In addition to some food for the baby (your boobs or a bottle), babies need a lot more stuff when you leave the house. Here are some diaper bag essentials for those first few months:
Must Haves
one: extra clothes for baby ∙∙∙ Because diapers leak and blowouts happen! These organic bodysuits have a foldover sleeve, which I love for the early days when you don’t want baby’s hands touching everything.
two: baby nail files ∙∙∙ These are preferable to clippers with newborn nails.
three: baby socks or booties that stay on their feet.
four: hand and face wipes for baby
five: lightweight muslin blanket
six: hand sanitizer
seven: diaper cream (Badger, Beautycounter, Honest Company or Boudreaux’s)
eight: portable changing pad ∙∙∙ This is a must-have if you ever leave the house! Some diaper bags come with one, but if yours does not, buy one!
nine: wet bag ∙∙∙ For soiled baby clothes from the inevitable diaper blow out.
ten: diapers ∙∙∙ I recommend keeping even more backups in the car.
eleven: wipes
twelve: diaper trash bags
thirteen: pacifier ∙∙∙ If your baby loves the pacifier, get a clip to keep it from falling to the floor! And for when it inevitably falls on a gross public restroom floor, you’ll be glad you have pacifier wipes.
fourteen: toy ∙∙∙ I love these wooden state rattles, Sassy Ring O’Links and the toys pictured.
Nice-to-Haves
•infant baby carrier / wrap
• Sound machine ∙∙∙ If your baby needs white noise to sleep, this is the BEST portable sound machine.
•if breastfeeding ∙∙∙ nursing cover, nursing pads, hand pump
•anything else you’d keep in your purse: chapstick, pen, hair ties, phone charger, etc.
6+ Months
Once your baby is eating solid foods, you will want to add a few more things to those diaper bag essentials.
•disposable or reusable placemats
•bibs (easy-to-clean or disposable bibs)
•sippy cup ∙∙∙ If you end up at a restaurant, you will be glad you brought a kid-friendly cup! If your child is able to handle a real glass, you can just get these reusable sippy tops to fit on top of any restaurant glass.
•snacks in reusable bags
For Dad’s Diaper Bag
Men’s restrooms often don’t have changing tables. For this reason, it’s often on the woman to change baby’s diaper when out of the house. I just came across a new product – the Baby Change-N-Go – that changes everything! It can hang on a bathroom stall door and unfolds to become a changing table. Dad no longer has an excuse not to change diapers when on the go!
