The Ultimate Infant Travel Packing List - According to Me, a 5-month-old Globe Thriver
Hey there, grown-ups. It’s me, Elsie—your favorite jet-setting baby. At just five months old, I’ve already taken my first international flight to Lima, Peru. That’s right. I survived hours of air travel with my mom, Shir, and lived to tell the tale. (Barely.)
Now, I know you all stress about traveling with an infant for hours, but let me tell you something: if I’m not prepared, neither are you. You think you’re in charge? LOL. Cute. But if you want to make it to your destination without a full-blown meltdown (mine or yours), listen up. Here’s what you need to pack to keep me from losing it at 35,000 feet.
Elsie’s travel must-haves
First Up: The Suitcase—Because My Needs Come First
📦 Packing cubes for my stylish fits – Look, I don’t want a blowout mid-flight, but I’m a baby. It’s gonna happen. Keep my tiny clothes organized, and bring extras. No one wants to be that parent washing a onesie in an airplane sink.
🧦 Socks + shoes – My feet are cute, but they get cold. And since socks have a mysterious tendency to vanish into thin air, bring, like, a million pairs.
🧺 Baby hangers – I know you think this is extra, but trust me, my drip deserves better than being stuffed in a hotel drawer.
🍼 Bottle cleaning travel kit – You don’t actually expect me to drink out of a bottle that hasn’t been properly washed, do you? Gross.
🧼 Travel toiletry kit – Baby soap, shampoo, lotion. Familiar smells = comfort. Don’t switch it up on me mid-trip unless you want drama.
💩 Diapers & wipes – Bring more than you think. Then double it. I promise, you do not want to be caught without a diaper at 30,000 feet.
📷 Portable crib camera – I see you creeping on me while I sleep. Just bring the camera so you can check on me from your phone instead of hovering like a weirdo.
🛏️ Blankets, burp cloths, and crib sheets – Hotel sheets? I don’t know them. Bring my own stuff so I can sleep in peace.
Carry-On: My In-Flight Survival Kit (aka Your Lifeline)
👕 Extra outfits (duh) – We’ve been over this. I can and will destroy my clothes at any time.
🧸 Favorite toy + a new one – Keep me entertained or suffer the consequences. Also, fun fact: airplane drink cups? Absolute bangers.
🛑 Pacifier with a clip – No clip = I drop it 27 times. Your move.
🍼 Bottle with pre-filled water + pre-measured formula – TSA is cool with my special liquids, so don’t overcomplicate things.
🚼 Diaper change grab pouch – You do not want to be digging through a massive bag in an airplane bathroom while I scream. Keep the essentials—diapers, wipes, balm—where you can reach them in two seconds flat.
🙌 Hand sanitizer – Because airplanes are filthy. And if you think I’m not going to shove my hands directly into my mouth after touching everything, you don’t know babies.
✈️ Car seat travel hack – Bring it to the gate and check it for free. And put it in a travel bag unless you want it back looking like it lost a fight.
Final Thoughts from a Jet-Lagged Baby
Even if you pack perfectly, things will still go sideways. Did I sleep the whole flight? Absolutely. Was it comfortable? Not exactly - I was sprawled across both my parents’ legs like the princess I am. Did they sleep? Unlikely. More realistically, I wiggled non-stop or scream-sang my way through multiple time zones. Either way, you got this. Just remember - my comfort is your comfort. Keep me happy, and everyone wins.
And hey, while I have your attention—thank you. For packing all the things, for bouncing me up and down a million times, for pacing the airplane aisle like a zombie while I doze off. I know it’s a lot. But even if I don’t always show it (or, let’s be real, I scream in your face), I love you for it. And one day, when I’m old enough to remember these trips, I’ll be so grateful you took me along for the ride.
Need more backup? Here’s some solid packing inspo:
Got any baby travel hacks I should pass along to my mom? Drop them in the comments. And remember: happy baby = happy flight. (Or at least, less chaotic flight.)