Ugh….packing.  I hate getting ready to go on a trip.  It’s hard enough to pack for myself but now I have another human being to think about.  The first question I always ask is will there be a convenient laundry facility?  If the answer is yes, I pull out the medium sized suitcase and get to work.  If the answer is no, I don’t mess around.  Out comes the gigantic suitcase.  Because we travel so much, I buy diapers in bulk online and pack with me what I need.  I know that I could just buy them whenever I get to wherever I’m going, but this method saves me a lot of money in the long run.  Plus, if I’m going to an unfamiliar place, I don’t have to worry about finding stores by myself with the sometimes crying baby in the back seat.  I’m all about making things as easy as possible on me! Below are the necessary items that I like to pack in the suitcase for my son.

Wipes

Diapers (I typically plan 5 diapers a day.  I also have the poopiest baby on the planet)

Two outfits per day (depending on laundry situation)

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Travel size baby wash

A hand pump (if you’re nursing still and need to pump a little extra milk)

Breast Milk storage bags (they take up zero space and you can use them for other things too)

Food Packets (if they’re on solids and you don’t want to worry about finding them when you get there)

Swim Diapers (if there’s even a small chance there will be a pool!)

Sunscreen (we go to sunny and warm places often!)

An extra blanket (I like having an extra Aiden and Anais blanket because they’re so light, and can be used for many different purposes such as burp rags, sun covers, beach blanket for baby, etc)

Easy to pack bathtub toy (we have a very equitable rubber ducky that goes everywhere)

Teething tablets

Infant ibuprofen

Now that you have a suitcase packed, have a glass of wine and regroup.  You still need to pack the diaper bag.  I use a black Patagonia backpack.  It has pockets galore and plenty of places to clip water bottles and baby toys to. Since I’m normally traveling alone with Mack, I need both hands free.  The backpack works out great while Mack rides in the carrier on the front of me.  Below are my diaper bag essentials in no particular order:

Diapers (enough for two days because you never know when a connecting flight might get cancelled)

Wipes (more than you think for the multiple airplane diaper blowouts)

An extra outfit

An extra t-shirt for yourself

Sippy Cup for water

Bottle full of milk or an empty one for formula

Plastic bags for dirty diapers and dirty outfits

Diaper changing pad – Sometimes the airplanes don’t have changing tables

Easy snacks for you and for baby

A water bottle for you

A small toy

A soft cover book

Diaper rash cream

Teething Tablets

Extra pacifiers

A blanket or two (I bring Mack’s flannel blanket and an Aiden and Anais blanket)

Two or three food packets

Last but not least, whatever YOU may need!  Laptop, earbuds, pens for the airplane crossword puzzle, a book, phone charger, gum, and the list goes on for me!

No matter how many times I do this, I always seem to panic about 15 min before I head to the airport,  I inevitably throw one or two things in the bag that I probably won’t ever need but it seems like a good idea at the time.  Please keep in mind that my lists are what work for us but you may find that you need a completely different list to meet the needs of your little one.  Remember not to panic too much because there’s almost always a drug store wherever you go!