Yes, you read that right — I’m a mom who travels full-time with a newborn. It’s a crazy sentence, and an even crazier life. My husband and I became digital nomads when I was 20 weeks pregnant, and we haven’t stopped moving since. From newborn naps on airplanes to diaper changes in airports around the world, we’ve learned the importance of packing efficiently—it keeps us supplied and sane!

Our baby’s first flight was at just five weeks old. I was a nervous wreck and packed enough supplies for a week-long expedition… for a 90-minute flight.

When our baby was four months old, we flew from Bangkok, Thailand to Germany. Since then, we’ve been on hundreds of flights and created a carry-on system that works for every stage of family travel.

This is our exact packing strategy, created and perfected through trial and error.

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Our Carry-On Strategy for Traveling Families

We’re not “carry-on only” people — and I doubt we ever will be. Even for short trips, I prefer packing as much as possible in a checked bag. When you’re flying as a family, keeping your hands free is priceless.

Most airlines allow parents to bring a small suitcase, a personal item, a diaper bag, and a milk-cooler, along with two baby items. Technically, that’s six bags for a single parent and a lap infant – or 8 bags for two parents and an infant! This luggage policy is generous from the airlines, but honestly, it’s impossible to juggle that many carry-on items.

Here’s how we pack each one to make travel days smoother and meltdown-free.

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The Electronics Roller: Our Mobile Office

This is our heaviest — and most sacred — carry-on. Inside this Mia Milly suitcase lives our entire digital nomad setup: laptops, cameras, adaptors, and our hard drive. It’s the only bag we have to unpack at the airport, and doubles as a ride-on suitcase for long airside walks.

Trust me—keep all tech in one place. We used to split our electronics between bags. This led to extreme chaos at security checkpoints! Now, one parent handles the electronics while the other wrangles our baby.

We never check this bag — it’s too valuable, and airlines don’t allow lithium batteries in checked baggage.

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The Emergency Backpack: Our Lost Luggage Saver

This backpack is the ultimate travel hack for families. Filled with everything we need for the next two days, it’s saved our sanity more than once after our checked bag went on a sidequest to continents unknown. We rarely touch this bag on the airplane, but having these essentials with us is worth the weight.

💡 Family Travel Hack: Keep this bag lightweight but complete. You’ll thank me later.

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The Under-Seat Bag: Quick-Access Essentials

This travel bag is filled with everything we need in-flight. I prefer bags that open at the top and aren’t complicated to re-pack. When we’re flying, I want to grab what I need and put everything else away quickly.

Our under-seat bag includes:

• Extra layer for baby
• Cozy socks for parents
• Diaper clutch with wipes
• Snacks for the whole family
• Pacifier with clip
• Water bottle
• Toy bag

💡 Pro Tip: Use packing bags inside your backpack to find things easily and pack them in the right place.

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The Bum Bag: The Parent Command Center

This little bag is our life. If you wanted to rob us, this is the one to grab (please don’t). It’s compact, easy to hold, and stays close to your body. When traveling with a baby, having the essentials literally strapped to your body is an absolute game-changer.

What’s inside:

• Passports
• Tickets + travel documents
• Wallet (with local currency + travel credit cards)
• Kindles + headphones

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Don’t Overpack — Stores Exist Everywhere

The best advice I have for traveling parents is simple: you don’t need to bring everything. Not packing everything saves us tons of space and pre-travel stress. Plus, it’s a great way to spend your money locally.

If you ever find yourself short of a diaper on a flight, don’t worry. Some airlines stock emergency diapers—and traveling parents look out for one another. Trust me, we’ve both given and received that lifesaving diaper.

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Final Thoughts: Travel Light and Enjoy the Journey

Traveling with a baby isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Experiencing the magic of parenting along with the wonder of the world alongside your family teaches your child resilience and fosters curiosity. It teaches you, as the parent, how to parent outside of your comfort zone. It helps your family form lasting bonds and creates lifelong memories.

Remember to pack smart, stay calm, and enjoy the trip.

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