Top Tips for Travelling with Babies and Toddlers

Travelling with a baby or toddler can be daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, it’s completely doable. I’ve travelled solo with a baby and again later with a toddler. Each stage brought its own challenges but also some brilliant memories. These tips come from personal experience. The kind that includes emergency nappy changes in tiny toilet cubicles and the joy of watching your child marvel at a new environment.

If you’re planning a trip and wondering how to make it easier, these are the lessons that helped me.

Travel at a Time That Suits Your Child

Every child is different. When mine was small, I found that travelling during his usual nap time helped, especially on longer journeys. On one flight, he slept for most of it because it lined up perfectly with his nap schedule. But I’ve also had the opposite experience, where the change in environment meant he was far too excited or unsettled to sleep.

The best approach is to build in buffer time. Try to align your travel with your child’s routine where possible, but also accept that it might not go to plan. And that’s okay.

Keep Your Luggage Practical

You don’t need every baby item you own. What you do need are the essentials that keep your child fed, clean, calm and comfortable. Overpacking can make it harder to find what you actually need, especially when you’re juggling bags, queues and a tired child.

I always pack:

• Nappies and wipes (plus a few extras in case of delays)

• A compact changing mat

• A spare outfit for the child and a clean top for me

• Snacks and drinks they’re familiar with

• Calpol sachets, antihistamines, plasters and hand sanitiser

• A favourite toy or book

• A couple of muslin cloths

• A baby sling or carrier

When I travelled solo with my baby, the sling was essential. It made airport security, boarding, and even just queueing so much easier.

Use What’s Available at Your Destination

There’s no need to bring a travel cot unless you’re going somewhere very remote. Most hotels and holiday rentals can provide one if you ask in advance. I’ve always arranged this ahead of time and never needed to bring my own.

If you can, book accommodation with self-catering facilities. A fridge makes storing milk and snacks much easier. A microwave helps with warming food. A washing machine is handy for dealing with messes. These small conveniences make a big difference.

The Buggy and Sling Combo

Even with a buggy, I always brought a sling. There were times when my toddler wouldn’t sit in the buggy and needed to be carried. The sling came out for airport queues, sightseeing walks and sleepy afternoons. It also helped when the buggy was checked in at the gate and I still had to carry hand luggage and keep my hands free.

Snacks Are Essential

Snacks have saved more journeys than I can count. On one trip, I offered my toddler a new snack and he immediately threw it across the floor. After that, I stuck to foods he already liked. Rice cakes, oat bars, chopped fruit and dry cereal all worked well.

I always packed more snacks than I thought we’d need. They doubled up as distractions and helped avoid meltdowns when we were stuck waiting or in transit.

Stick to Familiar Routines Where You Can

Sleep and food are the two biggest areas where travel disrupts toddlers. I found that bringing familiar items and keeping parts of the bedtime routine helped a lot. I packed his usual pyjamas, the same bedtime storybook and his favourite toy.

On our first family trip, I ended up reading the same story five times in a row while perched on the edge of a hotel travel cot. It wasn’t glamorous, but it helped him settle and feel secure.

Always Plan for Delays

Delays are almost inevitable. I learned this the hard way after a train was delayed by over an hour and we were stuck with no food nearby. Thankfully, I had packed enough snacks and small toys to keep things manageable.

Since then, I always include a small emergency section in my bag. This has extra nappies, wipes, snacks, a small new toy and any medicines we might need. It doesn’t take up much space but makes a big difference when plans change unexpectedly.

Think About Practical Safety

When we arrive somewhere new, I do a quick safety check. I move anything breakable or sharp, check plug sockets and make sure the sleeping setup feels safe. I also keep a note with emergency contact details and a recent photo of my child on my phone.

These things are easy to overlook but give you peace of mind.

Entertainment on the Go

Entertainment doesn’t need to be high tech or complicated. I packed a sticker book, a couple of small toys, a downloaded show on my phone and a familiar song playlist. My toddler once spent half a flight happily pushing his toy train back and forth across the tray table.

You can also turn parts of the journey into entertainment. Let them press lift buttons, look out of windows or carry a small backpack with their favourite things. Involving them keeps them engaged and gives them a sense of independence.

Final Thoughts

Travelling with a baby or toddler takes effort. You might feel like you need a holiday after your holiday. But it’s worth it. I’ve had trips that went smoothly and others that felt like a survival challenge. Both kinds taught me something.

The more you travel, the easier it becomes. Your confidence builds and so does your child’s ability to adapt. And even when it’s tough, there are always those little moments that make it all worth it.

If you’ve got your own tips or memorable travel stories, I’d love to hear them in the comments.

Originally published March 2016. Updated July 2025 with new tips and experience.