The past two weeks have been really hectic around the Geoffrion house. We’ve been running from here to there and last minute decided to go to Nashville for CMA fest and to visit Blake’s family. This resulted in speed packing which is DANGEROUS with a baby. Whenever I pack last minute, I bring way too much. So times that by 2 with a child. Thankfully, I have my carryon down to a science, and have pretty much weeded out all the unnecessary items that I used to bring with me.

The first couple times we flew with BB, we would carry on SO much. I always though “what if…” Guess what, you don’t need to carry on a lifetime supply of diapers, that lotion you’ve never used at home but think you might need in some sort of lubrication disaster at 30,000 feet, or three different types of thermometers.

Luckily, I have always had Blake there with me when I travel with BB. But, I wanted to see this trip if I could pack everything I need for the baby and myself into one carryon. I am contemplating some solo flights with the baby this coming year, so this was our trial run.

Here is what was in my bag…

DIAPERS/WIPES – You need enough diapers and wipes for your travel day + some extras. Along with your ID and boarding pass, diapers and wipes should be the most accessible items in your carryon. So I put them in the front pocket of my backpack. I know I can carry BB into the tiny airplane bathroom with my backpack and not need to dig to the bottom of the bag to find them.

SNACK BAG – I love these Itzy Ritzy snack bags and I always have a good snack packed with us for our travel day. The time between boarding and takeoff is always a little hairy for us. BB get’s frustrated she can’t walk around. As soon as the plane starts to move, she calms down. A great distraction for our food obsessed child is a snack. So we feed her during that time. A couple good snacks if you’re trying to avoid cheerios and other junk are peanut butter toast, an avocado, or apple sauce. Think anything that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

EXTRA PACIFIERS – I can’t think of anything worse than running out of pacifiers on a travel day, GOD FORBID. This trip, we forgot to pack our favorite drop happens clip. But usually, that is in my bag too.

SWELL BOTTLE – Now that BB is off of formula and drinking whole milk, we have to bring enough for the travel day. I fill up my large Swell bottle (which keeps the milk ice cold) with enough milk + ice + some extra milk. Just be sure to thoroughly clean your Swell after your travel day.

BOTTLES – Enough bottles for your travel day plus an extra in case of delays or emergencies. No matter the time of day, we always give her a bottle during takeoff.

BLANKET – If you have any items that are essential to your child’s happiness, that should be in your carryon. I always think worst case, what if our checked luggage was lost? BB will not sleep without her special blanky, so that is always in my carryon.

GREEN GOO – Another essential for us. While her lotion and baby soap could be purchased at a Target if our checked baggage was lost, the Green Goo is only sold online. Thanks to Meg McMillin for clueing me in on this AMAZING cream. BB has uber sensitive skin and this is the best we have found for rashes.

BABY TOYS – I used to go overboard here and pack a million toys for our travel day. But, in reality, she finds the safety packets, airplane window, and seatbelt to be WAY  more entertaining than any toy I could pack. So I throw in a book and maybe one other small toy just in case.

CHANGE OF CLOTHES – Always pack a change of clothes just in case. BB is older now, so blowouts are rare. But when she was younger, I also always packed a change of clothes for myself too. During the first 45 minutes of our long haul flight to Barcelona, she pooped all over me. That would have been a long, dirty flight without a change of clothes.

MEDICAL KIT – Just in case, I pack my medical kit which has baby Tylenol, Benadryl, and a thermometer. I also always make sure I know her exact dosage before we fly. Because in a moment of emergency on a plane, with no wifi or ability to call the pediatrician or Google it, that’s a necessity.

COMPUTER – Don’t forget about yourself, mama. What do you need while you’re on vacation? A computer is a necessity for me, so that’s always in my carryon.

PASSPORT OR OTHER AGE DOCUMENTATION – Most airlines require proof of age if you are planning to hold them on your lap. BB has a passport, so we bring that. But a copy of her birth certificate or a visit summary from your pediatrician with your child’s date of birth works as well.

ID + BOARDING PASS – Make sure your ID and boarding pass are easy to get to. I usually keep them in the side pant pocket of my lulu pants. Or, if you’re traveling with someone else, let them hold onto the IDs and boarding passes for the entire family.

Happy travels!

For more on traveling with a baby, HERE are 10 tips for flying with a baby.