Tips For Packing Your Diaper Bags

A lot of new moms wonder about what is needed in their diaper bag. Many diaper bag checklists have great insight on the things to be included, but in reality, diaper bag contents must be age appropriate as well as season appropriate and function appropriate.

A newborn diaper bag needs almost as many things for mom as it does for baby. While the newborn needs diapers, wipes, blanket, clothing changes, diaper cream, and other important items, the mom of a newborn needs breast pads, change of shirt or blouse, appropriate medications, water bottle, cell phone...the list seems to be endless!

Here are some suggestions for your diaper bag. I started with supplies for a newborn, then added some items for an older baby or toddler.

NEWBORN DIAPER BAG CHECKLIST

o Diapers - newborns can easily go through one per hour!
o Diaper Wipes look for a diaper bag with a convenient baby wipe container. (remember to check that they aren't dried out before leaving home!)
o Diaper Rash Creme - Burt's Bees has a really nice one!
o Changing Pad (you don't want to put your baby down on the changing tables in public bathrooms!)
o Large Zip Locks and dirty clothes bag
o Kleenex
o Waterless hand sanitizer
o Bib
o Burp cloth
o Receiving blanket (if your baby still prefers to be swaddled)
o Change of baby clothes, including socks, hat and sweater in cold weather
o Pacifier - a spare is a good idea if your baby is very attached
o Bottle
o Formula - put it in a small plastic container. Include a bottle of water if water is not readily available to mix formula.
o Emergency information card- Include your name, the baby's name, an emergency contact, your doctor's name and phone number, and any allergies or special needs. Put it in a pocket so it's accessible, but not immediately visible.
o Allergy Tag - If your child has a severe allergy, mark his/her diaper bag with a brightly colored luggage tag with the allergy marked in large letters.
o Baby sun hat and sun block for warm weather days
o Infant Tylenol
o Thermometer pacifier
o A couple of small toys. Look for bright toys that rattle, light up, or make noise. Include teething toy if your baby is teething
o Nursing Pads
o Clean shirt for Mom
o Blank Thank-you notes - OK, it's not necessary, but it's great if you have time, in a restaurant, doctor's office or any number of places to kill! Write to complete the note, the address of the name and address when you get home.

ADD to an older baby or child

or Book and Toy Museum
O Juice Box, bottle, sippy cup or bottle
Or crackers, dried fruit and / or Cheerios in a plastic zipper
O Band Aids and first aid cream (Neosporin spray is a good idea to have)
O washable markers and a notebook orcolor book!

It's possible to find a diaper bag that will help organize many of these needs. Matching changing pad, attached pacifier bag, bottle pockets, diaper wipe containers, dirty clothes containers, even a make-up bag for mom are some of the options offered.