All About a Diaper Bag
So you just got a great new diaper bag! That’s Awesome… but now what do you put in it? That was my problem at least! for the first couple months of my son’s life I had that diaper bag packed to the brim!
Everyone tells you that you need EVERYTHING! That’s not true at all! what you need in your diaper bag will depend on what stage your baby is in.
What your baby will need as a newborn will greatly differ from what your baby will need as an early toddler!
So what do you need to pack in your diaper bag in all these different stages?
I can only explain what you might need from newborn to 1 year since my son is only a little over a year. I’ll be expanding this article once I can elaborate more so stay tuned!
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Newborn Stage
Newborns don’t actually need as much as you would think. Since they aren’t mobile yet and can’t see too much you don’t need to pack your diaper bag full of little toys for them to play with. What you’ll need is really just the basics. You don’t need two or three of everything just the essentials. But in the essentials don’t forget about YOU. For the first little bit, I was always forgetting to think about what I might need in the diaper bag… especially if your breastfeeding.
Diaper Bag Essentials for Breastfeeding:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Dirty Diaper bags
- Change Pad ( My diaper bag came with one )
- Spit up blanket
- Swaddle Blanket
- Change of Clothes for Baby ( Weather appropriate )
- Clean Shirt for Mom
- Breast Pads
- Breast Pump if your Pumping
- Hand sanitizer
- Pacifier ( if your baby uses one )
- Water Bottle
- Snacks ( For Mom )
- Newborn toy
Diaper Bag Essentials for Bottle Feeding:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Change Pad
- Dirty Diaper bags
- Spit up Blanket
- Swaddler Blanket
- Change of Clothes for baby ( Weather appropriate )
- Clean shirt for mom
- Breast pads ( if your milk hasn’t dried up )
- Hand sanitizer
- Pacifier
- Formula
- Bottles
- New Born Toy
Baby Stage :
I would consider the ” baby stage ” as under one year but not a newborn. Let’s say 6 months and older. At this point, your baby is probably rolling over and starting to eat baby food, Their playing with little toys and figuring out their fine motor skills. There will be more to pack at this age then the newborn stage.
Diaper Bag Essentials for Breastfeeding :
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Dirty Diaper bags
- Change Pad ( My diaper bag came with one )
- Spit up blanket
- Cuddle Blanket
- Change of Clothes for Baby ( Weather appropriate )
- Clean Shirt for Mom
- Breast Pads ( if you’re still breastfeeding )
- Breast Pump if your Pumping
- Hand sanitizer
- Pacifier ( if your baby uses one )
- Water Bottle
- Snacks ( For Mom )
- A Couple Small toys for the stroller
- Snacks for baby
- Baby food
- Bib
- Bowl and spoon
Diaper Bag essentials for Bottle Feeding :
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Change Pad
- Dirty Diaper bags
- Spit up Blanket
- Swaddler Blanket
- Change of Clothes for baby ( Weather appropriate )
- Clean shirt for mom
- Breast pads ( if your milk hasn’t dried up )
- Hand sanitizer
- Pacifier
- Formula
- Bottles
- Couple Stroller Toys
- Baby Food
- Bib
- Bowl and Spoon
Toddler Stage:
The toddler stage is so much fun and so busy! They get into SO much you’ll want to be prepared for it all! My little guy is constantly eating and exploring and running all around. This leads to a dirty hungry toddler … so this is what I keep in my diaper bag as of right now.
Diaper Bag Essentials :
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Change Pad
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Dirty Diaper bags
- Change of Clothes ( Weather Appropriate )
- Clean Shirt for mom
- Hand Sanitizer
- Baby Friendly Sanitizing wipes ( for public high chairs etc. )
- Small Baby Toys / Stroller Toys
- Pacifier ( if your baby is still using one )
- Baby snacks ( like puffs or mum mums )
- A Drink ( for mom and baby )
- Extra shoes ( if they lose one )
- My Sons stuffed Bunny that goes everywhere!
Now that we know what are Diaper Bag Essentials are now its time to think about the actual diaper bag! For me, while I was thinking about my diaper bag there were a few key components I wanted it to have I.. I mean you’ll be using the diaper bag for years so you’ll want it to be durable and spaces.
These are some of the things I wanted for my diaper bag. It’s always good to think about what you want from your diaper bag along with you lifestyle.
- I wanted the diaper bag to have pockets, lots and lots of pockets.
- I wanted the diaper bag to have spots on either end for wipes and bottles
- I wanted lots of Space! I didn’t want the diaper bag to be too small
- I wanted the diaper bag to be able to clip to the stroller
- It needed to Zip
- I knew I didn’t want a backpack type ( to each their own)
- The Diaper bag needed to be neutral
- I wanted it to be durable
- I wanted it to be easy to clean ( hello kids! )
- A thermal compartment would be amazing ( i didn’t get that 🙁 )
So what diaper bag did I end up getting?
I got the Skip Hop Grand Central Take-It-All Diaper Bag in Black Stripe.
My diaper bag goes everywhere with me so I hope my diaper bag knowledge can help you pack your diaper bag better and if you have any diaper bag tips or tricks please leave a comment below and let me know! I am always down to learn more and hear from everyone! <3 – Madison <3
