23 Best Travel Essentials for Babies in 2025: All You Need to Bring

#1 Backpack Diaper Bag (0-12months)

You can skip many items on this list if you’re a fan of minimalist travel with a baby, but a diaper bag is one of those things you’re going to have to bring anyway. However, instead of the bulky ones you hang on your stroller, opt for a diaper backpack. Sophie Marie from Baby Toddler and Kids loves it too and will tell you why it’s such a win-win!

BabbleRoo Diaper Bag Backpack – Multi function Waterproof Diaper Bag, Travel Essentials Baby Tote with Changing Pad, Stroller Straps & Pacifier Case – Unisex, Dark Gray

We traveled a lot when my daughter was a baby and the one thing that made things so much easier was keeping my hands free the majority of the time.

The thing that helped me with this the most? A backpack-style nappy bag!

The usual, messenger style, the nappy bag was so difficult to carry around, I was constantly having to adjust it and the strain it caused on one shoulder was immense.

So, I switched to a backpack-style nappy bag and I’ve never looked back.

As well as keeping both hands free to care for the baby, backpack nappy bags usually have a ton of different shapes and size pockets and compartments so keeping all that baby gear organized is a breeze.

The biggest benefit to me was the fact that the weight is distributed evenly across your back, so there is no shoulder pain or constant moving of the bag to get comfortable!

#3 At least 3 extra sets of clothes for your baby (0-12months)

This tip by Ale from Universo Viajero is definitely one we use. A couple of extra onesies are part of our baby travel kit anywhere we go. Ale suggested one extra outfit, but I’m going to up that and propose 3 extra sets, just to be sure (imagine being on a plane and having a couple of poo-splosions!)

When you’re traveling with babies, disasters are imminent, no matter how careful you are at feeding hours or letting them play. They may even find a water pond on the street and decide that crawling on it is the perfect game.

At any minute there may be an explosion of food, diaper, crying and many others. Protecting yourself against any eventuality is practically impossible, but there are always some tips to make the solution more bearable.

One of my favorites is to never leave your accommodation without a complete change of clothes for your baby, it can even be more than a complete change if you are going to be too many hours away without a return option.

You will not use much space in your bag and you can leave them in the stroller or backpack diaper bag until it is necessary.

Don’t forget to include a disposable or washable bag to leave the clothes that have been spoiled there, keeping odors and dirt separated from the rest of your belongings.

#5 Baby Carrier (0-12months +)

This must-have item was contributed by Chelsea from Pack More into Life. For us too, this is the most indispensable piece of travel gear for babies. In fact, when we were only traveling with our Little Elf, it was the only item we brought!

Traveling with babies can be a bit daunting, but having the right gear to travel with kids can make all the difference.

One of my favorite items is a soft structured baby carrier such as an Ergobaby, Tula, or Kinderpack (#AffiliateLinks).

These carriers are easy to roll up and store in a backpack or clipped onto your back when not in use.

Then when your little one is ready for a nap or needs a ride, you can easily toss them into the carrier, snuggle them in, and off you go to explore! 

We used our carriers at home as well as when we were traveling. They are perfect for inside airports, on public transportation, and when exploring a city that doesn’t lend well to strollers.

The carriers all have multiple adjustment points and can often be shared between two adults when someone needs a break from carrying the little one.

#9 Off-road stroller (6months +)

If you are up for a bit more of an adventure, make sure to swap your travel system or travel stroller for an outdoor-sy equivalent! Mary Beth from A Reluctant Mom will tell you all about one of her favorite travel accessories for babies.

We do a lot of outdoor and national park travels, so bringing the best off-road stroller is one of our favorite travel essentials for a baby!

Its large rubber tires make it great for hiking, and we’ve been able to use it on a surprising number of park trails. It recently got us through some awesome hikes at Yosemite, Big Sur, and the Grand Canyon.

I’ll be honest, they’re a little bulky to travel with. But if your travel itinerary includes taking baby off-the-beaten-path, an all-terrain stroller is a must.

They can tackle rocky, uneven trails like a breeze, and the suspension keeps the baby comfy while bouncing over all those bumps. They’re also versatile enough for urban exploration, unlike your average travel stroller which probably wouldn’t be sturdy enough to go from city streets to no streets.

We promised ourselves that we’d keep traveling to the parks after the baby came along, and our outdoor stroller has made it easy to keep that promise!

