Last week I caught up with a friend who recently became a father. We talked about how well fatherhood seems to suit him and the difficulty of having a newborn baby. He was baffled by how many times an infant soils their diaper daily. He also expressed frustration with his lack of preparedness regarding changing and cleaning his newborn. While he expected to have a few preciously disgusting incidents, he didn’t think he’d end up wrist-deep in doody. 

I began to recall some of my horror stories and how lucky I was to be prepared, thanks mainly to my role as a first responder. Of course, throughout my career, I’ve seen my share of yucky things, but it also helped me develop a preparedness mindset. I was always careful to have everything I might need on hand. Whether it was extra wipes, fresh powder, or even the next-sized diaper, that last one’s important because sometimes it seems your baby grows overnight. Regardless of where I was or who I was with, I always had a fully stocked diaper bag. It was to the point where I kept one in both cares, just in case. 

So, what do you need in a diaper bag anyway? The following list is the most useful items I kept in my diaper bag. 

Gotta Have

The name says it all; these are things you need to have in your diaper bag. 

• Diapers- Present size and the next size up!
• Wipes- One pack at least, don’t buy the refillable containers. They dry out way faster when not sealed in the original container. 
• Baby Powder- Some parents like to skip this one with on-the-go diaper changes. It’s a simple step that makes all the difference later; keep a travel-size bottle on hand, and I can guarantee you’ll never regret it. 
• Diaper Cream/ Rash Preventions/ Coconut Oil- Something to provide relief from or prevent a rash. (See my post about using coconut oil as a diaper rash treatment HERE)
• Extra Outfits- You never know when a diaper will blow out and soil that super cute onesie. Be sure to have a couple of different outfits on hand. If you live in a place where the weather has a mind of its own, you should pack a set of clothes to change your infant into should the weather become too unbearable. 
• Changing Pad- To cover yucky changing tables or provide a cozy space for your baby while changing them in an unconventional location. 
• Sustenance- Bottles, Formula, and age-appropriate snacks
• Pacifier- Keep an extra binky, wubby, or whatever you call it in your diaper bag. You never know when one will go missing. 

Bonus Items

These items weren’t initially in my diaper bag, but they made their way in after I realized the value of keeping them around. 

• Feeding Blanket- Even tongue your baby may not be nursing, it’s good to keep a nursing blanket on hand just in case. They make excellent shade cloths for sunny days and keep your baby protected and cool. In addition, you’ll want a blanket or two in the stroller for your baby’s comfort. 
• Burping Cloths- This was something I often overlooked. If your child still drinks from a bottle, keep a burping cloth on hand to wipe up little messes and keep the back of your shirt clean.
• A Fresh Shirt- Not unrelated to the previous item on the list is a spare shirt for you. Just in case the baby makes a mess of your shirt while eating, it’s nice to have something to change into that doesn’t smell of partially digested milk. 

A Final Thought

You’ll have to carry a diaper bag for many years while your child grows from infant to toddler. So it would be best to re-evaluate what items you need to keep close regularly. For example, your child may no longer need formula and bottles as they age, but keeping wipes on hand to clean up sticky messes is a good idea. Stay tuned for my “Kid Bag Essentials” coming soon!

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What are some things you kept in your diaper bag?