What’s In My Newborn Diaper Bag
There are two types of people when it comes to packing a diaper bag. I am somehow both of them, and its driving me crazy. As a dad, my personal nightmare is to be caught unprepared, so theres a part of me that wants to pack absolutely everything I could possibly need. And more than a few things I probably wont. But on the other hand, I love to just get up and go, and I dont want a heavy bag slowing me down. To try and find a measure of sanity, Ive compromised with myself and currently have one of each style diaper bag packed.
What Are The Different Types Of Diaper Bags
One Google search will reveal the myriad of options when it comes to diaper bag designs. The most popular are diaper backpacks and tote bags you’ll find them in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and materials. There are also compact diaper bags that often come in the form of cross-body bags or changing stations on steroids. These are made to be easily thrown into a stroller or carried on the go and are usually a good secondary bag option. You also want to keep an eye out for hybrid bags, which seamlessly transition from a tote to a backpack. Their adaptability makes them a great option for caretakers who prefer different carrying styles.
Start With The Right Bag
Diaper bags are designed to hold baby gear and essentials, but there are so many options when it comes to size, style and even price. While most of us cant afford a $10,000 Hermes Birkin bag the worlds most expensive diaper bag there are some special features to think about before you make a purchase.
Versatility: Youll want a shareable look so you and your partner feel comfortable holding and carrying it, Pearson said. There are several types of diaper bags, but backpacks are a comfortable, convenient and hands-free option. There are also convertible bags that can work as a backpack, tote or messenger bag.
Size: Purchase a bag with plenty of space because youll always end up needing more room than you think.
Easy to clean: Life can be messy, but with little ones, its guaranteed. Look for machine-washable diaper bags or ones that are easy to wipe clean.
Insulated pockets: Everyone loves pockets to keep their things organized and handy but look for a bag that includes insulated pockets so you can keep a prepped bottle cold.
Other bonuses: You can purchase these separately, but some diaper bags come with special clips that can attach to the handlebar of your stroller and changing pads that fold out right from the bag for an instant changing station.
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Do We Need A Diaper Bag
Yes! Do you leave your house without a purse or at least a wristlet? Diaper bags are just like pursestheyre great for holding everything you need when you leave home except this time youre storing things for your baby and a few things for you.
Babies require A LOT of stuff, especially newborns, and you need a convenient place to put all the diapers, wipes, etc., even on those short trips to the grocery store.
Add In Extras Based On Age
As your baby grows, so will their needs, Pearson said.
Here is a breakdown of things you may need based on your childs age:
- Newborn to 6 months: pacifiers, small portable sound machine
- 6 months to 12 months: pacifiers , sippy cup, baby-friendly foods and snacks for on the go, toys and books
- 1 year old and older: sippy cup, spoon, healthy snacks, toys and books
Read Also: Why Do Newborns Cry A Lot
How Long Do You Use A Diaper Bag
Thats up to you, but many people use them until their kids are about 5. You may carry less in your diaper bag once your baby is potty-trained around 2 or 3 and you dont need diapering supplies anymore. You will likely still carry a bag for snacks, water, wipes, a change of clothes, and other items until your kid is in kindergarten or beyond.
Thats it! I hope this diaper bag essentials and diaper bag checklist helps take the guess work out of what to include in your bag and prevents any moments of panic because you find yourself stranded with no diaper!
I also have some other helpful mom life posts, including your Hospital Bag Checklist and 15 Mom Hacks You NEED to Know!
Thanks for reading and sticking around!
What To Pack In A Diaper Bag
When deciding what to pack in your diaper bag, think of possible scenarios you’ll encounter and work backwards from there. Of course, youll need diapers and wipes, but what about an extra onesie in the event of an accident? An extra toy for baby in case you need extra entertainment while on-the-go? A water bottle to keep you hydrated during afternoons at the park?
Although the exact items in your bag will depend on baby’s age and your own preferences, you can use this checklist as a general guide when packing your diaper bag:
- Diapers and wipes
- Snacks for baby
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Winter hat, mittens and gloves
- Anything you need to breastfeed or pump in public
- Products for parents
Also important to pack: Your own must-haves. Many diaper bags come with pockets for your own essentials think: your phone, credit cards, keys and sunglasses so you can leave your handbag at home and lighten your load. If you do choose to go this route, remember your other nice-to-haves, such as lip balm and a water bottle. If youre nursing, throw in an extra top for yourself in case you experience any leaking.
If you dont have some of these diaper bag essentials, fear not: Weve shared the favorites that other parents recommend below, plus a few other items our editors said they couldnt live without.
