What Do you Really Need in your Diaper Bag?

Babies come with a lot of stuff, but life with a baby is hectic enough without hauling around a diaper bag that weighs just as much as your baby does. Decluttering your diaper bag can help save your sanity and your back.

Carry only the essentials in your diaper bag. If you are worried you may need more, keep those items in the car.

Diapers. Let’s face it. They are called diaper bags for a reason. Diapers are the number one thing that you will need while you are out. You can still simplify this though. It is easy to carry too many diapers with you. They can take up a lot of available space in your diaper bag and you generally only need 2 or 3 diapers for a short outing. I like to store extra diapers in my car for quick refills or emergencies. This can cut down on a lot of the bulk of a diaper bag and make it easier to carry around.

Wipes. Baby wipes are a wonderful multi-purpose baby car item that are essential to have on hand. Small plastic containers can be purchased to hold a smaller amount of wipes and are the perfect size for a diaper bag. Some brands offer a soft packaging that makes it easy to carry the entire package of wipes without adding a lot of weight to your diaper bag. If you use the refillable plastic containers be sure to check them before heading out to make sure that you have enough wipes to get you through the day. There is nothing worse than being stuck halfway through a diaper change only to discover that your wipes are empty.

Change of Clothes. No matter how old your baby is, it is important to carry a change of clothes. Simple one piece outfits are best for storing in your diaper bag. They are easy to find in your diaper bag and do not take up a lot of space. A light cotton outfit will roll up very small and fit easily in your diaper bag.

Trial Sized Containers. Diaper rash cream, lotions, and other ointments are easy to carry if you purchase the small, trial sized containers. By doing this, you always have what you need on hand, but you don’t have to carry the weight of several large containers.

One small Toy. Long lines or unexpected traffic can make any outing longer than you expected it to be. Include one small toy, teether, or book in your diaper bag to entertain an irritable baby. It is best to include a toy that they do not play with often at home so that it is something special and can be a better distraction. You do not need to fill your diaper bag with toys. Chances are your baby will be entertained just by watching all the things around them during your outing.

Diaper bags tend to collect stuff. Take the time to clear out anything that is unnecessary from time to time to prevent your diaper bag from becoming overloaded. A scaled down diaper bag will make your time out with your baby much easier.

What are your diaper bag essentials?