Moms, we’ve all been there…you’re amazing new baby has arrived and suddenly, you’re now responsible for another human being’s life. No pressure…
No matter where you go, you want to be prepared for the situation, but you also don’t want to be that mom that lugs around a weeks worth of supplies for an afternoon.
The solution? I’ll give you my best tips on all of the must have supplies to properly stock your diaper bag without overdoing it.
How to Choose the Right Diaper Bag
The first thing to consider is what kind of diaper bag you want to use. Here’s what you want to look for:
Who’s Going to be Carrying It?
This may matter more to some than others, but if mommy is the one who is going to be with baby all the time and carrying the diaper bag, then even if she has a boy, she may want to get a diaper bag that’s a little girlier or one that looks more like a purse. On the other hand, if daddy is the one carrying the bag, he may prefer something that’s easier for him to carry like a backpack so he doesn’t feel like he’s carrying a purse.
Go for Structure Over Fashion
Even though it’s nice to consider how your diaper bag will look, that’s not really what it’s there for, so primarily, you do want to focus on function. One of the most annoying things about the diaper bag we used for our first son was that it was SO FLOPPY! No matter how many pockets it had, it was hard to keep it organized or find anything in it because you had to go passed so much bag material to get to what you really needed.
With our second son, I told my husband we were investing in a new bag that would not only be able to handle the necessities of two boys, but would also stand up on it’s own so that we could actually get to everything we needed as we needed it. And it’s so much better! We have this one. We love the design and we didn’t have to spend a fortune on it!
Focus on Function
Think about the things you’ll need to use the diaper bag for and what you’ll be putting in it. In general, you want to look for a bag with a good number of easily usable pockets, including a thermal one to keep bottles and other snacks cold. I also like to have a mix of easy-access pockets (like ones with flaps) and harder-to-open ones (like one with zippers). This comes in handy because you’ll have a mix of things you will need to carry, some that you’ll need to get quickly (like baby wipes) and some you’ll want to make sure they stay put (like extra binkies).
It’s also great to get a bag that comes with a changing pad. These are lifesavers when you have to make a stop at a gas station or a mall with a sketchy bathroom and you just have to find somewhere to change your little one. At least you know that what you’re putting directly against them is clean.
Other Things to Consider
Now that you know what to look for, we’ll focus on what to put in it.
Focus On The Essentials
As much as I love to be prepared, I also hate lugging around a bunch of things I don’t need. It’s a good idea to look at your day or your outing and pack your bag accordingly. This may sound obvious but tons of people just leave their diaper bag packed all the time and they end up carrying around things they don’t need.
Yes, you may have a random situation where you’ll need fingernail clippers, but you don’t have to pack them all the time. And yes baby will survive without a diaper wipe warmer for an afternoon. The point is to focus on what things they will NEED first.
I like to make a mental note of the hierarchy of things we want to put in our diaper bag. First, we focus on things that take care of baby’s basic needs, like diapers, wipes, clothes and food. I would also consider binkies and burp clothes as necessities with young babies.
The next group of things we pack are things that are great to have, but aren’t absolutely necessary, like toys or things to distract them if you’re eating at a restaurant, disposable placemats, baby carriers, etc. These are more like convenience items that will make your outing easier, but you could make it work without them.
The last group of things are items like fingernail clippers, or a brush, etc. that you may have a situation where you would need it, but they aren’t really necessary to carry around with you. They should only be included if you honestly think you’ll have to use them and you have plenty of room in your diaper bag.
After you pack each hierarchy of items, evaluate how much room you have and how much your bag weighs. If you are going to have to carry it, it can get heavy quickly.
Pack A Mini Bag
This is something I really like to do when we’re going shopping and I have relatively easy access to the car. I take a smaller cooler bag along with our normal diaper bag and then when we go into a store, I can pack a diaper or two, a small pack of wipes and a snack. This way, I don’t have to take the main diaper bag, but I still have easy access to something, like an outfit change, if I need it.
What Exactly Should I Pack?
So here’s what you’ve been waiting for: a complete list of what we pack in our diaper bag whenever we leave the house. I have two separate lists, one for a newborn, and one for a one-year-old because that’s when I feel their difference in needs is the greatest. Use these lists for your own bag, or use them as guides to create your own. Either way, you’ll have everything you’ll need!
If you include anything in your diaper bag that we don’t have here, let us know! If you use it, someone else may use it too!