Even though I’d traveled a lot before kids, the thought of traveling with a baby felt like a whole different ballgame.
What if they cry the whole time? Where will they sleep? What do I even pack?
I was a nervous wreck before every single road trip and flight — until I finally got some practice in.
After taking road trips and flights with my baby to places like Las Vegas, San Diego, New Orleans, Orlando, Thailand, and the Philippines, I learned something big: babies are way more adaptable than we give them credit for. And it was way more doable (and fun) than I expected.
This post has the tips I wish I knew before our first trip. With a little prep, it really is possible to travel with a baby and enjoy it too.
Why Travel With a Baby?
This is the one time in your child’s life when they are happy just being with you. They don’t care where you go or what you’re doing. They’re not asking for souvenirs, snacks, or another stop like toddlers do. They’re just along for the ride.
You don’t have to skip the experiences you want. You can still enjoy nature walks, explore new cities, try local food, and take beautiful photos.
And the best part? You’ll be making memories as a family. Even if they won’t remember them, you will.
Best Tips for Traveling With a Baby
1. Pick Activities You’ll Enjoy (that Are Gentle Enough For a Baby)
This is the one time in your child’s life when they’re just happy to be with you — no whining, no demands, no detours. It might be your best shot at doing what you want to do (with only minimal compromise).
Some great low-stress ideas:
- Nature or city walks
- Shaded short hikes
- Relaxed beach cafes
- Farmer’s markets
- Outdoor museums or gardens
Skip high-adrenaline or complicated activities like zip lining or snorkeling unless you have a sitter.
One of our favorite baby-friendly destinations is San Diego. We’ve spent many weekends there with both babies, enjoying the stroller-friendly neighborhoods, easygoing beaches, wide open parks, and even hikes.
2. Bring a Carrier or Stroller (Trust Me, You’ll Use It)
You need one of these every single day while traveling.
- My favorite stroller for babies is the Doona. It converts from a car seat to a stroller in seconds and fits easily into cars and tight sidewalks.
- For carriers, my favorite baby carrier is the Ergobaby carrier. It keeps my hands free, it’s ergonomic, so I’m comfortable carrying the baby in it for long periods of time, and baby naps on me while I keep moving. I have even breastfed with a baby in the carrier and a nursing cover over me many times.
We used the carrier in Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and a stroller in Las Vegas and San Diego. When you’re child can’t walk or is only starting to walk, having either a carrier or a stroller (or both) is a non-negotiable.
3. Get Comfortable With Napping on the Go
Your baby might nap in a completely different way while traveling, and that’s normal.
On different trips, my babies have napped on-the-go:
- In carriers while we walked around a temple
- In strollers during beachside lunches
- In my arms while I drank coffee in a breezy café
I even breastfed my baby while she was in the carrier with a nursing cover over me while exploring places on foot. They usually fall asleep in the carrier this way too.
And a nap is a nap, even on-the-go. Once they’re well rested, they’re in a better mood and ready to take in the sights and sounds around them.
4. Decide Your Feeding Plan Before You Go
Are you breastfeeding? Using formula? Bottle feeding? Combo feeding?
Decide ahead of time what works best for you, so you know exactly what to pack: bottles, sterilizer, cooler bag, pump parts, or nursing covers.
After trying all three feeding methods on different trips, I realized exclusive breastfeeding was the easiest for me. I know it’s not for everyone. Most moms eventually find the method that feels most natural and makes sense for them and their family.
👉 See my post on how to feed a baby on vacation, including the pros and cons and how to pack for each option. (coming soon).
5. Keep Solid Meals Simple and Safe
If your baby is still milk-only, great. If they’re on solids, stick to soft, simple foods.
I used to overpack baby snacks, only to realize my baby was perfectly happy eating cucumber sticks at restaurants or soft fruit from a market stand.
Tips for solids on the go:
- Cut food long, thin, and soft to avoid choking
- Share bits of your meal when it makes sense
6. Skip the Toy Bag and Use Your Environment as the Entertainment
Babies are endlessly entertained by everyday objects. They’re probably better than anything you can pack at this age.
On my first flight with my oldest as a baby, I packed a bunch of toys and used barely any. Then with my second child as a 6-month-old baby, I brought zero toys. He played with a crinkly water bottle, looked at the pictures on the in-flight safety card, and shook an empty chip bag as a rattle.
Everything is new and exciting at this age — menus, mirrors, even your sunglasses.
He was completely fine with no toys. And when he wasn’t, I breastfed him, and then he was happy again (or napping).
