The Perfect Diaper Bag Checklist – Everything You & Your Baby Need
8 minute read
When you leave the house with your little one, you want to have everything you’ll need to keep your baby happy and content. Having an extra bottle, back-up pacifier, or spare change of clothes can be a game changer for preventing a fussy baby or an unexpected meltdown.
But what do you pack when you only have so much space?
We’ve put together a list of must-have items every parent should pack in their diaper bag. So that you’re ready to care for your little one — anytime, anywhere, and on any adventure! Let’s get packing!
Our Favorite Diaper Bags
Photo of Itzy Ritzy Mini Diaper Bag
The first step to enjoying a day out of the house with your little one? Picking out the perfect diaper bag!
If you like the functionality of a backpack — check out the Itzy Ritzy Boss Diaper Bag or their smaller Mini Diaper Bag. We also love UPPAbaby’s Changing Backpacks for their gender-neutral colors.
But if you prefer a more subtle diaper bag (without sacrificing functionality!) — take a look at the Cybex Platinum Tote Bag or their larger Shopper Bag. These bags strike the perfect balance of professionalism and fashion — a must-have for busy working parents.
Photo of Itzy Ritzy Pack Like A Boss Packing Cubes
Pro Tip: Say goodbye to the days of rummaging through your bag looking for your baby’s favorite toy that fell all the way to the bottom… Keep everything in your diaper bag neatly stacked and organized with these stylish packing cubes! The mesh tops make it super easy to identify what’s inside — making it super easy to grab anything you need.
Now, let’s take a look at everything you’ll need to pack inside your diaper bag!
Diapers
Photo of GroVia Organic Cloth Diapers
This may sound like a no-brainer…but diapers are a must-have when you’re leaving the house with your little one. A good rule of thumb is to keep 4-5 diapers packed at all times in your bag. Or 1 diaper for every 2 hours that you’ll be out of the house.
It’s helpful to pack one or two more than what you think you’ll need… Just in case your little one has a surprise blow-out or more pee diapers than you expected.
Photo of Terra Plant-Based Disposable Diapers
Pro Tip: Grab the number of diapers you’ll need right out of the diaper box so that they’re neatly stacked and will fit nicely in your diaper bag without taking up too much space.
Wipes
Photo of Terra Bamboo Baby Wipes
Hand in hand with diapers are…baby wipes! Keep a pack of your favorite wipes right next to the diapers in your diaper bag. That way it’ll be easy to grab the essentials when you’re changing a wiggly baby on the go.
Baby wipes are also great to have on hand for other unexpected messes — to clean off any dirt from your little one’s hands after playing at the park or wipe your baby’s chin after eating a puree pouch on the go. They can also be a lifesaver for wiping off your baby’s pacifier after it goes bouncing onto the floor — yikes!
Stash your baby wipes in a handy travel wipes case that you can carry as a clutch or clip to your car’s visor for easy access.
Pro Tip: In addition to baby wipes, you may want to keep a couple Clorox wipes on hand. These are super helpful for wiping down high-chairs at restaurants, cleaning off your baby’s toys that fall on the ground, and sanitizing anything else you need when you may not have easy access to a sink and soap.
Changing Pad
A changing pad is a great item to have in your diaper bag at all times. This will give you peace of mind when you’re changing your little one in a public restroom. And will even give you the freedom to change your little one’s diaper — anywhere! (Because not all restrooms have changing tables unfortunately!)
With a portable changing pad, you can change your little one on the grass while playing at the park or even on the floor if you’re really in a pinch. Place a small blanket or an extra onesie under your little one’s head to provide a softer place for them to lay down.
Extra Change of Clothes
Photo of Babies in Bloom Boutique Apparel
It’s always a good idea to pack an extra change of clothes for your little one in your diaper bag. Because you never know when an outfit will get ruined from a blowout, messy meal, or particularly big spit up. Even when your baby gets a little older — they could need an outfit change after falling in a puddle or crawling through some wet dirt.
If it’s summer or you live in a warm environment, you may be able to get by with just keeping your baby in their diaper until you get home. But, if it’s chilly or it’ll be a while before you get home, it’s helpful to have a backup outfit on hand.
Pack an extra onesie, a shirt and a pair of pants or shorts. You may even want an extra pair of socks in case your baby loses one somewhere along the way.
Wet Bag
A wet bag is essential if you’re using cloth diapers. But it can be helpful even if you’re planning to use disposable diapers when you’re out of the house, as there may be times when you don’t have access to a trashcan right after a diaper change.
A wet bag is also handy for stashing away dirty clothes in a safe place that keeps the rest of the items in your diaper bag nice and clean.
Pro Tip: If you leave your wet bag at home or run out of space, keep a couple Ziplock bags (or even compostable bags or dog waste bags) on hand to contain extra dirty diapers until you find a trash can.
Hand Sanitizer
Photo of Itzy Ritzy’s Hand Sanitizer Charm Keychain
One good habit that we can take away from COVID? Always having hand sanitizer on hand!
Good for diaper changes, before and after feeding your little one, or just to use periodically while you’re away from the house…hand sanitizer is a must have for your diaper bag.
We love Itzy Ritzy’s hand sanitizer charm keychain that you can clip anywhere on your diaper bag!
