Packing a Diaper Bag for International Travel

Since we've been married, my husband and I have traveled to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, England and beyond. Together, we've mastered the art of traveling as a couple. He's in charge of passports, I'm in charge of snacks. He always wears comfy jeans, I opt for yoga pants. The list goes on! When we decided to start a family, we weren't ready to give up our adventures. Thankfully, I married a European who loves visiting family and friends abroad. As planned, we tackled Ohio, Macedonia, Turkey and Denmark by the time our son, Genti, was 15-months-old.

With each trip I've improved the art of packing the in-flight diaper bag. For me, the key is to balance minimalism and practicality. On our first transatlantic flight, we packed the Baby Bjorn. In hindsight, it was a mistake. Genti could only handle the Baby Bjorn for a few minutes, if at all. Why would he suddenly enjoy it for more than 15 minutes during our travels? Naturally, we were stuck carrying it around from flight to flight. Rookie mistake! 

I've gone from agonizing over the in-flight diaper bag to #nailingit. Below is my list of current go-to items and tips. 

Timbuk2 Prospect Backpack: I used a traditional diaper bag featuring shoulder straps on my first domestic flight with Genti. I quickly realized I needed both of my arms. My husband bought me the Timbuk2 Prospect and I LOVE it. This particular bag has convenient pockets and fits a ton (seriously!) of stuff. It's comfortable, durable and generates a lot of compliments from fellow travelers.  

Spare Clothes: For an international flight I recommend 1 pair of PJs (for the longest flight in your itinerary). Carter's PJs are my absolute favorite. Opt for a 1-piece so there's less "pieces" of clothing in your bag. I always pack two spare outfits. My go-to outfit for Genti includes BabyGap Jersey Pants, a short or long sleeve tee, sweatshirt or zip-up, socks and shoes. If you can, ditch the bodysuits / onesies if your baby is in the wiggly diaper changing stage. Take it from me, changing a diaper at 39,000 feet is stressful. Spare the drama of holding down a kicking baby to fasten crotch snaps on a strapless changing station directly above a public toilet.  

- Tip! Pack large Ziploc bags to store any soiled clothing 

Diaper & Wipes: Do not, whatever you do, hold back on diapers. In this instance, less is NOT more. I have yet to visit an airport store with a variety of diaper sizes. Calculate the number you would normally use during your flight time - and double it. If you're flying solo, make room for it. Layovers. Missed flights. Delays. Your baby doesn't care - he's going to poop and pee to his heart's content. 

JJ Cole Diaper Clutch: This portable changing pad easily folds and takes up limited space in my diaper bag. I love how easy it is to wipe and disinfect. 

- Tip! At your gate, combine the diaper changing pad, liquids (hand sanitizer, diaper cream), wipes and a few diapers in a Ziploc bag or pouch. When it's time to change the diaper on-board, you can grab the entire kit and go.

Breast Milk / Formula: Above all, familiarize yourself with regulations on traveling with breast milk, water, etc. before your flight (click the link for TSA guidelines). If your itinerary requires security checkpoints in other countries, I encourage you to also review those guidelines. If you pack bottles, I recommend the Skip Hop Grab & Go Bottle Bag. It's insulated, wipe-able and comes with an ice pack.

Snacks: News alert! Not all airlines offer baby food. I find that soul-crushing so please be prepared. Call your airline in advance for confirmation or any questions. I always pack a handful of Earth's Best Baby Food Pouches, Annie's Homegrown Whole Wheat Bunnies, 18 Rabbits Granola Bars and fruit to keep Genti full and distracted. Flight attendants are also happy to fill a sippy cup with water as they pass the drink cart through the cabin. My go-to is the Munchkin Click Lock Bite Proof Sippy Cup. If you're traveling to Europe, you can almost guarantee the airports cafes and restaurants will have yogurt, muesli and other healthy, baby-friendly options. Grab a few items before boarding. 

Entertainment: A fully charged iPad or iPhone with baby friendly apps are a life saver. I want to hug the good people at TreeBettyDesign as their apps have kept Genti silent for 30 minutes at a time. That's a lifetime! I only pack one or two small toys, max. I usually purchased a new toy and surprised Genti in-flight which proved beneficial as he was fascinated by the newness. Don't bother with a toy that makes loud noises unless you want to incite a mutiny. 

Toiletries: The diaper bag typically houses my personal items so I don't have to schlep a secondary bag. Since I combine my toiletries with my sons, I keep it to the minimum to make room for his needs:
- Infant Tylenol
- Children's Benadryl
- Neosporin   
- Desitin
- Aquaphor 
- Total Refresh Wipes 
- Makeup basics - bareMinerals Original Foundation, Buxom Lip Polish & L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara
- Colgate Travel Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Babyganics Germinator Hand Sanitizer 

Personal Items: Since I don't carry a secondary bag, a small wallet (or wristlet) houses my cash, ID and credit cards. I also pack a small pouch with miscellaneous items like ear buds, a pen and mints. 

I'd love to hear what's in YOUR diaper bag and your travel hacks. Let me know in the comments below!