The master list I used to register for everything we needed for travel.

Porta-Petersens
What we have needed on the road.



      Okay, so this list has been through the hands of many a new mommy.  None of those mommies were travel mommies, so once this list made it to me, it got a huge travel overhaul.  It was a great template for me to work off of, so...thank you, Joyce.
      My needs changed as she has grown, but these are the things I needed to get me started.  Some of these things you won't need right away, but will want to have on hand because if you are on your own a lot, you will not have the time or energy to go and get them.
      Because we are traveling all the time, there is no way to always have everything you need at all times.  We have to replenish our stashes more often than most because we cannot travel bulk.  Here's how we do it.  As soon as we get to a city, we run an accessment of were the closest drugstore or grocery is.  I ask if there is a store that delivers and I've found this is the most convenient route.  Sometimes, you can order grocery items ahead and have it waiting for you when you arrive.  Residence Inns are very good about that service.  So we always gauge at the beginning of a stay, how much we will need to get through that stay and take us through the travel to the next city.  We also find that searching out the Post Office, laundry facilities ( what you need to make that work i.e. detergent, quarters...where to get quarters), grocery, gas, baby needs, are all important things to locate upon arrival at a new destination.  Call before you venture 30 minutes to a Babies R Us though, so that you don't show up only to find out they are out of business or moved.  Google Maps or your Garmin don't always have the most up-to-date knowledge of these things.
     

SLEEPING

Pack-N-Play -  Graco, has a detachable diaper changing station. (Diaper Change Station: Used it for the first 8 wks only...not really necessary and doesn't travel well.)
Bedding- 1 thicker/softer fitted sheet and 2 thin fitted sheets for easy packing
Blankets - JJ Cole Outdoor blanket
Vick's Warm Mist Humidifier (Great for winters when it gets dry)  Something small and travel lite/easy packing.
Baby Mittens-  3 sets


TRAVEL

Sturdy Stroller- for use in all kinds of weather and environments.  We bought a Mutsy and have loved it.  It works with a bassinet, car seat, and front/back facing stroller seat that works for the infant and graduates to toddler.  The foam wheels come on and off with the single press of a button and the entire stroller folds in one step.  It has a super easy push...just as easy as a Bugaboo, but I didn't have to take a class on how to brake it down and set it up again. 

Compatible with a car seat.
Rain cover for bassinet and stroller seat.
Car Seat - Graco Snug-Ride
Diaper changing mat
2 light blankets for changing weather.
Pacifiers and paci- holder.
Stroller toys - that hook on to stroller.
Drink holders that hook on to the stroller, for mommy and daddy.

PLAYTIME

Seat Saver-  Has an insert for infants(4 months plus) and the insert comes out when she becomes a toddler.  This prevents us from having to get two separate  seats.   Lots of people prefer the Bumbo Baby Sitter - (Great for when your baby gets to be around 4 months - strengthens her back and prepares her to sit up at 6 months old) -- also great to lug around to restaurants or when you need to do things in the kitchen..etc.

Baby Einstein Neptune- or any other playmats for babies to do tummy time and lie around on.

Books

FEEDING AND NURSING

Boppy - with two slipcovers - Helps when breastfeeding and also to lay your baby on for tummy time.

Medela Free Style Hands-Free Breast Pump ( I love these!)

Medela Valves and Membranes

Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags - 5ct

Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags - You can pump directly into these and they re very easy to use and do not take up a lot of packing space.  The Platex is good if you use the drop-in system. I use the drop-in liners and I like it but others prefer regular bottles.

Lansinoh Ultra Soft Nursing Pads - 36 Count  ( once you use these pads..you won't want to use other ones....it helps with all the excess leaking and they are super thin and perfectly shaped, so it doesn’t look like you have tissue in your bra).

I personally used Medela bottles b/c it came with the electric pump, but I switched to the Platex Drop-In System at 5 months , which I love since it’s super sanitary and you only need to sanitize the nipples.

Nipple/Bottle Brush (2)

Bottles - short and tall.  By the time Sophie got to 8oz. feedings, I had weened her, so we didn’t need 8 oz bottles that were pump compatible.

Bibs-  Didn’t need bibs until I started giving baby food at 4.5 months, with hopes of her having learned to actually ingest any of it by the time she is 6 months.





BATHING AND DIAPERING

Bath Tub - collapsible sling style.  This is one that fit into our suitcases.

Hooded Towels-  You don’t need a billion of these.  If you are traveling, 2 are plenty.

Washcloths- 5

Kiehl’s Baby- Someone gave us a Kiehl’s Baby Bath set and I used that to start.  I only noticed how nice it was when I started using something else.  If you can’t get Kiehl’s, Aveeno is a good inexpensive alternative.  I can’t always get to a store that sells Kiehl’s when I need it, so we often use Aveeno.

Aveeno baby bath time set.

Wipes

Swaddles- 1 or 2 packs of newborn (They come in packs of 4 usually)  You can also get what my husband and I call Swaddle-4-Dummies.  They are actually called SwaddleMe and they come with velcro on them and a little pocket for the feet.  They are so easy that you can and will do it in your sleep.

Size 1 diapers- 3-4 packs

Size 2 diapers - 1

Gerber 6-Pack Premium 6-Ply Cloth Diaper - Prefold :  This is great as a burp cloth!

Burp Cloths (you'll need a lot of burp cloths...at least 10)

Munchkin Disposable Diaper Bags and Dispenser- I could not live without this product.  This is a must have.  Do NOT leave home without these.


SAFETY

Summer Infant handheld video monitor.   Sometimes it’s nice to use this even if you are in the same room.  I usually face her toward a wall and then put the sun guard up over the back so she feels secure and cannot see us moving around her.  Around six months, I started really using it to see if she was finding her way back to sleep after waking or if I needed to help her.  Sometimes it was just a lost paci that caused the outcry.

Simithicone Drops

Infants' Tylenol Concentrated Drops - 1 oz.

2-Pack Mylicon

Vicks Baby Thermometer - Rectal

Enfamil Tri Vi Sol Drops

Desitin Diaper rash cream

MOMMY/DADDY STUFF

Diaper Bags- We bought the Diaper Dude.  It’s awesome.  The pockets are ideal and there is a checklist on the inside of the outer flap that is a great tool for Mommy and Daddy alike.

Swaddle Plus- Used for covering while nursing out and about and also for swaddling.

A Really Great Camera!!!! 

CLOTHING
Going on the road for a year, it was tricky to take everything with us.  You want to keep clothes one size bigger than they actually need with you at all times.  Get rid of what they grow out of immediately.  One day you wake up...they are in the next size clothes.  Evaluate what you send home.  If it is already very “used,” donate or chuck it.  Some things just won’t last in a box until your next baby.  Also, evaluate if sending it to storage is going to cost more than just buying new.