Diaper Bag Packing For Beginners
If you are expecting or are a new mom you may not know exactly what to pack in your new clean diaper bag. Don’t feel bad you’re not alone. Almost every client I have ever had that was a first time mom didn’t know what to pack either. But how are you supposed to know if you have never packed a diaper bag before? You won’t and no one is expecting you to know. This is why there are list of what to pack in diaper bags at every baby store and baby website. Over the years I have packed so many diaper bags I have lost count. I thought I would put together a list for you. Also it would be advantageous of you to pack this bag before you give birth because that first doctors appointment when you come home from the hospital sneaks up on you. Trust me the last thing you’re going to want to think about is what you will need in your diaper bag.
First you will want to select a diaper bag that suits your needs and your style. Whether your bag is trendy or basic, it has to hold baby’s gear and your own—from diapers and wipes to your cell phone and keys. You may choose something streamlined or a bag with plenty of compartments and pockets to store bottles, diaper ointment, and even a changing pad. Here is what you will need:
- Diapers-They are something you and baby can’t leave home without! Stock your bag with five to seven cloth or disposable diapers, even if you don’t think you’ll need them all. You never know when you might get stuck in traffic or left waiting at the pediatrician’s office.
- Wipes- Not only are wipes essential for wiping messy baby bottoms, they’re also great for cleaning hands, faces, and even blotting stains and spills. Travel packs come in handy dispensers that fit nicely into bags. If you don’t have a travel pack, you can preserve the wipes’ moisture in a plastic sandwich-type bag.
- Rash Cream- You never know when your little one’s bottom will become irritated and tender. Diaper rash can hit at any moment. Carry a small tube of cream or ointment to ease baby’s discomfort.
- Changing Pad- Don’t get caught without a clean place to change your baby’s diaper—especially if you’re on the road with no changing table available. Many diaper bags come with coordinating pads.
- Emergency Info- Carry the phone number of your baby’s physician with you and your child’s insurance card too.
- Medical Kit- Bring with you medications for fevers or colds, prescription medications if you’ll need them, and small bandages.
- Clean Shirt- If you’re going out for the day and your baby tends to spit up a lot or leaks through diapers, it’s nice to have a clean shirt for yourself, just in case.
- Sunscreen- Do not be caught in the sun without protection for your baby’s sensitive skin. A hat with a wide brim can keep your little one cooler on warm, sunny days, too.
- Clothing- Always tote at least one clean outfit (socks included!) in case baby has an extra messy diaper or spit up. You’ll also want to have a sweater or jacket that offers warmth in air conditioning or a cooler climate.
- Burp Cloths- Cloths or a few cloth diapers are great for cleaning spit up and other spills.
- Breastfeeding cover up- If you are breastfeeding your baby. The BeBe Au Lait is the one I recommend to clients.
- Nursing pads- disposable or reusable
- Blanket- Blankets come in very handy. They can be used as a soft, clean surface to put under your baby, as a wrap to keep him or her warm, or even as a shield draped over the baby’s carrier to keep the sun or wind off your little one. A blanket can even double as a changing pad or a breastfeeding cover up in a pinch.
- Snacks/Drinks- If you’re bottlefeeding, be sure to bring plenty of formula and clean water to mix it with. Bring a few jars of baby food for an older infant. It’s better to err on the side of caution and carry enough to last you through an unexpected delay. Additionally, bring a snack and a bottle of water for you, which is especially important if you’re breastfeeding.
- Hand Sanitizer- A small bottle of this no-water-required cleanser is welcome after diaper changes when there’s no sink available.
- Toys/Books- Items to entertain your baby can be lifesavers if you’re stuck waiting somewhere or your baby is getting fussy. And it’s always helpful to have stuffed animals or loves your baby likes at naptime.
- Nail Clippers- Clippers made just for your baby’s soft nails are handy when you’re out and notice your little one scratching with too-long nails.
- Disposable/compostable or re-useable wet bags- While they aren’t absolutely necessary, plastic bags or reusable wet bags are convenient for disposing of dirty diapers or storing wet/soiled clothing until you get home. (Just be sure the bags are out of your baby’s reach at all times.)
- Pacifier- If you’ll be out for a while and your little one is comforted by a pacifier, pack a clean one in your bag so it’s at the ready.