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Your diaper bag is pretty much your reinvented mom purse that takes the most necessary items for your baby from home and lets you take it on the go!
You want your diaper bag to save the day in a time of need but you don’t want to have to search through it like it’s Mary Poppin’s bottomless bag when all you need is a wipe. You also don’t want it to be so heavy that you dread taking it anywhere.
Just because you CAN take it, doesn’t mean you actually need to.
Ultimately it’s helpful to have helpful items but you don’t ordinarily need very much. Bring the necessities, not the whole nursery!
But if you’re new to the mom game I’m going to give you a rundown of the most important things you need in your diaper bag to make sure you’re good to go when you leave your house with your baby so keep reading!
What You Need
Diaper Bag
Mine is inexpensive, cute and has lots of convenient compartments! I definitely wanted the backpack style diaper bag so that my hands could be free whenever I needed to take it with me outside the car and I recommend that to every mom. Plus, my husband liked the look since it wasn’t too overly feminine so he doesn’t feel goofy holding it either- surprisingly he actually really did care about that and your hubby might too!
Changing Pad Liner (one or two)
Lots of bags come with a changing pad liner but if not, add one in. This is for your baby to lay on while you change them so it’s definitely a good idea to have one that is wipeable and washable because- well, you know. It’s also for comfort for your baby and to protect them from whatever surface they are laying on. This will be what you use in the back of the car for diaper changes or in public restrooms or on the floor at your friend’s house. I like to use the wipeable liner that came with my bag but also a regular cotton changing pad liner on top for comfort and because it’s not so slippery.
Diapers
You want enough diapers to get you through the time you plan to be away from home (one for every two to three hours) and maybe two extras. That’s it! Diapers can take up a lot of room in your bag, especially if you pack too many. Do you really think you’ll be changing your baby’s diaper eight times during a trip to Target?
Wipes
I personally don’t like to use the built-in wipes compartment in a diaper bag because they dry out. I need at least a half pack of diapers in the car at all times for all kinds of reasons- not just for diaper changes- so I definitely recommend bringing at least that much. And make sure they are wipes you’ve tried with your baby before so that you know they won’t have any kind of reaction to them.
Diaper Rash Cream/Vaseline
You never want to be away from home without the things you need to treat a diaper rash because they can happen so easily. Get the travel sized tubes and you’re good to go.
Disposable Bags
You’ll need these for dirty diapers so that they don’t stink up your car or leave a poop stench trail behind you everywhere you go. But these are also super convenient when your baby has an accident or for any reason you need to change their clothes because you can just toss them in, tie it up and not have to worry about getting the mess from their clothes onto anything else. Just make sure you don’t toss the bag when you get home!
Hand Sanitizer
This one’s for you, mama!
Antibacterial Hand Wipes
And this is mostly for your kid’s hands! These are handy if your kid manages to grab their dirty diaper before you get a chance to wrap it up and other times when you really wish you could actually wash their hands but don’t have access. Make sure you don’t accidentally grab these when you’re changing your baby though! They are not meant for sensitive areas so you may want to draw an X on the package or something else that will remind you.
Pacifier Wipes
Yes, this is the third type of wipe I’m recommending- but there’s a VERY GOOD reason! Pacifier wipes have ingredients that kill germs but they are baby-safe which is super important. And they’re not just for pacifiers- they can be used on toys and other things babies and kids might put in their mouths too! So if your baby’s teether falls out in a parking lot or your toddler drops a fork on the floor, you can just wipe it off with a pacifier wipe and hand it straight back to your little one. So easy!
Toys/Teethers
Obviously it’s always a good idea to have these around for car rides or just to have for your kids in general but they can also be very useful during diaper changes! It keeps them occupied and less likely to get grabby or flail around. It’s also nice if it’s a toy or teether that your child doesn’t regularly play with so that they will be more interested in it during your outing.
Pacifiers
Always bring a pacifier or two with you if your baby uses one. They can be such a relief for car rides when your baby is getting fussy and loud. There are also pacifier holders on the market but my kids didn’t take pacifiers long enough for me to purchase a holder. Some people find them very useful though! Many can just clip right onto your diaper bag.
Extra Change of Clothes
In this case it’s smart if you have an extra outfit that is one size bigger than what your child currently wears so that it doesn’t stay in the diaper bag and you miss the chance for it to actually get a chance to be worn. Having a spare change of clothes is a big deal. I remember changing my baby’s diaper in the back seat of the car on the Fourth of July when he was little and him peeing all over himself before I could get the new diaper on. The backup outfit may not have been as festive but I was damn glad I had something on hand other than just a diaper!
Band-Aids
Owies definitely happen a lot more often when your little one starts to be mobile. Keep a few fun Band-Aids in your bag and you never know when it might come in handy for someone else too.
Chapstick
Do we go anywhere without it?
Snacks
Keep a few easy, non-temperature sensitive snacks for you and for your toddler if your kid is old enough. We keep a Clif bar and a bag of Goldfish for emergencies.
Water Bottle
Always stay hydrated, especially if you’re breastfeeding!
Baby Bottles
If your baby takes a bottle, milk or formula, make sure you bring everything you need that goes along with it. For breast milk, you’ll need something to keep the bottle cold until it’s time to feed and then a way to warm it for your baby. We got an awesome portable bottle warmer as a gift when I was pregnant with my son and it was so handy for prepping while driving! If your baby takes formula, make sure you have the water and formula in well-sealed containers. Those pacifier wipes work for baby bottles too if you need them!
Pump
If you’re a pumping mom then you know all the gear you need that needs to come with you if you’re pumping away from home. You may or may not choose to keep this in your diaper bag but it helps to have a little checklist in your phone for everything you’ll need, especially if you need to wash your pump while you’re out too.
Burp Cloth
This is mostly for feeding but they are useful for messes in general so you may want two.
Seasonal & Other Items
Sunscreen
This one is helpful to have in your bag but some might consider this a seasonal item to take with you. As long as the sunscreen you choose is safe for babies then you can use it too.
Blanket
We never leave the house without a blanket for our littlest.
Portable Sound Machine
I’d consider this more of a car seat essential but definitely throw one in your diaper bag if you’re planning for your baby to nap at your destination. Some run on batteries but ours is chargeable and we absolutely love it. It also easily clips onto the car seat handle which is perfect when it’s time for a nap.
Sweater/Beanie
I always keep a sweater in the car for each of my kids, year-round, because sometimes you go places that are just chilly or you might be out in the evening when it cools down. A beanie is also nice to have but more of a seasonal item.
Medications/Personal Items
You know if your child has specific needs for something like an allergy or sickness or a lovey that they never leave home without. Use your best judgment so that you don’t overdo it but make sure you bring the most important items!
*Bonus Tips*
Repack your diaper bag when you get home and then put it right back into your car. You never know when you might have to leave the house in a hurry and it’s much easier not to have to scramble to grab diapers or something. This is also a great way to make sure that no bags of soiled clothes, stinky diapers or used burp cloths get left behind!
Try to keep like with like. Keep all diaper changing items in one section and your snacks, water bottle, etc in a different area. Make us of the most easy to reach compartments. You won’t want to have to dig through a huge compartment to get to the hand sanitizer when you need it quickly!
And that’s it! No need for excess other than possibly baby wipes since they are so universally used. If you have all of these items in your diaper bag you’ll be ready for pretty much anything!