Car Travel with Baby

Items such as a travel high chair, a nursing pillow, and even a bottle warmer might seem like bulky over-packing at first. However, if you have space in the car, prioritizing all things eating and sleeping may help baby stick to his routine.

What to Pack

Sleeping

Pack ‘n Play or travel crib
Sheets for Pack ‘n Play or travel crib (2)
Swaddle blankets, or a wearable blanket (1-2)
Favorite stuffed animal, lovey, or blanket
Thin, light paper books for bedtime stories
Baby monitor, if desired
iPod and portable speaker, if desired
Night light, if desired

Baby clothing

Pajamas, shirts, pants, playsuits, shoes, and socks for duration of trip
Special clothes for church, holidays, or photos, such as tights, hair bows, shoes, and bow ties
Cold weather: coats, jackets, hats, gloves, winter bunting, stroller sack
Warm weather: light jacket, sun hat, sun shirt, bathing suit, swim diapers

Diapering

Diapers for the duration of your trip (8-12 per day, depending on baby’s age)
Wipes, at least one large pack for your suitcase and a travel pack for the diaper bag
Travel changing pad
Diaper cream (expect diaper rashes while traveling, due to distractions and other caregivers changing baby)

Bathing

Baby washcloths (2-3)
Baby soap or shampoo in a small travel bottle
Small bath toys for older babies and toddlers

Health and grooming items

Put in a reusable bag

Thermometer
Infant pain reliever, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, for older babies (if you bring it, you won’t need it)
Saline drops and a suction bulb, if desired
Nail clippers and files
Baby lotion, if desired (in a small travel bottle)
Hair brush, if desired
Cold weather: lip balm or cream for chapped lips and faces
Warm weather: baby sunscreen

Feeding

Nursing pillow with slipcover, if desired
Burp cloths (3-5, depending on length of stay)
Breast pump and accessories, if breastfeeding. Don’t forget this item, even if you don’t pump much at home. Babies are notoriously finicky eaters while traveling, and you don’t want painful clogged ducts or mastitis to ruin your trip.
Formula, if formula feeding
Bottles
Bottle warmer, if desired
Bibs (2)
Feeding spoons (2-3)
Extra sippy cups
Extra pacifiers, if required
Booster seat, or travel high chair (if you have room and want to enjoy a meal)

Playing

Small toys, such as a favorite hanging toy, spatula, teether, etc.
Small tactile books
Bouncer seat, if desired (for hands-free hanging out)
Front carrier, if desired

Just for Mom

A regular purse (for outings without baby)
Nursing bras (day and night)
Nursing pads
Nursing cover
Nursing friendly clothing

Just for the Car

See: What’s in Your Diaper Bag
Small towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, extra diapers, and a bag of wipes that stays in the car for nose wiping, hand cleaning, and messes.
A small ditty bag of hanging toys, soft books, teething rings, spatulas, and other items for entertaining baby. Swap toys out when baby gets fussy.
Small books, if there is an additional passenger to read from the back seat.
A battery pack for pumping milk in the car, if desired.
A structured, thicker blanket (to be used as a sun shade for the window, changing mat, and blanket for warmth)
A DVD player, or iPad, if desired for long trips, especially to occupy older children while baby is sleeping
A cooler with cold beverages (for adults to sip while baby is sleeping; can also be used to store breastmilk)

Car Travel Tips and Tricks

Make sure that you have supplies ready to go for normal car emergencies (these can get compounded with a crying baby in tow): a spare tire, a car jack, a tire iron, jumper cables/battery jump starter, a flashlight, poncho, etc.
Your first road trip with baby will take longer than you expect. Add extra time for unplanned surprises (like diaper leaks and car sickness) and unexpected stops (to comfort inconsolable crying).
Map out some rest stops along the way to plan regular diaper changes, feedings, etc.
Try not to push ahead further if you suspect baby has had a bowel movement. Diaper rashes and travel go hand-in-hand, and it is better to change dirty diapers proactively than to arrive at your destination with a rash that will make baby uncomfortable for days.
Breastfeeding in the car is not recommended to save time. Wouldn’t you feel awful if something happened? A sudden slam of the brakes, or an accident? It’s just not worth it.
If your baby sleeps well in the car, plan your travel around nap time, or bedtime. Don’t forget baby’s blanket!
Consider a window shade if baby is seated in a place next to a window.
Plan gas stops when baby is awake, even if the tank is not empty.
If given a choice in routes, select the one with the most highway miles for sleeping.
Keep your diaper bag, extra clothing, snacks, bottles/sippy cups, and toy bag accessible when packing the car.
Buy or borrow a rear-view baby mirror to check on baby if you are driving a long distance alone.
If you are driving alone, keep a bag of toys ready to go in the front seat for handing to baby.
If someone is riding next to baby, have them read books. Check out books at the public library or bring your favorites!
Singing songs is a great way to soothe a fussy baby. We have sung for hours while getting stuck in I-95 traffic.
Never leave your baby alone in the car, not even for a minute. It will be tempting, to run into a convenience store, or to keep baby sleeping during a quick stop. Don’t do it.
Bring relaxing music or download audio books to pass the time for you and help baby sleep.

Summary of Tips

Prepare for regular car emergencies (spare tire, jack, jumper cables, etc.)
Allow extra time.
Baby cannot travel in long stretches as adults can (i.e., you’ll cover half the miles in twice the time.)
Map out rest stops.
Change #2 diapers right away.
Don’t breastfeed in the car.
Travel at night.
Travel on highways vs. the scenic route.
Get gas when baby is awake (even if the tank is not empty.)
Get a car window shade for day trips.
Keep toys, bottles, bibs, pacifiers, books, diaper bags, and snacks handy.
If driving alone, consider a car seat mirror for rear-facing infants.
To soothe a fussy baby, read books and sing songs.
Never leave baby alone in the car.
Bring relaxing music and audiobooks to help baby sleep (and entertain the driver.)