Holiday time has already proven to be hectic as new mom. Navigating the baby’s schedule, naps, feeding, etc all while visiting with family and friends adds challenges and disruptions to our normal day-to-day. I want to make sure we pack what we will need to make our baby as comfortable as possible.

We were a get up and go couple before baby. However, now leaving the house seems to require lots of planning. Is the baby going to be okay while we are out? Has she napped enough? Ate enough? Will she be relatively calm while we are out? These are the questions I ask myself when taking her to Target to run errands, forget when the outing is an all day and overnight affair.

We are packing for our longest trip away since having our daughter. Our trip will be 6 days and 5 nights. We have a midsize SUV and will be going to 3 different places during this time. Holiday road trip packing is filled with it’s own unique challenges. SPACE. So I am putting together the list for the essentials baby will need during that time. Many people are hitting the road for the holidays. I hope this will be helpful to moms who are also packing for their holiday.

Packing for the worst

Holiday travel is always stressful but bouncing around during the holidays with a baby has me feeling anxious. I am currently working to ensure everything is packed in the car. This entails packing gifts, the dog, and the baby. It also involves gathering all things needed for taking care of the baby while we are away. During the holidays, my fiancé and I “house bounce.” We go to my sister’s, then to my mom’s, and finally to my fiancé’s parents. All of which are about an hour away from each other.

Now the baby is a big part of the packing but she isn’t all of it. We also have an 80lb golden retriever named Ravioli that we need to pack for as well. She is easier to pack for than the baby but does take up a lot of car space. This packing task will be the ultimate game of Tetris. At the end, the hope is there is enough space for the babe, me, my fiancé and the dog. Now, will it all fit? Not to mention, with it being the holidays we have all the extras like presents and food we are also bringing with us. Great time of year for our first long trip for a baby. but we like a challenge.

Let’s focus on the baby for now. What should we pack for our 4-month old? We need to ensure she is comfortable. This is especially important while bouncing from house to house on our nomadic holiday. I am feeling a little like the mother from Home Alone, frantically packing, worried about leaving something behind. Let me be clear though the thing I will not be leaving behind is my daughter😂.

How to know what to pack

When considering what to include on the packing list, I am asking myself the following questions to help me create my list:

• How much does she currently eat in a day?
  • About 30 oz. on average
• What does she need to be comfortable sleeping?
  • Sleep Sack
  • White noise
  • Crib
  • Book
  • Pacifier
• What do we need to feed her?
  • Bottles
  • Formula
  • Breastmilk
• What do we need for bath time?
  • Baby Bathtub
  • Baby Soap
  • Washcloths
• How many outfits does she typically wear a day?
  • 2-3 outfits/footie pajamas per day
• What does she like to play with?
  • Teething toy
  • stuffed animal
  • play mat
• What do we need for diaper changes and how many diapers per day average?
  • Diapers 5-10 a day
  • Wipes
  • Diaper Cream

Asking the above questions has really helped me focus on what is most important to pack. If I just went off the answers to the above questions, I know we would be okay. Above is where I will start to make sure I get the most important things packed and in the car. Anything extra is just that, extra. Are there any questions that you suggest? Below in this post is my comprehensive list. It includes everything I would pack if I have enough room in the car.

I am a first-time Mom. Meaning I have the urge to over pack for all possible unknowns. Aside from the baby’s clothes, we also have clothes to pack. So, I am trying to be mindful of space…for now.

How Much is Too Much?

This is the question of the week – How much is too much? When it comes to packing for a baby, I want to be on the side of caution. This means there is a 100% chance that I over pack. I keep thinking that I will forget something that seems trivial. But it will end up being needed while we are away. Here is what I am bringing for my baby for the week we will be away. For context, we will be taking her to a couple of places where there will be zero baby gear/supplies.

• FEEDING
  • Formula – Girl is eating a lot these days so I will be packing extra. Especially since stores seem to still be spotty with the formula supplies.
  • Bottles, bottles, bottles. (5-6 bottles)
  • Bottle cleaning travel kit (Here is the link to the one I have) Travel Baby Bottle Cleaning Brush Set
  • Breast pump and parts
  • 2 Bibs
• HYGIENE
  • Diapers – Blowouts galore is what my mind is predicting so I will be bringing a box of those. She loves having blowouts when we are not home.
  • Wipes
  • Diaper Cream
  • Baby bathtub
  • 3 washcloths
  • Baby soap
  • Clothes – 2 outfits per day/Approx. 10 outfits/footies
  • 2 burp cloths
• SLEEP
  • board book
  • sleep sack
  • Hairbrush – I have a baby with a lot of hair
  • Pack n Play
  • Portable sound machine and charger cable
  • Pacifier
• PLAY
  • Snuggle me – this is great for when I am sitting on the couch with her
  • Fisher Price Mat “Purple Monkey” – MUST HAVE iykyk
  • Baby Delight Bouncer – Folds Flat for easy packing
  • Teething toy and stuffy

The goal with the above list is to make her feel comfortable. This is my list of essentials. We also want to feel as comfortable as possible as we go from place to place. What am I missing? Any recommendations? What are your must packs for holiday travel with kids?

Packing for trips away is always stressful, which is why I recommend making list. Throwing a baby into the mix and it’s next level. Still, if there is anything I forget and absolutely need, we can always figure it out.

Now will this list and us all fit? The answer remains to be seen. I will keep you posted on the adventures of packing for holiday road trips. This feels very much like a trial by error experience. I expect to learn some lessons from this trip. These lessons will help me decide what to pack or what not to pack for future trips like this.

Accepting any and all packing advice. Please feel free to share any packing tips that work for you.

What we didn’t discuss in this post, is once we are at our destination, then what? How do we keep a “routine” as much as possible with our baby? A thought and post for another time.

Later,

Mom in Trenches