Packing and Hot Tips for a Trip Away with a Baby, a Toddler and a Dog!
We love to travel but travel with kids is so different to travelling solo or as a couple! With restrictions on travel lifting I thought I would share my travel packing list - Noting that you will always forget at least 1 thing!
Sometimes going away can seem more work than it is worth but packing well can make a trip easier on life when you arrive. Below are our hottest tips and my packing list for a 3.5year old, an 8 month old and the 2 yr old dog.
Hot Tip - Soft Bags - We pack smaller soft bags for each individual rather than suitcases so they are more malleable in the boot and each person can find their own stuff.
Hot Tip - Laundry - Once we arrive, we dedicate 1 spot for everyones dirty laundry and one of the above soft bags becomes just a laundry bag so when you get home, it’s all together and goes straight in the machine, meaning no sorting it from your leftover clean clothes.
Hot Tip - Cleaner - If you have one, get them to come while you are away, there is nothing better than coming home from a holiday to a beautiful clean house!
Hot Tip - Woolies - Online food shopping saves my life weekly but even more so when returning from a holiday! Plan for a food delivery to come a good couple of hours after you are scheduled to get back home (in case of delays) so you are stocked up for the week ahead and you can keep your relaxation buzz on!
Travel Packing List
Travel crib - I like the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib - Lightweight and easy to set up with a mattress that doesn’t feel like a rock under the baby.
Stroller - Rather than the big Bugaboo taking up all of our boot space, we have started using a Mountain Buggy stroller for short trips. Folds smaller for more luggage space.
Baby Food - Baby cereal, pre-made food and a selection of pouches for on the run, washable bowls, bibs, spoons etc.
Bumbo - If you have a little one and you have a Bumbo style seat the can be great to take with you for feeding times if the place you are staying can’t give you a highchair.
Toddler Snacks - Easy to open and store packets of pretzels, baby aisle snacks, bananas and other fruit, nothing too sugary if you have a drive ahead of you!
Nappies - Always take more than you need for each child!
Wipes - As above but extra so you can wipes down public tables and hotel room stuff!
First Aid - Sudocrem / Band Aids / Panadol / Thermometer / Baby Soap / Brush / Toothbrushes / Toothpaste - My just in case stash!
Pool Bag - Always good to keep this one packed and seperate so when you want to go to the beach you can grab it and go. Swimmers & towels / Swim nappies / googles and pool toys.
Water bottles - For each child and Mum & Dad!
Milk - If Breastfeeding, Breast pump and bottle and milk storage bags - I usually don’t need it as we are attached at the hip but I always feel comforted in having it with me just in case. Bottles / Formula if you are formula feeding.
Books and Toys - Toddlers in particular always find a way to be bored even on the most exciting of holidays! Also pack a couple of Board Games for after dinner.
Floor Play - Foam Mat / Something for baby to play on - Some hotels don’t have rugs particularly post Covid, so you may need a baby play area.
SLEEP!!! Always most important! Sound machines, shusher, gro clock, sleep sack / blankets - Anything that replicates your home sleep environment!
Clothes / PJ’s - Extras for options / weather and in case of spills or blowouts!
Think of the Elements - Hats / Beanies / Sunscreen / Bug Spray
Nappy Bag - Well stocked - For heading out and about.
Electronics - Phone chargers / laptops etc in case you need to do something for a work emergency although we really try not to!
Dog if you are taking one will need food - individual zip bags per day, bed / crate, poo bags, leash / harness / any medicines.
Before Leaving
Clean and Feed Fish - Make sure you have someone coming to feed them at least every other day!
Garbage out - Don’t want a stinky house when you come back!
Remove food from fridge - Same reason as above!
Turn everything off - a/c / lights etc
Enjoy your trip! Yes you will forget something and have to run to a store but the above is a good start. I’ll keep updating this post as we refine our packing game.
Covid really has changed the travel game with our overseas plans scrapped, but how good is it that we can explore our own great country. We have just done Jervis Bay and Nelsons Bay, next up QLD now that we are allowed in!
Hope the advice above helps you have a successful trip.
Peta xo