When we are travelling alone or as a couple, it is easier to pack and get going as we need bare minimum travel essentials.
When we are travelling with a baby/toddler, we need to be prepared for all situations, even for ourselves.
We, moms get so busy packing up for kids & family that amidst all the hustle, we miss couple of things for ourselves. And we realize it only when we need it on the trip.
I used to think I have it all covered as I am carrying my bag (rather my things in my toddler’s bag) but over the trips, I realized that I tend to forget a thing or two. I kept adding them in my ‘Travel Essentials’ checklist ( I live by Checklists for everything) and lately I have all that I need.
Keep reading to know my actual checklist of travel essentials which I tally before stepping out of the house, even for a short trip.
- Hand Sanitizer &Mask – this obviously has to be on top of the list given the current pandemic situation.
- Phone & Charger – cannot step out of the house without these else how will you click cute pictures of your baby
- Wallet/Purse – even if husband is carrying his wallet with all the debit & credit cards, you cannot travel without your ID card
- Earphones – for the time when the kid is asleep and you can get some ‘me time’
- Book – if you are a reader like me, enjoy the quite time with your book as kids sleep a lot in travel
- Sunglasses – it is difficult to drive or sit in co-passenger seat when those sun rays are piercing your eyes. Anyways cannot step out in sun without shades.. haha
- Sunscreen – need it most if you are travelling in a car as you get most sunburn from the rays coming in through window glass
- Face wipes – cannot wash your face on the go thus face wipes to make you feel fresh
- Touch up kit – a kajal pencil and a lipstick is all you need to look super fresh after a long journey
- Comb & an extra hair tie/clutch – you won’t find the favorite hair tie on your wrist when you need it the most. So it’s always best to carry another one that fits.
- Sanitary Pads & Disposal Bags – at times, you time it right but period doesn’t. So be prepared always. I use Diaper Disposal Bags as they are pretty convenient and hygienic.
- Toilet Seat Sanitizer – you don’t want to catch a UTI using all those public washrooms.
- Hand-wash – you can’t touch a baby if you had spicy food or peri peri fries without washing your hand. Sanitizer or wet wipes don’t do the job. TRUST ME!
- Hand-towel – a small hand towel can be used in multiple ways when you are travelling with the baby or toddler.
- Neck Pillow – if you are a snoozer like me, neck pillow is your savior.
- Extra Clothes – carry an extra pair to get out of wet top after spill accidents
- Stole/Shawl – for early mornings & evening when the weather becomes cold or if you have a sweaty baby like us who needs AC on full blast but you can’t take it.
- Snacks & Water – there is no fun in travelling if you don’t have enough munchies (including the junk)
- Mouth freshener – we either carry gum or mouth freshener to avoid stinking breath after a long travel
- First Aid Kit – don’t forget to carry the medicines for headache, nausea, indigestion, cold & flu. You never know what hits you on the road.
Both, I & my husband love to travel and explore different places. We have been to so many places before we had our kid and plan to do so even with him.
We took our first flight with him when he was just 3 months old and then hit the pandemic but that gave us an excuse to take the road trips with him. And I don’t regret any one of those.
𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 ‘Travel Essentials’ 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟? Let me know in the comments an item from your checklist which I may need on my next trip.
For your baby, this Ultimate Diaper Bag Checklist will save the day!!
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are solely based on author’s experience. Please do not consider it as professional advice.