Updated 2026. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Traveling with an infant for the first time can feel intimidating. You know what works at home, but what will you actually need for a week at Grandma and Grandpa’s house? Winter travel with an infant adds another challenge, since coats and cold-weather gear take up so much luggage space.
What you pack depends on your baby and how you’re getting there. This packing list of travel essentials for young infants (0-6 months) will help you get started.
Keep It Simple
Your first trip with a baby can be overwhelming, so make it easy on yourself. If you usually use cloth diapers and glass bottles, consider switching to disposable diapers and lighter bottles (like these silicone bottles) for the trip.
Have a baby over 6 months who is sitting up and eating solids? You’ll want a few extra items, which I cover at the end of this post.
Infant Travel Essentials Packing List (0-6 Months)
Infant Car Seat
If you’re driving, this one is obvious. If you’re flying, don’t leave it behind! If you bought your baby a ticket, most infant car seats can be installed on the plane. I still recommend a car seat backpack for getting through the airport, unless you’re bringing a stroller with a car seat attachment to the gate.
If your baby will be a lap child, put the car seat in a padded travel bag and gate-check it to reduce the chance of damage. (Side note: I recommend reading this article so you know the safety risks.)
Stroller
For babies under 6 months, bring a stroller that works with your infant car seat. Here are two great options. For more help choosing, see my stroller buying guide.
Car Seat & Stroller In One
Car Seat Cover (for Cold Destinations)
Baby Carrier
A hands-free way to carry your baby through the airport is ideal, which makes a soft-structured carrier a must-have for traveling with a baby or toddler. My current favorite is the Ergobaby Omni 360.
Portable Changing Station
A portable changing station turns any surface into a changing table. It’s one of my must-haves for your diaper bag and especially handy when traveling. And don’t forget diapers and wipes!
White Noise Machine
White noise helps babies sleep in a new (and possibly noisier) place. Any portable white noise machine works. We love the sleep sheep (or the travel sleep sheep), but it doesn’t stay on all night. For all-night sound, look at the Rohm or Hushh portable sound machines.
This one clips onto the stroller or travel crib and plays all night on a single charge. It has three sound options and a soft night light for middle-of-the-night diaper changes.
Bottle Cleaning Supplies
If you’re using bottles, a travel drying rack is awesome. It’s compact enough for a diaper bag and comes with a bottle brush that stands up on the pegs when open. Another tip for cleaning bottles and pump parts on the go is a microwave sterilizer bag.
Bottles
Bottles are a must for bottle-fed babies, but they’re worth packing for breastfed babies too. You might get a free babysitting offer while visiting family, so bring your pump and leave a bottle while you enjoy a break! Plastic Lansinoh bottles and silicone Comotomo bottles are both good for travel. They’re lightweight and have few parts to clean. For more on choosing bottles, check out the Baby Bottle Buying Guide.
If you’re formula feeding, a formula dispenser makes bottle prep much easier. I really like bottles you can pre-fill with formula so they’re ready to mix on the go. This bottle has been around for a while, and this newer option is one I haven’t tried yet. For easy cleanup, you could also look into bottles with disposable liners.
Lightweight Blankets
I love these lightweight muslin blankets from Aden + Anais. They come in a huge variety of adorable patterns.
Travel Crib
Pack ‘n Plays aren’t hard to fold up and carry, but their size, weight, and setup time make them less than ideal for frequent travel. If you travel often and need a safe sleep spot, I recommend a lightweight travel crib.
My two favorites are the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light and the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib. Both are lightweight, pack up easily, and will work for your child for several years. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two. For a really small baby, a travel bassinet works well too.
Pacifier
Bath Supplies
Depending on how you bathe your baby at home, where you’re going, and how long you’ll be gone, you may want to pack a few bath basics.
Winter Gear for Babies
Packing for cold weather? These are the extras that make winter travel with a baby easier and safer.
- Skip the puffy coat in the car seat. Bulky coats and snowsuits can keep car seat straps from fitting snugly. Buckle your baby in regular clothes, then add a blanket or an over-the-seat cover on top.
- Dress in layers. A good rule of thumb is one more layer than you’re wearing. Footed sleepers are great because there are no socks to lose.
- Hat, mittens, and booties. Babies lose heat quickly from their heads, hands, and feet. Pack a spare set in your diaper bag.
- A sleep sack for bedtime. A wearable blanket keeps your baby warm without loose blankets in the crib.
- A bunting or snowsuit for outdoor time. Great for walks and time outside, just take it off before buckling into the car seat.
Tips for Traveling with an Infant
- Laundry: No washing machine? Pack Dreft Travel Sink Packets and hand-wash baby clothes anywhere.
- Nursing: A battery-operated or manual breast pump can be helpful. My breastfeeding basket checklist has more nursing essentials.
- Diapers and wipes: If you’re checking a padded car seat bag, stuff diapers in it since it checks for free. You can also order diapers and wipes on Amazon and have them shipped ahead. (Second-time-mom tip: set up Subscribe & Save for diapers and wipes to save a little on every order.)
- Need complete darkness for sleep? Bring a travel blackout blind that attaches to a window and removes easily, or a darkening playard canopy, a breathable cover for your playard.
Travel Essentials for Babies Over 6 Months
Once your baby is sitting up unassisted, a few extra items are nice to have.
Portable Activity Seat
This portable activity seat travels well and is recommended from 4 months until walking. Attach toys to the loops and let your baby play indoors or out. We use ours at home on the patio!
Travel High Chair
If your baby is eating solids and your destination won’t have a high chair, bring one. The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is portable and clips onto most counters and tables up to 3.3″ thick. The My Little Seat Infant Travel High Chair slings over a regular chair to create a high chair with a 5-point harness.
Traveling with an Infant: FAQ
No, on U.S. flights, children under 2 can fly as a lap child for free on domestic routes (international flights usually charge a small fee). But, the FAA does recommend buying a seat and using an approved car seat, since it’s the safest way for a baby to fly.
It depends on the airline. Many allow newborns to fly within the first week or two, sometimes with a doctor’s note. Check your airline’s policy, and talk to your pediatrician before flying with a very young baby.
Yes. TSA allows formula, breast milk, and baby food in reasonable quantities in your carry-on, even over 3.4 ounces. Take them out of your bag and tell the TSA officer at the start of screening.
Most U.S. airlines let you check a stroller and a car seat for free, either at the ticket counter or at the gate. Policies vary, so double-check with your airline before you go.
For international air travel, yes. Every traveler needs a passport, including newborns. Apply early, since processing can take several weeks.
Safe travels! If you’re still building your baby gear collection, check out my baby registry gear guide for more of my favorites.
