Packing and carrying a diaper bag is essential when you have a baby, toddler, or both. I’ve been packing and carrying a diaper bag for over 20 years now, since that’s how long we’ve had a little one in diapers. There are some things that are very important to take with you on outings. There are other things that just end up as extra weight. My plan today is to help you figure out what you actually need in your diaper bag.
First let’s talk about the diaper bag itself. I’ve had several different diaper bags over the years. At this point I use a backpack because it feels easier to carry. That’s not as important to me, though, as having different sections or pockets. I like to have my bag organized so I can find what I need quickly, and sections or pockets help with that.
Another point to bring up is that the diaper bag will need repacked on a regular basis. The diapers and wipes get used up, candy wrappers and dirty tissues get thrown in there, etc. Picking a time to repack and clean out your bag will help it to stay organized and helpful. I repack my bag almost every Saturday, because Sunday at church is when I use it the most. I’ll talk more about that later.
What you need in your diaper bag will depend on the age of your baby, whether or not you’re breastfeeding, and if your baby has any special needs. What you want and need in a bag is important, too. I’m going to divide this post into 3 sections: What you need to pack for a baby under about 6 months, what you need for a baby about 6 months and older, and what you need to pack for yourself. I might also throw in some diaper bag stories, just for fun.
How to pack a diaper bag for baby less than about 6 months
- Item #1 is what our bag is named after – diapers!
- Item #2 goes right with the diapers – baby wipes!
- Spit/burp rag
- Baby blanket
- Extra onesie or set of pajamas
- Plastic bag to hold yucky clothes
- Bottle and formula if you’re not breastfeeding
- If your baby has any special needs, include important items for that
Optional items:
- Pacifier
- Baby toy
Let’s talk about these things for a minute. Babies are a lot of work because they can’t take care of themselves and because their new body needs almost constant care. Their digestive system alone keeps new parents busy feeding and changing for what feels like all day. Focus on the basics of what you need in your diaper bag and keep it simple. No need to complicate your newly complicated life!
As for the pacifier, I put it as optional because it’s controversial in my mind. We had several babies using pacifiers from the time they were tiny. They were really good at telling me when they did not want the pacifier because they were hungry. For these babies, having the pacifier to quiet them was really nice. We had one, though, that didn’t know how to tell us he needed fed when there was a pacifier in his mouth. That one is still painful to think about, even though he’s healthy and rowdy now. We had other babies that just refused a pacifier at all. I recommend not trying a pacifier with your baby until breastfeeding is well established.
Remember the basics, keep it simple
How to pack a diaper bag for baby older than about 6 months
- Diapers that fit
- Baby wipes
- Extra clothes that fit
- Plastic bag for yucky clothes (especially when potty-training!)
- Snacks (think pantry friendly, baby friendly, not easily smashed in bag)
- Water in a sippy or baby-friendly water bottle
- Entertainment (quiet toys, board book, paper and crayons, etc.)
Older babies and toddlers need something to do! Snacks are often enough to keep them busy, since they seem to always be hungry and they are practicing their feeding skills. But they also have short attention spans, so if you need them to be still for more than a few minutes, bring some things to keep them busy. This is the part where I’ve been most tempted to bring too many things. I’ve gotten better at simplifying over the years, especially as I keep repacking my bag and realize I can change out the toys and books to keep things fresh.
How to pack a diaper bag for YOU
Face it, this bag is going to take the place of your own bag for a while, so you need some stuff for yourself in there. This one is not quite as clear cut, because each person has their own personal needs and tastes. So, this is more of a suggestions list, and you can change things up as you like.
- Water bottle (especially if you’re a nursing mom)
- Wallet
- Phone
- Keys
- Chapstick/ lip gloss (my personal favorite)
- Whatever you like to take with you
One thing I’ve gotten in the habit of carrying in my bag is what I call my little pink bag. It is a little pink bag full of useful things I might need. In here I have extra hair-ties, a few band-aids, a tiny lotion, a little pocket knife, tape, some painkillers, sanitizer, and a few other things. These things have come in handy soo many times! But like I said, these are just suggestions. You do you.
Diaper bag adventures!
Going out with a baby anywhere means an adventure. Your diaper bag is how you prepare for that adventure. Sometimes it’s the grocery store where you need them to stay in the basket and stop standing up so you can think about getting the groceries you need. A snack or toy could be just the thing to help you. Maybe.
Sometimes it’s a trip to the park where they’re mostly happy running around, but they get hungry and thirsty and your bag has what you need. Maybe you have to be out at a doctor’s appointment and your baby seems to explode, overflowing their diaper and their tiny clothes with poo (true story!). Diaper bag to the rescue!
One time I had taken our then 9 kids to the high school for an orientation. I don’t remember now why I had all of them with me. But while I was busy helping the oldest get a parking pass so he could drive himself to school in a few months, little #9 had the worst blowout I have seen! He was buckled in his baby seat that we had been carrying around, so there was poo all over him and his seat. Yuck! And so embarrassing! But I was ready with the wipes and extra clothes and a plastic bag. I also had baking soda in the car to sprinkle over the still smelly car-seat after I’d wiped it the best I could. (Baking soda is a wonderful thing, parents!! Get some and learn it’s many wonderful uses!) We got it taken care of and were on our way.
As I mentioned earlier, church is where I use my diaper bag the most. I learned the hard way that toy cars are not good to take to church. Little #1 was a thrower, and even though he usually made his cars drive, he decided to throw one in church. AAH! I was so thankful it didn’t hit the person in front of us.
For many Sundays over the years the diaper bag has been used to try to keep the little ones quiet and entertained during our hour-long family church meeting. It mostly works. #10 has been the most challenging during that meeting, because she watches for when we’re not looking and runs out of the room! I’m not kidding, guys, this happens every Sunday, multiple times. The pop-it and snacks and books help, but I still haven’t found one thing that keeps her there for long. It’s been funny to see that one of her favorite diaper bag things is not what I brought for her, but the little bottle of lotion in my little pink bag. She enjoys going down our row pretending to give lotion to each family member.
I hope this is helpful as your figuring out how to pack a diaper bag. If you have any suggestions for me to try to keep my little lady in church, please put them in the comments.
Thanks for reading my post! If you liked it, share it. And enjoy your diaper bag adventures!
For another post about babies and toddlers, click here.
