Packing for a baby doesn’t have to feel impossible. Let’s make it easy.
You’re standing in front of the suitcase holding up a sleepsuit thinking “did this fit last week?”
How many vests is too many vests? Is five swimsuits unhinged? Will this sun cream give them a rash? And mosquitos – do I need a thing for mosquitos? What even IS the thing?
Meanwhile your roots are showing, you haven’t shaved your legs since March, and someone just asked if you’ve sorted travel insurance.
You haven’t sorted travel insurance.
The thought of making sandwiches for the journey makes you want to cancel the whole trip. Can’t they just eat Pret? It’s food. It counts. And yes you DO need spare clothes in your cabin bag for both of you. Trust me. Learn from my trauma.
I’ve been in this exact spot approximately 47 times. Adding random things to the suitcase. Panic-buying a £50 “just in case” bag at the last minute because WHAT IF.
I’m an Olympic-level overpacker and I will not apologise. But I’ve at least systematised my chaos so you can steal it.
This checklist exists so you can panic efficiently:
- Every single thing you might need (including the stuff you WILL forget without this)
- Exact quantities I actually pack based on trip length (real numbers, not “a few” or “some”)
- Pre-trip baby admin you’re ignoring right now
- What goes in carry on vs what gets checked
Works for any trip. Beach holidays, city breaks, weekends at your in-laws where you’ll be silently judged for not packing with tissue paper.
It’s printable, works on your phone, covers newborns through toddlers.
Will it solve all your problems? God no. Will it stop you buying emergency suncream for 30€ in a foreign pharmacy? Maybe.
Download it. Stick it on your fridge. Thank me when you’re not panic-buying baby Calpol at Gatwick.
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