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What Do I Need In My Newborns Diaper Bag
Newborns are a lot of work, but they dont need a ton of supplies. The diaper bag essentials for a newborn revolve around eating, sleeping and pooping the few things they do! Youll want to pack all the gear I listed for diapering and being ready for accidents, a change of clothes for you and the baby, and whatever you need to feed the baby.
Newborns dont need snacks or toys, but dont forget the snacks for yourself!
Diaper Bag Essentials: A Complete List
As a first-time parent, having a diaper bag fully stocked with essential items can be a real lifesaver when youre away from home. Whether youre traveling or just running out for groceries, Flos handy list of diaper bag essentials has got you and your baby covered.
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Waterproof Wet Bag For Soiled Clothes
I guarantee there will be at least one time in your parenting experience that a child will soil their clothes, whether its a pee accident, a blowout, or some other experience that will result in wet clothes.
A bag thats waterproof that can hold wet clothes so the rest of your diaper bag items wont get ruined is one of the best diaper bag essentials ever.
I always put my spare change of clothes inside the waterproof bag so it keeps everything together. Then when I need it, I can just pull out the bag with the extra clothes and do what needs to be done!
Preparing For Outings With Your Child
When its time to take your baby or toddler out, a well-prepared diaper bag makes life so much easier, and were here for it!. With a checklist, you can be confident that you have all of the necessary supplies to take care of your babes needs and keep both them and you comfortable. It also reduces your nervousness when someone else, like grandparents, takes the littles for the afternoon to give you a much-needed break. All you have to do is hand over your well-stocked bag or backpack and let them leave with confidence!
Itzy Ritzy makes it easy to be ultra-prepared with a line of diaper bags that are both fashionable and practical. Want even more tips? Check out these Five Sanity Saving Diaper Bag Tips to help you slay your packing game!
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Diaper Bag Checklist 17 Essentials To Pack
Theres nothing worse than heading out with your new baby only to realize you forget an essential item.
On the other hand, you dont want to lug around a diaper bag that weights 100 pounds because you put every single item possible in it! So what arediaper bag essentials? Today Ill share just that!
As a new mom, your diaper bag is your new BFF . It will be your go-to bag for the next 2-5 years.
Im a mom of 3. Ive had my share of times when I arrived at the zoo without a bottle to feed my baby or a fall festival without a diaper to change a blowout. And you know what? I dont want that to happen to you!
Ive learned more than a few things over the last 4+ years having 3 kids, all of which are valuable to you!
So today Im going to walk you through my diaper bag checklist so you dont end up at dinner with no diaper to change a blowout or at the pediatrician with no spare change of clothes .
Check out what’s in this post!
Diaper Bag Essentials: What Do You Really Need
Not sure what to pack in your diaper bag? No problem, weve got the scoop!
From diapers and wipes to ointment, nipple cream, and lip balm, the items you stash in this must-have bag can make or break a day out with your little one.
When it comes to packing, less is best. Some things youll be able to keep in the diaper bag at all times, like diapers and a change of clothes.
But others like breast milk and snacks should only get tossed in before you head out the door. Not only does this keep your bag from overflowing, but it also prevents spilled food from marinating for days on end.
While you cant anticipate every need your baby may have, a well-stocked diaper bag gives you the freedom to be ready to go at a moments notice.
Here, we go over the items all parents must have in their diaper bag, plus a few unexpected items you might not have considered.
Also Check: How To Properly Feed A Newborn
Diaper Bag Packing Tips
Here are some tips for packing and organizing your diaper bag so everything is easy to access and reach:
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Organize by category. Your diaper bag shouldnât be like a black hole. Instead, keep things in the right spot, so that you know where to look to find them. If your diaper bag has pockets and compartments, decide what you will put where and always have these items in their regular spots. If the bag youâre using doesnât have many compartments, use small bags, like clear re-sealable plastic bags, to pack different categories of items together. For example, pacifiers and bottle nipples in one bag, diaper changing items in another.
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Portion bottles. If youâre formula feeding with powdered formula, measure out the formula and water and store them separately for mixing when your baby is ready for a feed. If youâre giving breast milk from a bottle, keep bottles of the appropriate amounts in a cooler.
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Stop leaks. No matter how well youâve packed your babyâs milk, the water bottle for yourself, or the baby sunscreen, leaks are bound to happen. No one wants to be digging around in a wet, icky bag. The best idea is to pack each of these potentially leaky items in a re-sealable plastic bag so that if a leak does happen, itâll just go in the bag and not all over the contents of your diaper bag.