#10 Travel Car Seat (0-12months +)

Bringing along a car seat is a great idea whether you’re traveling by plane especially if you’ll be renting a car at your destination. Kate from Tear Free Travel thinks so too and always brought one when her kids were smaller.

As much as we can see the benefit of having a car seat on the plane, we don’t see ourselves dragging along such a huge travel gadget for babies.

One of the most indispensable travel items for trips with babies is a portable car seat for travel.

We’ve traveled a lot with our kids when they were young and bringing along the car seat always makes traveling with young babies a breeze.

We typically bring our Maxi Cosi bucket seat as this car seat is super lightweight, easy to buckle in with a regular seatbelt, approved for the airplane, and fits onto our Uppababy Vista stroller.

Although we don’t typically buy a seat for our infants under 2, we have had a few occasions where we were able to score an extra seat on the plane and brought our car seat on with us. Being hands-free while the baby slept quietly on the plane was an amazing feeling indeed! 

If you’re planning on using a car eat in your rental car, but you didn’t book an extra seat for your baby, bring a gate check bag for your car seat to make transport easier.

A travel car seat is not to be missed on a trip with a baby, don’t leave yours at home! 

#12 Baby nest for Co-Sleeping (0-8months)

When you’re used to a co-sleeper on the side of your bed, bringing along a baby nest is a great way to co-sleep without having to put your baby in your bed.

Betty from MomBrite loves using the DockATot . Babies love the comfort of their own bed. When they are traveling and need to sleep in a new, foreign crib or bed, they may feel anxious and therefore not able to sleep as well. She loves that the DockATot provides the comfort and safeness from home.

Humble Bee Baby Sling 2-in-1 Travel Nursing Pillow & Sling Bag Best Breastfeeding Pillow for Moms – Portable, Hands-Free Support, Ideal for Airplane Travel and On-The-Go (Gray)

The rounded sides create a barrier between your baby and the parents so that you can sleep with your baby peacefully in your bed.

The DockATot is designed so that the baby feels snug and cuddled while sleeping, which oftentimes allows the baby to sleep better and longer.

For traveling, you can simply get a travel bag for the DockATot and bring it with you as part of your luggage.

This baby travel product can be used from 0 to 8 months and is lightweight and portable.

Having your baby sleep well while traveling can make a huge difference in your experience since you can feel energetic and awake while exploring the sights! Plus, you can also use it as a changing pad and activity gym (with a few extra accessories) in your room, so that’s travel baby items to bring.

As an alternative, you can bring along a travel crib, but if your baby is used to sleeping close to you that might cause some trouble. You can also just put your little one into bed with you, but always (always!) make sure to bedshare safely (especially if you’re not used to doing this regularly).

#13 Portable Travel bassinet (0-4months)

If you don’t want to bedshare with your baby – be it with or without a baby nest – a travel bassinet is a perfect solution. Another big bonus is the fact that you can take it along for naps when you’re out at a restaurant too.

Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Bassinet, Portable Baby Bed, for Infants 0 – 5 Months, Driftwood Grey

Mandi from Big Family Small Adventures loved using a pop-up travel cot when her kids were still small. She found it the most useful travel essential for babies when she went camping with her large family.

“I love the pop up travel cot because it is so light and folds away so small it can easily be stored within your suitcase. When you reach your destination, just take it out of the bag and there you have it: the perfect place for your little one to sleep.” – Mandi

However, if you don’t mind the extra space, it might be more comfortable for your baby to bring along a portable cot. Many places state that a cot is included, but you can never be sure if it will be suitable for your child, therefore taking your own with you guarantees a good night’s sleep for both you and your baby.

Or you can always do what so many parents do: ask your hotel to provide a baby bed. You can save a lot of space by not bringing your own portable crib. When you’re staying at a hotel with your baby, make sure to call ahead and ask for a crib to be set up before you arrive.

#14 White Noise Machine

Cath from Passports and Adventures has one item which she would class as one of the best travel essentials for baby and that is a white noise item.

Her product of choice was Ewan the Dream Sheep , who became a member of their family when their son was one month old in a bid to help him nap better during the day.

Sweet Dreamers, Ewan Deluxe with Shush, Gray | Baby & Toddler White Noise Sound Machine | Cry Activated Sensor & Nightlight | 5 Soothing Pink Noise Sounds | Auto-Off Timer | Lightweight | Portable

Ewan the Dream Sheep is a cute little sheep that has a built-in white noise machine that can play four different sounds, a built-in night light, and his Velcro tail allows him to be attached to a cot bar or stroller arm.

