How I Prepare for Travel Now vs. Before A Child
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.
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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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!
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?
