CJ
Traveling with a baby can be a challenge, especially when it comes to managing diaper changes and messes in unfamiliar places like restaurants or airplanes. Here are my top tips for maintaining cleanliness and handling diaper changes while traveling with your little one.
Creating a Clean Space While Traveling
Whether you’re on an airplane or in a restaurant, creating a clean area for your baby is essential. These days, there are wipes for almost every purpose, and they’re incredibly helpful when traveling. My husband is a bit more of a germaphobe than I am and wants to wipe down as much as possible when we travel, especially on an airplane. I’ve adopted this habit because traveling often exposes us to unfamiliar germs, and there’s nothing worse than dealing with a sick baby on vacation.
When flying with my baby, I make sure our surface wipes are at the top of the carry on bag so we can wipe the tray table, arm rests and more. It’s smart to keep these out for the inevitable toy dropped on the floor.
Essential Cleaning Supplies:
Babyganics Toy, Table, and Highchair Wipes are my go-to. They’re made with natural ingredients, making them safer for babies. While they can be a bit pricey and bulky for small messes, they’re invaluable for sanitizing larger areas
Diaper Changes Made Easy
Diaper changes in public places don’t have to be stressful. With the right tools, you can make them quick and hygienic.
The Portable Changing Pad
There are a ton of options for portable changing pads nowadays. It keeps diaper changes more sanitary, whether you’re in a public restroom, on an airplane, or even on the floor. Of the two pads I have, I like this one the best for the ease of use. I’ve noticed many portable pads don’t fit standard public changing tables. This is something I’d like to fix in the future with a Trabel Baby Keep it Clean Kit.
Other Diapering Essentials:
- Spare outfit: Leaks and blowouts happen. Always have a spare outfit for you and your baby when traveling.
- Diaper Baggies: These are lifesavers when a trash can isn’t available. I use these bags that can hold multiple diapers, block odors, and tie easily for disposal. Doggie waste bags are a backup option, but they’re often too small.
- Plenty of wipes: I have one at the ready in my diaper changing kit and a separate package in the baby’s carry on. You can never have too many wipes for messy bums!
Less Messy Eating on the Go
Must-Have Feeding Tools:
- Bibs: These are essential at every stage of babyhood, whether for eating or drooling. I like these water resistant ones so liquid don’t soak through to the shirt as easily. The pouches will catch crumbs as well.
- Small towels: Compact towels double as burp cloths and cleanup rags.
- Hand and Face Wipes: While you can use a generic brand in a pinch, I prefer the baby friendly kind that are alcohol free. My current favorite for travel is Johnson and Johnson because the package is fairly compact while one wipe goes a long ways.
- Reusable silicone bags: This is how I pack snacks, utensils, empty bottles and more. I’ll pack clean items in one back and have an extra one to put items in once they are dirty. Then I can wash them later. There’s plenty of sizes to choose from with these reusable bags.
Travel-Friendly Snacks:
- Pouches: The ultimate in convenience, pouches can be nearly mess free when used right. Be sure to keep a hold of it if your baby is younger. It took my kiddo almost two years to figure out how to squeeze from the bottom without squirting it all over the place. Fair warning though, my son did get obsessed with pouches and it was hard to wean him off once he got used to them. Nowadays, I limit it to 1 or 2 a day and ensure I get ones that are somewhat balanced nutritionally.
- Easy to hold, low crumb snacks: One great option is Amara Smoothie Melts. They are guilt free because they have no added sugar, but they taste delicious. They are bit bigger than other meltie/puff type snacks so they are less likely to be dropped by little hands.