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Whenever you end up taking your baby outside or are travelling elsewhere with your little one, it isn’t as simple as taking your stuff and leaving right away. A baby might be a tiny little being, but the number of things you need to carry along with you, to ensure that he is taken care of throughout the trip or the journey, can easily get your overwhelmed. By knowing what to pack in the diaper bag of your child, you can memorize the list, put them all in a place where you can get them easily and resort to travelling with a comparatively less anxious mind and a much happier baby.
The Ultimate Diaper Bag Essentials List
In order to give you a headstart when packing up the diaper bag for your child, we have put together an effective list based on the child’s age that can help you to some degree.
0-6 Months
For a newborn, the diaper bag checklist usually contains a lot of nappies and feeding items since that is pretty much what newborn babies tend to do throughout.
1. A Small Shawl
Your baby is going to sleep off at the most random times and the place where you are might not have the right temperature to help him sleep peacefully. Using a light shawl that you regularly have can help him keep warm when it’s cold and the smell and texture will make him feel safe.
2. Sanitizer
When traveling, you will have to keep taking care of your baby throughout. Maintaining hygiene is easy at home but the availability of clean soap and water when you are out may not be guaranteed. It is best to carry a sanitizer so that you can clean your hands quickly and attend to your child.
3. Extra Shirt and Pads for Breasts
Yes, you do need to carry certain items for yourself as well. If your breasts end up leaking or your little one throws up a bit after a feed, you don’t want to walk around with those stains on your top. Keep a change of clothes and some extra pads to soak the leakage.
4. Clean Cloths
Feeding cycles will repeat and so will burps that will occasionally throw up a little milk. Instead of spoiling your clothes repetitively, make use of a clean cloth that can help catch any spit of your child.
5. Extra Baby Clothes
Surprises come unannounced and your little one is adept at it. He could pee even while you are changing the diaper or spray milk all over himself, spoiling the clothes. Don’t let him sit with those and carry spare clothes around that can be changed conveniently.
6. Disposable Bag
All those dirty diapers, used cloth, unclean wipes need to be disposed of away properly and throwing them just anywhere is not the right way to do it. Use a disposable bag to keep them in and then dispose them at a dustbin when you spot one.
7. Cream for Diaper Rash
At times, it might not be easy to change a soiled diaper right away and your baby might have to stay with one for a while. This could give rise to a diaper rash and irritate him. Carry a cream for the rash so that he can get some relief quickly when you change the diaper.
8. Compact Pad
While handling your baby, you need a firm surface to keep him or the other objects safe and within reach. There are collapsible compact pads you can use that fit in the bag easily and can be unfolded when they have to be used.
9. Baby Wipes
Wet wipes are highly recommended over any kind of cloth or cleaning material. Not only are they easy to carry and use as well as dispose of away, most of them are also medicated and have a nice fragrance to them that make things a million times better.
10. Diapers
Well, it is called a diaper bag for a reason. Pooping is what will constitute the majority of your newborn baby’s life in the initial months. Don’t risk keeping him without a diaper for your clothes and his can be easily spoiled. Change diapers the moment you get the chance.
6-12 Months
Apart from all the essentials mentioned for the newborn child, once your baby is more than 6 months old, there are a few more items you need to carry along as well.
1. A Book
Your baby might need some distraction while he is feeding or just lying around. Keep his favourite book along with you so that you can read it out to him and show him the colourful pictures as well.
2. A Toy
You might need to grab a nap as well but your little one might be stark awake. Let him keep himself engaged by playing with his favourite toy. If you are traveling, carry a toy that doesn’t make noise so as to avoid disturbing other passengers.
3. Apron
Now that your child can make use of his limbs a lot, he could also be eating solids now. This results in a higher risk of spilling things. Having an apron around his neck can catch these food items that spill and keep him clean.
4. Water Sipper
Babies at this age do tend to drink enough water to keep hydrated since they are not always hungry for milk or so. Carry compact sippers that are unbreakable. You can have more than one to pair water with juices.
5. Small Snacks
Instead of always breastfeeding him while traveling, you can start giving your little one some small snacks to munch on if he gets hungry in the midst of the journey. This is convenient and keeps your baby happy, too.
Diaper Essentials For Toddlers (1 to 3 Years)
A toddler diaper bag checklist is quite different from that of a baby’s since the requirements are a tad unique. However, many items might still be common.
1. Plastic Bags
These have to be carried without a doubt. Beyond diapers, a toddler might end up using a lot more baby wipes or you might need to dispose of snack wrappers and other items as well.
2. Toy Bag
A single toy is never sufficient for a toddler since his mood might change rapidly. Keep a separate bag that has different options to keep your little one engaged.
3. Sanitizer
As much as useful this is for you, a sanitizer is required for your child as well, since he would be curiously touching numerous things around him, which may not always be clean.
4. Napkins
One for cleaning, one for catching food, one for his face, the count of napkins can go up before you know it. Keep enough of them with you.
5. Snacks
Your child can get moody without reason and refuse a nice meal. Rather than go hungry, give him a small snack of his liking and feed him the meal later.
6. Water Sipper
Even if your child can drink from a cup, use a sipper when you are travelling our out of your home so that any untoward risks of a mess are avoided.
7. Clothes
With an overactive child comes the chances of spoiling his clothes with the excitement. Spare clothes are a must no matter how old your baby is.
8. Compact Potty Seat
If your little one has started potty training, don’t let travel interrupt it by using a diaper. Compact seats can help him stay on track with it.
9. Wet Wipes
These are your friends for all times of your life. Not just for your kid, but wet wipes to help you clean your own hands and face and keep yourself refreshed.
10. Diapers
Whether potty training or not, it is best to keep spare diapers along with you if things don’t turn out to be the way you thought they would be.
Diaper Bag Extras
Along with the necessities, there are a few extras you can carry to make your time better.
- Camera
- Nail cutters
- Baby Sling
- First aid kit
Tips for Packing a Diaper Bag
When opting for a diaper bag or packing one, keep a few quick tips in mind.
- Choose the one that works best for you
- Opt for waterproof ones that work in different weathers
- Pack liquids in a separate plastic pouch
- The more compartments, the better organization possibilities
Once you know how to pack a diaper bag properly in the right way with the right commodities, travelling with your child won’t seem as much as a challenge as it feels now. You will be able to enjoy the smallest moments with your loved one and click photos to treasure the memories.
