The trick to travelling with a baby is splitting your list in two. Pack the small, personal things your baby is used to. Rent the big, bulky things that are a pain to move. Here’s a checklist you can use for any trip, with notes for Sea to Sky mountain trips.

Pack from home

These are the things that are small, personal, or hard to replace on short notice.

Diapers and wipes for the first 3 days. That gets you through travel day and settling in. Buy the rest when you arrive instead of using up suitcase space.
Familiar snacks, formula or bottles. A new place is already a lot for a little one. Their usual formula, bottle nipples and favourite snacks help avoid a hungry, fussy first night.
Sleep sack and a comfort toy that smells like home. Familiar smells and textures help babies settle in a strange room. If you pack nothing else for sleep, pack these.
Any medications. Bring infant fever medicine, any prescriptions and a thermometer. You don’t want to be searching for a pharmacy at 2 a.m.
Layers, rain gear, sun hat and swimwear. Clothes are light and packable, and your baby’s own clothes will fit properly.
A portable white noise machine. It covers up hallway noise, creaky floors and unfamiliar sounds. It’s small and makes a big difference for naps.

Rent at your destination

These are the big, bulky items that fill a car or rack up airline fees. Renting means they’re clean, assembled and waiting when you arrive.

Mini crib or pack and play, with linens. A safe sleep space is the one thing you can’t skip. Bringing your own means packing a heavy, awkward bag and setting it up on arrival.
Slumberpod. If you’re sharing a room, this blackout sleep pod fits over the crib and gives your baby a dark, cozy space to sleep while you stay up.
High chair. Most vacation rentals don’t have one, and a baby on your lap at every meal gets old fast.
Stroller. A Thule Chariot or jogging stroller handles trails much better than the lightweight stroller most families fly with.
Hiking backpack carrier. It’s great for trails that are too rough for wheels, and it’s not worth buying for one trip.
Car seat, if someone’s picking you up. It saves you from carrying a car seat through the airport.
Bouncer. It gives you a safe spot to put your baby down while you unpack, cook or have a coffee.
Duplo blocks. They’re too bulky to pack, but they give you hours of fun on rainy afternoons.
Balance bike for toddlers, for a bit of extra fun at the park or on a paved path.

Slumberpod blackout sleep pod set up beside the parents' bed in a shared room — Sharing a room? A Slumberpod gives your baby a dark, quiet space to sleep.

Flying vs. driving: what changes

If you’re flying

Keep the essentials in your carry-on. Pack enough diapers, wipes, formula or snacks, a change of clothes for your baby (and a spare top for you) to get through a delay or lost luggage.
Formula, breast milk and baby food are allowed through security in reasonable amounts for babies, even over the usual liquid limit. Take them out for screening.
Feed during takeoff and landing. Sucking on a bottle, breast or pacifier helps with ear pressure.
Skip checking your car seat. A car seat only protects your baby if it’s undamaged, and checked luggage gets thrown around. If someone is picking you up at the airport, rent a Britax car seat instead. Ours are well cared for, and it’s ready when you land with nothing extra to carry through the airport.
Leave the other big gear at home too. Strollers and pack and plays get damaged in transit and are a hassle to carry. Renting at your destination means less to haul.

If you’re driving

Keep a “car bag” within reach. Pack diapers, wipes, snacks, a change of clothes, a blanket and a few toys so you aren’t digging through the trunk at a pullout.
Plan stops around naps and feeds. A long drive goes better when you leave at nap time and stop when your baby wakes up.
Save your trunk space. Renting the crib, high chair and stroller frees up room for everything else.

What to bring by age

Newborns (0 to 6 months)

Newborns need very little, but they need it to be safe and familiar. Focus on a safe sleep space, feeding supplies, a carrier for naps on the go and plenty of changes of clothes. A bouncer is a big help when you need your hands free.

Babies (6 to 12 months)

This is when a high chair becomes a must and your baby starts crawling into everything. Pack outlet covers if your baby is mobile, plus familiar finger foods. A jogging stroller or Chariot makes outdoor time easier.

Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

Toddlers need to move. Plan for outdoor time, pack a couple of favourite books and let rentals take care of the fun. A balance bike or a set of Duplo blocks keeps them busy without filling your suitcase. A hiking carrier helps when little legs give out halfway up a trail.

Sea to Sky extras

Mountain weather changes fast. Pack warm layers in summer too. A sunny morning in Squamish can turn into a cool, windy afternoon.
Sun is stronger at elevation. Bring a sunshade and sun hats for gondola days.
Trails vary. A Chariot or jogging stroller handles paved and gravel paths; a carrier handles the rest. The Squamish Estuary trails are a great, flat place to start.
Fall through spring is rainy. Pack a waterproof suit or rain cover for the stroller, plus a spare set of dry clothes.

Where to buy diapers and baby supplies in Squamish

Nesters Market is right at the main intersection of Highway 99 and Cleveland Avenue, so it’s an easy first stop as you come up the highway from Vancouver.
London Drugs or Shoppers Drug Mart are the places to try if you’re looking for a specific brand.
Walmart is usually the most economical. Still, depending on what you need, you can find good deals at the other stores too, so don’t count them out.

Looking for things to do? See our guides to Squamish family activities, camping with kids and bike skills parks, or find places to stay in Squamish.

Frequently asked questions

Do hotels and vacation rentals provide cribs?

Some do, but it varies a lot. Many vacation rentals have nothing for babies, and hotel cribs are often limited or need to be booked ahead. Ask before you go, or rent a crib so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Is it cheaper to rent baby gear or bring it?

For short trips, renting usually wins once you count baggage fees, the risk of damaged gear and the hassle of carrying it. For a full breakdown, read is renting baby gear worth it?

Can I bring formula on a plane?

Yes. Formula, breast milk and baby food are allowed through security in reasonable amounts when you’re travelling with a baby, even over the usual liquid limit. Expect them to be screened separately.

How many diapers should I pack?

Plan for about 3 days’ worth, which is roughly 8 to 10 diapers a day for newborns and 5 to 8 for older babies. Buy the rest after you arrive.

What’s the one thing I shouldn’t forget?

Your baby’s familiar sleep items: their sleep sack, comfort toy and white noise. Good sleep makes the whole trip better for everyone.

Still deciding? Read is renting baby gear worth it?, or browse all baby gear rentals.

Travelling with a Baby: What to Pack and What to Rent