Travelling with a baby requires thoughtful planning—but the right destination makes all the difference. Chiang Mai turned out to be one of the most family-friendly places we've visited in Thailand.
From smooth pavements in Nimman to spacious malls and baby-friendly cafés, getting around with a toddler felt surprisingly easy.
This post shares practical tips, travel essentials, and real experiences that helped us manage flights, food, and daily outings with our one-year-old.
What Made This Trip Easier with a Baby
A few simple, thoughtful choices made a huge difference:
- A stroller worked perfectly in Nimman and inside malls
- Plenty of kid-friendly food options were easily available across cafés, markets, and shopping centres
Flight Hack That Changed Everything
On long flights, an airplane hammock was a complete game-changer for us. It helped our baby sleep comfortably, making the journey smoother for everyone.
Unlike inflatable footrests, this doesn't require airline approval—so you can travel stress-free. It's compact and fits easily into a diaper bag.
Insider tip:
Once boarding is complete, check for an empty row. We placed the hammock in the middle seat and sat on either side—our baby had a bed-like setup, and we actually managed to sleep without discomfort.
International Travel Checklist for a 1-Year-Old
These are the baby travel essentials that genuinely helped us during our trip to Thailand.
Feeding & Cooking Essentials
Travel Kettle (Must-Have)
The portable kettle we used was compact and very useful—you can heat water and even cook rice. Since rice is a staple for my baby, this became my holy grail travel item.
- Portable travel kettle
- Multifunctional kettle (can steam vegetables and make porridge)
Cutlery & Food Storage
- 2-in-1 knife and peeler (extremely useful while travelling)
- Baby spoons
- Storage/tiffin boxes for day trips
- Water sipper
- Extra water bottle (to store boiled water and avoid reheating)
Paper Bags (Highly Recommended)
You can't imagine how much mess a baby can create during meals—especially while travelling. Paper bags are lightweight, easy to pack, and perfect for quick clean-ups anywhere.
Hygiene & Mealtime Helpers (Lifesavers)
-
Disposable diaper disposal covers
Great for locking in smell—you can carry used diapers for hours without worrying
-
Disposable bibs
Absolute saviours. No washing, no carrying used bibs—just use and throw
(Tip: carry 40–50, they're very lightweight)
Baby Food We Carried
Porridge Mixes (India-Friendly)
These worked really well for us:
- Sprouted ragi from Slurrp Farm
- Toor dal & moong dal khichdi from Little Moppet
They're made with clean ingredients, easy to prepare, and removed the constant stress of feeding.
Ready-to-Eat Options
- Ella's Kitchen food pouches
Perfect for flights, airports, and situations where cooking isn't possible—very convenient and mess-free.
Fresh Food Availability
Fresh yogurt, fruits, and vegetables were easily available across Chiang Mai.
For more food options, I've shared detailed recommendations in my blog: "Best Cafés & Food to Try in Chiang Mai."
Travel Bottles & Cleaning Essentials
- Travel-friendly squeeze bottles (for body wash & dishwashing liquid)
- Handwash (a must when travelling with a baby)
Medicines: Don't Skip This
Always carry all essential medicines, including:
- Fever
- Cold
- Tummy issues
- Vomiting
- Motion sickness
Medicine compositions vary across countries, so it's best to be fully prepared.
Toys: A Must for Travel
Carry a few toys to keep your baby engaged during:
- Flights
- Road trips
- Hotel downtime
If you're a parent, you already know how important this is 😊
Clothing Essentials for Chiang Mai
- Sweater (barely used in September)
- Socks
- Caps & beanies
- Shorts, pants, shirts
- Extra pairs of clothes (always!)
- Washcloths
You can never overpack clothes for a toddler—trust me.
Diapering Essentials
- Diapers
- Wet wipes
- Fully packed diaper bag
A Note on Milk & Feeding
You might notice I haven't mentioned milk or bottles. I'm a breastfeeding mom, and I found direct breastfeeding much more convenient while travelling compared to pumping.
It saved luggage space, reduced effort, and made feeding much more peaceful during the trip.