Packing a Diaper Bag
Saturday March 22, 2008
A reader writes:
"I'm a new mom and it always seems like I'm forgetting something when we leave the house. Do you have a checklist for packing a diaper bag?"
I always felt this way when I was a new mom -- I must have had the biggest diaper bag on the planet. I was so paranoid about being without something my son needed. Your mileage will vary depending on the age of your child and your feeding method, but here's a list of items commonly needed while out and about.
And let me know if you've got a diaper bag-packing tip or if there's something you always keep on hand that I've left off the list.
Comments
My mother in law gave me a little suitcase (13×10) if even that big. It holds a few diapers, bibs and burp clothes in it. I also have her extra buddy in there for back up in case we loose the orginal one. It has really come in handy!
You should buy a baby bag. It is very handy comes with different compartments and a changing sheet (can be used while changing the diapers). If you are going to be out for less than 3 hours then the bag should contain few diapers, wipes, extra set of clothes, bibs, napkins etc. You should also carry some biscuits ,water, milk in case you are stranded for longer time.
If it is a days outing I prefer carrying paracetemol along with baby food, baby powder,cream and toys.
Our hospital gave us a diaper bag when our daughter was born. We too found that it was way too small.
I would say that new parents should buy a good backpack for their diaper bags…at least that is what we did. It has worked out great. Not only does it hold A LOT, but it also is much easier to tote around.
I find that most other parents overpack in their worry that they’ll forget something. My twins are now 4 months old and so far all I’ve had in their diaper bag is spare diapers, wipes, a burp cloth, a change of clothes for each and their bottles and portable formula (in individually wrapped packets.) That’s all they’ve really needed. Babies are enough work without loading yourself down with a huge diaper bag!
For infants, this is what I carried for short trips:
diapers/wipes/small changing pad
change of clothes
water bottle and dry formula (to mix as necessary)
tiny tube of diaper cream
burp cloth
teether or small toy
For day trips:
all of the above, plus
tylenol (fevers can come fast!)
blanket for napping
possibly more toys
As the baby gets older - 1 yr+ - you can predict mealtimes so maybe you just need a little snack and water or juice, along with change of clothes and diaper/wipes. Now that my son’s three and newly potty trained, I’m down to just change of undies/shorts, snack and water bottle.
I traveled very, very lightly with my son. I much preferred my Bjorn to the bulky stroller so I had to really be picky about what I carried with me as a diaper bag over one shoulder weighed me down too much.
So, I had one of those “fold and go” changing mats that holds 1-2 diapers, a baggie, a few wipes and had a zippered pocket for keys, ID and money.
I breastfed exclusively so I always had the right amount of food for any case. It’s very easy to be spontaneous and travel light if bf’ing.
We always had our car near by (parking lot or home) and I kept all that extra stuff in there (changes of clothes, blanket, toys, hat…). I honestly never missed that stuff.
There are very few emergencies that will come up in a 30 minute trip inside Target with a baby or even a 1.5 hour mall outing. Wet diaper? It can wait (we used cloth and he peed as soon as he got a new diaper anyway so we were mellow about that).
As a mom of just one I also had the luxury of usually being able to plan my day. We would go on outings right after he nursed at home. We’d change the diaper before we left.
As he got older I started carrying more, but still not a ton. My friends all carry gigantic diaper bags. In my little tote I always have just what I need. And if I don’t then home or the car are close enough that it really doesn’t matter.
Get a bag for restaurants that have snacks or activities, something to put on the table and misc stuff- no reason to have all that crap in your everyday bag.
I would stick with a bag like the Lands’ End Little Tripper. I just think with some planning (and with breastfeeding
) you can get by with a lot less stuff. And if you forget something it probably won’t be as big a deal as you expect.
I carry diapers, wipes, an easy-to-wear outfit, and an empty, clean sippy cup (to get water or juice). Also, I bought a small carrying case that zips, it carries a thermometer, nose aspirator, and has room to put a small bottle of infant’s tylenol, orajel, and travel sunscreen if necessary. I think it cost like $6. We have toys and books in our car to entertain our daughter to and from our destination, so I just grab a few of those if I know she’s likely to get bored. When she was younger and using a bottle, I’d usually pack the above items, and add a very small lunchbox type insulated bag (ANY lunchbox will do actually) with an ice pack and her bottles. This works for formula babies and for breastmilk babies if you’re in an inconvenient situation for nursing.
Find a backpack diaperbag- great because you have yours hands full enough!
1.diapers
2.wipes
3.changing pad
4.travel pack of tissues
5.Something to drink/eat- bottle of water & dry formula or sippy of water & baby food or crackers etc..
