How to Pack a Baby's Suitcase
Taking your little bundle of joy on a trip can be an exciting, memorable experience. First, however, you must pack a suitcase to hold everything your baby needs. Your suitcase isn't a substitute for a diaper bag, so you'll need both. Choose a suitcase size that holds your baby's belongings but that isn't so large that items shift around during travel.
Things You'll Need
- Suitcase
- Clothing
- Burp cloths
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Formula
- Cosmetics
Instructions
Place the heaviest items on the bottom of the suitcase, so they won't crush light-weight or fragile items. Shoes, sturdy toys, formula cans and bottle-cleaning supplies go on the bottom. Wrap jars of baby food in bubble wrap so they won't break during the journey. Double wrap the baby shampoo, lotion and powder in zippered plastic bags so these products won't leak onto other items, especially if you're flying and the pressure changes. Fold clothes and blankets on top of hard, durable items. Use clothes and blankets to cushion breakable items, such as bubble-wrapped baby food jars, plastic bottles and fragile toys. Pack clothes by outfits, rather than by color or type, so you can quickly unpack when you arrive. Pack sleepers, one-piece sleepers, pajamas, bibs, hats, socks and coats with the clothes. Pack a small, cosmetic-size bag with medications, medicine droppers, a baby thermometer, ointments, a nose squeegee, toothbrush, toothpaste, extra pacifiers and clippers. Place it on top of the clothes so you can get to it quickly. You might pack those items in your diaper bag if you're flying and baby's suitcase will be stored in the luggage compartment. Put diapers, burp cloths and changing pads near the top. If you have road or flight delays, you want to get to the diapers quickly -- especially if delays force your reserves to run short faster than you anticipated. Place an extra outfit next to the diapers. This could include a pair of socks and shoes, a sleeper or pair of pajamas. If your baby has an accident or spits up, that spare outfit will come in handy. You also want the sleeper and blanket close by, if you have delays and need to put baby to bed once you've arrived at your location.
