Traveling with a baby is an adventure—half breathtaking views, half wondering if your baby’s wail just echoed through several time zones. But hey, it’s all part of the parenting experience, right? The trick to surviving (and even enjoying) it lies in packing smart. Bring the right stuff, and suddenly a bumpy ride feels a whole lot smoother. Forget something essential? Well, you learn the hard way, like I did when I got through airport security only to realize I forgot diapers. (Spoiler alert: airport shops do not stock size 3 Pampers.)

To save you that kind of panic, here’s a trusty list of baby travel essentials. Bonus? I’ve included actual product recommendations, so you’re not left scrolling through endless reviews at midnight.

1. The Right Travel Stroller

A sturdy, lightweight travel stroller is the MVP of baby travel gear. Choose one that’s easy to fold, maneuver, and, most importantly, doesn’t require a degree in engineering to assemble.

  • Budget-Friendly Pick: Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller
    • Weighing just 13 pounds, this baby is a breeze to carry. It folds with a simple mechanism and has a decent recline for stroller naps (the holy grail of travel blessings).
  • Premium Option: Babyzen Yoyo2 Stroller
    • Yes, it’s a bit of a splurge, but it’s airline-friendly, folds small enough to fit in the overhead bin, and glides like a dream. Plus, you’ll look like a fancy parent juggling your latte and baby with ease.

Pro Tip? Get a stroller with a basket big enough for snacks, diapers, and maybe one or two of your own things. Trust me, that basket will be your lifeline.

2. A Magical Diaper Bag

Your diaper bag will double as your purse, survival kit, and mobile storage unit, so choose one that checks all the boxes.

  • All-Time Favorite: Skip Hop Forma Backpack Diaper Bag
    • It’s stylish, has tons of pockets, and leaves your hands free for wrangling your baby or chasing a toddler trying to catch pigeons at an outdoor café. Plus, it comes with packing cubes for extra baby organization (and parents love a good packing cube).
  • Stylish Upgrade: Freshly Picked Classic Diaper Bag
    • This one looks like a chic backpack you’d use even if you didn’t have a baby. With high-end design and a roomy interior, it’s perfect for parents who want function and flair.

Don’t skimp on diaper bag essentials. Toss in diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, and at least 2-3 backup outfits—because babies + travel = guaranteed mess.

3. Portable Crib or Travel Bassinet

A well-rested baby means well-rested parents, and isn’t that the dream? Bring a comfortable and safe sleeping solution that’s easy to transport.

  • Affordable Pick: Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Lite Crib
    • Compact yet roomy enough for naps and bedtime, this travel crib has fantastic portability. Honestly, it’s such a parenting win that you might even use it at home.
  • Upgrade Option: Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib
    • It folds and unfolds in literally one second (I timed it), giving you an extra hand—or at least a moment where you’re not wrestling with baby gear.

One note: Pack a favorite blanket or stuffed animal for comfort, but do not forget it at your hotel like I once did. Finding a replacement for “Bunny” involved an emotional meltdown and a $30 cab ride. Don’t be me.

4. Feeding-on-the-Go Essentials

Feeding a baby while traveling is basically a tactical operation, but the right tools make it easier.

  • Bottles: If your baby is bottle-fed, pack enough bottles for a day plus a portable drying rack, like the Munchkin Travel Drying Rack. Reliable bottles like Dr. Brown’s Options+ Baby Bottles reduce colic and are easy to clean (relatively speaking).
  • Baby Food Gear: For solids, the Oxo Tot On-the-Go Feeding Spoon paired with their Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers are lifesavers. These make pre-prepped baby food easy to serve when you’re out.
  • Snack Must-Have: For toddlers munching their way through travel, the Munchkin Snack Catcher is the best invention since...well, snacks. It keeps little hands occupied and minimizes food being flung across the plane.

Pro Tip? Always pack ziplock bags. Whether it’s for keeping snacks fresh or containing a spit-up-covered onesie until you can find a washing machine, ziplock bags are a parent’s MVP.

5. Compact Changing Essentials

Changing a baby 30,000 feet in the air on a limited-size airplane tray table isn’t exactly glamorous. But a good travel changing mat can make all the difference.

  • Budget-Friendly Pick: KeaBabies Portable Changing Pad
  • This lightweight, foldable pad is waterproof and padded for extra comfort. Pair it with a disposable bag dispenser like the Ubbi On-the-Go Bag Dispenser for dirty diapers.
  • Wipe Warmer Alternative
  • No, you don’t need an actual plug-in wipe warmer, but skip cold wipes during long trips by using WaterWipes Baby Wipes, which are soft, gentle, and free of nasty chemicals.

Pro Travel Insight? A couple of plastic bags for storing diapers if you can’t find a trash can is non-negotiable. There’s nothing worse than being “that parent” carrying a stinky diaper through airport security.

6. Entertainment Lifesavers

Keeping your baby or toddler happy and entertained can feel like your number one mission. Bring toys and distractions that won’t make you lose your mind when they drop them dozens of times.

  • Best Distraction: Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether
    • It’s lightweight, easy for babies to grip, and doubles as a teething toy. Bonus—it’s quiet!
  • Toddler Favorite: Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Coloring Pads
    • These mess-free coloring books entertained my toddler so well during a delayed flight that the other parents on the plane asked me for details while disembarking. Yes, they’re THAT good.

Tip: Rotate toys. Don’t bring out the good stuff all at once. Save the big distractions for when you really, really need them—like the last hour of your cross-country flight.

7. Baby Carrier for Hands-Free Exploration

Sometimes strollers just won’t cut it (hello, cobblestone streets of Europe). That’s where a comfy baby carrier comes in handy.

  • Affordable Pick: Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Carrier
    • It’s simple, versatile, and lightweight—a great budget pick for short trips.
  • Splurge Option: Ergobaby Omni 360 Carrier
    • With lumbar support and multiple carrying positions, this carrier is perfect for parents logging a lot of sightseeing steps.

Trust me, investing in a good carrier will save your arms during those airport security lines (and when your baby decides they’re done with the stroller).

Traveling with a baby can feel like packing for an arctic expedition, but having the right essentials makes a world of difference. Is it a lot? Yes. Will you eventually overpack anyway? Probably. But when you’re sipping coffee on a balcony while your baby naps peacefully in a portable crib, or watching their face light up as you stroll through a new city, it’ll all seem worth it.

And if your trip turns into a comedy of errors (because, honestly, whose doesn’t?), at least you’ll have a great story to tell someday. Safe travels—may your adventures be stroller-friendly and your babies sleep through the flight!