What to pack for baby's first holiday day trip

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Holidays with a little one is SO exciting - especially for baby’s first holidays. What most new parents don’t realize though is the list of items that you have to pack up and take with you when visiting family for holidays. If you grabbed our FREE holiday guide then we shared more details on that for you and in this blog are going to give you the list we promised. As a mom of three I understand so well how each time you pack can be tedious trying to not forget any items - and it always seems like one thing gets left behind. I could tell you so many stories about forgotten pacifiers, running out of wipes and being stuck in dirty shirts. If this lists helps you skip any one of those situations then you my friend are winning!

What should you not forget to load before hitting the family holidays?

Your packing list is going to vary based on your little one’s age and if you have more than one under the age of 4. To help out, we’ve created this list based on our tineiest friends and included a few items for those of you with toddlers too. Read through and simply cross out anything you do not need / does not apply. This list is based on a 1 day / afternoon spent celebrating the holidays with friends or family. Somewhere you plan to take your time, enjoy a meal and make memories but not stay overnight. One of the things we learned is that when we came unprepared it limited our time with family, caused additional stress, and we had to leave sooner than we wanted to. Take our tips and pack it all - you never have to take it out of the car if you don’t need it. If you do end up needing it - you’re covered and can simply enjoy!
We also realize that based on your preferences, and age that the food options may be different so again - we tried to cover the basics here but make it your own!

Nap essentials

One of the best things you can do for yourself and your little one is try to keep to your schedule. That absolutely includes naps! Depending on where you are headed you may or may not need some of these items if your host/hostess already has them on hand so be sure to ask if you are not sure! 

• Playpen, pop up tent .We LOVED the tent for our kiddos between the ages of 6 months - 4 years. It was compact, easy to take and provided them a quiet space. 
• Dock a tot or something similar, like a boppy is also a good idea if your little is still young and does not necessarily need a playpen. 
• Stroller / Pram: even if you aren’t planning to walk around anywhere a stroller is a great idea to keep on hand ESPECAIALLY if you have a pram or bassinet attachment. Holy cow, we only had one with our youngest of 3 and it allowed us to completely skip the playpen scenario until she was pulling herself into a seated position. 10 for 10 recommend.
• Blanket: one for the car seat, an extra incase they get that one dirty, and a bigger one for sleeping if they are using it, a swaddle or sleeping bag if they are still too young.
• Simple monitor to plug in - if you are spending time outside while baby is sleeping, jumping into the hot tub or on a different level of the house you’ll love having it. If you forget it try our go to trick - call your spouse, mute the phone you keep and voila - sound and video on your sweet little as the snooze away.

Diaper bag and essentials

• Diapers: you want to pack 1 for every 3 hours and then extra. You know those blow out situations that are so rare? Just save yourself a mad dash to Target and pack you some extras right now.
  
• Wipes: grab the new unopened pack and avoid running out.
  
• Changing pad or mat to set down
  
• Pacificers (plural friends!)
  
• Diaper bags - you know, to hide the smell before tossing in the trash.
  
• Hand sanitizer: enough to pass around to family and friends before they snuggle that sweet baby
  
• Diaper cream + travel sized baby powder
  
• Burp rags (atleast 2)
  
• First aid: topical items, benadryl, tylenol, etc. based on their age of course
  
• Change of clothes
  
• Toys: teething, book, and some of their favorites
  

Feeding essentials

• Pump, cover, bags/bottles and travel set
  
• Cooler
  
• Bottles or sippy cup (pack an extra, and something to clean them while you are there)
  
• Formula (plan for each meal + pack 2 or 3 extras)
  
• Milk if older - never assume that your host/hostess keeps as much milk on hand as you need, besides if they are cooking odds are they used a bunch of it. 
  
• Snacks and baby food - I super recommend you put these in a ziplock incase something spills.
  
• Bibs
  

Other items I recommend are pajamas, a change of shirt for mom/dad, and a wet/dry bag to store any items that need to be saved until you get home to wash them. 
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I also highly recommend skipping the need to carry most of these by keeping a storage bin/plastic shoe box in your car at all times. Keep a spare change of clothes, first aid kit, diapers/wipes, snacks and a light weight blanket for oops/messes and you’re covered. 

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Resources

Download the whole guide HERE
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Listen in for planning tips on Behind the Party Podcast

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