We recently did a family trip to Hawaii, and let me tell you, traveling with kids is no small feat. Between the snacks, the naps, and the kids not wanting to stay still, it’s a full-on production. But because we’ve been traveling with Jules and Jameson since they were babies, I feel like I’ve got it down pat now. Over the years, I’ve learned exactly which baby flight travel essentials truly matter and which ones just take up space in your bag, which is why I am excited to share my top baby flight travel essentials to help you prepare!
1. Diaper Bag Must-Haves
I always pack more diapers and wipes than I think I’ll need because I am of the mindset I would rather have too many than not enough. In my diaper bag, I include a changing pad, diaper cream, and a few disposable bags for easy cleanup in addition to the diapers and extra set of clothes. This Dagne Dover is my go-to diaper bag for traveling because of how much it can hold!
2. Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
I normally always have both disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer in my purse, but I make sure to double check it’s in there before we go on a flight. I try to wipe down all of our seats and tray tables before we sit down because I know my kids will try to touch everything in sight. This Touchland hand sanitizer is $10 and comes in several different scents!
3. Snacks
You never know when a flight is going to get delayed or if we will be running behind and won’t have time to stop and get a snack, so I always have snacks in my bags. I go for mess-free options like dried fruits, granola bars, and pretzels. My goal is to give them snacks that won’t leave their fingers sticky. These are my go-to hand sanitizer wipes in case I need to wipe their hands off!
4. Comfort Items
A familiar blanket, lovey, or pacifier can be magic when your baby needs to nap or self-soothe during the flight. Hawaii was a six-hour flight, so I tried to have them nap for a bit, and having their favorite blanket made it much easier. Here’s a set of 8 lightweight blankets from Target that are under $25.
5. Extra Clothes
Two extra outfits for the baby and a spare shirt for me because spills and blowouts don’t discriminate. For both kids, I keep clothing options simple and cozy! Something like this 2 piece set from Amazon works great to keep in your bag just in case. The sizing ranges from 6 months to 12 years!
6. Entertainment
Preparing entertainment for the kids can be harder than you think! It’s tough to predict what they’ll want to play with, so I always pack a variety. I make sure we have a charged tablet (with headphones), a couple of books, and coloring books with washable markers.
Tips for Packing Baby Airplane Travel Essentials
When I pack my baby airplane travel essentials, I use clear pouches or zip-top bags like these to keep things organized. Snacks, bottles, and toys go right on top for easy grabbing when I’m juggling kids, boarding passes, and carry-ons.
Timing Can Impact Your Baby Flight Travel Essentials
Some parents swear by booking flights during nap time, and when it works out, it can be amazing, your baby snoozes through most of the journey, and you get a bit of a break. But in reality, it’s not always possible to get that perfect timing, especially when flight schedules are limited or you’re traveling somewhere like Hawaii with fewer departure options. When your flight time doesn’t align with naps, you might need to adjust your baby flight travel essentials, packing extra snacks, more engaging toys, or even a few surprise items to help keep your little one entertained and calm.
Preparation Makes All the Difference
Everyone knows that traveling with kids can be tricky, but being prepared with your baby plane travel essentials can make the experience so much smoother. From having a stocked diaper bag to planning for the unexpected, preparation helps take some of the stress out of the equation. And remember—give yourself grace. Even with the most organized packing list of airplane travel essentials for baby, things might not go perfectly, and that’s okay. The important part is that you’re making memories together, one flight at a time.
This blog is all about baby flight travel essentials, baby airplane travel essentials and so much more. If you’re looking for other blogs about parenting and having a baby, check out my blog everydaywithcassie.com.
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