11 tips for packing only carry-ons when taking a trip with your baby by plane

Before having kids, my husband and I prided ourselves on packing lightly for vacations. We would only bring carry-on luggage to save time (not having to wait at the carousel for our bags) and money (since bag-check fees add up).

After having our first child, though, we wondered how we’d keep our baby packing list short enough to fit in the overhead compartments. We didn’t want the headache of checking a bag, but babies require so much stuff! When our daughter was nearly 4 months old, we took our first flight as a family of three from Munich to London determined to make our carry-ons work.

Did we pull it off? Yes. Was it pretty? No. We simply crammed as much as we could into our carry-ons and hoped for the best. Since then, we’ve perfected the art of traveling light.  Some seriously savvy packing strategies can lead to lighter – and more organized – suitcases.

Diana Blinkhorn, a mom of three and founder of the blog With The BlinksOpens a new window, has taken her kids to more than 30 countries on almost 500 flights and developed her own minimalist packing techniques. 

If you’re wondering how you can fly with your baby bringing only carry-on bags, here are her best tips, plus some great packing advice from BabyCenter Community members.

Why should you travel with only carry-ons? 

Just because you might have free checked luggage doesn’t mean you necessarily want to use the perk. 

“All that luggage plus a stroller becomes a lot to lug around, both at the airport and from the airport to your accommodations,” says one BabyCenter Community member. That’s not even factoring in if you switch hotels during your trip! 

Also, fewer bags means you can rent a smaller car at your destination and save some additional money, Blinkhorn adds. More importantly, though, is that packing light can help you enjoy your vacation more. “As moms, we have so much to juggle,” Blinkhorn says. “I found that the more ‘stuff’ I packed, the more stressed I felt on the trip.”

11 tips for packing only carry-ons when traveling with kids

1. Choose accommodations with the right amenities

When you’re planning a vacation with a baby, look for hotels or short-term rentals that have washers and dryers. It may not feel like a complete “vacation” if you need to do laundry, but it can help you pack less. 

“Plan on washing clothes once on the trip and only pack for half the trip,” one BabyCenter Community mom advises. “I’ve traveled five times in the last 1.5 years with my little one, we have it down to an art!”

The other big thing to keep in mind when you’re booking? Pick a place that provides cribs. Pack ‘n plays are a literal drag to lug around on your trip (as I’ve learned the hard way), so try to find accommodations that can provide them for you. 

Another option is to use a gear rental service like BabyquipOpens a new window that will deliver whatever you need to wherever you are. “If you really want to pack light, look into companies that let you rent things like cribs and strollers at your destination,” says Blinkhorn.

2. Map out exactly what you’ll do on vacation

While it may be more prep than you’re used to, Blinkhorn says it’s crucial to have a plan before you pack. “Think about the destination you are visiting and the activities you are going to do,” she says. “Write it all down, and get an idea of what you will need for each day.” This way, you’ll bring exactly what you need without any extra stuff. 

3. Start early  – then make cuts

Before having my children, I would literally pack the night before my flight – and often bring a handful of items that I’d never even wear on the trip. Now, I pack much further in advance. Why? Because if you lay out what you want to bring on the earlier side (at least a week before), then you have plenty of time to ask yourself, “Does my son really need this?” and make necessary cuts. 

On the flipside, if you’re packing last minute, there’s no time to edit your piles down – and you’ll end up taking way more than you need.

4. Prioritize mix-and-match clothes 

Yes, statement pieces are fun, but try to pack a wardrobe that harmonizes and can be worn more than once. This counts for your baby too – for example, onesies that can go with any pair of leggings

“Create a capsule wardrobe for each of your family members,” Blinkhorn suggests.

5. Think light when it comes to shoes and accessories

Shoes can add a surprising amount of bulk to your luggage. “I try to limit the amount I bring since they can take up so much space,” says Blinkhorn. If you’re traveling with a baby, chances are they don’t really need footwear, save for socks. (If they’re already walking, stick to one pair of shoes that go with everything.) As for yourself, attempt to pack just three pairs of shoes, max. 

For a warm-weather destination that could include a pair of sneakers for lots of walking, nice sandals for dinners, and a super lightweight flip-flop for the pool and beach. “I look for versatile shoes that match with everything and can be a good option for lots of different activities,” adds Blinkhorn. 

