Going on vacation with a child under 3 years old… Oh, the joy and happiness of discovery, but what an organizational challenge! Since not going isn’t an option and you don’t want to miss your summer break either, it’s up to you to prepare everything and forget nothing for the most serene family trip possible. To travel with your baby without stress and without (too much) extra baggage, discover the 5 Élhée essentials.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Essential #1: A Mary Poppins-worthy diaper bag to plan for everything

Mary Poppins said, “Never judge things by their appearance.” And if that’s true for her magical, wonderful bag (which we all envy), it can also work for your baby’s diaper bag. Before you leave, test out several packing configurations and see how you can optimize it, especially if you’re flying. Between your baby’s suitcase and their diaper bag, you can divide up:

  • Clothes: t-shirts, tank tops, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, sweaters or cardigans, depending on the season.
  • For nighttime: add onesies, pajamas, a sleep sack or sleeping bag, and a muslin if you use one.
  • For the beach: bring a swim diaper, which completes the list of (easy-to-wash) clothing to take along.
  • Don’t forget plenty of regular diapers (check if you can buy more at your destination) and wipes, always handy when traveling, as well as small plastic bags like freezer bags to seal up dirty items in case there’s no trash bin during your trip.

If your mode of travel allows and depending on your accommodations, an inflatable baby bathtub and a changing mat or a thick beach towel can be invaluable (taking up zero space in the trunk or checked luggage). Here’s where that Mary Poppins bag comes in again!

Note: If you’re planning to travel abroad, whether or not it’s within the EU, reserve a pocket in your bag for your family’s paperwork: health documents, IDs, and passports first and foremost.

Essential #2: All the accessories for a calm baby, just like at home

Going on vacation is often disorienting—that’s the point! But for your baby, depending on their age, the experience can be a bit stressful or just plain tiring. Ideally, make sure to bring everything that comforts them at home:

  • their lovey or favorite blanket,
  • their indispensable pacifier (and a few spare replacement nipples),
  • a nightlight,
  • a white noise machine to help your baby fall asleep in an unfamiliar and possibly less quiet environment than at home.

In advance, don’t hesitate to ask your hosts about available sleeping gear for babies. That way, you’ll know whether you need to bring a mattress and portable crib, or if you can rent one on-site.

Essential #3: An adapted first aid kit, whatever your destination

“There’s no use in expecting the worst—better to be prepared.” That could be embroidered on your first aid kit, which is even more important during vacation, especially if you’re traveling abroad with a baby.

In France, medical coverage is pretty good. Regardless, always bring for your baby:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) dosed according to your baby’s weight, for fever and mild pain,
  • an infrared thermometer,
  • oral rehydration solutions (ORS) for diarrhea,
  • a nasal aspirator/bulb and saline solution (especially for winter trips),
  • Band-aids for minor scrapes,
  • Antiseptic (non-stinging),
  • Burn cream (such as Bepanthen®) and another ointment for diaper rash (like Mitosyl®),
  • Also, if your child is already mobile, anti-bruise gel (like Arnigel®) and a pair of tweezers for splinters,
  • An Aspivenin kit should also be part of every trip.

In France or abroad, add an insect repellent suitable for baby’s skin, anti-itch cream, anti-malarials (mainly for Africa, South America, and Asia), and solutions for motion sickness or nausea. Your pediatrician can recommend appropriate medications, active ingredients, and dosages based on your child’s age.

Of course, if your infant, baby, or child is on regular medication, don’t forget to pack it, as well as the prescription and their health record—all vaccines need to be up-to-date.

For assistance, an online directory of medical centers is available in France, as well as instructions on seeking medical care or visiting a hospital in the EU. In an emergency, anywhere in Europe, dial 112.

Focus: Sun protection for children

For a sunny vacation, be sure to pack the accessories your baby will need to enjoy the beach and nice weather safely.

Hat or cap, sunglasses, and UV-protection clothing add extra defense to an SPF 50+ sunscreen, both anti-UVA and anti-UVB—opt for an organic version if possible to avoid as many chemical and harmful ingredients as you can.

Please note that it is strongly advised not to expose babies under 1 year old to the sun. For older children, above all, avoid the hottest hours (between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.) and reapply sunscreen very frequently, as well as after every swim.

Essential #4: Supplies for feeding and snacking anywhere, anytime


biberon evolutif elhee

A baby means multiple meals, bottles, and little jars every day—not something you want to forget unless you want a wave of stress you can’t control. So be sure to add bottles, a formula dispenser, infant formula or breast pump, baby food jars, spoon, extra nipples, bib, and bottle warmer to your suitcase before you leave.

Think this list sounds overwhelming? Élhée has designed for you and your baby the first shatterproof convertible baby bottle, compatible with some breast pumps and convertible into a small food jar.

Yes, our anti-colic baby bottle, usable from birth, can be adapted with its accessory to store breastmilk. It can be used as a small food container thanks to its hermetic lid and can even become a sippy cup when equipped with a soft spout.

To make life easier, we’ve created a nursing set that includes two BibRONDS (150 ml and 240 ml), two extra-slow XS flow nipples, along with a set of 2 breast pump and/or portable bottle warmer adapters. All you need is a spoon.😉

If needed, note that Élhée bottles, made of medical-grade silicone, can be microwaved without risk of microplastic release. Still, an electric bottle warmer or hot water bath are both much better for preserving nutrients and avoiding burns.

Essential #5: A portable bottle warmer for milk always at 98.6°F

chauffe-biberon et biberon Élhée

Your baby prefers to drink milk warm, at all times, winter or summer. But gathering a pan and stove for a hot water bath on the beach, in the airplane, or on a hike is no easy feat.

That’s why we created a portable bottle warmer, cordless, ultra-light, and with very long battery life. Its name? TooGo! Effective and fast, it heats milk and water in 5 minutes, without risk of overheating. It’s also indispensable thanks to its 8-12 hour battery life and compatibility with Avent, Spectra (S1), and Ardo breast pumps (not to mention all Élhée bottles, of course).

To use, just fill your bottle with milk (breastmilk or formula), screw the Élhée portable bottle warmer on with its adapter, turn the whole thing upside-down, set the temperature with a tap (98.6°F for the perfect bottle), keep baby occupied for 5 minutes, flip the bottle again, unscrew the warmer and replace with the nipple. Done! 🍼

Bonus: Transport baby comfortably—not Sherpa style 

Lastly, a key point to anticipate before traveling with a baby: carrying. Because they sleep a lot, and especially because they don’t walk or don’t walk much yet, you’ll have to carry or push your child everywhere you go. It’s a real challenge if you don’t want to turn into a pack mule and still keep your trip light.

  • The essential umbrella stroller is very practical—easy to fit in the car trunk, takes up little space, and works on all kinds of terrain to transport kids from 9 to 12 months and up. Younger babies ride in a cozy car seat mounted on a stroller frame for outings.
  • Traveling by plane or train? Go for ultra-light, ultra-compact, and ultra-comfortable strollers for baby that fold and unfold one-handed, a front baby carrier (be careful in hot weather), or a wrap/sling (up to 6–8 months)—always great for hands-free and all-terrain carrying.

Note: If you’re going hiking, sightseeing, or on long excursions, a back carrier (from 9 months onward) might be ideal.

Of course, a few toys, books, music, a warm jacket, boots or sandals, colored pencils… will all be useful depending on your child’s age. To help you remember everything (🤞) ask parents around you who have already tried traveling with their child for tips!

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