The Ultimate Diaper Bag Packing List for Air Travel

As a mom of two little ones, I've tried a lot of diapers in the past few years. Diapers can be frustrating enough to use back home, but when life regularly takes you with a baby or toddler on cross-country flights using tiny airport and airplane bathrooms, you need your diapers to work!  Although I can laugh about some of our traveling diaper mishaps and blowouts now, I prefer not to repeat those experiences either.

With a Walt Disney World trip coming up in a few weeks to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, how could I pass up the opportunity to partner with Huggies - the diaper brand that features Mickey Mouse himself? I recently tried out Huggies Snug & Dry diapers available at Walmart in anticipation of our trip. At nearly 19 months old, my little guy doesn't know a lot of cartoon characters but he knows Mickey. I've found that if I hand him an extra diaper during changes, looking at Mickey keeps him distracted enough for me to have a few seconds to complete the change. It's a trick I'll definitely be using on our flights to Orlando in a few weeks.

Related: 11 expert tips for changing a diaper on a plane

Diapers are only the start of what you need to pack for a successful airplane trip with little ones. My motto when it comes to travel with babies and toddlers is (like the Boy Scouts) to be prepared. I use a packing list to make sure that the diaper bag is stocked and ready with airplane essentials.

Here's my tried, true, and tested diaper bag packing list for air travel:

1. Diapers: Huggies Snug & Dry are a cute addition to your travel diaper bag if you are headed to Disney and want to theme your kiddo's attire.
2. Wipes: Travel sized packs of wipes are easy to find these days.
3. Antibacterial wipes: For disinfecting the tray table, armrests, and other surfaces your baby will touch.
4. Changing pad: Check out my favorite reusable changing pad for airplanes or consider using disposables.
5. Diaper cream: You may not be able to change your baby as often as you'd like during air travel, so diaper cream is important for extra protection.
6. Pain medicine (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) with syringe/dropper: Pressure changes can hurt little ears or kids can get sick en route during your travels, so always pack infant or childrens' pain relievers in your diaper bag for easy access.
7. Cheap baby-safe toys: Toys have a way of getting lost under airplane seats or left behind at airports, so don't bring anything irreplaceable.
8. Bottles or sippy cups with milk/formula: Remember that liquids for babies may require special screening but you are allowed to bring milk, formula, and juice under TSA rules.
9. Baby food: Some baby food pouches are technically too big to pass muster without additional TSA inspection, so look for the pouches that are under 3.4 ounces.
10. Change of clothes for you & baby: Because no matter how good the diaper, explosions can and will happen at some point!
11. Blanket: Blankets can serve double duty for cold flights as well as for wiping up a truly unexpected and large mess in a pinch.
12. Burp cloths: For those with younger babies still prone to spitting up, you need at least one burp cloth and probably more.
13. Bib: If your baby is eating solids or just at a drooling stage, a bib or two is essential.
14. Pacifier: If you use them, pacifiers are great to help baby and toddler ears adjust to pressure changes on descent. Consider bringing a pacifier clip so your child doesn't drop it on the nasty airplane floor!
15. Plastic bags: Necessary for diaper disposal, trash, or holding wet or dirty clothes.

This post was sponsored by Huggies. As always, all opinions are my own.