As for other bulky items, research if there are travel-sized options available. That includes toiletries, of course, but also lightweight changing mats or mini first-aid kits in case ouchies happen. On our beach vacations, for example, we like to bring inflatable pool floats for each child. They squish so flat that they barely take up space. 

6. Have a try-on party

It’s no fun to pull out some pants or shorts you packed for your little one and then realize … ugh, they don’t fit. Not only is it wasted suitcase space, but it’s one less clothing option for your child. Prevent this scenario from happening with a pre-trip trick: “I make sure to have the kids try everything on; that way I know it fits and I know they like it!” says Blinkhorn. 

Ensuring your baby or child is comfortable in whatever you bring is key, too. They’ll likely not want to wear anything with itchy tags or too-heavy fabrics, so packing them is a waste.

7. Utilize packing cubes

Many travel gurus swear by packing cubes, including Blinkhorn, and a number of different brands out there like GonexOpens a new window, ShackeOpens a new window, and Eagle CreekOpens a new window all make popular ones. “These are a lifesaver,” says Blinkhorn. Not only do they keep you organized, but they prevent you from overpacking because they restrict what you can fit in each one. 

“Packing cubes are my life!” adds a BabyCenter Community member. “I organize all our clothes by day, with mine and my hub’s outfits, baby’s and an extra change of clothes plus PJs for all of us all in one cube. It saves my space and sanity!” 

Blinkhorn likes to load the cubes into her suitcase strategically, too: “Once I plan my kids’ outfits, I like to put them in order of how they will wear them to make unpacking so much easier.”

8. Avoid the last-minute stuff

If you see a smidge of space in your suitcase, fight the urge to fit in one more thing. “We pack more because ‘what if … (insert all the mom fears here),’ but packing more doesn’t make you more prepared,” says Blinkhorn. 

Before you pop in that last-minute item, ask yourself questions like, “Do I really need to bring a baby towel or will the hotel one work fine?” she says. You’ll appreciate not having an overflowing suitcase the day of your flight.

Plus, the less you bring on your trip, the lower the odds you’ll lose something!

9. Make use of your “free” diaper bag

Do you have a diaper bag that can store basically a million things? You can likely carry it on in addition to your small suitcase and personal item. Most family-friendly airlines let you bring a diaper bag, cooler of breast milk, breast pump, and cleaning supplies on board for free. (If the airline or TSA asks about your breast pump, remind them that it’s considered a medical device by the FDAOpens a new window.)

“Baby’s diaper bag is free, so I pack his clothes in that plus a change of shirt for me,” one Community member says. Another notes, “I usually don’t carry a purse or my own backpack while flying – I just put my personal items in the diaper bag.” 

10. Bring your stroller and gate-check it

If you have a travel stroller that fits in an overhead compartment, you can probably bring it on the plane. (We love our BabyZen Yoyo2Opens a new window!) Otherwise, plan on getting a tag from the gate agent and leaving your stroller on the jet bridge. An airport employee will stash it in the cargo hold of the plane for no extra charge. (This hack also applies to car seats if you’re flying with a lap infant.)

You can likely pick up your stroller as soon as you step off the plane and avoid waiting at baggage claim. An added perk: You can then use your stroller to get around the airport if you have a layover. 

11. Buy diapers and other supplies when you arrive

On a trip to Spain, I was breastfeeding my son and unfortunately got a clogged milk duct. I went to the pharmacy and bought a hand pump for about 25 euros that did the trick (thankfully). The moral of the story: While there are some things you have to bring (like formula if your baby has specific preferences or allergies), you can usually buy what you need when you get there, whether it’s backup pacifiers, sunscreen, wipes, or diapers. 

“We very rarely traveled with diapers because you can find them almost everywhere in the world,” Blinkhorn says.

It’s only natural for us parents to want to bring everything, just in case. “When traveling with a baby, the idea of ‘what if’ can feel overwhelming; focus on the items you know you need and if something does come up, you can purchase it at your destination,” Blinkhorn says. “In my experience, it’s very unlikely you will need all those ‘what if’ items after all.”