Travelling with a Baby (Packing List Included)
- Kei Lau
- May 5, 2019
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2019
Firstly thank you to all my friends and insta-friends for travel tips when travelling with a baby.
It had been almost 9 months since our last trip away and my itchy feet syndrome had well and truly set in. As my parents were visiting from Australia, they were keen to go on a side trip. My parents wanted to go to Spain for some sun, sangria and tapas. Unfortunately my husband didn't have enough leave. So I decided that 🥟 and myself could just tag along with my parents.
We went to Spain for our first trip away just before 🥟's half birthday. There was a level of anxiety before going our first holidays. I obsessed about what to pack for weeks and how I would manage the flight with 🥟. However it was actually easier than expected.
On the day of our departure, we allowed extra time to go to the airport and also to check in. 🥟 had fallen asleep on the way to Gatwick airport in the car seat. So I decided to keep the carseat and pram with us and check it in at the gate. Gatwick provides courtesy stroller service so that buggies can be checked in at the desk.
There is a special family lane for security check, this meant that we could skip the queues and also take our time loading and unloading our luggage. Unfortunately I had to wake him up to go through security as they need to inspect the pram separately. Luckily 🥟 was not too fussed about being woken up.
Once all checked in, we went straight to get some lunch. There are plenty of kid friendly places to eat at the airport and also kids zones to play. Although 🥟 is still a bit young for that. Upon boarding the plane, I changed 🥟 into a fresh nappy. There are plenty of baby change facilities too.
The flight outbound was relatively no drama. I had intended to feed 🥟 upon take off and landing. However he was getting a bit fussy before we were ready to take off. So I decided to start feeding a bit earlier. He must've been exhausted as he fell asleep on the breast almost straight away and stayed asleep throughout the first hour of the flight. During the second hour, he entertained himself by playing with his toys. I fed him again for landing and although he stayed awake, there were no tears.
The inbound flight was a slightly different story. During take off, I fed 🥟 to sleep. However my arm was getting tired from holding him in cradle position. As soon as I re-positioned him, his woke up! As it was a late flight, I wanted him to sleep. Despite my efforts trying to get 🥟 to sleep, he was in a playful mood. He kept leaning over to grandma tugging her shirt and trying to get her attention to play. In the end, he didn’t sleep at all until we were on our way home from the airport.
I have collated a list of things to pack and tips that I found useful on our trip.
Updated December 2019- I have since updated this list to include items for a weaning baby.
Essentials
- Passport
- Birth Certificate/ Marriage Certificate/ Consent from Parent
If travelling alone with a baby that does not share your same surname, you will need to produce evidence of relation or consent to travel from parent.
- EHIC Medical Insurance Card (if travelling within EU)
Carry On Luggage
- Baby Carrier
Some airports do not offer courtesy stroller service and you will need to check in your stroller/pram. Having a baby carrier or sling is helpful to walk with baby up around the airport with luggage.
- Large Muslin Cloth*
This is great for covering baby if it is cold or if they are distracted from feeding.
- A couple of toys with strap holder*
Choose a couple of baby's favourite toys that can be attached with a strap. 🥟's koala teether and a book worked very well for us.
- Milk (if formula feeding)*
You are allowed to take on made up bottles of milk through security enough for the flight.
- Pacifier (if baby is using one)
- Snacks (see recipes here)
- Weaning Equipment (see below)
- Changing Mat /Nappy change clutch bag
I have a nappy change clutch bag which contains nappies, wipes, plastic bags and changing mat. This is super handy to keep everything in one place instead of fiddling around for things.
- Nappies
Pack enough nappies for the flight.
- Spare Clothes
- Hand Sanitiser
- Sanitising Spray
I bought this one from Amazon. Really handy to sanitise surfaces, toys that's dropped on the floor etc.
- Wipes
*I would organise the carry on luggage so that these items are easily accessible on the flight. There isn't much space to move around especially on short haul flights. I kept these in a smaller bag that I could pull out of my carry on luggage and keep at my foot.
Others to be checked in at gate or at desk
- Car seat & Car seat cover
Cargo is super dusty. Cover up your car seat so you don't rack up a bill to clean the car seat at the end of the trip. We bought this one from Amazon.
- Stroller/Pram
Checked in Luggage
- Bedsheet for cot
Regardless if you're taking your own cot or using the hotel supplied cot, it is a good idea to bring your own bedsheets. Baby would be familiar to the smell and also you can make sure the linen is absolutely clean.
- Sleeping Bag/Blankets
I packed two sleeping bags so that I have one spare in case of disasters.
- Jackets, Clothes, Socks, Shoes
I packed approximately 1-2 sets of clothes per day.
- Bibs
- Laundry Liquid
🥟 had a few disasters on the trip and luckily we had some laundry liquid to wash his clothes in.
- Sun Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito Repellent
- Baby swim gear
- Swim nappies
It might also be a good idea to bring your own swim nappies as these might be harder to find.
