July 2025

Minimalist Packing List for Baby in a Carry on Bag

Packing for a new member of the family brought a new challenge I was excited to conquer. While I knew there was going to be a minimum of essentials the baby would require, I really wanted to see if we could still make it in two carry on items between Kevin and I. We have been able to pack in two personal items for just ourselves in the past for multiple trips so I thought with some practice, it was doable.

And now with three trips under our belt and fitting everything for the three of us into two carry on bags and a diaper bag, this is my definitive minimalist packing list for baby!

Keys to Success

A few keys to being successful, including making sure you have the right carry on bag, the right diaper bag, and have access to laundry. We have really prioritized getting Airbnb’s with an in unit laundry so that whatever happens to baby’s items, we can run a quick load without running out of clothing. This will significantly reduce the number of items you need to pack and save a ton of room.

The second big thing to do is buy diapers, wipes, and anything else that you can when you arrive or have it sent to your accommodation. We had diapers, wipes, and formula sent to our hotel for one trip and did Target pick up for another trip – both worked exceptionally well and allowed us to pack a 24 hour supply for those items and then get what we needed for the rest of the trip when we arrived. This also saves a ton of space!

Use packing cubes – this will help keep everything organized for you and baby as well as help pack items down.

A note for formula traveling mamas: It took several attempts to find the best way to travel with this. Despite the TSA website stating your can bring what you need, I encountered many issues during our first two trips over four TSA security check points – one resulting in trashing an entire bottle of premixed formula (I even emailed TSA about this entire process and as expected, were unhelpful). The best and easiest thing I have found is to bring sealed water bottles. Then those get tested and once you are through and settled, then measure out the amount that you need into the bottles. Use travel containers with pre-scooped formula amounts for each bottle that then can be mixed on demand. By doing this, it prevents testing of the formula itself and/or TSA touching your bottles (they have to take the caps off to test them if there is fluid in them greater than 3 oz which I did not like). So far, just traveling with the sealed water bottles has made going through security with all this much smoother.

And finally, make sure your infant has a ticket – they need to be on the reservation even if they are a lap infant. Lap infants can be used under the age of two and some airlines allow you to add it directly when booking while others require you to call. Either way, your baby has to be on the reservation. Also, make sure to have some form of ID such as a birth certificate on hand. We have not been asked for it but it is advisable to always have it on you. For those with TSA Precheck, babies are automatically able to use your TSA Precheck status. If you have Global Entry, then your baby has to have their own Global Entry access – yes that includes taking them for an interview. I could not believe I had to make an email address for my baby just so that I could apply for Global Entry. But now I have a nice ID card for the baby which is another form of ID that I carry with our Global Entry cards as well. And take advantage of family boarding – it is so much easier to get settled in with no one around you.

Packing List

FEEDING 

This will vary slightly depending on how you are feeding your baby and the age but the concept is the same. I felt strongly that this section was not a place to skimp or scale down.

• Formula (1 can packed and purchase more upon arrival)
• Bottles (age dependent, typically 6-8 bottles)
• Sealed water bottles
• Burp cloths (2)
• Ice pack box
• Travel drying rack + soap
• Formula storage containers

BEDTIME 

Whatever you need for bedtime, it is best to pack it to mimic the sleep environment your little one needs to have successful nights.

• Swaddle
• Sleep sack
• Muslin blanket (I packed 2)
• Pacifier + case + wipes + clips (I packed 2)
• Book / toy as needed
• Crib sheet / pack and play sheet (I preferred to use my own sheet not knowing what the previous life of the one provided at the Airbnb/hotel is and this one packs down to nothing)
• Baby monitor (make sure it is non-wifi)
• Sound machine

DIAPERING

This category is one where you bring what you need for the travel day and then can purchase upon arrival. Luckily this is a ubiquitous need for all babies so no matter where in the world you find yourself, diaper supplies will be there.

• Diapers (packed enough for a day then purchased upon arrival)
• Wipes (packed enough for a day then purchased upon arrival)
• Diaper changing bag with diaper bags, Aquaphor, hand sanitizer, and diaper rash cream
• Wet bags 
• Pee pads (help make a changing station in the accommodation)

CLOTHING

Since I am always concerned about baby being too hot or too cold, I have packed 2-4 pieces of each item so I have options. After that, I rely on doing laundry. Laundry will be critical to ensure the clothing amount stays minimum. Since babies can go through two or more outfits a day, the 2-4 pieces mean that I can make it at best a few days and at worst a day or two before laundry needs to be done. The list will vary depending on the age and weather – I made this list for summer travel as an example but this is the one that is most flexible but do not over pack! All clothing should pack into a medium packing cube.

