Packing Tips When You're Traveling with Baby

Traveling with baby (A trolley luggage for baby and me, a backpack function as diaper bag + camera bag, a stroller, and a carrier)

When we went to Amsterdam last year, my husband, baby and I brought two trolley luggages (1.5 full, another 0.5 for any shopping we want to do in Amsterdam), a diaper bag (me), a backpack (husband), and a stroller. While it wasn't the lightest we can do, but it wasn't very bad as public transports are really convenient in Amsterdam. 

This year however, we went to New Zealand without my husband. While there are 10 other people that could lend a hand to me (or some luggage space), I still try me best to pack everything in one bag, so that I'm capable of carry everything on my own! And the picture above proves to you, it's totally doable. 

1. Pack Light
   Yes, it's still possible to pack light with a baby. Assuming you're traveling for two weeks, do NOT bring two weeks worth of clothes. Instead, bring clothes for 4 (or 5 if you're really worried) days, and wash them along the way. Best to rent a place with washing machine. Or, maybe some self service laundry nearby.
2. Buy diapers at your destination
   Bring just enough diapers for your journey and the first day of your trip. Buy diapers at your destination. And buy smaller packs if it's available to avoid bringing more diapers back home.
3. Bring refill pack milk powder
   Buy milk powder at your destination, start to mix the milk you bring over from home with the new ones to get the baby ready to switch milk powder for the days during the trip. Suggest to only do this to baby over a year of age.
4. Bring zip lock bags
   Bring zip lock bags to pack milk powder in one serving size each so that you do not have to bring the entire can of milk powder home at the end of your trip. You can also pack milk powder to your destination in zip lock bags to save space.
5. Bring a "portable high chair"
   This doesn't help to save space in your luggage, but something useful along the trip. Please refer to this post.
6. Bring clothes/towels/toiletries/shoes (anything!!!) that you can throw
   This is the best way to come back from trip with a lighter bag!And the best chance to clear the clutter in your room and wardrobe! This is the best travel tips I learned from my sister over the years of traveling
7. Always use a vacuum bag
   Vacuum bags are life savers! Pack your clothes into vacuum bag and squeeze the hell out! You can pack 25-50% more into the same luggage space with vacuum bags. Get medium size bags, they're always easier to pack than the larger ones. Bring extra so that you can vacuum your purchase too.
8. Bring your baby's favourite pillow/toy/bolster/blanket
   Always have something familiar for your baby on the road. The familiar smell from home brings some calmness to the baby. But do NOT over bring, chances are you do not have time for all his toys. Tidbits like raisins/baby biscuits are useful when you're on a road trip.
9. Always do homework on your destination
   Read blogs, find out from forum, is your destination stroller friendly? Will there be a lot of walking? How's the weather? This helps you to decide whether to bring just the stroller? Or just the carrier? Or maybe both? (For example, we brought carrier and stroller for both Amsterdam and New Zealand. But if you're going to Hong Kong, just bring the carrier). 

Do not bring more than you can carry, and hope you can get help, or use a trolley in airport etc. Bring just enough necessities, don't tire yourself up. If you really can't squeeze in anymore, buy toiletries when you arrive at your destination. That saves up a lot of space and weight. 

Remember, when there's a will, there's a way. Do not use "having children" as an excuse for not traveling, traveling with your kids is a very good experience for yourself and the kids. 

Happy packing! Happy traveling!