Baby Travel Gear

Without proper safety, you may as well stay home. Having safety in place and the basic needs set such as feeding, changing, napping, and security take precedence over anything.

Portable Crib or Pack ‘n Play

For overnight stays or nap times on the road, a portable crib or Pack ‘n Play provides a familiar and safe sleeping environment for your baby. Babies rarely like to sleep out of their own bed so if you have a pack n play at home, bring it.

The good thing about pack n play’s is they are meany to fold up and be pretty compact. Have the same bedsheets and blanket so it’s a comfortable space for the baby.

Diaper Bag and Trunk Organizer

Pack a diaper bag with diapers, wipes, diaper cream, changing pad, and extra clothing for those inevitable messes and surprises along the way.

I can’t stress this enough, get an overhanging back of trunk organizer and pack it with all this stuff, then just use the diaper bag for literally, the minimum needs for being away from the car.

I can’t stand having a huge diaper bag. Pack the diaper bag or even a regular backpack with the least amount of diapers and food and leave everything else in the car in that overhanging trunk organizer. You will thank yourself and you’ll pack lighter.

Personally, instead of a bulky diaper bag I always used some sort of lightweight travel backpack with tons of compartments like those from Eagle or Patagonia brand.

Feeding Essentials

Formula or Breast Milk

Bring an ample supply of formula or breast milk in insulated containers to keep it fresh during the journey. Don’t forget bottles, nipples, and a bottle warmer for feeding on the go.

Bottle Cleaner

This is important to always, always clean the bottles. Have some extra water packed in your car, a little baby bottle brush, and a small travel size cleaner. If you can’t access those items or don’t have a place to wash bottles, then you can use one of these fizzy drops with some water to clean the bottles, roadside.

High Quality Cooler

It is absolutely necessary for any milk and food that needs refrigeration to be stored in a quality cooler like a YETI, or in a portable car fridge that is compact and has a cold setting.

A small, but super quality cooler is worth every penny to keep milk or items cold. Less expensive coolers simply do not keep cold for very long. I am not crazy about the price of this Yeti cooler, but I always use it for road trips and we have a few at this point. We never waste food or milk using really good coolers.

Baby Food and Snacks

Pack a variety of baby food pouches, snacks, and finger foods to keep your little one satisfied and happy during the trip. A hungry child can be a cranky child (I don’t blame them) so you have to have snacks galore.

Opt for mess-free options with less crumbs for easy cleanup. Always stop for snack times and give time to eat and digest the food a little before getting in the car. This can help baby feel satisfied and much less fussy.

Feeding Supplies

Don’t forget essentials like bibs, burp cloths, and spill-proof cups to make feeding time a breeze while on the road.

This munchkin spill proof cup works very well and a snack cup is much needed. It’s the small things that keep things cleaner and the kids happy. For some reason, seems like babies love to grip and hold the handles of the snack containers and they can easily feed themselves with the simple designs.

Comfort and Entertainment

Favorite Toys and Comfort Items

Bring along your 1-2 of your baby’s favorite toy, stuffed animal, or comfort items to keep them entertained and comforted during the journey.

Consider toys that are easy to clean and won’t pose choking hazards. Never have toys or items with small pieces with your baby during a road trip. They have sharp teeth and can bite possible chocking hazards.

I always say you should have 2-3 toys that are very engaging, interactive, or make sounds.

Then have one that is for relaxation or nap. In addition, books can tend to put some babies to sleep so some favorite books is important to have in the car.

Lastly, have a backseat toy…something that is in front of them that they can easily reach. A lot of times these are attached to the backseat of the car, that is facing the baby. There are also arch toys that arch across the top of the infant car seat.

Do not offer every toy at once, rotate and switch it up after every break time.

Have a little carrier in the car for these toys and books so it’s not messy and cluttered.

Travel Music or White Noise Machine

This is only essential if your baby requires white noise for their naps at home.

Recreate the soothing environment for naps and bedtime with a travel-friendly music player or white noise machine. Familiar sounds can help your baby feel relaxed and secure during the trip.

The one I used for those baby moments was a shusher and made a shush sound or ocean sounds. It was best when my baby was tiny and soon enough the lull of the driving car is enough to get them restful.

Sunshade and Window Shades

Essential! Protect your baby from the sun’s rays and glare by installing sunshades or window shades in the car. Opt for shades that are easy to install and adjust as needed.

I use stick on shades!

Believe me, these are amazing and are so super easy to put on the windows. Babies get annoyed with sunlight in their face when trying to nap or sometimes it’s just so bright or hot.

I highly recommend these kinds of shades for the van or car. Put them on after a rest stop and you know your baby is almost due for a nap or just needs relax time.

No road trip with baby checklist is complete without proper window shades.

Health and Safety

Baby First-Aid Kit

Be prepared for minor emergencies with a baby first-aid kit stocked with essentials like infant pain reliever, thermometer, adhesive bandages, and antiseptic wipes. It doesn’t have to be a big kit, can just be a small travel size depending on the length of your journey.

I’ll tell you my most important MUST…the nose aspirator. For runny noses, it’s just a major must have to have something to clear the nose. The Nose Frieda is my favorite for babies, but bring the one you like the most. Do not forget this item.

Medications and Baby Supplies

Bring any prescribed medications, vitamins, or special baby supplies your little one may need during the trip. Keep them easily accessible in your diaper bag or car console.

Emergency Contact Information

Keep a list of emergency contacts, including pediatricians, family members, and roadside assistance, handy in case of unexpected situations.

Practical Considerations

Diaper Changing Station

Create a makeshift diaper changing station in your car with a portable changing pad or disposable changing pads for quick and convenient diaper changes on the go.

Doggie pee pee pads or chuck pads make some of the BEST changing pads when on a road trip with baby. Just place it under baby, change, wipe, and wrap it all up in the pee pee pad.

Place in a trash bag and you’re golden. I have used these everywhere and they are great for a variety of uses.

Can I tell you…I changed blow-out baby poop in the backseat and front seats many times. Very awkward spots to change!!

So the pee pee pads were 100% lifesavers because there always seems to be a bit of a mess and the pee pee pads are disposable…no stink, no mess, simple and fast clean up.

Trash Bags and Wet Wipes

Keep your car tidy and organized with trash bags and wet wipes for quick cleanups of spills, messes, and discarded items. I keep a roll of small trash bags handy, and they do come in so very handy!

You definitely can not leave home without wipe and small trash bags.

Extra Clothing and Blankets

Pack extra clothing, blankets, and layers to keep your baby comfortable in changing temperatures and weather conditions along the route.

This is such a must have. Pack them into that back of the trunk hanging organizer I told you about in the start of this article.

Especially if you are going through cold, rainy, or snowy locations you need extra warm socks, hoodies, and blankets in the car for safety, security, and warmth. Never have baby in the car seat with a jacket on so you need those extra socks and booties to have them comfortable as necessary.

Sunscreen

Essential! The sun can get fierce in different locations and never underestimate how quickly baby skin will react to straight and harsh sun. In addition to the window shades, gentle baby sunscreen should go in your trunk travel organizer for easy access.

Portable Car Vacuum

It is so, so, so much nicer to travel and suck up the dirt every rest stop to keep the vehicle more tidy. A portable vacuum will be your best and most used road trip essential with baby.

Of the road trip with baby checklist, this is one of the TOP! A cluttered, sandy, messy, crumbly van or car floor full of muffin bits and cracker dust can be mentally irritating.

You’ll have better peace of mind when you don’t have to see the crumbs on the floor pile up. Plus, it’s just cleaner for hanging out in the car when baby wants to roam free during breaks.