• 2 – 4 short sleeve onesies, long sleeve onesises, and bottoms each
• Sun protective clothes
• Bathing suit / swim diaper
• Sun hat (2)
• Pajamas (2) 
• Sunglasses
• Headphones

STROLLER/CARRIER

You will need a way to transport your baby and having more than one option for this is important. A stroller and a carrier to wear the baby is definitely the minimum. If you are driving, then you will need a car seat. If you are not planning on driving but need a car service, then make sure to book one that can provide a car seat. Similar to clothing, our travel started in the summertime so I have items on here for summer but those items can easily be swapped for cold weather gear when needed.

• Doona (This has been *amazing* love it so much)
• Doona diaper bag for shorter adventures
• Gate check bag (We opted not to get a padded one and we will see if I regret that decision)
• Stroller hooks
• Rain cover
• Bag storage organizer (I put the rain cover, sun shade, fan, sun blanket, and UV umbrella in it)
• Sunshade
• Fan for stroller + fan for carrier
• Ergobaby carrier (Since we starting going into the summer days and the baby was still too small for the Wildbird carrier I originally got and it was getting too hot for the solly styled wrap carrier, I picked up the Ergobaby Embrace and I absolutely love it. It is so lightweight and the mesh allows for airflow, and the baby fits in it so well.)
• Sun blanket 
• UV umbrellas
• Cooling towels
• Travel seat – I found after our first trip I had no where to put the baby when we were just hanging around the room so I grabbed this and it has been great. It packs down to nothing, it is inexpensive, can also doubles as a bath tub for easier bath time in the sink.

TOILETRIES

There really isn’t too much here but I did appreciate having these items, especially for longer trips.

• Sunscreen
• Shampoo/body wash
• Hair brush
• Thermometer
• Infant Tylenol
• Saline nasal spray + nasal aspirator
• Gallon plastic bags
• Oogie Boogie
• Nail file

How to Pack It All

Know your bag allowances! I will say, juggling more than just our normal two backpacks took some getting used to and I see why just checking one giant bag with all our stuff and simply bringing the diaper bag on the plane is far easier. But we are getting used to the bag juggle. That all being said, if you are allowed carry on bags you will have those allowances for each paying ticket’ed person. Then each ticket’ed person is permitted a personal item to fit under the seat in front of them. And for baby, you are permitted a diaper bag and then you can get check strollers, car seats, etc. It is important that you check with the airline to make sure your plan matches what is permitted to avoid any unexpected and unpleasant surprises. Also if you are traveling with a car seat, always ask the gate agent if there is a free seat for the car seat. You never know, we are currently 1 for 4 on that working to secure a full row to ourselves. We will see as we continue to fly how that average pans out.

Diaper Bag

Nothing fancy but insanely efficient, I used a day hiking backpack I have and it works great. In the large main compartment, I packed the diaper changing bag that is packed with all the diaper changing items I need, a wet bag packed with a second wet bag (for any soiled clothing) and a change of clothes or two. Then everything for the feeding including bottles and the travel containers with pre-measured formula. And then a muslin blanket to top it off. In the water bottle holders are two sealed water bottles each for a total of four. In the front compartment with many zippered pockets are toys, books, and pacifiers.

Packing Cubes

I use a small packing cube for the bedtime times including the sleep sack, monitor, sound machine, and pajamas. Then I used a medium packing cube for all the other clothing items.

Carry on Bag

The small and medium packing cubes along with the travel seat, a can of formula, the travel drying rack, the toiletry bag, and any spare diapers and bottles. I also threw a few extra toys as well in the front compartment of the carryon. Then the rest of the space is for my items that I primarily shoved into a medium packing cube.

And that’s it! So far it has been very successful and the only things that may not get used are some of the clothing items – everything else has which means it has to be brought. I know as the baby gets older things will get transitioned to other items but for the baby stage, this is the packing formula. It definitely changes the travel dynamic but it is so worth it!

Check out all my packing tips and tricks here!

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