travel with kids
Parenthood,  Travel

How I Prepare for Travel Now vs. Before A Child

packing for a toddler

How I pack as a Mom versus How I packed with No children

Maybe for some much doesn’t change… but for me, a WHOLE lot has changed when it comes to how I pack. A lot more stuff gets dragged along for “just in case” now that I have a toddler! Do you pack differently now that you have a child/ children? Here is how I used to pack vs. now, packing for a toddler.

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Packing before a toddler:

  • One outfit per day
    • Outfits were geared to the events of each day and usually super cute and fun
  • Plus two more dressy outfits
  • One bag of toiletries, mine is a 3 pocket vera Bradley bag with space for my jewelry too!
  • 1-2 pairs of sandals, heels, sneakers (usually worn on the plane)
  • EVERYTHING fit into my one carry on, and one personal item bags

(these travel terms were for me on shorter holidays, for example as a child/teen when we did our big military moves I would always have more items)

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Seward Alaska

How I pack as a mom/ packing for a toddler:

Packing For Me:

  • One COMFY outfit per day
  • Maybe one dressy/cute outfit
  • One small bag for toiletries
  • One pair of sneakers, one pair of sandals or boots (weather dependant)
  • Purse (see explanation below)

Packing For Moose:

  • One cute and comfy outfit per day
  • Plus 2-3 Extra outfits just in case of accidents
  • 2 pairs of sneakers and one pair of comfy shoes, usually croc’s
  • 2-3 books
  • 3-5 toys
  • Pull-ups (Moose is daytime potty trained but still hasn’t mastered sleep time)

I usually pack all of my needs and what Moose will need in the same suitcase, meaning I now travel with large luggage. If we are traveling on a plane I have even more items. I will bring our big diaper bag. You can check out more on how we travel on a plane with a toddler here!

packing for a toddler
traveling with a toddler

Diaper Bag or No Diaper Bag

Diaper Bag or no diaper bag? When we are traveling locally we do not take our big diaper bag. Moose has a small back pack that he carries. On longer trips we take his big diaper bag because we need more items!

Diaper Bag:

  • Pull-ups and Wipes
  • Underwear
  • 2-3 extra outfits
  • Cloth Bibs and one plastic bib for eating
  • Extra outfit for me (usually thin leggings and top)
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • 3-5 toys (luckily most of our travels so far have been to friends with children or who want to accommodate for him by having toys already)
  • LOTS of snacks for all of us
  • Empty water bottle for each of us (fill up once through security)
  • Plastic silverware
  • My wallet, passports, face wipes, and anything I may need from my purse

Overall, my packing has changed in that I don’t worry so much about my fashion, but more about Moose. I also have lots of extra items for him for “just in case”. I try to still keep packing as minimal as possible, but with a young child that can be hard because you have to prepare for the unknown!

Do you pack differently now that you have a child/ children?
What are your tips for traveling with children?

Epic!

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