The more you travel with your baby, the easier it is the next time. But with just a little foresight you don't need to learn the hard way. Read on.
Make a checklist for everything you need to take along with you when traveling with your baby, so you don't forget anything. Also, before you start your own packing, finish off your baby's packing so you have ample time to organize everything.
Wipes
Make sure you take along a few packets of damp disposable wipes. One packet will not be enough if you are going to be out of town for a week or more. Although you may not use these at home, they come very handy when traveling. Use the wipes to clean your baby's bottom after potty, or mouth after a feed. You will not need to be bothered with constantly washing cloth wipes and towels.
If you do forget to pack your wipes or if they get over, purchase a roll of cotton. Break this up and place it in a large jar filled with water. Wipe your baby with this. Remember though that if you are traveling to a cold country, the water would be cold as well, and rubbing your baby's bottom with this cold water may not be comfortable for her. You could then heat water and store it in a flask. Every time you need to wipe your baby, just add a little hot water to the jar which contains cotton. Or, save yourself all this trouble by investing in wipes.
Disposable diapers
You may not need disposable diapers and work fine with cloth nappies when you are at home, especially if you have a maid or a washing machine to handle all the washing. But when traveling, if you don't want to burden your host's maid or if you don't want to do all the washing yourself, pack disposable diapers. You will need them for the journey too, so keep some in your overhead luggage, and don't check them all in.
Baby seat
Baby seats that just clip on to any dining table chair are very convenient and portable. In fact, you don't even require a high chair. Simply invest in one baby seat which comes with its own little plate, and use it at home as well as when you travel.
Medicines
If your baby is on any medication or drops, don't forget to pack these. In fact, these should be the first items you pack. If you pack a day or two before you leave, you may not want to put in your baby's medicines especially if you have to give them to your baby everyday. But if you leave them for the last minute, you may forget to pack them in. It's best that you pack them in now and let her miss a day, instead of forgetting them completely and having your baby go without them for the entire duration of the trip. Also carry general medicines and a thermometer.
Clothes
Take double the number of clothes as days you are going for, and then add a few extra. After all, your baby may require a second change of clothes every now and again. Also, wash stains off clothes immediately, even though you may have enough changes so stains don't become permanent.
Toys
Take along a few of your baby's toys to keep her occupied wherever she is.