7. Be Flexible
Don’t over-schedule your trip or try to check off every box to say you did it. With a baby, transitions take longer — feedings, diaper changes, naps, soothing. Just getting out the door can take twice as long as you expect.
There have been plenty of times we were ready to leave, and suddenly the baby had a blowout or wanted to nurse again. I’ve learned to take a deep breath, adjust the plan, and let go of the pressure to do everything.
Build in extra time and expect things to shift. The slower pace can actually make the trip more enjoyable.
What It’s Really Like Traveling With a Baby
You’ve read the tips, but here’s what it’s actually like.
We’ve taken babies on road trips across the U.S. and on international flights to Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. It felt overwhelming at first, but it got easier with each trip.
The biggest shift was confidence. Every time we traveled, I got more comfortable and realized that babies are more adaptable than we think.
Best Parts of Traveling With My Baby
- In New Orleans, my daughter had just started solids. I’ll never forget how excited I was when she tried Cajun rice and liked it.
- I loved that I could still do things I enjoyed, like eat where I wanted, take photos, and walk around — all while feeding and snuggling my baby. She often was just looking around or sleeping in our baby carrier.
The Tough Parts
In the first 6 months, it felt like feeding and diaper changes (and often outfit changes for me and baby) were so frequent that I could only do stuff in 2-3 hour sprints before my baby was fussy.
The hardest part of traveling with a baby for me was managing feeding, especially when I was pumping. Keeping milk cold and bottles clean took extra effort and logistical brain power that I wasn’t prepared for. I was always calculating how long we could be out for, when I would need to pump again, when the milk had to be used by. It was a lot.
Eventually, I switched to exclusively breastfeeding during trips, which made things simpler. There was less to pack, clean, and think about.
What Travel Felt Like at Each Baby Stage
0 to 4 months
They are tiny, sleepy, and easy to carry. But the spit-ups and blowouts are constant. I never left home without two backup outfits. Sleep is unpredictable, and exhaustion is real, but they mostly just eat, sleep, and snuggle. No chasing, no tantrums.
4 to 6 months
This is such a sweet spot. They are not mobile yet, naps are more predictable, and they’re happy to hang out in the carrier or stroller. You can enjoy more and stress less. If you’re considering a trip, this is when it started to feel manageable for us.
6 to 12 months
Now they’re curious and on the move. Everything is interesting, and everything goes in their mouth. It can feel like an obstacle course, but there are so many sweet, wide-eyed moments. It’s a mix of chaos and magic.
Tips for Traveling With a Baby on a Flight
- Feed during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure (but if your baby is sleeping, just let them sleep).
- Use a baby carrier at the airport so your hands are free for documents and luggage. I usually skip the stroller when it’s just me and baby.
- Pack snacks for entertainment, and cut them long and skinny to avoid choking hazards. If you forget snacks, airlines usually have something simple onboard.
- Check in everything except essentials for the flight:
- Diapers and wipes
- Snacks and 1–2 toys
- Extra change of clothes for baby and you
- Jacket or layers
- Electronics and chargers
- Leave the toys at home. Babies love random stuff — mine once spent 20 minutes happily crinkling a plastic water bottle and reading the in-flight magazine.
- Look for baby-friendly airport spots like family rooms, lounges, and nursing rooms. I love using the family room because it usually fits all of us plus our bags, and gives us space to reset before boarding.
- Change diapers before boarding — airplane bathrooms are tight.
- Overpack diapers and extra clothes, just in case of blowouts or spit-ups.
👉 See my full Flying With a Baby guide for everything you need to know before a flight.
Tips for Traveling With a Baby on a Road Trip
- Break the drive into 2–3 hour chunks for diaper changes, feedings, and to let your baby stretch out of the car seat.
- You can bottle-feed while driving, as long as it’s safe and someone else is in the backseat.
- Have one adult sit in the back with the baby if possible — that’s usually me. It makes feeding, soothing, or entertaining so much easier.
- Feed during stops when possible, especially if you’re breastfeeding or need to burp them.
- Use parks or rest stops for little picnics, diaper changes, or tummy time on a blanket.
- Keep your diaper bag and must-haves within reach, not buried in the trunk.
- Sunshades on windows help keep the backseat cool and nap-friendly.
- White noise or music can help them drift off while you drive.
FAQ: Traveling With a Baby
Final Thoughts: You Can Travel With a Baby
Traveling with a baby isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. With the right mindset and a little prep, your baby can be the easiest travel buddy you’ve ever had.
They don’t need entertainment, fancy meals, or packed itineraries. They just want you. And for a short window of time, that’s enough to make the whole trip special.
