My All-Inclusive Packing List

We are on a day flight (11 hours) from Sydney to Shanghai and I have learned the hard way that Karam’s toys, though bulky and heavy, hardly keep him entertained on planes. So I re-organize and re-prioritize, the whole time reminding myself that the more I take from here, the less I can shop and bring back here.

Therefore, my all-inclusive packing list for five nights for baby Karam at 17 months contains the following items:

(please note that this list is very comprehensive because I have never been to Shanghai with a baby and don’t know what’s available there. It would probably be a lot shorter if I were headed to other places I am more familiar with).

1. Clothes To Pack for Baby:

Since it’s going to be warm and rainy (joy!), I focus on the cottons, but remain ever-prepared for a change, as Mother Nature can be a bit naughty when you are traveling with a baby.
1. Six short-sleeved t-shirts
2. Two pairs of pants
3. Four pairs of shorts
4. Two sleeveless vests
5. Two full-sleeved bodysuits
6. One button-down shirt in case we get invited to something special
7. One long-sleeved jersey to throw over in case it gets cool or windy
8. One raincoat
9. One hat
10. Six nightsuits
11. Four pairs of socks
12. Two pairs of shoes – keds and crocs

13. Two blankets - one for the pram/flight and one for the cot, in case I don’t like what the hotel offers

2. Medicines To Pack for Baby

1. Panadol/Advil/Tylenol for all-purpose pains, fevers
2. Colic relief for stomach discomfort
3. Nasal spray for congestion
4. Baby Karvol for nasal congestion
5. Otrivin Junior for leaky nose
6. Baby Orajel for teething issues
7. Neosporin antiseptic cream for small cuts/bruises
8. A few bandages
9. One syringe (3-5mls)

3. Toiletries To Pack for Baby:

1. Body wash – I use the Little Twigs Starter Kit because it has everything I need in convenient 50ml bottles. When you are done, you can use re-fill the bottles with whatever you use at home. J&J Top-to-Toe is always a safe bet if you forget yours and need to buy locally
2. Shampoo (see above)
3. Body Lotion(see above)
4. Diaper Rash cream
5. Baby wipes - Pack of 20 in hand pack, pack of 20 in suitcase with an extra pack of 20 thrown into your own bag for messy moments
6. Toothbrush
7. Toothpaste
8. Hairbrush
9. Nappies - If I don’t know what I am going to get at my destination, I calculate 6/day and take about 8-10 extra in my handbag. We prefer Huggies but Pampers that seem to be available in more countries do ok as well.
10. Scent-free diaper disposal bags

4. Getting Around with Baby

1. Pram – Always best if you buy a cheap pram for travel. Our Quinny has traveled the world with us and is much worse off for it. We have had to send it for repair every time we came back from a trip. Even though it’s at the airline’s expense usually, it’s still a pain to process. We now remove all detachable/breakable parts like the sunshield and handle bar to reduce the likelihood of damage. Eventually we found a Maclaren much easier to travel with.
2. Baby carrier – I use the Ergo Baby Carrier which has lumbar support making it more suitable for older babies
3. Harness - Just started using this and I know he looks like a puppy but it’s invaluable when you have a little walker with a mind of his/her own

5. Food and Eating for Baby

1. Food jars – For 5 days, 5 nights, I pack 18 jars (3 meals a day plus some extras). I count the flights because you just never know. I have requested the CHILDREN’S meal as the infant meal is only formula powder (right, try offering them that now!). I bought the Only Organic jars for ages 1-5 – Vegetable lasagne, chicken bolognaise, pot pie with beef, plus Fruit Muesli and Mango-Banana bliss for breakfast. I usually back the jars in groups of 3 (brekkie, lunch, dinner) in bubble paper so that I can open up one packet at a time and not clutter up the hotel room.I hope to be able to get him breakfast, rice and vegetables at least in Shanghai but not risking it and stressing myself out.
2. Milk – Karam drinks 150 ml of full-cream milk 4 times a day. Again, not something I will leave to the airline. So I will pack enough milk for the first day, that’s 450 ml as he will have his first lot in the morning before we leave for the airport.
3. Snacks – Packet of Arrowroot biscuits as an eternal back-up. Will try to do fruit there for everyday snack.
4. One packet disposable bibs, two plastic bibs (I love these)
5. One water bottle, one milk bottle, one extra
6. One plastic bowl with snap-shut cover
7. Spoon
8. Sponge and a bit of dishwashing soap since I am in a hotel, since room service can’t seem to process requests for a bit of soap or to wash one of my own bowls
9. My ever-popular portable cooler for all-day gallivanting – I have the medium size and it can easily accommodate a box of food, a bottle and some fruit.
10. My Totseat (I never leave home without it!!)

6. Travel Toys For Baby

1. Books: Karam loves his books but I find that they add a bit to the weight, so I carry bath books, which are lighter and much tougher to destroy

That’s what’s in for now – when he was younger, I used to carry towels and napkins but now I use the ones from the hotel – much easier!

If this list is overwhelming you, watch this brief video on the essentials you need to pack: