What to pack for your baby for Diwali at the grandparents' house: a simple clothes list

Every year around Diwali, half the parents I talk to are packing for the same trip: a week or ten days at the grandparents' house. A train or a long car ride, a house full of relatives, sweets everywhere, a puja, late nights, and a baby who has no idea any of this is happening. The question I get most is simple: how many clothes do I actually need to pack?

Here is the list I use and give to friends. It is written for this year's weather. Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November, and most of India is still warm in the day, with cooler nights only in the north and in AC rooms and trains.

Diwali offer, 31 Oct to 8 Nov: Buy any 3, get 10% off. Buy 5 or more, get 15% off. Applies by itself in your cart, no code needed. Our Diwali outfits for babies and kids are a good place to start.

The short answer: a simple formula

For babies under one, pack 2 outfits per day for the first 3 days, then 1 per day after that, plus 2 spare. Babies under six months may need closer to 3 a day because of leaks and spit-up. Toddlers can manage with 1 outfit per day plus 2 spare.

Why not more? Almost every grandparents' home has a washing machine or someone happy to wash baby clothes. Cotton and muslin dry in a few hours on a warm day. If you can wash every second day, you can pack for 4 days and stay for 10.

So for a 7-day trip with an 8-month-old, that's about 6 + 4 + 2 = 12 daytime outfits if you will not wash at all, or 7 to 8 if you will.

Clothes list by age

0 to 6 months

  • 8 to 10 vests, jablas or bodysuits (front-open is easiest)
  • 4 rompers or sleepsuits for night and the journey
  • 1 or 2 light full-sleeve layers for AC rooms and trains
  • 2 caps (only for cool nights or AC; skip indoors in warm rooms)
  • 2 pairs of socks or mittens
  • 6 to 8 muslin nappies or cloths, which double as burp cloths, sun covers and wipes
  • 1 festive outfit for the puja day

6 to 18 months

  • 6 to 8 everyday sets if you can wash, up to 12 if you can't: co-ord sets, rompers or frocks with bloomers
  • 3 nightsuits
  • 1 or 2 light full-sleeve layers
  • 2 pairs of socks for cold floors and evenings
  • 4 muslin cloths
  • 1 or 2 festive outfits

18 months to 5 years

  • 1 everyday outfit per day plus 2 spare (pull-on shorts and pants are easier during potty training)
  • 3 nightsuits
  • 1 light jacket or full-sleeve top if you are going north
  • 1 or 2 festive outfits, and one spare for the day after the sweets
  • Comfortable footwear they can walk in, not just the shoes that match the outfit

What I'd put in each bag

Pack in two parts. The big suitcase holds most of the clothes. A small change bag, the one that stays with you on the train or in the car, holds what you need in the next 8 hours.

In the change bag: 3 complete changes for a baby (2 for a toddler), a light full-sleeve layer, 2 muslin cloths, nappies, wipes, a zip bag for wet or dirty clothes, and a thin cotton cover. AC train coaches can get cold at night even when it is hot outside, and it is easier to add a layer than to find one in a suitcase at 2 AM.

A tip that helps: roll each complete outfit (top, bottom, socks) together and put it in its own small bag or a rubber band. At the grandparents' house you can pull out one roll and know it is a full set.

Picking clothes that work for travel

Fabric. Light cotton and muslin are the easiest choice for a warm trip. They breathe, they don't need ironing, and they dry fast on a clothes line. Our muslin vs cotton guide explains which works better for what.

Openings. On a train, nothing is more tiring than pulling a tight neck over a crying baby's head. For under-ones, pick front-open jablas, button-front shirts or wrap rompers. Our pack of 3 button-front shirt and shorts sets is the kind of thing I'd throw in for a trip, because three sets take very little space.

Co-ord sets over one-pieces for crawlers. If only the bottom gets dirty, you change just the bottom. A co-ord set gives you that; a one-piece doesn't.

Night. In a warm house, a short-sleeve cotton sleepsuit is enough. In an AC room or a north Indian winter night, a full-sleeve, full-length nightsuit is safer than piling on blankets, which can slip over a baby's face. A sweaty neck means your baby is too warm. See our nightwear for both kinds.

Colours. Darker prints hide turmeric, ghee and sweets better than white. Keep the white or cream outfits for the puja and photos.

The festive outfit

You don't need a separate heavy outfit for every day of the trip. One or two festive outfits are enough: one for the puja, one for visiting. For babies and toddlers who will be held, passed around and kept up late, a light cotton or muslin frock or a smart co-ord set works better than silk or net. They stay cool, they don't scratch, and you can wash them the next morning. For more ideas by age, and why a shorter cut is safer around diyas on the floor, see our guide to Diwali outfits for babies when it's still hot.

Whatever your child wears, keep them away from diyas, candles and crackers. No fabric makes it safe to be near a flame.

Sizing before a trip

Babies grow quickly, and a trip is a bad time to find out that everything you packed is tight. A week before you leave, try on the outfits you plan to take. If buttons are pulling or the legs ride up when your baby kicks, pack the next size.

If you are buying new clothes for the trip, go by weight and length, not just age. Our size finder and size guide will help. If your baby is between sizes, pick the bigger one. It will still fit after the holidays.

Order at least a week before you travel so there's time for a size exchange if you need one. We pack orders in 1 to 2 working days from Bengaluru (no Sunday pickup), and we offer a 7-day size exchange.

Things people forget

  • A zip bag or two for wet and dirty clothes
  • A small bar of mild soap or baby laundry liquid in case you need to hand-wash
  • A few clothes pegs
  • One outfit you don't mind being ruined (there's always a sweets incident)
  • Extra muslin cloths. You'll use more than you think. Our muslin nappies fold flat and dry fast.

FAQ

How many outfits should I pack for a baby for a 1-week trip?

For a baby under one, about 12 daytime outfits if you won't be washing, or 7 to 8 if you can wash every two days. Add 3 or 4 sleepsuits and 1 or 2 light layers. Toddlers need about 9 outfits, or 5 to 6 with washing.

What should a baby wear on an overnight train?

A soft cotton romper or nightsuit with full sleeves and full legs, since AC coaches get cold at night. Keep a light extra layer and a thin cover in your change bag rather than in the suitcase.

Should I pack woollens for a Diwali trip?

It depends on where you're going. For most of south and west India in early November, no. For Delhi, Punjab or the hills, pack one warm layer and full-sleeve nightwear for the evenings.

Is it better to buy clothes there or carry them?

Carry what you need for the first 3 days, especially the sleepwear your baby is used to. Some babies settle better in a new place when their night clothes are familiar.

Can I wash baby clothes with the family laundry?

Many families do. If your baby has sensitive skin, wash their clothes separately with a mild detergent and rinse well. If you're unsure, check with your paediatrician.

Have a happy, noisy Diwali with the family. If you're not sure about a size before you travel, message us and I'll help you pick.

— Sreenidhi, Shishu Vastra

Back to blog