How to Travel with a Baby: Tips for Stress-Free Trips
While planning a holiday away with your little one can be exciting, you might also be wondering how to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
In our guide to travelling with a baby, we break down baby travel essentials by key categories, delve into parents' most asked travel questions, and share tips from real-life parents on travelling by plane or by car.
What to pack when travelling with baby
Getting ready for a trip, whether it’s abroad or a UK staycation, can feel like a bit of a juggling act when you’re packing for the whole family. To make things a little easier, we’ve pulled together a handy list of baby travel essentials you might find useful.
Everyday baby essentials
- A variety of clothes: If you’re going to a hot country, you might be tempted to only pack lightweight clothing. But if a hotel has air conditioning, it’s a good idea to pack a mixture of clothing for all temperatures and weather conditions, just in case!
- Bibs, muslins, and sleepwear: It might be tempting to cut down on packing by leaving out some of these essentials, but if you know that it will make things easier when you get to your destination, that’s all that matters.
- Favourite toys and comforters: For any adventure, bringing a range of toys, especially their favourite ones, will bring a level of comfort to the baby, as well as entertainment. This is the same as their comforters or teddies, pack a small selection as this might bring a feeling of home to somewhere that feels unfamiliar to them. It’s also a good idea to safely label teddies that are a comfort to babies with contact details, in case they go missing.
Baby feeding essentials
- Bottles, steriliser bags, and formula/breastfeeding items: We know parents won’t forget the essentials, but it can be handy to pack a little extra when it comes to baby feeding items, such as formula, milk, or snacks, in case of delays or long queues. Feeding can also be a great way to comfort your baby during travel, especially on flights when cabin pressure changes during takeoff or landing. For staycations, having a few extra bits like water, formula, and food pouches can be a real lifesaver if you hit unexpected motorway traffic or delays.
- Snacks for weaning: If your little one has started weaning, packing a variety of snacks for the journey and your destination is a good idea. This helps maintain their routine and weaning progress. We suggest investing in several sets of weaning sets and food containers to support this journey.
- High chair or travel booster seat: A travel high chair is a good idea whether travelling abroad or staying local. Travel high chairs are portable and convenient, and ensure bubbas have a safe and comfortable place to sit and eat. These chairs can be handy for dining out, where a traditional high chair might not be available or practical. For holidays where you might be travelling in a vehicle, our Flip Magic Fold High Chair folds down to a compact size, taking up minimal car space.
- Nappies, wipes, and creams: Pack more baby-changing essentials than you think you’ll need. Unexpected nappy explosions can happen (we’ve been there!), especially if you face long queues at the airport or traffic jams on the road.
- Portable changing mat:Portable changing mats are great for hygiene, convenience, and versatility when dealing with diaper changes on the go. They provide a clean and comfortable surface for babies, protect them from unsanitary public changing areas, and are easily stored and carried in diaper bags.
- Nappy bags or wet bags: At Ickle Bubba, we offer lots of changing bags, from rucksacks to cross-body bags. Our Lyra Luxury Changing Rucksackfeatures two internal insulated bottle holders, two external cup holders, and six pockets, including a wet-wipe pouch and a hidden storage pocket. It also comes with a changing mat. Our Vega Luxury Changing Cross-Body Bag also comes with a changing mat, but it is smaller and convenient for travelling through airports.
- Travel cot or bassinet:Many hotels in the UK and abroad offer cribs and travel cots, but it can be a good idea to bring your own if you want your baby to get used to sleeping in one before your holiday. This way, they'll be familiar with their sleep environment when you arrive. Our Scout 3-in-1 Travel Crib and Cot also doubles up as a playpen, allowing for safe play when on holiday.
- White noise machine or app:If a white noise machine is part of your little one's sleep routine, we recommend packing it to maintain consistency. Many parents, including us, find these machines or apps helpful for soothing babies to sleep. Should you forget yours, YouTube or Spotify are good alternatives.
Baby travel essentials
Baby travel systems
- Atom Travel System: Available in a six, eight, or nine-piece set, our Atom Travel System is the ultimate in everyday ease. Whether sitting up, lying down, parent-facing, or world-facing, the Atom is ready to fold in every mode and is so easy to store away.
- Stomp Urban Travel System: Our Stomp Urban Travel System is a lightweight, agile option from the bestselling Stomp range. Available in a seven, eight, nine, or ten-piece bundle.
- Star Travel System: Available in four- and six-piece bundles, our Star Travel System is a great way to keep costs down while stocking up on all your baby's travel essentials.
Learn more about what is a travel system.
Baby strollers
If you’re travelling abroad with a baby, you’ll be limited in the number of baby travel items you can take. It’s essential to check the specific requirements for each airline; however, we always recommend taking a lightweight stroller on holiday.
Lightweight strollers are great for holidays abroad due to their portability, ease of manoeuvrability, and compact fold, making them perfect for travel. They are easier to navigate through crowded airports, narrow streets, and public transportation, and some can even be carried onto the plane as hand luggage.
Our Aries Auto Fold Stroller is a lightweight stroller, weighing just 6.1 kg (less than the combined weight of two newborns). It's our lightest stroller yet, built for ease without compromising on comfort, usability, and style.
