I Heart Lists: Packing for Down South

As you may know, we just got back from a 2 week trip to Mexico, near Cabo in the Baha. This was not an all inclusive. Just to give you an idea of the style of trip, we rented a beach house with our cousins and chose that location to visit some family who lived near by.

I wanted to share some packing lists with you, because coming up with them was the stressful part that made me the most nervous, not the actual packing. I always overpack, that's just my style. I would rather have more with me than be missing something. Also, depending on where you are going, if amenities are scarce, it's better to be prepared.

The advice I have is try to travel on the plane as light as you can. Don't invest and bring many toys, because there is nothing that can entertain an 11 month old for a long period of time.

Going there I had V in the stroller, with a small purse around my shoulder. My husband carried the duffle bag that we used as a diaper bag and he also carried the Cabana play pen (12 lbs). We sky checked the cabana and stroller.

Coming back, I had V in my carrier with the cabana in the stroller and I used my beach bag as a purse draped on the stroller. Michael had the duffle bag (diaper bag) and new collapsable bag filled with goodies we brought back from Mexico! For some reason, my luggage was heavier too, so I had to dump more stuff in our carry on. NOT COOL!

For Victor (11 months old, and just weaning off of formula):

• clothes (t-shirt, shorts, pants, sweater, pj, sox, undershirt)
• swimsuit
• blanket (2), sleep sack, pacifier, monitor
• diapers for travel, wipes, rash cream, sunscreen
• hat, lifejacket, beach towel
• soap, bath towel, laundry bag, tylenol, ora gel, nail clippers
• shoes, sandals
• diaper bag, carrier
• toys for the plane ride (small books, small rattle)
• cabana play yard/playpen
• umbrella stroller
• formula, bottles, brush, spoon, sippy cup, bib, formula divider container, lunch bag, freezer pack, 
• Food, snacks and water

Things I bought there for him:

• formula
• diapers and wipes
• beach toys 

For mom:

• cash, passport, credit card, flight info, travel wallet
• camera, charger, phone, charger
• books
• drink cup/ water bottle
• bathing suit
• underwear, sox, bra
• bathing suit, beach towel 
• flip-flops, water shoes, sandals
• t-shirts, shorts, dress, skirt, pj, workout clothes
• sunglasses, sarong
• makeup, tweezers, scissors, hair stuff, jewelry, hair dryer, brush, nail polish and remover
• shower kit (shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair product, toothpaste, toothbrush, makeup remover, shower gel, face cream, Qtip, hair brush, nail clippers, pads/ tampons)
• sunscreen, aftersun cream, bandaids, polysporin, tylenol
• pants, sweater, scarf (chose traveling outfit that is warmer)
• purse, backpack, collapsable bag or beach bag (to use a diaper bag) and duffle bag to use for carry on.

Is there anything missing on my list? Please leave your comments below. I'll be posting more about the trip as well and how travelling is with kiddies! Stay tuned :)

A list of "Baby Lists"

When you're on the go, traveling for the weekend or going on a trip, it's imperative that you have everything you need with you when you leave your nest. Unless you are not like me and you like using your baby's blanket as a face cloth, diaper changing station, breastfeeding cover and blanket all at the same time.

Here are a few useful packing lists that may help to remove the guessing game out of what to bring when you leave your home.
WARNING: I am not a light packer, in fact, I like to think of every scenario so I can be prepared!

Here are the different things that I packed for my 6/7 month old this summer:

1. Regular day out (shopping mall, grocery store, coffee date)
2. Swimming at the lake or splash pad in the park
3. Weekend trip to Toronto (where baby stuff is available at my sisters house)
4. Weekend trip camping/hotel in the Sandbanks

SkipHop Pronto! Changing Station

First and foremost I always have the following in my car:

- car seat/stroller adaptor

- stroller/seat for stroller (Baby Jogger- City Select)

- rain guard for stroller

- mirror with monkey so I can see Little man

- small toy that stays in the car

In my diaper bag I always have:

- diapers/wipes

- large lulujo baby blanket

- Spit up cloth, very versatile to clean up all sorts of messes

- mini toy, teething ring and a few small books

- Changing pad kit (zinc oxide, saline, vaseline, cloth, baby soap)

- Extra change of clothes

- Feeding bag: spoon, extra formula, bib and pacifier

- JJ Cole bottle pod with ice pack (for formula and food)
- hat and sunglasses
- Purell
- Vaccine Card

Regular day out (shopping mall, grocery store, coffee date)

- Refill diapers and wipes in bag, make sure the extra clothes are clean
- Make enough formula before leaving the house

Swimming at the lake or splash pad in the park
- Refill diapers and wipes in bag, make sure the extra clothes are clean
- Make enough formula before leaving the house
- Camera
- Towel
- Bathing suite and hat
- sunscreen ( I use Alba baby sunscreen, 45 spf)
- wet diaper bag for wet towel and bathing suit
- Picnic blanket

Weekend trip (or longer) to Toronto (where baby stuff may be available at my sisters house)
- Diaper bag with extra diapers and wipes
- Sleep: play pen, play pen mattress cover, blanket or sleep sack, sleep sheep
- Food: formula, bottles, bottle cleaner, bottle soap, drying rack, baby bullet and supplies, bib, Fisher Price booster chair (or bumbo)
- Play: play mat, toys, books
- Bath: towel, soap, wedge
- Seat/Chair if you will be somewhere for a long period of time
- Baby carrier
- Pack weather appropriate clothes, pj, onsie, sox, sweater, jacket, hat, gloves and shoes

Weekend trip camping/hotel in the Sandbanks
Basically a combination of all of the above :)

Obviously, depending on your babies needs and your destination, you will have to adjust your personal list, but I hope this is a good start! If you don't start packing early enough, a good check list can get you out the door just as fast.

Happy and safe travelling!

P.S. We will be travelling to Mexico when Little man will be about 11 months. I hope to have a list ready for a blog post! It may help me get organized in advance too!