
The most important thing is having a properly-installed car seat to keep your baby safe. Traveling by car is a bit more flexible (and likely safer in the COVID-19 era), and thus might make figuring out your baby packing list a bit easier. Expect to carry your baby through security too. Remember that all of your kiddo’s accessories - like strollers and car seats - will also have to be screened via X-ray, so be sure to factor in extra time to go through security.

Many airlines allow you to bring diaper bags, breast pumps and car seats on board in addition to your allowed carry-on bags - but check with your carrier before flying to be sure. (You might have to check your stroller at the gate, but can still use it in the airport.)įormula and breast milk that you take on board are exempt from the TSA’s 3.4 ounces rule for liquids (they can be brought in carry-on bags in "reasonable amounts," along with juice), but you’ll still have to screen them separately from the rest of your stuff and potentially go through additional security checks. When you're traveling by plane, you'll have to follow TSA and airline guidelines for what can be brought in your carry-on and checked bag, so factor that into your baby packing list. What to pack for your baby in a carry-on bag If your airline lets you do that, your best bet is to travel during less busy days and times to up your chances that you'll have an empty seat next to you.
DIAPER BAG PACKING LIST FREE
If you do wind up deciding to travel with baby in her own seat, you'll have to either buy a plane ticket for your little one or ask the airline whether they would allow you to use a free empty seat next to yours if there's one available. (Worth noting: Not all car seats are approved for use on airplanes, so look for one with an FAA-approved label.) This will better protect her in the case of turbulence or other issues. Most major airlines allow you to travel on domestic flights with your little one in your lap until she’s 2 years old for free. But the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AAP do not recommend doing this, instead advising that your baby travels in her own seat strapped into a compatible car seat or safety restraint designed for air travel. Some airlines might not accept passengers younger than a certain age either, so check with yours about any age restrictions before buying your tickets. It's especially risky to fly with a baby or a toddler during the COVID-19 pandemic, as children younger than 5 are not eligible yet for the vaccine, making them particularly vulnerable to the virus and specifically the Delta variant. Though there's no official approved age for flying, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly discourages air travel with very young babies, since it can increase a newborn's risk of getting sick. Here are the essentials you may want to consider for your own diaper bag.So if you’re traveling by plane with your baby, talk to your pediatrician first before booking tickets. Pack too much and your "go everywhere bag" becomes like a suitcase, making it hard to handle when carrying your baby or an infant car seat.

If you pack too light, you may end up missing something like an extra shirt for yourself when your baby spits up on you.

If you're not carrying a separate bag, make sure to pack your essentials, too! These may include: First-aid supplies: It's good to have some adhesive bandages and other items just in case.Crayons and paper is a small, quiet toy for kids starting at about 12 months. A toddler going to a restaurant often requires a lot of entertaining distractions, while a 4-month-old may be happy with one rattle. Toys: Choose toys based on your outing and your child's age.Bibs: If you're planning to give your older baby or toddler a snack or meal, bring a few washable bibs.Baby wrap or carrier: Even if you're heading out with a stroller, you may prefer to park it and transfer your baby to a hands-free carrier if you're heading into someplace crowded.Insulated cooler bags: To keep bottles warm, or sippy cups and snacks cold.Nursing cover: For privacy when you're breastfeeding in public.Breast pads for nursing moms: Slip these in your bag – and then your bra – to absorb breast-milk leaks.Baby nail clippers: You never know when your little one will doze off and give you the perfect opportunity to clip those tiny nails.What to pack in your diaper bagĪlong with the products below, consider packing: When packing your bag, it's helpful to think about different scenarios you may encounter while out with your baby and what you would need to solve them. But what do you really need in there? It depends on how old your child is, how long you'll be out, where you're going, and how prepared you like to be.

You'll probably be bringing a diaper bag wherever you and your baby go.