Because he was a firm part of the family’s nap and bedtime routine, Ewan also became a baby travel essential when they took off with their son.

He has traveled to Slovenia, New York, and Ireland among many places, and they only stopped using him after their son turned four. He ensured their son was able to drift off to sleep in new surroundings without any hassle and soothed him back to sleep if he woke during the night.

Alternatively, you can download an app with white noise sounds – or any other soothing sound. We highly recommend White Noise Baby Sleep Sounds.

It’s an app with 40 different sounds ranging from heartbeats, a plane, or a hairdryer. We originally downloaded the app because we wanted our son to be soothed by the sounds of the ocean (we thought that would come in useful when traveling), but turns out he only wants to sleep with the vacuum cleaner on. So that’s what we have been listening to for the last 10 months *sigh*.

#15 Black-out curtains

I don’t know if we are the only ones always putting up towels or bags in an attempt to clock out the light, but turns out Emily from Journey of Parenthood has a way better way of doing this: black-out curtains ! So we’ve gone ahead and purchased them and we couldn’t be happier! Little Dragon sleeps so much better when it’s dark in the room!

Amazon Basics Portable Window Blackout Shades with Suction Cups, Moon and Stars Design, 78 x 50 Inch, 1 Pack

If you’re thinking about traveling with an infant or older baby, black-out curtains are a huge help. It’s a must-have for a family vacation that many parents don’t think to pack.

When driving in the car it’s perfect to help to block the sunlight coming in from the windows to allow Baby to sleep.

When staying in a hotel room the curtain can be used to cover the window (suction cups are included!) so Baby can sleep and get the rest they need in order to be happy and content for the family vacation. 

#16 Sleeping bag

We’re trying to keep things as normal as possible for our little ones, so if you use a sleeping bag at home, bring it along on your trip!

SwaddleDesigns Baby Sleep Sack 0-6 months, Cotton Muslin Wearable Blanket with 2-way Zipper, Non-Weighted Sleeping Sack for Safer Sleep, Black Hedgehog, Small

For babies under 4 months, we recommend a swaddling sleeping bag to keep them cozy and comfortable. We are a big fan of the swaddle sacks with arms up since babies like to suck on their hands to soothe themselves.

We’ve been using this sleeping bag for Little Dragon until he was about 6 months and always took it along for overnight trips.

Pay attention to the weather at your destination. If you’re going to a place with a hot climate, think about bringing a sleeping bag in a light fabric such as muslin. For example, this really cute one with hedgehogs

#17 favorite Soft Toy

Our kids never batted an eye when we didn’t bring their favorite cuddle bear or blanket as a baby (that did change a lot when our daughter turned 3 though!). As we usually bedshare, they always just needed their moms close to being able to sleep well.

However, many kids are much more attached to their favorite soft toy and can’t sleep without it. In that case, it becomes one of the must-have baby travel items you should bring as leaving this behind could be disastrous!

#18 Portable High Chair (6months +)

You may be debating whether a travel high chair is really essential baby gear for travel, but if your kids are as messy and wriggly as our youngest, then it definitely is! 

It is hard enough to feed a baby in a new environment, but if they are sitting on your knee, can’t see you, and you’re trying to spoon feed them, it is pretty hard to keep clean, and calm.

Adding a portable high chair is key to a good restaurant experience with a baby but even if you’re just having a picnic, things just get so much easier.

There are many different types of travel high chairs, but both we and Jennifer from Backyard Travel Family went for the so-called ‘hook-on high chair’.

The Phil and Teds lobster saves the day when it comes to eating out with babies. 

This travel high chair is super compact. You can keep it under the passenger seat in the car and it is pretty lightweight, so you can bring it along in your suitcase as well.  It has two “claws” that clamp onto any surface that has a decent flat overhang.

You can use it at playgrounds or camping spots, attached to a picnic table, but it will also work in restaurants (with the right tables) and kitchen benches at your Air BnB.

Safety straps will hold them in, but what’s especially great is how deep the sides are.  There is no chance of a baby wriggling out of this high chair. It is easy to clamp on and off, and if you give it a push, it is as solid as a rock. 

#19 Inflatable Nursing Pillow (<6months)

I’m a breastfeeding mom and one of the things I love most is that you always have your baby’s food with you, wherever you go. You don’t need to bring anything else.

