Leaving the house with a newborn or young baby can feel overwhelming – especially when overnight travel is involved. Amidst the rush to get out the door, it's easy to overlook something important. That's why having your diaper bag essentials all pre-packed is such a lifesaver.
But when you are planning an overnight stay there are a few extra items we recommend adding to your usual diaper bag to help ensure a smooth experience—and avoid meltdowns caused by forgotten pacifiers or spilled milk.
In this article, we'll cover what to pack in your baby’s overnight bag, including those crucial extras beyond the typical diaper bag stuff. Plus, we’ve included a handy baby overnight bag checklist, so you're never caught without enough diapers or a spare pacifier when away from home. This is just a general guideline of what you may need to pack – things may change depending on what you’re doing, where you’re going, and your baby’s needs.
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What to Put in Diaper Bag Versus Baby Overnight Bag
In addition to the daily diaper bag necessities, traveling overnight with your baby requires a few extra things than what you typically pack in a diaper bag for a day. What to pack for your baby overnight bag must have everything for multiple feedings, bedtime, sleep, and more. On top of whatever other items your child needs for their day-to-day.
We do, however, recommend adding extra items to your regular diaper bag when you’re traveling overnight. This way if you have a long travel day, your baby’s overnight bag is hard to reach, your luggage gets lost, or (more likely) you forget something at home, you have extras within reach.
For when you do get to your destination, having a separate baby overnight bag or suitcase is helpful to fit all you need and stay organized. If you’re traveling for multiple days, you can always buy diapers and wipes online and send them to your destination. This helps reduce the amount of baggage you have and ensure you have what you need while you’re away.
Diaper Bag Checklist When Traveling
You know what your baby needs and likes but, just in case, here are some suggested packing lists for overnights to add to your regular diaper bag. Hopefully it makes preparing to travel a bit easier.
Diapering essentials
- Enough extra-absorbent diapers: Choosing a diaper that is designed to wick away moisture from your baby’s skin gives you a better chance of keeping them comfortable during a long travel day. We recommend Pampers Swaddlers because of their dual leak-guard barriers and dryness for up to 12 hours – perfect for transit. When in doubt, throw in a few extra! And if your baby pees a lot at night, we have some suggestions for overnight diapers, too.
- Wipes: Wipes with an easy-to-open top make diaper changes from wherever easier.
- Favorite diaper cream or ointment: Diaper rashes don’t care if you’re on vacation!
- Travel changing pad: Changing a diaper in a public bathroom, back of the car, or even your lap is easier (and cleaner) with a waterproof pad.
- Disposable diaper bags: For when a diaper pail is out of site, disposable diaper bags keep dirty diapers contained – and are more sanitary to throw in a garbage bin.
Wondering if what to carry in a diaper bag for a newborn is different? We recommend adding even more diapers – newborns feed and poop around-the-clock and go through diapers faster than older babies! Pampers Swaddlers for newborns protect against leaks, so at least you may not need too many extra changes of clothing!?
Feeding necessities
This may change depending on your baby’s age and preference.
- Pre-Made Bottles: Breast milk can sit out at room temperature for up to four hours, so you can pre-make a bottle if you like. Formula can sit out for up to two hours before being thrown out. Check your instructions for the formula you’re using. (Just throw them out after an hour of their first drinking). Also bring extra water if you need.
- Breastfeeding Supplies: If you're breastfeeding, pack all your personal supplies and any sanitary essentials in the diaper bag.
- Bottles Feeding Supplies: Between your baby travel bag and nappy bag, we like to say to bring at least four extra bottles with the matching nipples, caps, and covers, along with travel-sized cleaning supplies and, if you’re formula-feeding or combo feeding, the amount of formula needed. If you use water to mix formula, make sure you have enough of that, too. If you won’t have access to a sink for some time, add an extra bottle to what you keep in your diaper bag for bottles on-the-go.
