Things to pack when traveling with baby (6 months – 1 year)

I’m basically putting this list together for myself to reference for our next trip 😂 but travelling with a baby can make it feel like you need to bring your entire house with you, but I have always tried to travel as lightly as possible. For most of our trips, we packed only one carry-on per person. Hong Kong was the exception, but for shorter trips, we managed without checking multiple suitcases filled with baby gear.

This is the packing list we used when travelling with Pierce between six months and one year old. He was both breastfed and formula-fed, so our list had to cover both. We also learned which bulky items could be purchased after arriving and which things were worth carrying from home.

Clothing

I pack enough clothing for the trip, plus a couple of extra outfits for spills, diaper leaks and unexpected delays.

Bodysuits and onesies
Sweaters
Pyjamas
Sleep sack
Jacket
Hats
Socks
Soft shoes or booties to keep little toes warm
Two extra outfits in the carry-on
A spare shirt for each parent

Keeping complete outfits together made changes easier. I would fold or roll each outfit as a set so I was not digging through the bag for matching pieces.

Feeding

Because Pierce was combination-fed, we travelled with bottles and formula while also making sure I had what I needed to breastfeed comfortably.

Bottles
Enough powdered formula for the travel day and the beginning of the trip
Ready-to-feed formula for the flight
Bibs
Burp cloths
Pacifiers
Bottle brush
A small amount of dish soap
Disposable bottle sanitizing bags

Formula takes up a surprising amount of space, so I did not bring enough for the entire trip unless I knew it would be difficult to find at our destination. Instead, I ordered it through Amazon or Costco and had it delivered directly to our hotel.

Before doing this, I would contact the hotel to confirm that it accepts packages for guests and ask how the package should be addressed. I would also schedule the delivery close to our arrival date so it was not sitting there for too long.

Diapers and Cleaning

Diapers and wipes are bulky, so I usually brought enough for the travel day, delays and the first day or two. We purchased the rest once we arrived.

Diapers
Wipes
Portable changing mat
Diaper cream
Disposable bags for dirty diapers or wet clothing
Baby wash
Muslin cloths
Hand sanitizer for the adults

I always kept more diapers than I expected to use in the carry-on. A flight delay is not the time to discover that you packed exactly enough for the original itinerary.

Documents

The documents you need will depend on the destination and who is travelling with the baby.

Passport for international travel
Health card or insurance information
Travel insurance details
Any required airline documents
Consent letter when travelling without the other parent

I keep important documents together in one easy-to-reach place rather than packing them into different bags.

Baby Carrier

A baby carrier is always my go-to travel item.

I used the carrier in airports, on public transit, while sightseeing and anywhere that was crowded or difficult to navigate with a stroller. It also kept my hands free while going through the airport with luggage.

Even when I brought both a stroller and a carrier, the carrier was usually the item I relied on most.

Travel Stroller

A lightweight stroller can still be helpful for naps, longer walking days and carrying some of the baby gear you accumulate throughout the day.

We travelled with the Silver Cross Jet. Although it worked as a compact travel stroller, it is not one I would personally recommend based on our experience.

Before travelling, check the airline’s stroller policy. Depending on its size and the airline, you may be able to take it to the gate rather than checking it with your luggage.

Car Seat and My Car-Seat Bag Hack

We always brought Pierce’s car seat and gate-checked it.

Having our own car seat meant we knew its history, condition and how to install it properly. It also gave us flexibility when using rental cars or travelling between locations.

My packing hack was using the empty space inside the car-seat travel bag for soft baby items. I would place things such as diapers, blankets, the sleep sack or other lightweight fabric items around the car seat.

I would only use soft items that could not damage the seat or interfere with its components. Airline policies can also vary, so it is worth checking whether additional items are permitted inside the car-seat bag.

Sleep

Most of the hotels we stayed at provided a crib or playpen, but I always confirmed this before arriving.

Sleep sack
Familiar pacifier
Crib sheet
Muslin blanket
Small familiar toy

I still brought our own fitted crib sheet because not every accommodation provided one, and it gave Pierce something familiar from home.

When booking, I also asked whether the room had a mini-fridge, kettle or microwave. We often had access to these, and they made storing milk and preparing bottles much easier.

Bathing and Swimming

Baby wash
Washcloth
Swimsuit
Swim diaper
Small baby float, when appropriate

We used a small float at the hotel pool, and it sometimes doubled as a way to help support Pierce during bath time. Any flotation item still requires constant hands-on adult supervision.

Health and Just-in-Case Items

Thermometer
Nasal aspirator
Saline spray
Nail clippers
Any medication recommended for your baby
Medication dispenser

I packed infant medication that had already been discussed with our healthcare provider. Parents should confirm the correct medication and dosage for their own baby before travelling.

Small Toys and Entertainment

At this age, Pierce did not need a bag full of toys.

One or two small toys
Spinners or suction toys
Teething toy
Board book
Pacifier clip

His spinners were especially useful because they could attach to a window, tray table or other smooth surface. They were small, easy to pack and kept him entertained longer than many of the larger toys we left at home.

What I Would Not Overpack

I have always travelled light, so I did not find that we came home with many things we had not used. The biggest space-saving decision was not carrying a full trip’s supply of bulky items that could be purchased or delivered after arriving.

I would avoid bringing:

A full package of diapers
A full trip’s supply of wipes
Too many toys
Multiple heavy blankets
Baby shoes purely for appearance
Large bottles of baby toiletries
Equipment already provided by the hotel

Confirming what the hotel provided before the trip helped us avoid packing duplicate items.

My Three Most Useful Baby Travel Items

If I had to choose only three, they would be:

1. The baby carrier

This was the item I used most consistently, especially in airports and crowded destinations.

2. A car-seat travel bag

It protected the car seat and gave me space to pack soft, lightweight baby items around it.

3. Disposable bottle sanitizing bags

They took up very little room and made bottle cleaning much easier when we did not have access to a full kitchen.

What I Learned About Travelling Light With a Baby

Travelling with a baby does require more planning, but it does not mean you need to pack for every possible scenario. I focused on bringing what we needed for the journey and the first part of the trip, then purchased or ordered bulky supplies after we arrived.

The most useful things were not necessarily the largest or most expensive pieces of baby gear. They were the items that made it easier to move through an airport, feed Pierce wherever we were and maintain enough of his usual routine to help him settle.

Every baby and every trip will be different, but this list gave us a reliable starting point without turning every vacation into a move.

What is one baby item you never travel without?

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