📌 Bookmark or print this page — it's your go-to checklist every time you pack for a trip with your little one.

Packing for a baby comes down to six essentials groups: feeding, nappies and changing, clothing, sleep, health and safety, and documents. Work through each list below, tick as you go, and you'll leave the house knowing nothing important got left behind. We've kept it practical and Australian, with tips for flights, road trips and hotel stays.

How to use this checklist

Print it out or keep it open on your phone. Pack the night before where you can, keep a day's worth of feeding and changing gear in your carry-on or front seat (never buried in the boot), and tick each item as it goes in the bag. For long trips, pack one extra day's worth of nappies and clothing beyond what you think you'll need — delays happen.

Feeding

• ☐ Bottles and teats (one per feed, plus spares)
• ☐ Formula in a dispenser, or expressed breast milk in an insulated bag with ice bricks
• ☐ Portable bottle warmer for milk on the go
• ☐ Cooled boiled water / sterile water for formula
• ☐ Reusable food pouches and pre-made purees or snacks (for babies on solids)
• ☐ Spoons, bibs and a wet bag for mess
• ☐ Steriliser bags or a cold-water sterilising option for longer trips
• ☐ Muslin cloths (they do everything)

Nappies & changing

• ☐ Nappies (allow more than a day's worth for travel days)
• ☐ Baby wipes (two packs — one for the bag, one spare)
• ☐ Portable change mat
• ☐ Nappy rash cream
• ☐ Nappy bags / wet bags for dirty nappies and clothes
• ☐ Hand sanitiser

Clothing

• ☐ Onesies / bodysuits (2–3 per day — babies go through them fast)
• ☐ Weather-appropriate layers (an extra layer even in summer for air-conditioning and flights)
• ☐ Hat (sun or warmth, depending on the season)
• ☐ Socks and booties
• ☐ A warm wrap or jacket
• ☐ Spare outfit in the carry-on for you and baby

Sleep

• ☐ Familiar sleeping bag or swaddle
• ☐ Portable cot / travel bassinet (check what your accommodation provides)
• ☐ Fitted sheets for the travel cot
• ☐ Comforter or favourite toy
• ☐ White noise app or portable sound machine
• ☐ Blackout cover or portable blind for unfamiliar rooms

Health & safety

• ☐ Baby thermometer
• ☐ Infant paracetamol / any prescribed medicines (check dosing with your pharmacist)
• ☐ Basic first-aid items and any regular medications
• ☐ Sunscreen suitable for babies and a pram sunshade
• ☐ Insect repellent suitable for little ones (check the age guidance)
• ☐ Your child health record (blue/red book) and Medicare card

Documents & extras

• ☐ Passports and visas (for overseas travel) — babies need their own passport
• ☐ Travel insurance details
• ☐ Pram / stroller and / or baby carrier
• ☐ Car seat (or confirm a compliant one is provided)
• ☐ Snacks and entertainment for older babies
• ☐ Phone charger and power bank

Pack smarter by trip type

Flying with a baby

Keep a full day's feeding and changing supplies in your carry-on in case of delays. Feeding during take-off and landing helps little ears. Liquids like formula, expressed milk and baby food are generally exempt from the usual limits when travelling with an infant — check with your airline. Our tips for flying with a bottle-fed baby go into more detail.

Road trips

Pack a cooler bag within reach for milk and snacks, plan stops roughly every two hours, and keep a portable bottle warmer and a spare outfit in the back seat rather than the boot.

Hotel & holiday stays

Confirm whether a cot, high chair and fridge are provided so you can pack lighter. A few reusable food pouches and a travel warmer mean you can feed on your own schedule wherever you are.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important things to pack for a baby?

Feeding gear, nappies and wipes, a change of clothes, something familiar for sleep, and any medicines or health items. Keep a day's worth of these in an easy-to-reach bag so you're covered if the rest of your luggage is delayed.

How many nappies should I pack for travel?

Pack one or two more than a full day's worth for the travel day itself, plus your baby's normal daily amount for each day away. It's always better to have a few spare than to hunt for a chemist in an unfamiliar place.

Can I take formula and baby food on a plane in Australia?

Yes. When travelling with an infant, reasonable quantities of formula, expressed breast milk, water and baby food are generally allowed through security beyond the usual liquid limits. Always check your airline's and the airport's current rules before you fly.

How do I warm a bottle while travelling?

A portable bottle warmer is the easiest option, gently heating milk with warm water wherever you are. Otherwise, stand the sealed bottle in a cup of hot water from a cafe for a few minutes, and always test the temperature on your wrist before feeding.

What should I keep in my carry-on versus checked luggage?

Carry-on should hold everything you'd need for a full day: feeds, nappies, wipes, a change mat, a spare outfit for baby and you, and any medicines. Bulkier items and the bulk of your clothing and supplies can go in checked or boot luggage.

This checklist is general guidance for Australian families and is not a substitute for medical or airline advice. For travelling with babies and children, see the Raising Children Network, and confirm current security rules with your airline before you fly.

Related reading: Best portable bottle warmer Australia · Flying with a bottle-fed baby · How to warm breast milk without a microwave