New Mom Advice: Everything You Need in a Diaper Bag

A diaper bag is a mother’s lifeline when out and about with her baby. It has supplies to weather hunger, boredom, messes, pain, and more. If you’re a new mom and know that you want this bag but don’t know what to put in it, we’ve got you. Here’s everything you need in a diaper bag.

Plenty of Space

First and most importantly, you need plenty of space! You’ll be out for a long time with your kid, so you’ll need a lot of supplies to cover all possibilities for the day. Here are just a few things to look for in a bag you’ll use all day:

Multiple compartments for organizational ease
Expandable features that allow for extra capacity on the go
Lightweight material to make carrying it easier

Everything To Change a Diaper

A diaper change can be necessary at any moment. Make sure you can handle the mess by stocking your diaper bag with the following:

Diapers in various sizes to accommodate your growing baby
Wipes designed for a baby’s delicate skin
Changing pad for hygienic convenience
Diaper rash cream to prevent irritation

Stuff To Keep You and Baby Clean

From spittle and vomit to spills and soiling, messes are just a part of mom life. However, you want to be able to clean these little disasters up and keep yourself smelling—and feeling—relatively nice. Here are some essential cleaning items to pack:

Hand sanitizer to keep you and your baby’s hands disinfected
Wet wipes for moments when water isn’t readily available
Bibs to catch spills and crumbs

Feeding Supplies

If you’re out all day, you’ll have to feed your baby their meals on the go. Also, your baby can get hungry outside of schedule, so you should always be prepared. Here are some useful supplies:

Bottles that are insulated to keep milk at the right temperature
Formula or breastmilk in containers, based on your feeding preference
Baby food pouches or jars for older infants
Utensils such as spoons (and the bibs we already mentioned)

A Change of Clothes for Baby

Accidents happen, so always keep a fresh outfit for your baby. Just pack one or two extra outfits, depending on how long you’ll be gone and how messy your baby is.

You might also want a change of clothes for yourself, or at least an extra shirt. Again, accidents happen!

A Wet Bag

If your baby throws up on something or an item gets wet, you don’t want to put it back in your bag to touch everything else. Instead, pack a wet bag (a simple Ziploc will do!) to temporarily isolate these items from the rest of your supplies.

Soothing Toys and Items for Baby

Your baby will probably get bored or fussy throughout the day. To help calm them and keep them occupied, pack these items:

Pacifier to calm crying
Teething toys that are safe and easy to grasp
Soft rattles that engage their senses
Comfort toys like a small blanket or stuffed animal for added reassurance

Self-Care Items for Mom

Don’t forget about yourself! New moms tend to overpack for their babies and forget about what they’ll need throughout the day. Here are some things you’ll be glad you have:

Nipple cream if you’re breastfeeding
Vitamins or pain relief if you need them
Lip balm and hand cream to address dry skin
Snacks since you’ll get hungry too!

By keeping these essentials in your diaper bag, you’ll have everything you need to tackle the highs and lows of a day out with your baby. Best of luck, Mama!