Taking a baby anywhere is such a faff it needs to be worth it. Comments like “you don’t need to take much…” LOL. Clothes, wipes, nappies and nappy sacks, a change mat, barrier cream if using, bottles, formula if not breast feeding (either ready to feed bottles or powder pots measured out), a way to make up and store that formula if not ready to feed (rapid cool, flask), a way to transport open formula or made up formula (ice packs etc.), dummy, bibs, muslins, sun hat or winter hat if there’s going to be any time outside, a blanket, then you need to think about the practical things whilst you’re there like having somewhere to put them down (playmat or something. If they have dogs that’s an extra layer of thought about where you can safely put them down), and somewhere for them to sleep (maybe baby will have a contact nap whilst you chat, maybe they need quiet and a cot), where is an appropriate place to change them (is this a house you can use a bed, are you better on the floor somewhere if your postpartum knees can handle it, and see previous comment about them having a dog!).
Then there’s the car journey, the car seats, the baby hating being in the car and screaming the whole way, whether to wake them to get them out if they fall asleep, sometimes even the parking situation to think about when you get there.
All of this is pre-weaning or potty training as well where you then have SO MUCH more to carry and mess to worry about wherever you go.
Yes- all of these things are doable absolutely, but like I say, only if the people are worth it and willing to make effort with you too. After my first visit or two with my first as a baby, my MIL openly commented how she’d forgotten how hard this all is and went and bought a change mat, wipes, some toys, a play mat, a high chair, some ready to feed formula for emergencies, all the little bits that made going to hers easier and less stressful. She doesn’t drive either so it is me going to her.
Others DO drive, have seen the baggage carried around with a baby in tow, have other young children visiting them regularly so know the things that would help, but still do nothing to make visits to them easier or willing to come to us from time to time.
Guess who I make more effort with and will go through the palava of taking a baby (with older siblings now too!) to visit. Obviously the ones who have empathy.