The Smart Way to Pack for Baby or Toddler

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Ever since creating the baby & toddler packing list for you {ahem, years ago…}, I’ve wanted to fill you in on the SMARTEST way that I know how to pack my little guys.

I’m certain that this one little life-changing tip, will CHANGE the way you pack for your baby or toddler.

The SMART Way to Pack a Baby or Toddler:

1. Start by sorting the clothes that you plan to take with you. I do this by pulling articles of clothing out in categories.

For instance: I start with onesies & shirts.  I pull them out of the closet, and place them in a pile somewhere, where I have a big space to spread out.

Next, I pull out shorts…

…pants.  {Can you tell I was packing for the beach on this trip, since I only packed one pair of pants? 😉 }

…Swimming Suit{s}/Trunks

…and for the infamous baby & toddler “outfits,” that come together… I put them in their own little pile, individually.

… and lastly {for us} a few jackets for those cool nights.

2.  Next grab, clear plastic, gallon size, zip-top bags…

Brand doesn’t matter… they all work great for packing.

3.  Starting with one pile of clothes {I started with the onesies and shirts}, gently roll up an item, and place it in a bag.  Do this with each item, placing all of the shirts in one bag… and grab a different bag for the pants.  A different bag for the shorts.  Different bag for the swim trunks... etc.

In this photo, you’ll see that my little guys shirts were small enough, that I could put some horizontal in the bag, and still have room on the side to stuff some shirts in, vertically…

For the outfits that come together, I put those in their own bag.  {I do this, so if anyone else is helping dress the baby/toddler on vacation, they’ll already know what shirt/shorts go together.}

4. When one bag is full {it doesn’t have to be completely filled up}, seal the bag about 3/4 of the way.  Push all of the air out of the bag, and finally seal the bag completely… trying to make sure no air filters back in to the bag.

{I actually place my knees on the bag, REALLY pushing the air out, and then I pinch the bag closed.}

Then… I have created a “vacuumed sealed,” type of package.

Why do I do this?  For a few reasons:

1.  The “Vacuum Seal,” effect, saves room in the suitcase
2. Rolling up the shirts, creates less wrinkles than folding the clothes, leaving space to move and crunch during transport.
3. Placing the clothing in plastic bags, prevents getting ruined if the baby shampoo or sunblock leaks during transport.
4. I can use the plastic bags to store the dirty clothes while away on vacation.
5. I’m able to use the plastic bags over and over again, for each vacation.  I just place the bags back in to the empty suitcase when we get back home!

In this photo below… you’ll see that I was actually able to put my 4 year olds clothing in the same suitcase, because I saved SO much room packing this way! 

I’ll never forget the look on my girlfriends face when I taught her the smart way to pack for baby or todder.  Her and her family travel just about as much as we do, and I honestly feel it changed her packing life… as it did mine!

I can’t WAIT to hear how this method of packing worked for you!  Let me know below! I love hearing from you!

xoxo,

jessica