Venturing out of the house with your little one is no small task. When you are ready to take your baby out, you’ll need a diaper bag full of all of the essentials. Choose a bag with plenty of space and compartments to keep things separate and easier to find. Below is a list of essentials you'll want to be sure to take with you, but remember to adjust based on the age of your baby.
• Diapers – 3-4 is probably should be all you need, unless you will be gone all day or have a baby that poops often
• Diaper cream – For rashes on the go.
• Wipes – A small travel size is all you need, either the disposable ones or a refillable hard plastic one.
• Changing pad – Use either a plastic padded one or even a receiving blanket (just remember to wash the blanket often).
• Hand sanitizer and wipes – It’s important to wash hands after each diaper change, among so many other uses.
• Zipper bags – For dirty diapers or clothes.
• Burp clothes – For burping, for spit up or for blocking the sun.
• Clothing – At least 1 extra outfit is helpful, in the event of spit-up, food spills, or anything else. It’s also a good idea to have clothes for change in temperature.
• Hat, mittens, and socks – These are easy to forget or loose while you are out, and handy to have in case the weather changes.
• Blankets – These come in handy if the weather cools, to block the sun, as a nursing cover, as a changing pad, or a clean place to set your baby.
• Feeding supplies – Bottles, formula and water to mix with, or pumped breastmilk if bottle feeding. Additionally a nursing cover and extra nursing pads if breastfeeding, sippy cup, snacks (cheerios, goldfish, applesauce, etc), baby food and spoon.
• Bibs – For drool can appear at anytime or stopping to eat.
• Pain reliever and thermometer – You never know when a fever will spike.
• Saline and bulb syringe – Helpful especially during cold and flu season.
• Sunscreen –It’s important to protect your baby’s skin, and to reapply.
• Pacifier – If your baby takes a pacifier, it is handy to have an extra one in case you lose it or it gets dirty.
• Entertainment – Rattle, teether, book, crayons and paper, other toys.
• Supplies for mom –Water, a snack, chap stick, comb, hair tie, etc.
• Emergency contact info – In the event you forget your phone, have this information written down, including your baby’s immunization records.
Remember to replace items when you get home, so you are always ready. It can also be helpful to have a small ziplock bag that stays in your car with the essentials (diapers, wipes, and anything else you consider essential) in case you forget your diaper bag or forgot to refill it.
What items do you consider essential for your diaper bag?