Road Tripping with an Infant: Tips and Essentials

When we tell people about all of the places we have been with our now nearly 3 year-old daughter, they’re often shocked, especially when we tell them that she went on her first big road trip (from Montana to New Mexico) at 2 months old, and her first international trip (to Spain and France) at 10 months.  The biggest tip I have for parents who are thinking about going on a long car ride with a small baby is to have someone ride in the back. It’s a lot easier to calm a 4-month-old in your backseat if you (or your spouse, or an older child) is right next to her! From there, packing the right things can make your life a whole lot easier.  Here’s a quick rundown of the key things you’ll need for a road trip with a child under 1 year old.

Clothing and Diapers.

• Disposable diapers and wipes. Babies can go through diapers at an alarming rate. The nice thing about a road trip is that it’s usually pretty easy to find a store if you run out… that is, if you use a popular brand like Huggies or Pampers. If you have more specific needs, pack at least 10 diapers a day. Generally, a pack of 100 wipes should last 2-3 days.
• If you use cloth diapers at home, you may want to switch temporarily to disposable diapers. Many hotels have laundry rooms, but they’re not usually comfortable places where you would want to hang out, and especially not for two hours a day while you’re “on vacation.” If you do choose to use cloth diapers, check in advance about the availability of laundry at each place you’re staying, make sure you have at last 4-5 days’ worth of diapers with you, and carry a large, sealable wet bag so that you don’t stink up the car. If your wet bag seems to leak odor, try keeping it inside of a trash bag for an extra layer.

• Cloth diapers. Yes, I know, I just said to switch to disposable diapers. However, having a few cloth diapers on hand can be useful in a pinch. The soft inserts are very absorbent, which can be ideal for spills and spit-up in the car. Plus, if you suddenly realize that you’re down to your last diaper somewhere in the vast expanse between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, knowing that you have some “spares” will offer much needed peace of mind. If your baby is prone to blowouts, you can also slide one under her in the car seat.  Believe me, it’s a lot easier to clean a cloth diaper in a bathroom sink than it is to clean the car seat cover in a hotel bathtub (believe me, I know from experience).

• Doggy poop bags. Okay, hear me out. You can’t always toss a poop-filled diaper into a trashcan immediately. And, if you’re changing a diaper on the side of the road, leaving the dirty one on the ground and driving away is NEVER OKAY. Rolls of doggy poop bags are inexpensive, pack very easily, and seal up well to contain smell. If you’re going to end up with a stinky old diaper in the car with you (and you are), you’re going to want some of these.

• Easy-access clothing changes. Blowouts happen. Digging through the suitcase while parked in front of a gas station is a nightmare that you don’t want to experience.  Make sure you have several changes of clothes within easy reach (like in the diaper bag).

• Flexible wardrobe. It is so hard not to pack every single thing your baby owns every time you leave the house for more than an hour.  I’m not including a full wardrobe list here, but in a nutshell, be reasonable and assume that you’ll need to do laundry every 4-5 days no matter how much you pack.  You will want to make sure that your baby has comfortable clothing for the car.  Hoodies are great because you can pull the hood above the seatbelt so that the belt doesn’t cut into her neck, and pants are a must for the same reason (baby shorts will ride up uncomfortably in the crotch).  We also always put Charlotte in a onesie under her other layers as added blow-out protection.   

Pro-tip: Pack your trunk so that you can easily remove a suitcase or tub (see above) to transform the trunk into a changing table.  It is much easier to change a diaper in the flat trunk than on the back seat!

Feeding Necessities.

• For EBF mammas, this is pretty easy, but if you use a breast pump at home, don’t forget to bring it on the road, along with milk storage necessities. A small cooler with ice and plenty of milk containers is a must if you are producing and storing much more than your little one consumes. As for breast pumps, one of the nice things about travelling by car (as opposed to by plane) is that you have some extra space. There are plenty of small, portable breast pumps on the market, but not all breast pumps are created equally. If you have a pump that works well for you and room in your car, bring your usual gear. If you decide you want a smaller pump, make sure you get used to it at home (and that it’s working well for you) before you hit the road.

• If you’re using formula, this can get quite tricky. It’s worth the investment to have at least a few bottles of liquid formula on hand for emergencies, in addition to powder formula.  However, you may find that your baby rejects the “easy” nipples that fit directly onto the liquid bottles, so be prepared to transfer the formula into a bottle.  In addition to your bottles, bring a microwave-safe container to use as a bottle warmer. Restaurants and convenience stores will usually give you hot water (for free) to warm your bottles. You can use a thermos to keep your water warm on your journey so that you can easily heat up a bottle whenever you need one.

• At some point, you’ll need to clean the dishes.  A travel-sized bottle of dish soap, a small washing tub,and a bottle brush will make this an easy chore in your hotel room. Note: if you are concerned about sterilizing your baby’s bottles on the road, you can soak the bottles for two minutes in a solution of bleach and water.  See the CDC’s Website for details. 

• If your baby has started eating solid foods, you’ll also need a few other things, especially spoons, bibs, and of course, food.  For a bib, I highly recommend a silicone bib with a pouch, like this one. They are easy to pack, easy to clean, and catch messes better than traditional bibs.

Accessories and Toys.

Small infants travel quite easily – they don’t require a huge amount of stuff to stay occupied. Charlotte was just two months old when we set out on our first road trip with her, and it was probably the easiest one we’ve had since her birth!  However, there are a few key items that can help your tiny person stay comfortable for long car rides.

• Car shades are a must to keep the sun out of your baby’s face.
• Muslin swaddles can be used to make a nice “tent” over the top of the car seat to block out light for naps. They’re also useful as… swaddles (obviously not in the car seat, though).
• Small (but not too small) toys. The best tip I can give in the “toys” department for babies is to have a big assortment of small objects. When Charlotte would get fussy, I’d give her a toy.  As soon as she started getting fussy again, I’d swap out for the next object, and then next, etc.  Along with bottles, naps, and songs, this kept her pretty happy on our early car trips (even days with 7+ hours in the car).  Here are some little things that she loved:
  • Stacking cups (these were a big hit until she was 2)
  • Small rattles
  • Cloth books
  • Teething toys (like teething keys)
  • Baby mirror toys
• A Pack n’ Play is a great thing to bring along on a road trip. Although some hotels will provide one (which is especially nice when you’re flying), we preferred to use our own, with our own sheets.  Plus, a pack n’ play can provide an easy pop-up spot to play or nap when you are out and about, especially if you have older kids. Bring it to the park or the beach!
• Just in case you skimmed passed this in the first paragraph, let me say it again. A backseat companion (like mom or dad or an older sibling) is ideal. Unless you are travelling alone with your baby, put a passenger in the backseat to keep the little one happier. If this is not possible, get a backseat car mirror so that you can keep an eye on your rear-facing baby (and so that she can keep an eye on you), and expect to stop more often to check on her.