How to Pack the Perfect Diaper Bag

Packing the right type of diaper bag is going to be a crucial point of your journey as a mom. If you’re brand new to this, you probably have a vague idea of what needs to go in your diaper bag, but some suggestions from a veteran mom can probably be a big help!

So I’m going to let you know all the things that I would pack in my normal, everyday diaper bag, and we’ll go from there. Trust me, you don’t want to be stuck in a grocery store with zero clothes for you baby because they’ve blown out their diaper.

Best type of diaper bags

So let’s talk about the best type of diaper bags to start this off! Of the most popular options, you have shoulder diaper bags, and you have backpack diaper bags.

Personally, I preferred the backpack diaper bag because it was a lot less pressure on my shoulders . Also, it’s way better to be able to have two hands versus one when you’re trying to pack baby around.

Back up clothes

Backup clothes are probably one of my biggest suggestions for your diaper bag. Make sure to have at least two sets of backup clothes for baby. Especially when they’re young and can ruin their clothes very quickly with things that you can’t just leave on them, like poop.

When I say two sets of backup clothes, I mean full on outfits including pants, shirts, jackets if it’s time to wear them, sun hat if it’s summer, socks, whatever they need. You would do well to even put three outfits when you are going to be gone for more than half a day.

Remember to always check that you have them in your bag before you leave you may use one of your backup outfits while you’re out, and you need to remember to replenish those!

Plastic bag

Another thing I always suggest to have in your diaper bag especially for when things go awry is a plastic bag. This plastic bag is really important to put your clothes in when they get dirty, like real dirty, and you don’t want to get poop or pee all over your diaper bag.

You can use a ziplock plastic bag or just a plastic shopping bag! Having two of these on hand is usually a safe bet.

Wipes and Diapers

Wipes and diapers are obvious ones, but I absolutely want to put them in here! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out and about and realize I don’t have a bag of wipes, or I just have one wipe left.

Make sure that you have a decently stocked bag of wipes. You never know what’s going to happen and it’s super inconvenient to have to use a wet paper towel!

I also suggest you have at least eight diapers. This depends on how old your baby is and how often you’re having to change their diaper. As they get older, you have to change them less and less, so you wont have to carry quite as many diapers with you.

When they’re younger you want to have several. I usually have at least a day’s worth on hand at all times. That might be eight or 10 when they’re younger and might get down to four when they get a little bit older. It just depends on how things are going!

If you want to see a post on my favorite diapers and a review of their cost versus their competitors check it out here.

Extra clothes for YOU

Here’s one that you won’t see on every list, have backup clothes for you in the diaper bag. Mostly tops especially when they’re young and still spitting up and blowing out diapers.

If you’re just going out for a quick thing, you might not need this. However, if you’re going to be gone for an extended amount of time or just something you want to look kind of nice at, make sure to have backup clothes for you in the diaper bag.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been the spit covered mom, and god forbid, the poopy mom.

Make sure that you just throw an extra t-shirt in there, or an extra nice top! If you have a really big spit up baby, a cami and a bra might not be a bad idea either.

Little first aid pack

A couple of medicines that I usually recommend to always have on hand is going to be Benadryl, Ibuprofen, some kind of syringe that you can give that to the baby with, band aids and ointment.

Just a tiny little first aid pack. You don’t need anything extensive but these things are that I need over and over again. Especially when the baby is just now trying foods and you don’t know if food allergies are gonna come arise.

You also never know when teething or a fever is going to strike and having Tylenol can save your sanity.

Snacks and sippy cup

Depending how old your baby is, you always want to make sure you’ve got some snacks and sippy cup on hand, even if it’s not supposed to be snack time.

These are so nice to have, they keep babies happy when they’re grumpy. Especially when you’re out and about and you want to do everything you can to make sure the baby is happy so you can actually get things done!

I highly recommend snack cups like this ones that prevents spills!

Changing pad

This one might sound like a no brainer, but a changing pad is always nice to have. I know in stores they have restrooms that you can change your baby in, but sometimes you’re going to be stuck in a place where you do not have a physical place meant to change your them!

It’s so nice to have a changing pad as an option. Usually this will come with your diaper bag so you probably won’t have to worry about buying one, but make sure to double check.

Formula and bottles

If you are formula feeding, make sure to always have some extra stash of formula, bottles on hand and some water bottles too, depending on what type of water you’re using with your baby.

I always suggest these handy compartments for formula because they make it really easy to travel and you don’t have to take your whole canister. Always bring extra than what you think you need because you never know when the baby will be super hungry, or if you’ll get stuck out later than you think.

Things happen. But we can be prepared for them!

Pacifier

Here’s another one that’s probably obvious but I’m gonna say it anyway. If your kiddos takes a pacifier, bring at least two, one in their mouth and the other in the bag because you just never know what will go down and when something will go missing.

Sunscreen

You never know when you’re going to end out in the sun longer than expected! For kiddos over 6 months make sure they have on suncreen.

I like the Hello bello brand, the baby organics brand, and for your sensitive skin kiddos I like the blue lizard work brand.

Even if it’s overcast, make sure that you’re thinking about protecting their little skin from the sun. I can’t tell you how many times it has come in handy to have sunscreen in the diaper bag. I’ve offered it to other moms who have forgotten theirs. It happens. Be there for each other!

Nursing cover

If you’re nursing and you prefer to cover, bring your nursing cover and make sure to shove it in the bag. I really like the convertible ones that will go from being like a cover for your car seat to a nursing cover to a scarf, they’re so fancy, super versatile and cool.

Anything you use as a nursing cover, I would suggest it needs to be cool so that poor baby doesn’t get too hot under there. I also like muslin blankets for nursing covers, they work out really well.

Lastly, another one for the nursing mom.