What's the most important item to pack when travelling with a baby?

A portacot is essential for safe sleep in unfamiliar places. Many accommodation-provided cots can be unsafe or uncomfortable for young babies, so bringing your own ensures your little one has a secure sleep space.

Can I take a regular pram on a plane?

Regular prams typically need to go in checked baggage, which often voids warranties. A compact travel pram that fits carry-on requirements is better - you can use it right up to the gate and after landing.

How do I help my baby sleep in a new environment?

Bring familiar items like their usual sleeping bag or comfort toys that smell like home. A white noise machine can also help block out unfamiliar sounds and create a consistent sleep environment.

What if the accommodation doesn't have a high chair?

Pack a portable, foldable high chair if your baby is eating solids. In a pinch, you can use your travel pram as a makeshift high chair - just ensure your baby is sitting as upright as possible while eating.

When's the best time to travel with a ba

Try to align travel schedules with your baby's regular routine, especially nap times. This helps minimize disruption and makes the journey easier for everyone.

5 Baby Travel Essentials: A Checklist For Infants

Travelling with a baby, whether it’s to the Gold Coast or the grandparents, can be an exciting adventure. It can also be overwhelming when you factor in just how much stuff babies need. “It’s very normal to feel daunted about travelling with an infant,” says Baby Bunting quality assurance and compliance specialist, Rob Mastromanno. The key is to be prepared, do your research on where you’re staying, and invest in some baby travel essentials that really do make life on the road, in airports and hotel rooms that bit easier. To give you a hand, we’ve compiled a checklist of essential travel equipment for babies aged 0-12 months.

5 baby travel essentials

Every baby has their own personal needs, but this checklist will cover the basic travel necessities to help you and your little one feel more secure while heading out of your comfort zone.

1. Portacot

Why it’s essential: Just when you thought you had your baby in a good sleep routine, along comes jetlag or the need for a nap in an unfamiliar room. To make sure your baby has a safe and comfortable space to sleep, a portable cot is your go-to.

“A good portacot is so important for your final destination, be it a hotel, cabin or house, in case the ones that are supplied with accommodation are unsuitable [for a young baby] or uncomfortable,” says Rob.

When choosing a portacot, Rob says to look for one that has a firm but plush mattress, is lightweight and easy to put up and fold away and fits the size of your child. Consider a portacot that has a bassinet height for younger babies so it’s more comfortable if you’re patting them to sleep.

Baby travel tip: Bring your baby’s favourite sleeping bag or soothing music from home to create a familiar sleeping environment.

2. Compact travel stroller

Why it’s essential: Placing your average stroller in checked baggage may subject it to damage, so unless you’re travelling by car, Rob suggests leaving these at home.

“The key is to find a compact stroller which is small enough for carry-on allowance but is still easy to use and has adequate adaptability for your baby’s needs,” he says.

A great travel pram to consider is the Maxi Cosi Leya. It has an easy one hand fold with the belly bar doubling as a carry handle. It reclines to near flat for use with a baby, but impressively, boasts a great basket size, too.

Baby travel tip: A baby plane travel essential is a stroller that you can take inside the cabin. This allows you to remain hands-free all the way up to the gate and when you’ve disembarked. Just check with your airline about the approved dimensions for a stroller.

Try: Maxi Cosi Leya Ultra Compact Stroller Black

3. White noise machine

Why it’s essential: “A white noise machine is gold for helping your baby sleep at home, and since the devices are typically quite small, it makes sense to bring this with you,” says Rob. A must for any baby travel essentials list, a sound machine is useful for blocking out unwanted noise, such as siblings playing nearby or TV noise in a hotel room.

Baby travel tip: “When your baby is napping on the move, you can play similar white noise sounds from your phone to mimic the primary machine,” says Rob. Look up a white noise playlist on your music streaming service.

Try: Love To Dream Sound Machine

Ergopouch Driftaway Portable White Noise Machine Taupe

4. Lightweight baby carrier

Why it’s essential: Babies can sometimes feel unsettled in unfamiliar environments, so a baby carrier is essential for when you are on the go for keeping a cranky, overtired baby close for comfort.

“Having a carrier that is light and compact when stored and can fit in most nappy bags is fantastic for when you are travelling to areas where a stroller can’t go or when you need to be hands free,” says Rob.

Baby travel tip: Rob says, where possible, try to align your travel schedules to your baby’s regular schedule, particularly their nap times. Baby-wearing is a great way to soothe an overtired baby, whether on a long haul flight or waiting at the airport.

Try: Ergobaby All Position Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh Pearl Grey

5. Portable high chair

Why it’s essential: If your baby is eating solids, a reliable high chair is necessary but not always available in restaurants or holiday rentals. So, Rob suggests taking a foldable, portable high chair with you.
The Izimini Baby Chair is an excellent consideration if you plan to eat in unusual places, as it is a quick fold and stores into its own carry bag.
Baby travel tip: In a pinch, you can always use your travel pram as a makeshift high chair in a restaurant, hotel room or any other location. Just ensure your baby is as upright as possible while they’re eating.

Try: Izimini Baby Chair in Paloma

Other travel must-haves for baby

Having trouble packing? Tick off everything in our baby travel checklist.

The Final Word

Travelling with a baby doesn't have to be stressful. With the right essentials and planning, you can create familiar comforts for your little one wherever you go. Adapt these suggestions to suit your family's needs and enjoy making those first travel memories together.