- Baby Towel
- First aid kit (see below)
- Weaning Equipment (see below)
- Bottle Steriliser (if bottle fed)
- Formula
Best to pack enough formula for a day or two so that you are covered until you get your bearings of where to buy.
- Extra Bottles (if bottle fed)
- Extra pacifiers (if baby is using one)
- Travel Kettle (optional)
Best to check with the accommodation/hotel if they have a kettle
- Spare plastic bags for nappies, soiled clothes etc.
- Nappies
Pack enough for the first couple of days so you can suss out where to get nappies.
- Baby wash, baby lotion etc
- Travel Cot (if required)
We booked accommodation that supplied travel cot, so we did not bring one with us.
- Nightlight (optional)
I packed a nightlight but never used it. Instead we kept the bathroom light on with the door slightly ajar. This worked quite well for us.
- Baby Monitor (optional)
If you are staying in an apartment, it might be handy to use a baby monitor. We stayed in a hotel, so we didn't need this.
Weaning Equipment
I would pack the below in carry on because it is useful when eating at the airport or any waiting lounge:
- Sippy Cup
- Silicon Bib/ Food Bib
- Portable Suction Plate (We have this one)
- Baby Spoons (can be in checked baggage)
- Lunch Cooler
The below must be in checked baggage:
- Baby Food Scissors
- Small Fruit Knife
Medicine/First Aid
- Calpol / Liquid Paracetamol
- Liquid Piriton*
- Epipens*
- Adhesive Bandages
- Antiseptic Towels
- Thermometer
*Children's medicine that is greater than 100mls can carried in hand luggage with a prescription. I recommend putting the medicine and prescription in one zipblock bag. It makes it easier for security to check.
Things for mum
- Breast Pads
- Breast Pump (if required)
Don't forget to pack for yourself! I was so focused on packing for baby, I forgot to bring a jacket for myself!
Tips for Air Travel
1. People always say to pack light when travelling with a baby. I found it impossible, because we still need spare everything! Spare clothes, spare nappies etc. There isn't much space on the flight to fiddle around and find what you need. I found it useful to have a small bag within my carry-on that has all my essential items that I need on the flight. These were items to keep baby entertained or I needed for feeding such as muslin cloth, toys etc. Therefore when I sat down, I would take out the smaller bag to keep under the seat for easy access.
2. You can take the stroller/pram right to the gate and check in there. Alternatively some airports have courtesy stroller service. I found it easier to check in my pram at the desk and have 🥟 in the baby carrier. That way I didn't have to fluff around before boarding with the pram.
3. Buy a car seat cover! There is so much dust in cargo, it will get all over the car seat. We got a cheap car seat cover from Amazon and it was the best purchase for the trip.
4. Breastfeed upon take off and landing. This helps the baby adjust to the cabin air pressure. 🥟 fell asleep on the breast during take off for both flights. I don't normally feed him to sleep, however I made an exception for the flight. It was great as he slept for the first half of the flight.
5. If travelling with alone with a child that does not share your same surname, you will need to bring a birth certificate, marriage certificate or letter of consent from the father. I chose not to take my husband's surname when we got married. Therefore when I travel alone with 🥟, I need to make sure I bring sufficient evidence that he is my son. Luckily we were not questioned when going through Spanish or UK immigration. Maybe its because he looks so much like me! 😆
Tips for Train Travel
1. There is sometimes a large gap between the platform and the train. Although most people are quite nice and will offer help, some people are oblivious. Do not be afraid to ask for help to board the train.
2. Once again, pack a small easily accessible bag with essentials to keep the baby entertained and fed, such as muslin cloth, toys etc.
3. Choose a seat close to the toilets, usually it is more space for prams and luggage
4. Always keep the baby carrier handy. 🥟 was starting to fuss at one point of the train journey. I put in the the baby carrier so he could nap without being distracted.
Tips for Coach Travel
1. Coach travel has been by far the trickiest. This is because of the space between the seats is very restrictive. I would avoid it at all costs! If it is not avoidable, then be prepared for a bored baby with no where to go. Pack a small easily accessible bag with essentials to keep the baby entertained and fed, such as muslin cloth, toys etc.
2. Not all coach companies allow baby seats on board. Also some do not even have baby seat belts. We had to put our car seat in the hold of the coach in Spain. As there were no seat belts, I used a lap baby to restrain 🥟. Not ideal, however it was the most practical for that situation.
3. Do anything to survive. As 🥟 was quite unsettled and over stimulated, I had to feed him to sleep. As mentioned earlier, I'm not a fan of feeding him to sleep, however sometimes exceptions just need to be made.
Other tips
1. Apply for a free European Health Insurance Card. Without this it could end up costing a lot in the case of an emergency.
2. I found it easier to use a car seat and pram adapter rather than to bring a separate stroller. We caught the taxi quite a lot in Spain. Each time we jumped on the taxi, It was just a matter of unblocking the car seat from the pram and strapping it into the car.
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