Flying with a Baby Packing List: What You Actually Need
Packing for your first flight with a baby and wondering what you really need? Here’s the list, sorted by what needs to be within arm’s reach, and what can go in checked luggage.
Emergency Kit (always within reach!)
This goes on top of your carry-on or in a separate small bag. You don’t want to dig through your bag for a diaper mid-flight.
- Diapers: Rule of thumb: 1.5 diapers per flight hour + 3 spare. For a 3-hour flight, bring at least 8.
- Wet wipes: A full pack. You’ll use them for everything.
- Change of clothes (baby): Complete outfit. Bodysuit, pants, socks.
- Spare shirt for you: Yes, really. Babies are unpredictable.
- Plastic bags: 2-3 for dirty clothes.
- Pacifier: If your baby uses one: bring at least 2.
- Comfort toy/blanket: The familiar favorite.
Carry-On
Feeding
What you need depends on how your baby is fed:
Breastfeeding:
- Nursing cover (optional but useful in a cramped plane)
- Breast pads
Bottle feeding:
- Bottles (1 per 2-3 flight hours)
- Pre-measured formula in portion bags
- Thermos with hot water
Solids (from about 6 months):
- Baby food pouches or jars
- Spoon
- Bib
- Snacks (rice cakes, fruit slices)
Good to know: Baby food, breast milk, and medication are exempt from the 100ml liquid rule. Bring original packaging.
Entertainment
- Rattle or teething toy
- Soft book or crinkle book
- Teether (especially if teething)
- 1-2 small toys the baby hasn’t seen before
- For toddlers: sticker book, crayons, tablet with offline content
Comfort
- Light blanket or swaddle
- Muslin cloths/burp cloths (multi-purpose)
- Child headphones with volume limit
Health
- Saline nose drops, helps with ear pressure
- Fever medicine (infant-appropriate)
- Hand sanitizer
Tech
- Power bank (charged!)
- Charging cable
- Headphones
Checked Luggage
- Diapers (supply for the trip)
- Baby clothes for your destination
- Baby shampoo/wash
- Baby sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Swim diapers (if relevant)
On Your Person / In Pockets
- Baby’s passport/ID
- Boarding pass (saved offline!)
- Health insurance card
- Vaccination record
- Phone + wallet
- Baby carrier
How Much of What? The Quantity Formula
The right amounts depend on flight duration and your baby’s age:
| Item | Formula |
|---|---|
| Diapers | 1.5 per flight hour + 3 spare |
| Bottles | 1 per 2-3 hours |
| Change of clothes | 1 complete + 1 emergency |
| Snacks | 2-3 portions per hour (toddler) |
Read More
- First Flight with Baby: The Complete Guide, from booking to landing
- Baby Ear Pressure on Planes, how to help your child during takeoff and landing
- Airline Baby Policies: Complete Overview, carry-on, stroller, bassinet for 32 airlines
- Changing a Diaper on a Plane, where and how to change, which airlines have changing tables
- Night Flight With Baby, coordinating flight and sleep on red-eye routes
FlyNils Calculates This for You
Instead of doing the math yourself: FlyNils creates a personalized packing list based on flight duration, your baby’s age, and feeding method, with exact quantities. Your first trip is free.