Its one-hand auto-fold mechanism allows parents to collapse the stroller in seconds (even while holding a child) and secures with a locking latch. Families have told us how the Aries has made travel smoother and home storage easier: “It provides us so much extra space, as it can be stored anywhere with it being so small. It’s great to take on holidays as it only takes up a small bit of the boot, meaning we can pack more things we don’t need!”
Suitable from birth to approximately 22kg (4 years old), the Aries features an extra-large seat, multi-position recline, and adjustable leg rest. One parent shared: “It’s super lightweight, which is so vital for us as we do lots of walking, so when alone we can carry the stroller whilst carrying our youngest without struggling, which is great when tackling steps!“
Despite its compact size, the Aries doesn’t compromise on essential features, such as the hood with UPF 50+ sun protection and pop-out sun visor, a small detail that makes a big difference when it comes to a child’s safety and health.
Learn more about our best holiday stroller options 2025.
Baby wearing
For adventures in the UK or abroad, a baby carrier is a great option for travel, as it offers hands-free convenience and provides a sense of security for both parents and tots in new and sometimes overwhelming environments. They allow for easier navigation through crowded spaces, such as airports or tourist attractions, and can be a comfortable and calming option for babies, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.
Our Seren Baby Carrieris ideal for outdoorsy families and is designed using high-performance knit fabrics informed by the latest trends to provide comfort for parent and child. The breathable fabric keeps little ones cool and cosy, and the wide padded support straps are designed to sit across the wearer’s waist and shoulders, ensuring weight is distributed evenly. And because it’s impossible to leave the house without everything you need for the baby, the Seren Baby Carrier also comes with an additional storage pocket.
Baby car seats
Picking the right car seat is an important part of planning UK road trips, and something we know parents will have already thought about. For shorter holidays abroad, you can often bring your own car seat, but it’s always worth double-checking with your airline first.
With improved side impact protection and a showerproof, UV protective hood, you can drive with the peace of mind that your little one is protected on every trip with our Cirrus I-Size Car Seat and ISOFIX base. With a seat designed to accommodate babies from birth to 87cm, the Cirrus i-Size car seat also features a one-handed adjustable headrest, allowing it to easily adapt to fit your baby as they grow.
Learn more about how to choose a car seat.
What travel documents do I need for my baby?
For parents, whether they are first-time travellers or not, the question of necessary travel documents for a baby will likely come up before each trip. While requirements may vary slightly for domestic UK travel versus international journeys, we answer some of the most common questions about baby travel documentation:
How to apply for a baby passport UK?
To apply for a baby’s first passport in the UK, you can apply online or by post. The online application costs £61.50, while applying by post using a paper form from the Post Office costs £74. You'll need to provide a digital photo (or have one taken at a Post Office branch) and supporting documents, such as the baby’s birth or adoption certificate, and proof of British nationality.
Do I need baby travel insurance?
Do babies need vaccines before travelling?
Before travelling with a baby, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional, such as a GP or travel health practitioner, at least 6-8 weeks in advance. They will advise on available travel vaccines, which depend on the baby's age, destination, and the UK's routine vaccination schedule.
Transport-specific travel tips
Having covered the essential items, we also gathered the most common travel parenting tips. We reviewed parenting forums to discover the advice parents are regularly giving for baby travel, and these are the most common tips:
Travelling with a baby by plane
- Smart packing:Pack light but plan for delays. Mix your clothes across suitcases in case of lost luggage, and keep a spare change of clothes for both you and your baby in your hand luggage.
- Organisation: Use ziplock bags or labelled packing cubes to separate items such as snacks, lunches, and wet or dirty laundry.
- Easing ear pressure: Help relieve discomfort during takeoff and landing with feeding or dummies.
- Formula prep: Bring more formula than you think you'll need, but remember that ready-made options can often be purchased after security, in places like Boots or Superdrug, if needed.
- Airport navigation: Use family services like fast-track lanes, and board last to minimise time waiting in queues with your baby.
- Know airline rules:Some airlines restrict seat choices for passengers with babies (e.g., no extra legroom), but most allow a pram to be taken to the gate with two baby items in the hold, so be sure to take advantage of this.
- Sleep setup: Try to replicate your baby’s home sleep environment while away and bring familiar items, such as a travel cot, sleep sack, sound machine, or comforter.
- Temperature awareness: Don’t pack only for heat if you’re travelling abroad with a baby. Air-conditioned rooms can be freezing, so include layers for cooler indoor environments.
- Car seat safety: Limit time in the car seat to 1.5–2 hours in line with Lullaby Trust guidance.
- Approved equipment: Choose a car seat that meets R129 safety standards and ideally includes an ISOFIX base for added stability.
- Breaks and movement: Stop every 60 minutes for at least 15 minutes, particularly for very young babies.
- Avoid unsafe accessories:Don’t use untested entertainment items that strap to headrests, as they may not be crash-safe.
- Sit with baby: If this is one of your first longer journeys with your baby, and you have a driving buddy, consider sitting in the back with your baby. This way, if they make noises or get restless, you can see what is happening and comfort them until your next stopping point.
Whether you're travelling abroad or staying in the UK, our top tip for parents is to be kind to yourselves. It's best to expect that journeys with a baby may take longer. Embrace the journey and don’t be too hard on yourself.
If you're unsure which travel system or stroller is best for your holiday needs and would like more guidance, contact our team today.
