Everything You Need When Traveling with a Toddler AND a Baby!

Everything You Need When Traveling with a Toddler AND a Baby!

January 7, 2025

Everything You Need When Traveling with a Toddler and a Baby

Traveling with your kids is one of the best things you can do for them (and for your whole family!). There are so many studies that highlight the benefits of traveling with your babies and toddlers, and you guys know I am a huge advocate for it (I wrote all about it here!). But let’s be real—it can be a bit challenging, especially on those looooong travel days with two kiddos in tow. The secret to a stress-free trip? Preparation is everything! With the right gear (hello Mary Poppins bag full of allll the best travel toys), snacks, and all the must-haves below, you’ll be set for smooth sailing on your next adventure as a family. You’ve got this!

STROLLERS, CAR SEATS, AND OTHER GEAR

The Travel Stroller we Use: We often use the MINU – and use it as a single stroller so far because we can plop my baby’s car seat right on to it, or if my toddler wants to use the stroller we’ll put the baby in her carrier and him in the stroller. We also have a handy piggyback for him to ‘ride on’ when she’s on the stroller (linked below). I’m starting to think we don’t really need a double travel stroller yet (we love our double stroller at home though) A lightweight, foldable stroller and a comfortable baby carrier is the perfect combo for navigating airports and most travels!

Uppababy Piggyback Board: This piggyback board is great if you are traveling with a baby AND a toddler! There will be times where baby will need to be in the stroller, and if the toddler doesn’t want to walk, this is a great way for him or her to ride along in a safe (and fun!) way.

Lightweight Infant Car Seat: Some of those infant car seats are incredibly heavy, so I highly recommend using something more lightweight for travel days like this one! You don’t need to pack the base while traveling – it hooks right onto the seat in taxis, airplane seats, etc! Making it super easy to travel with for an infant. Some people also swear by the Doona but we decided it wasn’t for us!

Toddler car seat – we bring this with us if we’re planning on using taxis, cars, etc depending on where we’re going. If we’re just getting from the airport to the hotel, however, we try to book the hotel transportation have a car seat for us so we don’t have to bring! And if you’re renting a car you can usually rent one with a car seat too. Also, if you’re going to a city in the US, you can plan ahead and schedule ubers with a car seat (we did this in Miami) but it’s worth noting you can only request one! not two.

A Comfortable Baby Carrier: With both of my babies, this is the exact carrier brand we have – it’s crazy expensive, but in my opinion worth every penny!!! so easy on your back! you can get $50 off with this link

Tushbaby: Not only will this genius innovation save your back, but it also has organized pockets for alllll the things (think IDs, passports, pacifiers, etc.!).

Stroller Fan: A stroller fan is a MUST when traveling with a baby or toddler. Just look at how relaxed and cool Hadley is sleeping on a lounge chair in Mexico!! All thanks to her own personal fan.

Stroller Bag Hooks: The amount of bags you need to have with you when traveling with a baby or toddler is… well, it’s a lot! These stroller bag hooks are a lifesaver.

SLEEPING

Travel Crib: Most hotels provide cribs, but bringing a travel crib ensures you have a familiar sleep space for your baby or toddler, no matter where you stay. We have tried a few different ones and love this one! It’s super easy to set up and take down, is lightweight, AND comes with its own bag for travel. Win, win!

Slumberpod: Okay y’all, this one is a GAME. CHANGER. We didn’t start using this with Harrison until he was 1, and I wish we had done it sooner! We now don’t travel without it. This creates a blackout space for your baby so that you can still have lights on and move around the room without disturbing baby during nap or bedtime, and they can get a GREAT night’s sleep on vacation.

Portable Sound Machine: This portable sound machine from Hatch is one of my baby ESSENTIALS that I simply cannot live (or travel) without!

FEEDING

Hands Free Breast Pump: Let’s face it, when you’re on the go, you simply do not have time to be plugged into a wall for 20 minutes to pump every three hours! This hands free pump from Elvie is THE BEST.

Breastfeeding Cover: I absolutely looooove this breastfeeding shaw cover from Cocoon! It is SO chic, you literally can’t even tell it’s for breastfeeding. chic breastfeeding cover

Breastmilk Storage Container: Stressing about keeping your breastmilk chilled and fresh when traveling? You need this breastmilk storage container! It keeps milk cold for up to 20 hours.

For the Airplane + Transportation

Stokke BedBox
What we have to turn our toddler’s airplane seat into a bed! Perfect for longer flights once your toddler has their own seat. And I put all of his toys and games in there, too, so he has it all! He also loves pullling it around the airport himself (and can ride on it too!)

Toddler Car Seat
A compact and travel-friendly car seat to keep toddlers safe and secure at your destination (or in-flight!)

Soft Onesies (with a Double Zipper)
Ideal for easy diaper changes and comfort during the flight.

Window Spinner Toys
Keeps little ones entertained on the plane and can be reused at your destination.

A busy book for your baby and toddler

Extra Pacifiers
Always bring extras—these get dropped or lost easily during travel.

Extra teethers

If your baby is anything like mine, she or he is obsessed with teethers. This is my baby’s current favorite!

Extra Outfit Changes (Packed in Ziplocs)
Organize each outfit in gallon-sized Ziploc bags for easy access and cleanliness.

Sanitizing Wipes
Essential for cleaning airplane surfaces, hands, and other items.

Your Baby + Toddler’s Favorite Books
Bring familiar and new books to keep them entertained (and feeling at home!!) during your family travels.

Diapering Essentials

Chic Diaper Bag or Tote
Stylish and functional tote “catch-all” bags that fit all your baby essentials are key to any mom travel day. Here are my picks for a designer ‘diaper bag’ that is anything but.

Super Absorbent Diapers
High-quality diapers to prevent leaks during long travel days. These are hands down the BEST. $10 off with my link!

Baby Wipes
Pack extra wipes for international travel. Yes, you can get them at your destination, but I like to have our favorite brand on hand!

Disposable Changing Pads
Ideal for changing your baby in less-than-clean places.

First Aid

Be sure to pack child-specific medications (e.g., fever reducers, motion sickness remedies) along with saline spray, antiseptic wipes and band-aids.
This is my favorite baby medicine made clean! I don’t use Tylenol anymore if I can help it, we only use this brand because it’s made without synthetic dyes and flavoring! No red 40 dyes!!