Planned a trip with your friends and now feeling tense about how you’ll actually manage it with a baby? You’re not alone.
When we first started stepping out with our little one around 6 months, we carried everything — extra diapers, extra clothes… basically overpacking, if you must say 😅. Trust me, it was a lot. We even ended up booking bigger cabs meant for four people just to fit all the extra bags! Feeding felt easier since my baby was exclusively directly breastfed, but the packing? Not so much.
In this blog, I’ll help you understand how to pack only the essentials for outings and travel with your little one — and what you can confidently skip.
Let’s start with what you’ll need in your diaper bag.
- If your baby is directly breastfed, you can keep it simple — a feeding cover (if you use one) and a burp cloth are usually enough.
- If your baby is mixed-fed or bottle-fed, carry a formula dispenser with measured formula, a clean and sterilised bottle, and a hot flask with warm water.
If you’re using expressed breast milk, add a cold storage bag to keep the milk safe during the journey. - Diapering essentials: 3–4 extra diapers, a diaper changing mat (disposable mats are great to avoid cleaning if things get messy), Wet wipes for quick clean-ups (especially those cute little butts 😉), Disposable bags for disposing of soiled diapers, and two extra pairs of clothes — one for the baby and one for you (trust me on this).
Things to keep handy to keep your little one entertained on the go
The first and most important thing to carry is your baby’s favourite toy — it often keeps them engaged for most of the journey.
A light blanket is also useful, especially when you’re in air-conditioned spaces, so your baby doesn’t feel cold.
You can also pack one or two new toys as backups, in case your little one gets bored with their usual favourite.
If your baby is above 6 months, you may carry a few snacks. Make sure they are easy to chew and age-appropriate — avoid any choking-hazard foods, as you don’t want your journey to turn stressful.
It’s also a good idea to carry basic medicines prescribed by your paediatrician, just in case. This may include medication for fever, colic, or any ongoing supplements your baby is already taking. Keep them in their original packaging and carry a dropper or measuring spoon if required.
You may not need to use them, but having them handy can give you peace of mind while travelling.
Things you can skip carrying
When stepping out with a baby, it’s easy to feel like you need to pack everything. Over time, I realised that many things we carried initially were rarely used and only added to the load.
- Too many diapers
Unless you’re travelling long hours, carrying 3–4 diapers is usually enough. Most places have stores nearby if you really need more. - Multiple outfit changes
One extra set (two at most) is sufficient. Packing too many clothes just makes your diaper bag heavier. - Bulky toys
Large or noisy toys take up space and often go unused. A favourite small toy and one backup are more than enough. - Full-sized bottles or containers
Travel-size versions work best and keep your bag light and organised. - Every baby product “just in case”
You don’t need to carry everything from home. Essentials matter — the rest usually doesn’t.
With time, you’ll figure out what your baby actually needs — and your diaper bag will slowly get lighter.
Tips that made outings easier for us
Over a period of time, with frequent outings and travel, you’ll naturally understand what’s truly necessary for your baby and what isn’t.
Things like the number of clothes to carry, diaper quantities, toys, and other extras become easier to figure out with each trip.
- Take breaks while travelling. Babies get tired faster than we realise, and even a short pause can help everyone reset.
- When booking stays, think about what will actually make things easier for your baby — not just what looks good online.
- One thing I always carry, even for short trips, is my baby’s medical file. I’ve never had to use it, but it helps me stay calmer.
You’ve Got This
The first few outings with a baby can feel exhausting and confusing. That’s normal. Packing takes time, plans change, and things don’t always go the way you expect.
You don’t need to get it perfect. Carry what you need, skip what you don’t, and adjust as you go. Over time, you’ll figure out what works for your baby, and outings will start feeling less stressful.
Every baby is different. Some days will be easier than others — and that’s okay. What matters is staying flexible and taking things one step at a time.
Have questions or just need to hear from parents who’ve been through this?
You can join our WhatsApp community and learn from real experiences, shared without judgement.