Don't sweat the small stuff (but seriously you might sweat if you forget this small stuff)

I know the thought of packing for a little one can be daunting especially when you are traveling for a longer time period and staying in a hotel versus a family members home.  These are some of the items that you don’t necessarily need but I can’t imagine going anywhere without them!  

Bottle washing station

The OXO bottle travel bottle washing station is a life saver.  On our first trip I carried a bottle brush in a zip lock bag a little container of soap and just laid hotel towels all over our sink and washed away.  After I found this everything has changed.  Even now since we are using sippy cups and travel cups this is a need.  It folds up with the brush inside and you just open and wash.  Everything is contained in one little area.  I carry a little bottle of baby washing soap with us as well just to complete my perfect little station.  I even use it at peoples houses, it keeps all your stuff together and out of their way.

Pacifier wipes

These are food grade and sanitize after your baby decided to throw their pacifier on the airplane bathroom floor. (its happened)  I also use them on toys that she was constantly putting in her mouth.  They are great to wipe down pretty much anything, mine came in a great little container and I just bought refills (I took 3 packs on our 3 week trip and at the end I was rationing) 

Disposable diaper bags

 No one wants to smell a dirty diaper for longer than needed.  Especially at the end of a long day of travel and your baby has a blow out the minute you get to the hotel and house keeping isn't coming until tomorrow morning.  We buy these in bulk and use them for every single diaper we throw away in a hotel.  They have a nice fresh scent and they help keep any horrible odors from invading your room. Housekeeping staff appreciates it and everyone sharing the room will too.  

Bath Time!

When it comes to bathing a little one in a hotel I did all the research in the land.  Should I just hold her, should I just try and do it with nothing.  Well I found a portable option.  It is this amazing ducky tub.  I threw it into the hotel bathtub and Eliana loved it!  It tells whether the water is to hot or cold and the amazing part is it deflates and folds right back up into your suit case no problem.  It could even work if you didn't have a shower and needed to bathe your baby.  Now I’m not recommending this for little babies but babies that can semi sit up and hold their head up until they can’t fit into it anymore this is a great travel tool to have under your belt.

To go along with bath time my favorite bath product by far is the Mustela hair and body wash for babies and fortunately when were in Paris we found large bottles of it for a reduced price.  Well the large bottles are great but not for travel.  If you notice they don't really have a ton of travel size baby items beside Johnston and Johnston wash and baby powder.  It doesn't really help you out if you aren't really into the Johnston and Johnston items like I’m not.  I ended up buying the California baby product sampler, its $19.99 at target which is a win because just a little bottle of California baby sunscreen is $18.99. Now everything is in a much smaller size but its a great assortment! 3 hair and body washes (different scents) a body lotion, hair conditioner, bubble bath, two types of diaper rash cream, hair jelly (never used it but its cute), 18 spf sunscreen and 30+ spf sunscreen. They all come in a great bag and I just keep it in our suitcase ready to go.  The sunscreen tubes are perfect size to throw in your diaper bag when your out for the day just incase but if your going to the beach you’re defiantly going to need a lot more.  California baby is also known for their great products so for me it wasn't just the convince of the pack it was the product as well. I recommend them highly.  

Next I’m going to do a San Diego post and also and first night away from baby post for all those new mothers!