So I won’t lie before I had Emilia I didn’t really understand why moms needed to carry a diaper bag. I would see mothers hauling around their oversized backpacks and totes, and wonder what exactly was inside them that couldn’t be thrown in a purse. But once I became a mama myself, I quickly realized that having a special bag for baby truly is a must in most cases. There’s just really no way around it; babies require a lot.
And a lot of this stuff is subject to being messy or the cause of the mess and I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t really want baby formula, snacks, dirty diapers, and soiled clothing rolling around the bottom of my purse.
It makes my life so much easier knowing all of her things are in one place and I don’t have to hunt them down when it’s time to leave the house. But with that being said isn’t necessary to carry around an oversized, overpacked, and heavy diaper bag all the time. So that’s why I’m sharing two diaper bag packing lists today—one for the mama who likes to be fully prepared for whatever a long day will throw at her, and one for the minimalist mama who likes to pack light.
Diapers, diapers, diapers. I like to have a small arsenal with me at all times. You never what’s going to happen so you want more than enough on hand.
I find I go through the travel packs of wipes so I like to carry either a full pack of Huggies Natural Care, or I’ll put them in a portable wipe carrier.
I’ve become somewhat of a germ freak since having Emilia so I like to have hand sanitizer, hand and face wipes, and pacifier and toy wipes. she’s always touching things and then putting her hands in her face or mouth so when we go out I like to keep her from putting random germs in her system.
A changing pad always comes in handy, most diaper bags come with one, but if they don’t I keep this one in the car as a backup and I love it.
Diaper disposable bags are super nice to have when you’re cute little baby happens to have a blowout or throws up all over you and them.
And that leads us to our next thing, If I know I’m going to be gone all day with Emilia I bring an extra shirt for me and a change of clothes for her. If it is hot and super sunny I’ll bring a sunhat for her as well.
I keep this in the car rather than my diaper bag but I’m including it still, a baby carrier is great to have when you’re out and about and your baby no longer wants to be in the car seat/stroller.
Bibs, pacifiers, snacks, and toys. The last key things on the list for a long day away from your nest Mama Bird.
For all my simple mamas out there this one is for you!
You’ll still need diapers and wipes, try to have at least one diaper per hour you plan on being out. Not one for a full pack of wipes? The travel size is great and takes up way less space.
Changing pad
Diaper disposal bags
Bottles & cups
Hand sanitizer & lip balm
Pacifiers, bibs, changes of clothes for baby
The 5-in-one cover (if you have this you can leave the other blankets at home!)
Snacks for you an the babe.
I get it, seems like a lot right? I have a TWO free printables at the bottom of this post. One filled out already and the other blank. If I know I’m staying overnight at Brandon’s sister’s house or going to be gone all day I like to have a list to double-check everything.
I hope this was super helpful! Leave a comment below telling me what you pack in your diaper bag?