Travel Essentials Kids Edition
By the time you read this post, we will be far away from the snow and playing on a beach with the kids for a few days! We absolutely love taking our girls on vacation and enjoying some family time whenever we can squeeze it in. Of course, when it comes to taking little ones on a big trip, packing can be a nightmare, but I have rounded up a few of my must-haves that have made our trips with the girls a little bit easier.
The Flight
When flying with a baby, I suggest requesting the front row bulk head seats at the time of booking, especially for long haul flights. With these seats you can request a bassinet for your baby to use in-flight. You may be able to do this yourself online, but if not, you should try to contact the airline to make a request as early as possible. On packed flights with many babies these seats may be claimed long before the flight. The bulk head seats are situated immediately behind a cabin divider. A fold down bench allows for the bassinet or cradle to be attached when the seat-belt sign is off. The airline that provides the bassinet or cradle may have different polices on their use. This may relate to age, weight or height of baby. If it is a long flight or something you do often you might consider this cover for airline bassinets.
If the baby is under two you can book them as an “infant on lap” not needing to purchase them their own seats. Some airlines do charge for this, but it is usually a small fee, maybe $30.
Most airlines let you check baby items for free, pack and plays, car seats, stroller, etc.
I suggest investing a little money and getting a decent quality car seat travel bag if you plan on traveling with your own car seat. The cheaper draw string ones are just that, cheap, and wont make it through too many trips. ( A little tip: if i’m short on suitcase space I will throw diapers and wipes in the car seat bag)
Traveling With Breast Milk
Make sure you keep the bags 3oz or smaller and you will have no issue. If the breast milk is frozen, make sure it is completely frozen! I have run in to a few issues in all of my travels but if you keep your cool and are nice you can usually opt for additional screening and still be able to take your partly defrosted milk through security. Also important to note if you your child is 2 years or younger you can go through security with water! If anyone questions you just tell them right away it is for the baby.
Items To Pack:
1. Travel Booster Seat (ages 4+): This booster seat is so compact and easy to travel with. Just tuck it in your diaper bag and go!
2. Baby Carrier: Baby wearing is so easy on vacation and takes up a lot less room than a stroller. The mesh fabric and padded straps make it really comfortable to wear!
3. Lobster High Chair: This portable highchair is really easy to carry and you never have to worry about whether a restaurant has highchairs available for your little one.
4. Packing Cubes: I love packing the girls clothes in these packing cubes so that we can easily find anything. Plus, having a laundry bag makes unpacking a breeze!
5. Stainless Steel Water Bottle: We love these water bottles for the girls. They are easy to drink out of and keep the water nice and cold.
6. Slumber Pod: When your baby is sleeping, you can too! The Slumber Pod makes it so much easier (for the both of you!) to sleep in the same room while on vacation.
7. Sound Machine: Hotel rooms can be noisy and this sound machine will help your baby to feel right at home and block out any unwanted sound.
8. Blackout Curtains: These are perfect when it is time for your baby to have a nap during the sunny afternoon. They do a great job at blocking out light!
9. BabyZen Yoyo Stroller: We used the newborn bassinet with the attachable ride along seat for Liv on our last vacation and it was perfect.
10. Pockit Stroller: This was my absolute favourite stroller for one kiddo, folds up so small you can push it right on the plane and then store it in the over head bin or under your seat. (the flight attendant might stop you but just ensure them it will folds down smaller than a backpack)
OTHER ESSENTIALS (not pictured above)
Doona Car Seat & Stroller: If you are traveling with a baby still in a bucket seat I love this car seat, stroller in one. I don’t personally have it but I have a few friends that do and who love it! Definitely on my wish list for next baby! Couldn’t justify it for Millie just for this vacation since she will be out of the bucket seat soonish.
Stroller Cover: I also love this for any stroller if you are going somewhere sunny and you might need a little extra protection.
Portable Baby Gate I stumbled upon this while researching this topic, never tried it but what an amazing idea!!
For the most part I don’t worry about larger baby items, if you are staying in a hotel they will provide a crib or a pack an play (usually free of charge) and if I am staying in a house or air b&b the owner or property manger has always been great arranging a rental for me. I do always pack my own crib sheet though, my go to crib sheet for home or away is White Terry organic crib sheet.
A few favourite toys thrown in the diaper bag and we are ready to fly! As always, if you have any questions the best way to get a response is to comment on my travel essentials Instagram post.
Much Love,