But that’s not to say there aren’t any breastfeeding essentials that can make your life easier. For Marta from Backpackers WRO, for example, an inflatable nursing pillow is one of her baby travel must-haves.

My Brest Friend Inflatable Travel Nursing Pillow For Breastfeeding, Bottlefeeding & Posture Support with Slipcover, Sparkles

At home, I always use the feeding pillow, and this is one of my favorite baby essentials.

Fortunately, inflatable feeding pillows were invented, which makes me feel even more comfortable when traveling. I am sure that I maintain a proper feeding position, and my little fellow feels safe and cozy as well.

The main benefits of an inflatable feeding pillow are that it is light, compact, and does not take up much space in our backpacks, as it has the size of a small book!

If you’re traveling by car and have enough room, you can always just bring your regular breastfeeding pillow. Especially when your little one is still a newborn, that pillow comes in handy for a lot of things.

#20 Travel Pump

Another one of those travel baby accessories when you’re breastfeeding, is a travel pump.

Maybe your partner is used to bottle-feeding your baby regularly? Or you’re planning on using babysitting services offered by your family or by the hotel? In those cases, bringing a travel pump is a necessity!

Whether you choose an electric pump or a manual pump is completely up to you. The former takes up more place, obviously. It all depends on how much you will need to pump and how easy your body gives up the milk if it’s not the baby hanging at your breast.

I’ve always been very happy with my Medela Maxi Swing , but it’s a little on the expensive side. So you can check out the ones below for more budget-friendly travel breast pumps.

Momcozy Breast Pump Hands-Free, Wireless Pump with Soft Double-Sealed Flange

Alternatively, you can always express milk manually. Just bring along one bottle that you can use to store it or – if you only want to use it in your baby’s bath or just throw it away – a plastic water bottle will work fine too. Some people have noticed their breasts give milk easier by hand-pumping than by using an electrical or manual pump.

#21 First Aid Kit

Another one of those indispensable items that should be in your baby travel kit is a first aid kit. Things tend to happen when you’re traveling with a little one – especially when they start crawling and walking.

First Aid Only 299 Piece All-Purpose Emergency First Aid Kit (FAO-442)

#22 Baby wipes

Contributed by Priyadarshini from Glorious Sunrise

Baby wipes are one of my favorite family travel tips as it’s the most important item I always pack when traveling with kids. They come in super handy especially in buses, trains, or flights to clean the surface before you seat your kids.

WaterWipes Plastic-Free Original-baby Wipes, 99.9% Water Based Wipes, Unscented & Hypoallergenic for Sensitive Skin, 60 Count (Pack of 9) Total 540 wipes, Packaging May Vary

In airplanes, when you change diapers for the little ones in the bathroom, wipe down the changing table before placing the changing mat.

On road trips, when the kids are done with their snacks, pass them a wipe to clean their hands and their seat. This helps in keeping the mess in the car and sticky car seats and sticky toys at the minimum.

Wipes help clean up the toys and pacifiers that inevitably fall when you are out and about.

Tip: Having baby wipes in a plastic bottle or travel-size pouch makes it easy for dispensing.

#23 Travel Potty

This might seem like a little early for a baby’s first year, but as we are big supporters of Elimination Communication, I felt that it did belong on this list. Ever since our daughter was 9 weeks old (and our son was only 10 days old!), we integrated listening to her signs about needing to go to the toilet into our daily lives.

It was all about communication, but not having to do ‘regular’ potty training was a big plus! She stopped wearing diapers at the age of 10 months and we were accident-free by 1,5 during the day and 2 at night. We used the Potette for a long time ourselves, both at home and while traveling.

Noelle from Diary of a Travel Family loved using the Potette travel potty as well when her kids were small.

Kalencom Potette Plus 2-in-1 Travel Potty and Trainer Seat – Dual-Purpose Potty Training Toilet Seat – Portable Potty for Toddler Travel – with Durable, Lock-in Legs and Splash Guard – Teal

The Potette folds up really small in its carry sack and comes with little disposable bags. It’s like throwing away a dog poo bag. Ew, I know. But hey, #parentlife. If you’re lucky enough to be by a bathroom when nature calls, the Potette’s sides fold out to fit on a regular toilet seat.

We think back fondly on all the places we used our Potette: near ancient ruins in Tulum, in bushes by the monkeys at the zoo, in the parking lot at Dollywood… so many memories.