They aren’t kidding around when they say you’ll never pack light again once you have a baby. The problem is I am already such a horrible overpacker. I am a “go on a trip for two days – bring 10 pairs of underwear” type of gal. Now we add in the horrible what-if scenario mom mindset, and shoot, I may just drive a U-haul around for the rest of my life.
All jokes aside, I think I have finally figured out the whole diaper bag thing. Now I’m not saying I’m minimal here, but I can fit everything into one bag, and that is an A+ for me.
- Backpack // First things first, if you haven’t jumped on the diaper backpack train, you are seriously missing out. I have been down the traditional diaper bag route, and every time I needed to bend down, the bag would flop forward too. Not only does the backpack stay out of your way, but it leaves you completely hands free. Another bonus – husband’s can rock them too without feeling like they’re lugging purses around. Ours is from Amazon, and I can’t say enough good things about it. It has plenty of different sized compartments, insulated bottle holders, and organization pockets.
- Diapers // What is a diaper bag without diapers? Just like I overpack my underwear, I overpack diapers too. You just never know when the little babe is going to claim that day a blowout day. Better to be over prepared, and since they lay flat, they don’t take up too much room.
- Wipes // Along with diapers, make sure you have your wipes!
- Changing Pad // The diaper bag came with a portable pad, but we leave that one in the car. This pad is straight up awesome. It is big enough to protect your baby from touching the nasty public tables, and folds up to a conveniently portable size. You can wipe it clean, and store other diapering essentials in the pockets. We don’t put diapers and wipes in here because I don’t think we will ever just take the pad with us (without the diaper bag), but if you’re into that kind of thing, this makes is easy!
- Diaper Rash Cream // Even if you don’t use this regularly, it is smart to always have on hand. Like I said before, you never know when that day of serial blowouts is going to happen.
- Travel Cream Brush // Maybe you live life on the germy edge and like to apply cream with you’re hand, or maybe you’re like me and prefer a brush do it for you. We use the regular sized brush at home, and love how easily these apply cream. They also just wipe clean!
- Bottles // We always bring bottles with us, and adjust the number depending on how long we will be out.
- Formula // If you are a formula feeding mama, you’ll of course want to make sure you bring plenty of formula. This is also something I always overpack just to stay on the safe side.
- Paci // Let me tell you a story. Huxley is a paci lover, it is his best friend. One time, his mom pulled a total newbie mistake and forgot to bring paci with us while we went out to run errands. Guess what. She didn’t pack any extras in the diaper bag either. Lesson learned, it was a mistake that will never be made again. The end.
- Paci Wipes // These don’t only clean pacis, but they safely clean anything that may go into your baby’s mouth. They are great to have for pacis, bottle nipples, and toys.
- Burp Cloth // We always bring a burp cloth with us in case there is any spit up. Spoiler alert – there is always spit up.
- Bib // In addition to a burp cloth, I love bringing bibs along. They are especially convenient to have the baby wear while in the car. If any surprise throw up occurs, the bib helps catch the majority of the mess instead of the car seat straps.
- Swaddle // We always bring a swaddle with us no matter what. When it is scorching hot out, most places will have their a/c blasting. Huxley has also recently started snuggling his swaddle, so it makes him feel more secure.
- Multi-Use Cover // Even though I am no longer breastfeeding, we bring this in case we want to cover Hux up in public places. We don’t always cover him, but if he falls asleep, we like to. It is also nice to have as a backup swaddle if the original one gets dirty.
- Outfit // We always have an extra outfit in the bag just in case anything disastrous happens. Most times we just let Hux ride it out as nakie boy (because that is his alter ego), but now it is getting colder, we won’t be able to do that anymore.
- Toys // We always strap a stroller toy to the handle of the backpack just in case. We also have recently been bringing a teething toy for Huxley.
- White Noise // Just like our stroller toy, we always have a portable white noise machine strapped to our bag as well. This great to have to help your baby get to sleep and stay asleep while you’re out. I highly recommend it!
- Infant Tylenol // We have never used this while out and about (yet), but it puts my mind at ease to have it just in case. Make sure to pack the syringe with it as well.
- NoseFrida // Maybe I am a freak for bringing this with me everywhere, but unlike the Tylenol, I have used this in the middle of Target. Twice.
- Nail Clippers // Sometimes I think somebody is playing a joke on me. I cut Huxley’s nails one day, and the next day they’re 8 feet long again. Is this just us? Anybody else? He is in this “grab the crap out of my face” stage, so I like to always make sure his nails are short. And sometimes you don’t realize the baby is rocking an extra long pinky nail until you’re in the Starbucks line.
- Hand Sanitizer // Listen, at some point in my future, I may be on My Strange Addiction. You can of course get your typical boring kinds, but have you tried Bath and Body hand sanitizer???? C’mon and join the strange addiction with me.
- Chapstick // Basically all my necessities from my purse now reside in the diaper bag. Something about giving birth and becoming a mom that just makes your lips chapped all the time, amirite?
- Wallet // I am putting this on here because I have forgotten it before. And, like I said, I use the diaper bag as my purse now. Not a fun time going grocery shopping without any money, LOL.
- Key Ring // Thank goodness my car won’t start unless I have the keys. This key ring help make it easy to find your keys while multitasking (like you know, holding a baby).
- Snack // I always toss a protein bar in the bag for me as well. Sometimes motherhood gets so crazy, you realize you haven’t eaten all day and it is 3 p.m. It is always nice to have a healthy snack for you while on the go, too.
Let me know if there are any different must-have items that you have! Until next time …