Traveling With Toddlers & Babies - What To Pack

In January of 2022, I decided to do something a little crazy - to travel to Disney World by myself with my 1 year old. Yes, this may not be deemed "crazy" to others, but nonetheless, it was crazy to me and my husband. I knew I wanted those memories with her even if she wasn't going to remember the trip. I am SO glad we did it, but I can't lie and say that it was necessarily the easiest thing I've ever done.

I spent the next couple of days researching: what to pack for babies, travel hacks for moms, baby needs at Disney World, etc. The list goes on. It was overwhelming to say the least. Every post had a different opinion, different experience, different perspective. In the end though, it was all so helpful. I knew that if I was ever going to travel again though, I needed a condensed list. I brought WAY too much; I learned the ropes; I had a couple of mom fails - but in the end - I created a list of my own that I think could help the next mom (or dad or family) that needs to travel with a baby/toddler.

Carry - On / Diaper Bag

• Blankets or some type of cover - not only for baby, but I needed this too. Those flights can be COLD!

• Diapers and wipes

• Extra pair of clothes for baby

• Clothes for what you plan to do that day (park day, shopping, pool etc.) - our room wasn't ready when we arrived so this helped me be able to change her clothes for a day at the park while we left our bags at the hotel! Also helped me not have to dig through luggage or other bags to find what I needed.

• Changing pad

• Toys - I bought a couple of new Target dollar section toys so they kept her interest as she had never seen them before.

• Pacifiers or teething toys

• Copy of Birth Certificate - not all airlines need it, and they didn't ask for hers, but next time I'll have it on hand in case.

• Snacks - PLENTY of snacks. She really enjoyed applesauce and fruit pouches.

• Tylenol, Motrin, etc. Whatever medicine you are used to giving your child.

• Plastic Bag - I was able to put her dirty clothes in this when I changed her. Helped me not have to dig through clothes to get to things in her diaper bag throughout the day.

If You're Pumping / Breastfeeding

• Breast Pump

• Milk Storage Bags

• Breast pump sanitizing wipes or bags (although I wasn't pumping I still used these to clean bottles throughout our trip).

If Baby is Formula - Fed

• Bottles

• Formula

• Formula storage containers - this was a lifesaver for me. I was able to carry just the storage containers filled with formula, and kept the big can of formula in our checked luggage. I did 2 storage containers because I knew we were going straight to the park when we arrived.

• Water bottles - I will say, I just purchased water bottles throughout the day instead of worrying about carrying a water bottle everywhere we went.

For Mom

• Change of Clothes - again, I made sure I had clothes to change into when we arrived and our room wasn't ready yet. Ohio in January and Florida in January are VERY different.

• Phone and portable charger

• ID, credit cards, etc.

• Disinfecting Wipes

• Hand sanitizer

Again, you may not use all of these, and you may need more! But when we go again this summer, I will definitely re-follow my plan.

My best piece of advice - DON'T OVERTHINK IT. Enjoy the trip, create the memories, have some fun!