What Extras Should I Pack In My Diaper Bag
Youll figure out what your personal diaper bag essentials are, but there might be times you want a few extra items with you. These arent must-haves, but they sure are nice sometimes.
If your baby only naps reliably with some white noise, bring a portable sound machine in your diaper bag for some extra quiet time. You wont have to rush home for naptime and you wont have a fussy baby on your hands.
If youre breastfeeding, youll soon realize that youre not always in charge of the milk youre making. Keep a couple nursing pads in your bag in case youre running late on a feeding or you have a leak.
Carrying a portable phone charger and cord will help you feel connected and ensure youve always got your camera ready when your baby does something adorable.
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If You Are Using Expressed Breast Milk
- Two sterilised bottles of expressed breast milk or more if you are out for longer than a few hours.
- A cool bag with an ice pack for storage.
You can store expressed breast milk thats been cooled in the fridge in a cool bag for up to 24 hours. Then, if your baby doesnt mind it being cold, you can give it to them straightaway . If your baby prefers warm milk, put the bottle in warm water or hold it under warm running water.
You shouldnt keep a bottle of breastmilk for more than one hour if your baby has drunk from it. So even though it might be frustrating after all the effort youve put into expressing it, youll need to throw any remaining milk away .
What Is The Best Diaper Bag Style
First things first. If you dont already have a baby bag, you may be asking yourself: What type of bag should I use for a diaper bag? There are a few popular styles to choose from, so this part ultimately comes down to your preference.
Diaper backpacks are a convenient option as they free up your hands and tend to be easier to carry for longer periods of time. On the other hand, messenger bags can be worn cross-body, also liberating your hands and being easier to go the distance. And then there are totes, which can be ultra-roomy and a life-saver for long days out or weekend trips however, they may be a bit cumbersome to carry for an extended amount of time.
If you still cant decide, get yourself the best of all worlds: Convertible bags are exactly what they sound like. They can function as a backpack, messenger bag, or tote. The only drawback that weve seen, however, is that they tend to be on the larger side.
Choosing the ideal baby bag is an opportunity to have some fun, but there are also a few design staples that we consider a must. Take our below list of baby bag features into consideration:
Size: When it comes to diaper bags, size does matter. Our little ones are pretty high-maintenance, to put it lightly, so be sure the diaper bag you choose is big enough to accommodate everything you need to bring with you.
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Why I Love My Luli Bebe Diaper Bag
I LOVE how the Luli Bebe Diaper Bag looks! I dont feel like I am carrying around a diaper bag. I love having the front pocket to hold my wallet and keys, so they are easily accessible and I dont have to be digging around the inside for them. The backpack feature is nice to be hands-free and not always have the strap falling off my shoulder as I carry my daughter. Along with all the inside pockets for organization, you cant go wrong with a Luli Bebe Diaper Bag!
If Your Baby Is Eating Solid Foods
Youll need to bring food, a spoon and a bib. When your baby gets older and you go out for longer, youll need to think ahead to meal times and pack something for them to eat.
Pack a pot or two of purée youd give your baby at home in a cool bag, as well as some finger foods like carrot sticks if your baby is having them. If your baby is a year or more and eating similar foods to you, you could try bringing your toddler something to eat .
Also Check: What Temperature Water For Newborn Bath
A Dads Guide To Packing A Diaper Bag
Have you ever wondered exactly what goes in a dads diaper bag? The entire point of having a diaper bag is to be prepared for any situation, because, as a parent, anything can, and will, happen. Thats just the way it goes it with kids.
Are there benefits to having two diaper bags, one for each parent? What do you even put in a diaper bag? Would the contents of one parents bag be different from the contents of the other? What kind do you even need to buy?
It doesnt matter if you are a new parent, or an old pro, picking out and packing a diaper bag can be a lot to deal with because you cant possibly predict everything that will occur when you are away from home with your mini-you. Isnt the Boy Scout motto to always be prepared? Lets discuss.
What To Pack In A Diaper Bag For A Newborn
Posted on Last updated: July 23, 2021
Forgetting to pack a crucial item in my daughters diaper bag when she was first born was my greatest fear! I worried about judgment if we were outside if I would forget to pack a sun hat or sunscreen. Simple items that you may think you wont forget are easily forgotten with everything else on your mind such as:
- when did the baby eat last
- what time will they need to eat next
- where will I be at that point in my day
- how many bottles will I need
- will I have access to water for feedings and cleaning
- what type of clothes should my baby wear for the weather
- do I have enough diapers, wipes, rash cream, a spare outfit, etc
Ive collaborated with Luli Bebe to share my must-haves when packing a diaper bag for a newborn.
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