After four flights and three road trips with my very active baby, I’ve learned a lot about what really works on the go. For our most recent cross-country plane trip I overpacked, but after a few trips I’ve distilled my travel diaper bag down to the essentials that actually make travel easier. Here are my top ten must-haves for surviving a day of travel with a baby.
1. Small Toy with Buttons — My son is fascinated by anything with buttons, and his curiosity often leads to him grabbing my phone. To avoid accidental calls or dropped devices, a simple calculator or a small toy with buttons keeps him entertained and safe.
2. Diaper Clutch — Airplane and gas station restrooms can be cramped and inconvenient. A compact clutch with just the necessities makes diaper changes faster and less stressful. I keep a few Pampers Swaddlers, a plastic bag for soiled items, wipes, a teether (he dislikes being changed), and an extra onesie in the clutch, plus a portable changing pad. Grab the clutch and pad and you’re ready to go.
3. Travel Pack of Pampers Wipes — Wipes are versatile: they clean baby during diaper changes, sanitize hands when sinks aren’t available, wipe down armrests and tray tables before baby touches them, and tidy up messes after snacks. The package can even serve as a quick distraction when needed.
4. Box of Tissues — This surprisingly simple trick has saved me more than once. Babies love pulling tissues out of a box, and the endless stream of tissues provides quiet, focused entertainment. I’m exploring reusable options for a greener approach, but a small tissue box tucked into your bag is a great short-term solution.
5. iPad — The tablet is my emergency saver. A few episodes of a baby-friendly show or a simple game like virtual bubbles gives me a few minutes to breathe when other distractions fail or when my child gets particularly upset.
6. A Favorite Book — Familiar, interactive books are comforting for babies. I pack one of his go-to books to pull out during fussiness. He enjoys turning pages (and occasionally tasting them), and a favorite book brings structure and calm to a hectic travel day.
7. Veggie Puffs or Dry Cereal — Finger foods like puffs or cereal are easy to manage on the go. They keep little hands busy and provide a snack without the mess of purees or full meals. Spilled cereal is much easier to clean up than puree on your clothes or the airplane seat.
8. Small Plastic Container — I keep the smaller items—snacks, teethers, tissues, and small toys—organized in a compact container. It prevents rummaging through the bottom of the bag and gives baby a fun activity: emptying and refilling the container repeatedly.
9. Formula Dispenser — For formula-feeding families, a pre-measured formula dispenser is a game changer. We pack empty bottles and, after passing security, buy a bottle of room-temperature water to mix on the go. These dispensers make bottle prep quick and mess-free while traveling.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
If you have travel tips that work for your baby, I’d love to hear them. What do you always pack in your diaper bag when you’re on the move?
This post was created in partnership with Pampers. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep the Studio DIY content going.