When having a baby a solid staple that you want to have is a diaper bag. You want it to fit everything you could potentially need when it comes to your little one. I know. Crazy during a pandemic considering we never really go far from the house but still a must have accessory. For us, being in a province that has had a curfew for 5 months and no private gatherings for another 7 months, we use our diaper bag in our living room to hold all the essentials also because it saves time from having to run up and down the stairs whenever there was an accident. With vaccinations ramping up we are hopeful that we will be using this bag for what it’s original purpose is, that would be going out!  Here is what we must have in it!

First, it is a Diaper Bag after all! Diapers are wipes are a huge essential. Especially if you are like us and you buy the bulk box of wipes. Instead of replacing the plastic containers with wipes we throw a whole bag in there. Since we use it more than our change table now that our son is growing it saves by just putting it in the bag as well as diapers are important too. For obvious reasons!

Baby Clothes, one at the very least. Whether you change your baby in their room or you have a basket or bag in the comment area. Nothing is more of a bummer or mini panic attack then you go to change your child, and you see that brownish smear up their leg or worse. This will save time for you because whenever you had had a major blow out accident you know there is no putting clothes on in order to contain the mess til you have the proper things to clear up! Having a space set of clothes or two is also great when you are out and about. As it goes, the one time you think you wont need it, chances are you will need it. Having a few sets of clothes is huge for making outings enjoyable for not just your baby but you also!

Next, I have not used however they still have a place in my son and future babies diaper bag. This is shampoo and body wash. When we did our registry we did so at Babies ‘R’ Us. They give you this mini complementary bag with some items such as this. We snuck them in the diaper bag and they have been there since. You could always use travel sizes of these and add them in also. This goes back to the previous point. You never know when you might have a big mess that wipes just will not cut. As well as a face clothe is also useful in case you do need to get a little soapy.

Next you have the little essentials. These would be the soothers, baby toys, or any miscellaneous items. We always made sure that we had an extra soothers because you never know when baby might spit it out, throw it, lose it, or it gets dropped. There is plenty of reasons why you should have a spare soother and whatever your might be it is better safe than sorry! Spare toys also is great if you are heading to an appointment that may have you waiting longer than you wanted to, or even a longer than normal car ride. You do not need to bring every single toy in the house but having a few toys in the diaper bag may just come in handy when you least expect it. A rattle or shaker toy works wonders, or something low jey and soft. If your baby is teething bringing an extra teether toy or two can also have huge benefits to helping baby have a fussy free outing.

Also something you can keep in if your child is old enough is food or snacks. This could be as simple as one or two of the fruit pouches that you can simple squeeze on a spoon or directly into their mouth. Or a few cups of apple sauce either! Just make sire you remember or check the beat before date. You dont want to be stuck with a crying baby who is hungry with no food to give!

And lastly, this might come as a surprise to some, buy a FUNCTIONAL diaper bag. You do not need the best looking, most zippers, whatever else fashion trend you think you need. Picture yourself in a park, a mall, where ever and carrying this around. Is it going to be functional? Comfortable? Annoying? I have an over the shoulder bag, its grey, and fairly good with space. I figure that I can use it for multiple babies as we have them also. I think I spent maybe 45 dollars. But they did have bags that are nearly 100+ dollars. Which to be is incredibly insane.

The biggest reminder I can give though, whether or not you go out a lot or not, frequently check the bag and replace the clothes or items in it. Babies grow so fast that you do not want to be out and about when an accident happens whether it be a diaper exploding or even a huge mess while eating or drinking, to find out the clothes you have in the bag will not even fit over their head! Even once a month would be better than never! And if that doesn’t work try putting an outfit the next size up just in case!

What you decide to put in your child’s diaper bag is up to you. Remember this is not something you need to pack full with items. Keep it simple, light, practical and you will notice that your outings will be much more pleasant!