Flying With a Baby Packing List: What I Actually Bring

The first time I flew with a baby, I was so worried he wouldn’t sleep. I packed for every possible scenario, mentally prepared for the worst…and he slept almost the entire flight.

After 20+ flights with my kids, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that more stuff does not make flying with a baby easier. In fact, it usually makes it harder. So if you're wondering what you actually need, here's my flying with a baby packing list after 20+ flights with my kids.

My goal now is to consolidate as much as possible, keep my hands free, and make sure I have plenty of the things I actually can’t be without: food, diapers, medicine, and anything my baby needs to sleep. Here’s what I actually bring on the plane with me.

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My Flying With a Baby Packing List

I always bring a backpack-style diaper bag. I’m obsessed with the Dagne Dover diaper backpack because it holds a ton, my husband is happy to carry it too, and most importantly, I can wear it on my back and keep my hands free.

Inside, I typically have:

• About 10 diapers

• One full pack of wipes

• Two burp cloths

• A changing pad

• Diaper cream

• Small plastic baggies for dirty diapers

• One backup outfit for the baby

• One backup outfit for me

• Bottles

• Pre-measured formula

• Extra formula

• Infant medicine

• Thermometer

• Pacifiers, if your baby uses them

• A couple of teethers or small toys

• Snacks if your baby is old enough

Do I expect to use 10 diapers on a six-hour flight? Absolutely not. I might only change my baby twice. The extras are for the unexpected delay, cancellation, or overnight stay.

How I Pack Formula for a Flight

I try to make bottles as easy as possible to prepare on the plane. I pre-measure formula into a travel formula container and fill each bottle with the exact amount of water I’ll need, so when it’s time for a bottle, all I have to do is add the formula and shake.

I always pack more than I think I’ll need. If I expect my baby to eat twice during the trip, I’ll bring at least double that, plus backup formula in case we get delayed or stranded overnight. Food is not something I ever want to worry about having enough of when I’m traveling with a baby.

TSA allows breast milk, formula, baby food, and related liquids in quantities greater than the standard liquid limit, but these items may require additional screening. I always give myself extra time for security because my baby items often get flagged.

One thing that can make security easier is taking out the formula, water, and baby food before your bag goes through so they’re easy to identify.

What Goes in My Carry-On Suitcase

When I’m traveling with my husband, I usually bring a small rollerboard in addition to the diaper bag, and I prioritize baby items in this bag too.

I’ll pack things like:

• Extra formula

• A few additional baby outfits

• Sleep sack

• Sound machine

• Anything else we’d really need if our checked luggage didn’t arrive

My test is basically: Could I easily buy this at my destination? I can buy another toothbrush and I can survive without my makeup. I don’t want to land without my baby’s food, medicine, or the things she needs to sleep.

Everything else I’m pretty comfortable checking.

The Biggest Packing Mistake I Used to Make

Too many bags.

The more random bags you’re carrying, the more stressful everything becomes. Now we consolidate wherever we can. My husband will put his laptop in the diaper backpack instead of bringing a separate work bag, and I’ll either carry a tiny crossbody that can eventually fit inside the diaper bag or skip the purse entirely.

If you’re bringing a bag that goes over your shoulder, I strongly recommend one that zips closed so everything doesn’t fall out when you’re inevitably cramming things inside. I also love a bag with a luggage sleeve so it can slide directly onto your rollerboard.

The goal is to have as little physically hanging off of you as possible.

Stroller, Carrier, or Car Seat?

For me, it’s a stroller and a carrier.

I love traveling with the Doona because my stroller is also my car seat, so I’m not bringing two separate pieces of baby gear. If my baby has her own airplane seat and we’re using the Doona on board, we’ll bring it onto the plane. Otherwise, I gate-check it.

I always use a stroller travel bag when I gate-check the Doona because I want it protected while it’s under the plane.

Even when I have the stroller, I bring a baby carrier. You’ll need to take your baby out of the stroller for airport security, so having a carrier makes that process much easier. I also love having it if I want to walk around the plane with the baby while keeping my hands free.

You can also see all of my baby travel essentials here.

Don’t Overpack Toys

This is probably the easiest place to save space. You do not need a million toys for a baby on an airplane.

They’re often much more interested in looking out the window, watching people, walking up and down the aisle with you, or investigating everything around their seat. Bring a couple of small toys or teethers and call it a day.

If your baby is eating solids, though? Snacks, snacks, and more snacks. Those can buy you a lot more time than another toy.

My Airplane Diaper Change Trick

Change your baby’s diaper right before you board, even if it isn’t very wet. Anything that potentially buys you more time before your first airplane bathroom visit is worth doing.

Most airplane bathrooms have a changing table that folds down, usually above or behind the toilet. If you can’t find it, ask a flight attendant. The bathrooms are tiny, so I avoid bringing my entire diaper bag whenever possible.

For a quick wet diaper change, I grab:

• Diaper

• Wipes

• Changing pad

For a poop situation, I’ll bring a small pouch with wipes, diaper cream, and a plastic bag for the dirty diaper.

And I have absolutely no scientific evidence for this, but I swear my babies poop more on airplanes. Consider yourself warned.

Flying Solo With a Baby? Check More.

My packing strategy changes completely when I’m flying alone: I don’t bring a rollerboard.

I wear my diaper backpack and put my wallet and personal belongings inside it. If I need to pack a purse, it’s a very small crossbody. Then I have the baby, stroller, and carrier, and everything else gets checked.

Trying to roll a suitcase, push a stroller, carry a baby, and keep track of multiple bags by yourself is simply not worth it to me.

My Biggest Advice: Pack Less, but Pack Enough of What Matters

You don’t need your baby’s entire nursery on the airplane. You need enough food, enough diapers, medicine, a change of clothes, the things your baby needs to sleep, and a plan for what you’d need if your flight got delayed or your checked luggage didn’t arrive.

Then check the rest. The easier it is to move through the airport with your hands free, the less overwhelming the entire experience becomes.

And if you’re nervous about your first flight with a baby, I get it. I was convinced mine wouldn’t sleep, and he slept almost the entire way.

You can prepare as much as possible, but babies are going to baby. Pack the essentials, give yourself extra time, and don’t let the stuff become the most stressful part of the trip.

And if you’re getting ready for your first trip with a baby, my free Traveling With a Baby Guide has everything I’ve learned from 20+ flights with my kids, all in one place.

Flying With a Baby Packing FAQs

How many diapers should I pack for a flight?

I typically bring around 10, even though I usually use far fewer. I’m packing the extras for unexpected delays rather than the flight itself.

How much formula should I bring?

I like to have at least double what I expect my baby to drink during the actual flight, plus backup formula in case of a significant delay or unexpected overnight.

Should I bring toys on the plane for a baby?

Yes, but not many. I bring a couple of small toys or teethers because babies are often fascinated by the airplane itself.

Should I bring a stroller and baby carrier?

I bring both. The stroller makes getting through the airport easier, while the carrier gives me a hands-free option during security, boarding, and on the plane.

What should I carry on instead of check?

My priorities are anything my baby needs to eat, sleep, or feel comfortable, plus medicine and changes of clothes. Most other things I’m comfortable checking.

I share a new travel tip every Tuesday, including everything I’ve learned from flying with babies and toddlers. You can read all of my travel tips here.