Your First Holiday with a Baby: What to Pack, What to Skip, and How to Actually Relax

Remember when going on holiday meant chucking a few outfits in a bag, grabbing your passport, and heading out the door? That was a different life. With a baby in tow, the packing list alone can feel like a military operation, and actually getting out the front door is its own extreme sport.

But here is the thing nobody tells you: your first holiday with a baby does not have to be stressful. It will be different from your pre-baby trips, sure. You will not be sipping cocktails undisturbed by the pool. But with a little planning and a lot less stuff than you think you need, it can genuinely be lovely. Promise. 🏖️

When Is the Right Time to Go?

There is no magic age. Some families take a trip at six weeks, others wait until their baby is sitting up. Both are fine. What matters most is how you feel, not what a calendar says.

That said, many parents find the sweet spot is somewhere between three and six months. Babies at this age tend to sleep a lot, are not yet mobile enough to escape from you at every opportunity, and are generally happy being held or lying on a blanket. Once they start crawling, the game changes entirely.

If you are breastfeeding, travelling can actually be simpler than you might expect. No bottles to sterilise, no formula to measure out. Just you and your baby. If you are bottle feeding, a portable steriliser or sterilising tablets will be your best friend.

The Bag Situation

You do not need to pack your entire house. You really, truly do not. The single biggest mistake new parents make on their first trip is overpacking, and the second biggest mistake is choosing the wrong bag.

A good changing backpack is worth its weight in gold when you are travelling. Both hands free, everything organised, and you do not look like you are relocating permanently. Bonus points if it has insulated pockets and a built-in changing mat.

Here is a packing rule that works: lay out everything you think you need, then put a third of it back. Babies need far fewer outfit changes than you imagine (pack five or six), and most holiday destinations have shops if you genuinely run out of something. Focus on the essentials: nappies for the journey plus a day's supply, wipes, a couple of muslins, a change of clothes for you (blowouts happen), and whatever sleep setup your baby uses.

Getting There

Whether you are driving or flying, the journey is the part most parents dread. Deep breath. It is usually not as bad as you have built it up to be in your head.

If you are driving: Plan your stops. A baby who has been in a car seat for two hours needs a break, a stretch, and probably a feed. Build in extra time and do not try to power through. Motorway service stations with baby changing facilities are your pit stops, not obstacles to your arrival time.

One thing that makes a huge difference on a sunny drive: proper sun shades for the car windows. The ones that cling without suction cups are a game changer because they actually stay put when you wind the window down.

If you are flying: Book a bassinet seat on long flights if your baby is under about 11 kg. Feed during take-off and landing to help their ears adjust, whether that is breast, bottle, or a dummy. And pack one more nappy than you think you will need in your hand luggage. Seriously. One more.

Nappy Changes on the Move

You will be changing nappies in some creative locations. Car boots, park benches, beach towels, restaurant floors. A portable changing mat is not optional when you are travelling, it is essential.

Look for one that folds small enough to fit in your bag, has a padded head section (because hard surfaces are everywhere), and ideally has a pocket for a few wipes and a spare nappy. That way you can grab just the mat and go, rather than hauling your entire bag into every toilet.

Sun Protection for Little Ones

Babies under six months should stay out of direct sunlight entirely if possible. For older babies, sun protection is non-negotiable, and it goes beyond just factor 50.

A wide-brimmed hat that actually stays on is essential. Long, lightweight clothing in breathable fabrics can cover more skin than sun cream alone. And baby sunglasses are not just adorable, they are genuinely important. Little eyes are much more sensitive to UV than adult ones, and the damage is cumulative.

Apply sun cream 30 minutes before going outside, reapply every two hours, and keep your baby in the shade during the hottest part of the day (roughly 11am to 3pm). Your future self will thank you. ☀️

Poolside and Beach Days

Taking a baby swimming on holiday is one of the highlights, but you need the right kit. Most pools and water parks require babies to wear a proper swim nappy, and the reusable ones are far better than disposables for this. They are more comfortable, they actually contain everything they need to contain, and they save you buying a new pack at every pool.

At the beach, a pop-up sun tent gives your baby somewhere shady to lie, nap, or have a feed without being in direct sun. You do not need to buy a fancy one. Even a basic tent with UV protection will do the job.

A top tip from seasoned travelling parents: bring a fitted sheet to put over the travel cot mattress at the beach. It creates a sand-free zone for your baby to sit and play in, and you can shake it out before heading back.

Sleep Away from Home

This is the thing that worries most parents, and honestly, it can go either way. Some babies sleep brilliantly in new places. Others decide that a different ceiling means nobody should sleep ever again.

The best thing you can do is recreate your home sleep routine as closely as possible. Same sleeping bag or swaddle, same white noise, same bedtime sequence. If your baby sleeps in a dark room at home, bring some bin bags and masking tape for the windows. It is not glamorous, but it works.

Many hotels and holiday rentals offer travel cots. Ask in advance whether they provide one and, importantly, whether they provide a mattress that fits properly. If the mattress situation looks dodgy, bring your own sheet and a firm folded blanket as a topper. Safe sleep matters wherever you are.

Feeding on the Go

If your baby is still exclusively on milk, feeding while travelling is relatively simple. Breastfeeding anywhere is your legal right in the UK, and most countries are welcoming too. For bottle feeding, ready-made cartons are your travel hero. No measuring, no clean water needed, just open and pour.

If your baby has started solids, most restaurants are happy to mash up something from the menu. Banana, avocado, and soft bread are available practically everywhere. Pouches are also brilliant for travel, even if you would not normally use them at home. This is survival mode, not a parenting exam.

The Stuff Nobody Mentions

Your baby might get unsettled for a day or two in a new environment. That is completely normal. Give them time to adjust and do not panic if the first night is rough.

Take it in shifts with your partner. One of you does the morning wake-up, the other gets a lie-in. Alternate days. Everyone gets at least some rest, and nobody ends up resenting the other by day three.

Lower your expectations and raise your flexibility. You probably will not see every sight or eat at every restaurant you planned. But you will have photos of your baby's first paddle in the sea, their face when they feel sand between their toes for the first time, their confused expression at a foreign language. Those are the memories you are actually making.

Your Holiday Packing Checklist

• Nappies for the journey plus one day's supply (buy more when you arrive)
• Wipes, lots of wipes
• 5-6 changes of clothes for baby
• 1 change of clothes for you in your hand luggage
• Sleeping bag or swaddle
• Sun hat, sun cream, and sun protection layers
• Swim nappy and swimsuit
• Portable changing mat
• Muslins (they double as everything)
• Any medication your baby takes
• A familiar toy or comforter
• Bin bags for dirty clothes and nappies
• Your baby's red book or health record

Your first holiday with a baby will not look like your old holidays. But it can be just as good, in a completely different way. You have got this. Now go make some memories. 🌊

Planning your baby registry before the trip? Add your travel essentials to your BubsNest wishlist so friends and family can chip in on the bigger items.