Every trip is different. A week in a Cornwall cottage with a 6-month-old needs a completely different packing list to a long weekend in a city hotel with a toddler. Tell us about your trip and we'll build you a personalised packing list you can save, print, or tick off as you go.
1. How old is your baby?
2. Where are you going?
3. How long is your trip?
4. How are you getting there?
Select an answer for each question above to continue.
Need entertainment ideas for the journey? Our Busy Bag 5-Minute Challenge Cards give you 16 printable activity prompts designed for flights, queues, and restaurant waits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many nappies do I need for a week's holiday?
A rough guide is 8 nappies per day for a newborn, dropping to around 5–6 per day for babies over 6 months. For a 7-night trip, that's roughly 56 nappies for a newborn or 40–42 for an older baby. Add a buffer of 8–10 extras for delays, stomach upsets, or miscounts. See our full packing list for a complete breakdown by age.
Should I pack nappies or buy them there?
For UK holidays, buying at your destination is perfectly reasonable — most supermarkets stock major brands. Bring enough for the journey there and your first day, then pick up a pack locally. For holidays abroad, bring enough to last the trip unless you're confident the destination stocks your baby's usual brand. Budget airlines count nappies towards your luggage allowance, so buying locally can also save you packing space.
What's the most important thing to pack for a baby holiday?
Sleep items, without question. A portable blackout blind and your baby's usual sleeping bag make more difference to how the holiday actually feels than anything else on the list. An overtired baby in a bright, unfamiliar room is miserable for everyone. Everything else — clothes, nappies, food — is either available at the destination or recoverable if forgotten. See our nap time on holiday guide for why sleep prep matters so much.
Do I need a travel cot or will the hotel provide one?
Always confirm in writing before you travel — never assume. Most UK hotels will provide a travel cot on request, but availability isn't always guaranteed and the mattress quality varies. Holiday parks like Centre Parcs provide cots as standard. Self-catering cottages increasingly do too, but check the listing. If your baby is a settled sleeper in their own cot at home, bringing your own can be worth the faff. See our travel cot guide for recommendations by age and use case.
Can I take baby formula through airport security?
Yes. Formula, breast milk, and baby food are all exempt from the 100ml liquid rule at UK airports and most European security checkpoints. You don't need to limit quantities, but you'll need to keep them separate for screening. A good practice is putting all baby liquids in an easily accessible bag so you can present them quickly at the scanner without unpacking everything. The Gov.uk page on baby milk at security has the official rules.
