Staple Items for Your Diaper Bag
The diaper bag: don’t leave home without it! For new parents, the diaper bag represents the ability to be mobile – to take your baby out with you to various places. But what do you need to put in it? What are the staple items for your diaper bag?
The items you can’t live without will vary by age, of course. Here are some basic tips to help you keep that diaper bag stocked and ready whenever you need it.
More Than Just Diapers
You probably know to pack diapers in there – it’s a diaper bag after all – but you’ll need more than just diapers. For one thing, it’s a good idea to pack a diaper for every hour you’ll be out. You may not need them all, but the one-diaper-an-hour rule means you’ll have extras in case your baby has one of those blow-outs right after you changed him (or her).
In addition to diapers, you’ll need diapering essentials: a small blanket for laying your baby down, wipes, and a couple of large zip top bags. If you can’t toss the dirty diaper or if your baby has soiled his clothes, you’ll need those zip top bags.
Don’t forget diaper ointment or cream!
Entertainment and Soothing
Keep age-appropriate toys and books in your diaper bag – not too many, of course, but a few board books, a favorite toy or two, and pacifiers (if you use them) can make the difference between a pleasant time and a nightmare!
Feeding
If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you might want to keep a cover-up blanket, nursing hat, or whatever method you use. Bottle-feeding moms will need to bring along a prepared bottle for each feeding while you’re out. Both types of feeding methods require burp-up cloths and possibly a change of clothes (more on the change of clothes below).
Don’t forget to feed yourself, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Keep some snacks and a bottle of water for you in your diaper bag.
Clothing
For blow-outs and burp-ups, a change of clothing is essential. Bring two changes, or one for every feeding.
Health Items
Whatever you use for teething, keep that handy in the diaper bag (teething tablets, gel, rings, etc.). Sunscreen, baby-safe insect repellent and after-bite lotions are essential in the summer. It might be handy to keep some allergy meds in your diaper bag, too, in case of an unexpected allergic reaction.
Last but not least, sanitary wipes (not to be confused with baby wipes) are important for wiping down public places like changing tables and shopping carts.