So you already know better than to leave home without your baby’s travel bag, but you might not be sure of all the assorted accoutrements you might want to carry just in case you run into problems along the way. There are often so many items we would like to take but there’s only so much room in the bag. If you are having trouble deciding on what to take, here are ten items that can be handy for just about any baby or any situation.
Diapers – This is one thing you can’t afford to be without when you are traveling with your little one. Even if you are only going to be away for a short time, you just never know when an accident will occur. Two or three diapers won’t take up much space and can really save the day in a sticky situation.
Baby/anti-bacterial wipes – While not always a necessity, for those really messy situations, they can sure be helpful. They are also nice for wiping dirty areas before you baby is exposed to them.
Plastic bags – You might be wondering why plastic bags are on the list, but they can come in handy for all sorts of situations. When you have a dirty diaper and nowhere to throw it away, when you need a place to put toys or other trinkets that might be dirty or a soiled outfit, or just to put general garbage, a few grocery store-sized plastic bags can do the trick.
Water/distilled water – Having a bottle of water on hand can be useful for a number of reasons. If you need to mix a bottle of formula, if your little one is thirsty, or just to use for wiping hands, face, etc. a small bottle of either regular or distilled bottle water can do the trick.
Formula – If you have water on hand, then some extra formula (pre-portioned for a particular bottle size) can also be a good item to have for your travel bag. A hungry baby is an unhappy baby, and an unhappy baby makes for unhappy parents.
Toys – A few small toys can make for good distractions at restaurants or while in the car, and if they can be fit inside your bag, they will be good items to have on hand. Pick out something you know will entertain your little one since space is at a premium and you most likely won’t have much room for many extra items.
Blanket – This is an item, much like toys, that while it can eat up any extra space in your baby’s travel bag, it could come in handy for soothing baby or keeping him or her warm. Look for a blanket that is thin enough to find in the bag, yet still warm enough to keep baby comfortable.
Extra outfit – An extra outfit, maybe even two, can be a real lifesaver when it comes to those diaper blowouts. When you have a super-soaked outfit, a screaming baby, and nothing to change him or her into, you’ll realize just how important an extra outfit in baby’s travel bag can be.
Bibs/placemats – Whether you are going out for a meal or just feeding your baby a snack, a bib can help keep them clean and dry, as well as protecting whatever cute little outfit they are wearing. Baby placemats are good for restaurants, where you might want to lay things out for him or her to eat but are concerned about the germs that might be found on the restaurant’s tabletop. Some placemats even come with suction cups to keep them in place and baby from moving or pull them off.
Snacks/favorite treat – Keeping little bags or a container of treats or snacks can help calm baby when he or she is hungry or for those inopportune meltdowns that come before dinner. It never fails that when you are in the worst place possible, when there is no food for miles, that baby’s tummy starts to growl. Even just a couple of crackers or bits of their favorite cereal can do the trick.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. Any action taken by the reader due to the information provided in this article is at the reader’s discretion.
