Amazon Travel Hack: Ship Baby Stuff (Don't Pack It)

Diapers: You can’t leave home without them, but they take up a LOT of space. Ship them ahead of time instead. These pack sizes are on the smaller side, so you may pay a slightly higher unit cost, but you won’t be stuck with a ton of extras as long as you estimate correctly.

Wipes are another must-have that are easy to ship in advance of your trip. You can buy these in single packs or packs of three, and they’re unscented, free of harsh ingredients and plant-based.

Throw a small tube of diaper rash cream into your cart. There’s plenty in this tube to keep your baby rash-free even for longer stay away from home, but the three-ounce size means it’s still TSA-compliant in case you need to bring it back home in your carry-on bag.

If you’re headed to a warm-weather destination, a pack of swim diapers will make your little one’s time in the pool or ocean a lot more comfortable. Shipping them ahead of time means it’s one less thing to pack and one less thing to forget.

Always be sure to bring at least a little formula with you if your baby drinks it and you’re going to be away from home—but it’s a good idea to ship some to your destination, too. These refill packs are less bulky (in case you need to bring any leftovers back home with you) and will help you save some space in your suitcase.

Reay-to-feed formula is ultra-convenient when you’re on the go but isn’t the easiest to pack. If that’s what your baby drinks, ship some ahead of time so you won’t have to worry about packing it or tracking it down at your destination.

You’re going to need to bring your primary breast pump along for the ride if you’re a parent who pumps regularly and is going to be away from home. But shipping a hand pump to your destination is an easy way to be sure you’ll have a backup on hand in case something goes wrong with your main pump. It’s also a nice-to-have at your destination if you’re an occasional pumper who doesn’t want to pack a larger pump when you’re traveling.

You can never have enough snacks. If you’re traveling with an older baby, shipping these puffs will save you a trip to the grocery store and help buy you some time if you’re dining out or sitting through long family meals with your baby in tow.

It’s helpful to have some pouches on hand if your baby has already started solids and you’re unsure of the food and meal prep situation at your destination. This 10-pack includes a mix of fruits and veggies to keep your little one interested. If you have leftovers, you can take them through security on your way home—formula, breast milk, juice and other liquids (including pouches) are permitted in “reasonable quantities” through security checkpoints, per the TSA.

These bars are made from whole grains, veggies and fruit and make it easy for your older baby or toddler to snack on the go. If you don’t have the time (or the energy) to pack them before your trip, ship them ahead of time to make things easier on yourself.

Depending on where you’re heading and how many children you have, a feeding set like this one may be something to consider if you’re planning on shipping baby or toddler items prior to your trip. It’s affordable and lightweight, includes everything you need for mealtime and is easy to clean.

Yes, you can pack your own bottle brush from home, but that often means lugging along a wet item and remembering to pack it right before you head out. Save yourself the hassle and ship it ahead of time.

This baby-specific dish soap is specifically designed to remove the residue from breast milk and formula. It’s not a necessity, but some parents prefer it over regular dish soap, and this travel-friendly size means you can bring it back home with you if there’s some left over after your trip.

You’re not officially a parent until your child spikes a fever when you’re on vacation or visiting friends and family. Instead of packing your stash from home, ship a bottle of Tylenol to your destination so you’re not out of luck at 2 a.m.

If your baby is six months or older, you can also give ibuprofen as a fever reducer and pain reliever.

Saline spray can be used with babies of any age and can help alleviate stuffy noses and make your little one more comfortable if they’re sick. This single pack is ideal for travel and won’t take up too much room if it needs to make the return trip with you.

If you want to cover all your bases, you can also ship a small first-aid kit to your destination. This one includes things like gauze, bandages, disposable gloves and lots more. (It’s ideal to keep in your diaper bag for everyday use, too.)

It’s so much easier to ship sunscreen ahead of time instead of remembering to buy it beforehand and figuring out how to pack it, especially if you’re flying to your destination. Blue Lizard is one of the easiest mineral sunscreens to apply and is water and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Baths away from home can be tricky, especially with a younger baby. This tub costs under 15 bucks and inflates in just a few minutes, making it perfect for travel. You can use it on its own or inside a regular tub.

It can be tough to remember to pack your own toiletries, let alone what you need for your baby. This gentle hair and body cleanser works for babies and toddlers and checks one more thing off of your packing list if you ship it ahead.

Depending on your little one’s age, it’s always helpful to have a few new toys and books on hand when you’re away from home. Indestructible books are durable (they are literally indestructible!), light and easy to take on the go.

It’s definitely not a necessity, but some parents find peace of mind in having a soft, clean spot for their baby to chill—especially when they’re not in their own home. This affordable playmat checks all of those boxes.

If you’re traveling with a toddler, this mess-free coloring set is perfect to help keep them entertained. Shipping it to your destination also makes it feel like a special surprise for when they arrive.