- Travel Pump: Travel pumps can come in handy for short trips or errands throughout the day, though many moms pack their regular breast pump when away for multiple nights.
- Snacks: For solid eaters, add non-perishable foods such as pouches or puffs to your baby’s diaper bag to tie your little one over until you arrive at your destination. Make sure to store perishable foods or drinks in an insulated cooler with ice packs.
If you’re flying on an airplane, check local regulations on how breast milk or formula can go through security.
Clothing
When you're traveling, extra sets of clothing are infant diaper bag essentials! Feedings in cars or on a plane can be extra messy – as can diaper changes. Plus, depending on what you’re doing while away, your little one may get even more dirty. And if you’re going to be outside, make sure you have hats and other sun-blocking items you may need.
A newborn diaper bag checklist may include even more changes of clothes. Between spit ups and blow outs, you never know when it’ll be time for a new outfit.
Medical supplies
If your child takes medication or needs any medical supplies, make sure to pack in your diaper bag. Same with sunscreen, if it is recommended they wear it. Speak to your healthcare provider before you go if you have questions about what else to bring.
Preparing for Your Baby’s First Overnight Stay
Beyond packing your travel bag, there are other ways to be proactive about your baby’s first overnight stay.
- Download the Smart Sleep Coach my PampersTM app. If you want your baby to stay on schedule when you’re out of town, take this free 3 minute quiz to see what you can do to keep their sleep on track. It also includes guidance from sleep consultants on how to handle adjusting to time changes, if necessary.
- If you’re staying with family or a rental home, call ahead to see if they have a travel or portable crib handy. If not, consider purchasing or renting one in advance. Also check to make sure the sleep environments available for your baby are safe.
- If you’re staying at a hotel, call to request a crib. Also ask if the rooms have blackout shades or curtains and if you can adjust the temperature in the room.
- Whether you’re home or away, refresh yourself on the safest way for baby to sleep.
- Make sure to pack seasonal sleep clothing, too. Often, hotel rooms are cooler than home, so be sure to pack warm pajamas just in case. Here’s how to dress baby to sleep.
Guide for how to dress your baby depending on temperature for sleep
Baby Overnight Bag Checklist for Sleep
You might need a little time to get sleep back on track after traveling, but we have a few nighttime essentials that may make it easier to help your baby settle – even when you're somewhere new.
- Pacifiers: If your baby sleeps with a pacifier, make sure to throw an extra or two in your diaper bag. There is nothing worse than not being able to find one when needed or them getting dirty.
- Swaddle: For newborns who have yet shown signs of rolling over, pack a swaddle to help keep them snug and warm when away. (Make sure you know when to stop swaddling a baby though)
- Blanket or loveys: While comforting for many, babies shouldn’t sleep with blankets or other transitional objects until after their first birthday.
- Blackout shades: Or garbage bags for windows to darken room – which one way to help baby sleep through the night.
- Bath items: Because baths help baby sleep!
- Portable baby monitor: That way you can hear your baby from another room.
- Pajamas (or Diapers): Check out these tips for how to dress your baby for sleep, depending on temperature. Short on space? In warm weather climates, we see nothing wrong with a baby waddling around in just a diaper – especially one that’s designed to prevent leaks and keep moisture away from their skin!
- Medical supplies: Whatever your baby needs, make sure you pack! Always check with your healthcare provider if you have questions before you leave.
If your trip is short or you're struggling to stick to your schedule, try not to worry and enjoy your trip! You can always reset once you’re home. Smart Sleep Coach app can walk you step-by-step on how to reset after traveling.
Final Thoughts
Traveling overnight with your baby for the first time may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. We hope we make it easier to remember what extra diaper bag essentials to pack, what to pack in a baby overnight bag, and how to approach sleep when away from home.
And just like with anything in parenthood, it may take time to get in the swing of travelling with a baby, but if they are fed, happy, and safe, you'll see how wonderful and fun the experience can be.
Bon voyage!