6.change of clothes
7.at least one toy (something you can hang/clip on to outside of bag or stroller or your pants is best)
7.a small cosmetics bag -1st aid-baby Tylenol, Neosporin, small card with emergency & insurance info.,Saline spray(my son gets nose bleeds), tweezers, a couple of bandages, emergency with card with CPR/Hymlic info.
*I also keep a couple of diapers, a travel pack of wipes, a sippy cup, and travel tissues in car.
P.S. You should alway have your diaper bag ready. You should refill your bag as soon you get the chance after using the contents. That way you’re ready to go!
I agree with the items listed above but I would also add that if you plan on going say to a relative’s home and they seem to want to keep you longer than you would like you should conveniently forget an important item that you would normally pack like maybe diapers. This idea is not for everyone but my newborn’s grandparents try to keep us out for a long time and since I am breastfeeding I can’t use the excuse that I need more formula:)
SaBreena… LOL! That is the greatest. I wish I’d thought of that. Would have kept me out of some really exhausting visits!
I just have one thing to say. i’m the mother of 4 ages 16,12,6, and 1. never forget the wet wipes and a diaper even if your only going to target and back. trust me its just not worth it. that will always be the time they have the worst diaper ever. even after 3 kids i still didn’t want to drag that diaper bag around and felt it wasnt needed for a 1/2 hour trip. trust me, it is!!!!!!
One of my most coveted items in my diaper bag was an extra shirt for *me*! I had several incidents in which my little one was prepared for just about anything, but I was not so prepared when he had a bodily-fluids accident on me. Ack. It’s quite nice to have a clean shirt to change in to.
Jennifer — that’s a great idea. Just last night I was watching a friend’s toddler and her little girl managed to keep her outfit clean throughout dinner and yet I immediately got spaghetti on my shirt! I think it’s especially true, too, when you’re nursing. I can remember when my milk supply was stable and I didn’t wear pads in my bra any longer, but lo and behold, I’d hear a baby’s cry and it would still make me leak like crazy. Sometimes I didn’t even realize I’d leaked until someone pointed it out to me. Haha.
I’ve found my baby bag packing changed as my baby has grown. Newborn: needed nursing/bottle accessories, burp clothes and bib(a must!), a waterproof changing pad, diapers, wipes, powder and ButtPaste if baby’s prone to diaper rash, pacifier, 2 blankets, and 2 outfits (in case of diaper blowouts or keep these extras in the car!!! and maybe an extra change for you if you don’t like the spit up look)
as your baby grows you will modify packing with more toys, snacks and entertainment, drop the burp clothes, paci and know better your child’s needs.
It is great to have a car organizer and then a small to-go bag of 2 diapers, small wipes, and bottle for small shopping trips. A shade for the car window is great and remember to protect with hats etc.
For my toddler, I always have a snack bag I keep packed for the car with crackers, fruit bars, etc. and stick a cold bottle of water in the side when I leave. I also have a pre-packed diaper bag in the car with the usual- wipes, diapers, change of clothes, shoes, blanket, and empty sippy cup (to pour a fresh drink into for riding in the car). The best thing is to keep it full! Refill it once it’s getting low so you don’t even have to worry if you have to run out unexpectedly. When she was an infant, I also carried bottles, formula, fresh water, and lots of bibs and burp cloths.
Wow, some of you pack so much stuff! I have a medium sized diaper bag…probably large enough for a 15″ laptop. BTW, major plus for breastfeeding: less stuff to haul.
For an all day outing:
Newborn: 2 outfits, 1 blanket (in the winter), 2-3 burp cloths, 1 nursing cover, 6 diapers, 2 ziploc bags, hat, 2 small toys, small pack of wipes, changing pad. My baby didn’t do pacifiers.
6 months: 1 outfit, 2 bibs(if I bring baby food), 2 sippy cups, pre-measured powder formula, bottled water, 1 jar baby food (sometimes), 2 spoons (if I bring baby food), changing pad, 6 diapers, small pack wipes, zip lock bag, 1 blanket in winter.
That’s it. Tips to make your bag lighter:
1. Keep that whole list of stuff under Safety and Emergencies in the car; 1 kit for each car.
2. Keep toys in the car that are just for trips and change them out from time to time.
3. Keep ziploc bags, 1 blanket, and extra onesies in the car, plus an extra shirt for you (black or white so it matches everything you wear).
4. Before 1 year, you don’t have to bring baby food on a day trip. Babies still get over 50% of their nutrition from formula/breastmilk. Just feed them solids in the morning and when you return that night.
To keep from forgetting things, keep your bag packed. Re-stock while your baby is napping or before you go to bed. OR, make your husband do it. Give him a list and ask him to pack it at night. Husbands always want to help, especially if you’re breastfeeding.