Packing your diaper bag for travel with an infant

Curtis writes: "My wife and I will be flying cross-country, through three different airports, with our 8-month-old in a few weeks. Any advice on how to make the trip easier?"

Yes! I've spent plenty of time in airports with little ones and if I could provide one piece of advice it's "don't pack light." Load your diaper bag so you're ready for everything and anything. Consider it your changing table away from home, as well as baby entertainment center, and portable food court. Assign each compartment to a specific item so you don't have to go digging for things. Spending time trying to find your baby's pacifier, for instance, can quickly escalate into a crying crisis.

Plan for unexpected layovers and stock extra diapers, changes of clothes, baby wipes, diaper ointment, medication your baby may be taking, snacks, books, toys, a favorite blanket, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a hat for the baby, bottles and perishable food in freezer/fridge packs, and extra pacifiers in case you lose one (don't think you'll find the one your baby prefers in the airport's newsstand).

I like "The Baby Sherpa" diaper backpack (www.babysherpa.com), especially for traveling, because it has lots of compartments.

See our report on diaper bags, as well as our reports on car seats and strollers, for more advice about traveling with baby.

Comments

[Sandra Gordon]

Great tips! Thanks Robin!

[Robin Jankiewicz]

After several overnight trips missing wipes, or diaper rash creme, I finally thought to make a list of everything we need for an overnight trip on the computer. Now I simply print the list anytime we're ready for a trip. With a new baby, I feel I have ADHD, and this master list keeps me on track.

I use a different list for "going to the babysitter's house" which I stick in the pocket of the diaper bag. When the sitter wonders if we brought an extra sleeper, she can check the list herself before foraging through the bag.

[Clarissa's Mommy]

One Space Saving Idea

When packing powdered formula or other dry products, portion the amounts you need for each feeding into snack size zippered baggies. This way after the meal preparation is complete, you can discard the "container".