Taking Your Baby on Vacation - Items You Need To Make the Trip A Success

What should you bring for your baby on those long distance road trips? Not everything you think you'd need.
We live in Tennessee, and travel to Oklahoma at least twice a year to visit our family. With two small children in tow, you learn pretty quick what you definitely need. Here is a list of things that are definite must haves in the cab part of your car. Nothing is worse than having to pull over to dig something out of your trunk.

Diapers- At least one diaper for every hour you estimate you will be on the road, plus two.
ex. 6 hour trip- 8 diapers

Wipes- In my opinion, you cannot have enough of these in the car. They will clean up everything from a dirty bottom, face, to the coffee you spilled in the floor board.

Clothing- Always pack at least two extra outfits, and one jacket. You may encounter a cool front. And you definitely can never tell when or if their morning milk might make a reappearance.

Plastic Bags- Zipper bags, or even store bags work great to store those clothes covered in spit up or food, until you can reach your destination to rinse and clean them.

Hand Sanitizer- great for diaper changes and the restroom is out of soap.
Changing Pads- Chances are you are going to have to change that dirty diaper that threatens to make you gag in a less than desirable restroom.

Breastmilk/pump- make sure you have enough pumped bottles of breastmilk with you, store it in a small cooler. Nothing is worse to the driver, passengers, and the baby than the baby screaming in hunger.
Formula- Have a least one full small can, and plenty of bottles.

Pacifier- This can be a sanity saver for some parents. And it will help soothe an upset baby.
Snacks- This is for the older babies and toddlers. When they get hungry, they will let you know. There is not always somewhere to stop for food. Healthy snacks are the best. Baby food companies make finger foods that dissolve easily, and taste great.

Toys- Teething toys, rattles, a lovie, play keys(a favorite with my sons). Whatever toy they love to see and hold. Board books.

Those are just some suggestions. We learned a lot about what we needed when we moved to Tennessee. We literally stopped every hour to get something out of the trunk. It turned a 12 hour drive into 17 hours. You know your children, but those are items I believe no parent wants to forget to put in the cab of thier car!