These essentials should be in every parent's diaper bag
Whether you are a first-time mom, or an experienced mom who has too often found herself shuffling through a messy diaper bag in search of that elusive teether or Ziploc bag of Cheerios, chances are you’ve experienced being out with your baby and a diaper bag that seems to have everything in it, except the one thing your crying baby needs right that very second. We also all know one of THOSE moms whose designer diaper bag is always perfectly organized and contains enough baby essentials to keep a baby happy for two weeks on a desert island.
So what is it that those moms know that we don’t? What exactly should be contained in our best diaper bags?
Diapers, Wipes, and Changing Pad
For young infants, it’s generally recommended that your diaper bag be stocked with enough diapers for one per hour for each hour that you plan to be out. If you use cloth diapers, remember to stock both diapers and diaper covers in your bag. The amount of diapers can lessen with each month a baby ages until you would typically keep four to six diapers in the bag until potty training is complete.
Along with diapers, you will need a travel pack of baby wipes in the disposable plastic refill containers or in a plastic baby wipe travel case. The travel cases are slim, making them ideal for diaper bag use, however, a wipe travel case will have to be refilled more often than a pack of baby wipe refills.
Most of the best diaper bags come complete with a matching plastic changing mat so you know you are placing your baby on a clean surface when changing a diaper on the go. If your diaper bag doesn’t have a portable changing mat, you can purchase one separately or use a cloth diaper or burp cloth.
Receiving Blankets
All those stacks of receiving blankets that you were given at your baby shower will come in very handy both at home and in your diaper bag. If your bag is roomy enough, it’s a good idea to have two clean receiving blankets. These are great not only for swaddling, or tucking around baby in a car seat or stroller, but also to give you a little cover while breastfeeding if you feel more comfortable covered. They are also great, all-purpose cloths for cleaning up any number of baby-related messes, and work well to cover baby from harsh sunlight.
Burp Cloths
These are essential for catching or cleaning up baby spit-up, for wiping up baby messes, and for placing under baby during diaper changes if you don’t have a changing pad available.
Hand Sanitizer
It’s likely that at some point you will find yourself pulled over on the side of the road, or in a parking lot, changing an emergency diaper blow out, and hand sanitizer is essential until you have access to soap and water.
Change of Clothes
If you’ve been a mom for more than a week, chances are you’ve already experienced at least one diaper blow-out and by now you know how critical it is to have a change of baby clothes with you wherever you go. For very young infants, you should carry at least two changes. One-piece outfits are the easiest option for carrying in your bag, and the best diaper bags generally have zippered pockets inside for just this purpose.
Zippered Plastic Bag
Because, again, blowouts happen, as well as spit-up and feeding messes, it’s a good idea to carry an extra plastic bag with a zipper. This will contain any soiled clothes or blankets until you get home and prevent the mess from getting on clean items in the bag.
Bottles, Formula, Expressed Breast Milk and Pump
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, you may not have to worry about packing bottles and formula. Formula-fed babies, however, will have to be fed. The best diaper bags contain sectioned pockets especially designed to carry baby bottles; some are even insulated so the milk can stay warm. You can also carry a sealed bottle of purified water and individual, pre-measured packets of baby formula.
Breastfeeding moms who feed babies expressed breast milk, may wish to bring breast milk in an insulated cooler bag, and bring along a breast pump. Some moms choose to keep a simple manual pump in their diaper bag, and leave the electric pump at home.
If your child is a toddler or very young child, your best diaper bag should always have a sippy cup handy for drinks.
Travel-Sized Diaper Cream, Baby Wash, Baby Shampoo, and Baby Lotion
Travel-sized baby grooming items are perfect for keeping in your best diaper bag. Chances are, at some point your baby-related mess will be large enough that you may find yourself giving baby an impromptu bath in a restroom. These travel-sized products are also perfect to keep in your diaper bag for overnight stays.
Toys, Teething Toys, Pacifiers, and Snacks
Finally, a well-stocked diaper bag should have a few toys for entertainment. Plastic key rings are always a baby-favorite. A good tip is to always keep a few special toys in your best diaper bag so your baby or young child only gets to play with (or chew on) those items when on the go. This makes them especially appealing for your baby.
If your child uses a pacifier, your best diaper bag should also contain at least two extras in protective plastic cases.
Snacks are also a life-saver in a diaper bag for older babies or toddlers. Zippered bags or lidded containers of dry snacks like Cheerios, goldfish crackers, etc. are perfect for storing in your diaper bag. And don’t forget to throw in a couple of granola bars for a hungry mom!
Resources— BabyCenter, KindredBravely
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