Travelling with your child
Travelling with a baby or toddler is hard because they are built for routine, predictability and proximity, and travel is the opposite of all three. The aim is safety and damage limitation, not a perfect trip, which makes packing, light exposure and a safe sleep space the things worth planning.
Most travel advice for parents is either wildly optimistic or a list of products to buy. This page has the two things worth knowing before you book: how to pack so you can reach what you need with one hand, and how to check a travel cot is actually safe to put your baby in. The full twenty-page guide covers the rest — lap infant versus buying a seat, getting through the airport, entertaining a toddler at 30,000 feet, and the part most guides skip, which is how to shift a small child's body clock across time zones using light and meals.
The essentials
- Nappy change pouch
- 2–4 nappies (more for long haul — always take a third more than you think you'll need), travel wipes, nappy sacks, a small foldable change mat, a tiny tub of nappy cream if you use it, and a spare onesie or three, rolled tight.
- Feeding pouch
- A few bibs and muslins, spare teats, portioned formula if you're using it, a small bottle brush, toddler snacks, and a spare top for you.
- Comfort pouch
- A dummy or pacifier plus spares, their comforter if they have one, a small book, and one "special" toy.
- Mum pouch
- Socks, a spray to combat dry skin or nasal passages, lip balm or gloss, moisturiser, hand sanitiser, and whatever else you may need.
- Travel cot: mattress fit
- The mattress should be firm and fit snugly, with no gaps at the edges.
- Travel cot: no soft extras
- No pillows, duvets or loose blankets — many families use a sleep sack instead — and no nest cushions, positioners or soft inserts. Hotels sometimes provide these as a nice touch, but many are not safe for unattended sleep.
- Travel cot: stability and height
- The cot should be fully locked and stable, with no broken sides, loose parts or a sagging base. If your baby is pulling to stand, check the cot is still appropriate and safe for that stage — some travel cots become unsafe if the base is too high or the child can climb.
- Travel cot: cleanliness
- The mattress should always have a waterproof cover, and be clean and not soiled.
Read the whole thing
Everything above is the short version. The full guide has the schedules, checklists and packing lists laid out properly — pop your email in and it lands in your inbox.
PDF · 20 pagesThis guide is informed by current evidence and clinical practice. Individual circumstances vary — it isn’t a substitute for advice from your own midwife, doctor or lactation consultant.