Baby's first vacation? Here's EVERYTHING you'll need for both mom and baby...

As you may or may not know from my previous blog post, we recently took our very first family vacation to Naples, Florida. It was amazing, and you can definitely read all about it within my post, Born to Travel. Baby was 6.5 months old and here's exactly what we packed...

Packing --

I'm notorious for overpacking; it's generally the unavoidable in my book. I'm sure many mamas out there think or have thought like me, "better more than not enough," which has its fair share of legitimacy. Yet when traveling with a baby, things had to change (starting with me). We were gone Thursday - Monday, a total of 4ish days, and the weather was 80-85 degrees everyday.

Here's what I packed for myself --

Everyday wear

• 3 swimsuits

• 2-3 cover-ups

• 5-6 evening/day outfits ( I try to make these somewhat versatile, so that I can dress them up or down if need be. I also aim for stylish rompers / dresses - any 1-piece is a dream when it comes to packing and debating what to wear)

• 1-2 pair of PJs

• 8 pairs of underwear

• 2 bras / 2 nursing sports bras (black / white)

• 1 pair of flats/sandals

• 1 pair of wedges or comfy heeled sandal

• 1 big lululemon bag for the beach

• sunglasses

• neutrogena suntan lotion (SPF for face and body)

• makeup bag

• beauty / self-care essentials

• hair iron / curling iron

Workout Gear

• 4 pairs of socks

• 2 pairs of spandex shorts (guilty of re-wearing these... they seem to get the least sweaty)

• 4 tanks

• 4 sports bras

• 1 pair of gym shoes

I'm not sure about y'all, but I need to workout on vacation. It makes me feel good mentally... and in my bathing suit :)

Tech

• Cell phone / charger

• Laptop / charger

• DSLR camera

Here's what I packed for baby --

Clothing

• 8-10 basic t-shirt onesies (never seems to be enough, lol!)

• 2 polo / short onesies

• 3 polo t-shirts

• 4 pairs of shorts

• 2 pairs of pants

• 5 full coverage onesies (pants + sleeves)

• 1 sleepsack

• 2 pairs of socks

• 1 pair of shoes

• 1 baseball cap

• 1 swim hat

• 1 swimsuit

• 1 re-wearable diaper

• 1 swim float

• neutrogena baby spf lotion

Feeding

• 5-6 pouches of plum organics stage 2 baby food

• 1 box of plum organics formula

• 4 comotomo bottles

• 4 medela milk storage bottles

• 1 beaba spoon

• 2 bowls

• 1 ziplock bag filled w/ 3-5 tbsp. of rice cereal

• 1 oxo bib

• 2 packages of waterwipes

Health

• ~20 diapers

• infant tylenol

• 4-5 pacifiers + 2 pacifier clips

• skiphop changing pad

• triple paste + aquaphor

• nose frida

• thermometer

• nail scissors / file

• waterwipes

• honest co. baby shampoo / soap

• honest co. baby oil

• babyganics bottle soap

• 1 fitted crib sheet

• 1 ugg travel blanket

• 1 swaddle blanket (for covering stroller while napping)

• infant tylenol

• sunglasses

• noisemaker

• 4-5 (teething) toys

Safety / Cruising Around

• uppababy mesa carseat (we brought ours from home)

• carseat under-carriage bag

• uppababy g-luxe stroller

• uppababy g-luxe stroller travel bag

• ergobaby 360 carrier (didn't use)

What worked?

The items on my list, as well as the quantity of each really made the cut. It was just more than what I needed, and as a mama, you know it's better to be over prepared than under.

What didn't work?

I wasn't good about remembering everything when we left the hotel. It seemed like every night I forgot SOMETHING, and it was so very frustrating. Lists are LIFE - jot down a list of everything you'll need, for every single time you leave your hotel room.

In your diaper bag, I'd recommend the following:

• skip hop changing pad

• diapers / creams

• 2 short-sleeve onesies

• 1 long-sleeve pj onesie

• bottle

• water bottle

• formula

• plum organics stage 2 pouch w/ bowl, spoon and bib

• blanket (to put on baby / cover the stroller when sleeping)

• toys

• pacifiers

What I'd do differently next time?

I decided to pack everything, as opposed to simply buying things when we arrived. The next time around, I see myself running to the grocery store first thing and buying all the basic (baby) necessities, such as diapers and formula. I've even heard some girlfriends say that they've shipped all baby items to the hotel several days prior to ensure that everything would be waiting for them upon their arrival (so smart!).

Tips --

For mom

• Always pack from the shoes up (socks, pants, underwear, shirt, bra, hat, etc.). This method will help avoid forgetting things

• Bring magazines to read

• Pack gym shoes that you don't mind getting soaked (ocean)

• Know that baby's schedule will definitely be thrown off!

For baby

• Get a microwave in your room

• Buy all baby necessities when you get to your destination, or ship them there a few days prior

• Most hotels have cribs for babies... Did you know this? I definitely had no idea. Be sure to ask for it (it's often complimentary if it's a family-oriented hotel)

• There's also businesses that specialize in baby item rentals (cribs, pack n' plays, jumperoos, etc.). If you're heading to Naples, FL, I'd recommend Twinkle Twinkle Little Store.