Prepared Bottles (chest/breastmilk, formula, and/or water)
Your little one is likely to get hungry while you’re out and about. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack a bottle of milk/formula/water in case your baby needs to eat. Make sure to bring enough for the number of feedings your little one may have while you’re away from the house.
If your baby drinks formula, you can pack a bottle with the pre-measured amount of water and a formula dispenser with the amount of formula you’ll need.
Photo of Itzy Ritzy Chill Like A Boss Bottle Bag
Pro Tip: To keep bottles cold, pack them in a small insulated bag with an ice pack. This will help keep your milk fresher for longer!
Other Feeding Supplies
If you plan to nurse your baby in public, pack a nursing cover or lightweight blanket in your diaper bag to provide you and your baby with some privacy. You may also want to pack some extra nursing pads or nipple cream if you think you’ll need it.
Other helpful feeding supplies for bottle fed babies on the go include: a bib and burp cloth (or other small cloth).
Babies that have reached the 6 month mark can start trying solid foods. If your little one is starting to enjoy solids, pack a puree pouch or some baby-friendly snacks to keep them happy and their bellies full!
Toys & Books for Entertainment
Photo of Babies in Bloom Boutique Hanging Toys Collection
Whether it’s riding in the car to a friend’s house, hanging out in the waiting room to see your pediatrician, or enjoying a family meal out at your favorite restaurant… It’s helpful to have a couple of toys and books in your diaper bag to keep your little one entertained while you’re out and about.
Attach a fun hanging toy to your diaper bag’s strap. Or surprise your little one with a new Indestructible book.
You don’t have to pack everything in your child’s playroom — remember there’s only so much space in your diaper bag! But a few of your baby’s favorites will help distract them while they’re in the car seat, high chair, or in your lap.
Some of our personal favorites? We love interactive books, travel-friendly games, and colorful rattles that make surprising sounds!
Pro Tip: Pack toys and books that your baby doesn’t get to play with all that often. That way it’s a surprise and will be more fun for them when they see some of their favorite items that they haven’t interacted with in a while.
Comfort Items
Photo of Loulou LOLLIPOP Silicone Teether GEM Set
Going on new adventures — or even just to the grocery store! — can be overwhelming at times for little ones. With so many new sights, sounds, and people to see, it can be helpful to have a comforting item or two that your baby is familiar with to bring them some comfort.
Pack your little one’s favorite lovey, doll or small blanket to give them a sense of home. Consider also bringing along your baby’s tried and true teether or pacifier. These can really help settle a fussy baby, soothe sore gums, and help your little one drift off to sleep.
Photo of Mushie’s Pacifier Holder Case
Pro Tip: Store an extra pacifier in a pacifier holder that you can clip to your diaper bag! That way you don’t have to worry about digging to the bottom of your diaper bag just to find a lost pacifier. We love the simplicity of Mushie’s pacifier holder case and Itzy Ritzy’s Charm Pod’s fashionable designs.
Other Optional Diaper Bag Items:
Diaper Cream
Depending on your little one, you may want to have a small tube of diaper cream stashed away in your diaper bag. This can be helpful when you’re trying to keep diaper rash at bay, but don’t have access to all the creams and lotions that you normally would at home.
Store your diaper cream next to your diapers and wipes in your diaper bag, so it’s easy to grab when you’re changing your little one.
Drink & Snacks for YOU
Lifting your baby in and out of a car seat…changing diapers on the go…preventing meltdowns by singing silly songs…
Carting your baby around is hard work! And it can be easy to forget to stay hydrated and fed — especially when your kitchen isn’t just a few steps away.
Be sure to pack a water bottle and some hearty snacks that you can munch on throughout the day. That way you’ll keep your energy up so you can keep having fun while taking care of a busy baby!
Phone, Wallet & Keys
Photo of Itzy Ritzy Mini Wallet Card Holder & Key Chain Charm
If you choose to forgo your favorite handbag so that you only have one bag to carry around…don’t forget to transfer your phone, wallet, and keys into your diaper bag. Keep all these items together in one easy-to-reach compartment — like the front or top pocket.
Babies in Bloom’s Favorite Diaper Bag Checklist:
To recap… Here’s a list of the must-have items every parent should have in their diaper bag:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Changing Pad
- Extra Change of Clothes
- Wet Bag
- Hand Sanitizer
- Prepared Bottles (Chest/breastmilk, formula, and/or water)
- Other Feeding Supplies
- Toys & Books for Entertainment
- Comfort Items
- Diaper Cream
- Drink & Snacks for YOU
- Phone, Wallet & Keys
But remember, every baby is unique! You may need something that’s not on this list or can go without an item or two. Feel free to customize what’s in your diaper bag depending on your little one’s needs and what kind of outing you’re planning for the day!
Need Help Choosing the Right Items for Your Diaper Bag?
We’ve got you covered! Whether it’s picking out the perfect set of toys for your upcoming road trip…or finding an insulated bottle bag that you can easily tuck into your diaper bag… We’d love to help you pick out exactly what you’ll need in your diaper bag for a fun, smooth day out with your baby.
Because when you only have so much space, it really matters what you decide to pack! We have an amazing selection of travel-friendly items that will make your next outing with your little one a breeze.
Come by the shop to chat with one of our experienced staff members or give us a call if you like to shop online.
Boutique Website: https://babies-in-bloom.myshopify.com/
Boutique Address: 127 Main Street, Vista, CA 92081
Boutique Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm (We are closed on Sunday!)
