Traveling (with kids) Checklist
~ 55 weeks to my ‘Tees’ (30th)~
(16–22 Sept 2019)
This was the pre-travel week, and we were headed for Ayaan’s birthday getaway the coming weekend. Over the last 2–3 years of traveling with a kid, we’ve garnered some experience and curated our travel list as below: (feel free to use it and add other items that may be specific to your family)
Baby diaper bag/backpack (cabin luggage):
- Passport with VISA, as applicable
- Extra set of clothes (for both baby and parent)
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Hand towel
- Hand sanitizer
- Medicines (I usually keep a bottle of baby Paracetamol and Cetirizine syrups; as well as anti-vomiting tab; baby Vicks Vaporub)
- Water bottle
- Pacifier — if your baby is used to one
- For the breastfeeding infant: breastfeeding poncho cover
- For the bottle feeding infant: pre-sterilized milk bottle, flask with warm water, formula milk powder
- For the weaning infant: Bottle of mashed/pureed fruits/veggies, box of baby rice
- For the toddler: tetra pack of milk, tidbits such as crackers, small fruits such as grapes, and bonus sweets such as choco-dipped sticks
- Toys/activities: rattle for the infant, small age-appropriate story books with pictures, activity books with colouring pages/stickers for toddlers (some little ones have their favourite stuffed toy/pillow/blanket — do remember to carry them along!)
- Reusable plastic cover -ready in case of vomiting mid-air, for wet/stained clothes, dispose diapers etc
- A small blanket to keep your little one cozy and warm
- A book/airpods for yourself — to relax when the baby sleeps
- Phone with charger/battery pack
*Do remember to book the bassinet when traveling with an infant — a bit cumbersome at times, as you’ve to carry your infant out in times of turbulence and when the flight takes off/lands anyways — so often if we flew budget airlines, with no available bassinet seats, he’d just be tethered to me with his infant seat belt, and he’d just sleep on my chest/arm, for nothing is more comfortable for a baby than his/her own mother’s bosom isn’t it?
Check in luggage:
- Clothes and extra clothes :D
- Diapers/nappies/underwear depending on age
- Destination specific: swim or beach wear for your summer travels, rain coats and warm clothes including thermals for winter destinations
- Foot wear – slippers/crocs (travel in shoes so save some space in your suitcase)
- Bigger story books if your kid has any favourites for bedtime
- Small toys — I carried initially, but depending on where you are traveling to, more often than not, their curiosity takes over and they interact with new environments and objects around, instead of looking for their own toys
- A couple more milk bottles, with bottle washing brush and washing liquid
- Breast pump apparatus with adaptor, if required
- Sterilizer — until they are drinking off milk bottles, and for the breast pump parts
- Toiletries — I used to carry baby soap and body lotion; now he’s moved onto hotel soaps and shampoos; baby toothbrush and paste, once the teeth have erupted of course; toilet seat; hair brush/comb
- Baby bath towel
We used the baby stroller when younger and also used a baby carrier, until later. I also keep the toilet seat and some other stuff in a small cabin suitcase, just in case.
Having a checklist ensures we don’t miss out on some essential items as well as saves us much brain work while packing, thus making it all a smooth process, fun and stress-free.

If you’ve any more suggestions or questions, do drop me a message.
We for one, have traveled with our little one ever since he was 3 months old. We enjoy seeing the world through his innocent eyes and making many cherishable memories as a little family. While parenthood and traveling with little ones come with their own challenges, if you make a little effort to make the process easier and more efficient, the journey will be enjoyable and definitely worth it!
