Here’s a copy of my packing-list for my 2.5-year-old toddler as well as my 8-month-old baby for a 3-week-long vacation in Mexico. Keep in mind that we’re staying at my parents’ home while we’re away, not a resort that is fully equipped with baby crap, so we’re basically bringing the whole damn kit and kaboodle. Still, it’s a great starting point for anyone who is freaking out over what to pack for a vacation avec les bébés. If anything, you’ll need LESS than what you see here, not more!

GEAR

• Travel Cribs (2)
• Car Seats (2)
• Travel High Chair
• Umbrella Stroller (check at the gate!)
• Manual Breast pump
• Sound Machine
• Baby Monitor

STUFF

• Crib Sheets (2)
• Big Brim Sun Hats (1 per baby)
• Bathing Suits
• Swim Diapers (although depending on your destination, you can probably buy upon arrival)
• Squeezie Food Packs (I like the Love Child ones… planned for 1 or 2 per day for baby)
• Mum-Mums (for baby)
• Toodle O’s (for baby)
• Bottles (1 per kid)
• Sippy Cups (1 per kid)
• Diapers (I’m only bringing enough to get me through the travel day and then purchasing a box there)
• Favourite toy or 2 (for my son this is mini hockey sticks, 2 balls, 1 stuffy and a motorbike & Sophie the Giraffe for the baby of course)
• Lightweight sleep sacks (1 or 2 per kid)
• Muslin blankets (so multi-functional! I’m bringing 4)
• Infant wash cloths (a handful)

BABY PRODUCTS

• Baby/Kid Sunscreen (check expiry date on what you used last summer)
• Soap/Shampoo (2 in 1 is ideal!)
• Benadryl
• Infant/Kid Tylenol
• Toddler Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Wipes
• Breast pads

CLOTHING

*Do not go crazy – They will often be naked or in their water gear*

• Onesies (for the baby)
• Shorts
• T-shirts/Golf shirts (the latter I consider to be “fancy” toddler clothes for dinners out)
• 2 pairs long pants per kid
• 2 long sleeve shirts per kid
• 1 hoodie per kid (wear on flight)
• 1 wind breaker for toddler (wear on flight)
• 2 pairs of sandals (only if they’re walking – babies, don’t bother)
• 1 pair of runners (wear on flight)
• a couple pairs of socks

CARRY-ON BAGS

#1 INFANT DIAPER BAG

*Don’t stress about liquids. Babies get special privileges at security so feel free to bring their water/formula/milk in a cooler bag as well if you need

• Change Pad (fill with diapers & wipes for easy airport/airplane access)
• 1 diaper per hour of travel
• Light blanket
• 1 change of clothes for baby (make sure there’s a short sleeve onesie in there for arrival)
• 1 change of shirt for mom (because someone is likely going to puke on you or get food on you or pee on you or poo on you)
• 2 squeeze food packs + spoon
• Spare soother
• Ring sling (great for in-flight napping/nursing & maneuvering airports if baby wants to be held)
• 1 or 2 baby wash cloths
• My sunglasses (’cause I’ll need them when I get off the plane)

#2 TODDLER CARRY-ON

• Sticker book
• Play Doh starter set (4 small things of Play Doh and a few “tools”)
• Diapers or spare undies
• Snacks (banana, squeeze pack, goldfish etc)
• Water bottle + Milk Bottle (sucking and swallowing during ascent/descent will help their ears)
• Change of clothes (consider throwing a pair of shorts in too for arrival)

#3 YOUR CARRY-ON

• Lap Top or Tablet with your kid’s favourite show downloaded on it (make sure you don’t need Wifi to access downloads!)
• PASSPORTS (yes, even infants need one)
• Letter of Consent (if you’re travelling solo with your kids)
• Chap Stick
• Hair Elastics
• Sandals for arrival
• Pen 😉

I know it sounds like a lot, but we managed to squeeze all our crap into 2 regular sized suitcases. Remember that travel cribs have a shit-ton of space where you can shove things like food, crib sheets, shoes, etc. If you’re staying at a resort, you can arrange for a cot to be set up in your room for you and if you’re taking arranged transportation to a hotel, it’s up to you whether or not you want to bring your car seats. We’re going for at least 3 weeks and we’re always whipping up and down in our rental car, so for us, it was a no brainer to bring them.

So that’s it! Happy Trails!

xx

N.