Everyone knows that mom has everything, and it’s always in her bag. As a new mom, I realized I wasn’t sure what exactly I needed to pack in our diaper bag when taking our newborn out of the house.
As it happens, newborns don’t need much and the necessary supplies fall into two categories: eating and pooping.
Below is a description of my bag and everything I keep in it. My baby is breastfed, so your necessities may look different if you bottle-feed.
Scroll all the way down for a printable checklist you can keep by your bag to make sure you have everything you need when going out with your baby.
***Note: This page contains some affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you buy through my link at no additional cost to you. I strive to recommend only things I use myself, or similar items.***
My Diaper Bag
I use the Cloud Island Boxy Diaper backpack as my diaper bag. I wanted a backpack as my diaper bag so that I had a hands-free carry option in case I needed to go somewhere with just myself and baby.
My diaper bag happens to be one marketed as an actual diaper bag, but we seriously considered a normal backpack with lots of pockets.
I think the most important thing when selecting a bag is deciding what you’ll need to carry with you, then choose a bag that can hold it all.
I really like that my diaper bag has a lot of pockets, but my mom used a black-hole tote bag as her diaper bag and apparently loved it.
Some people also get by with a ‘diaper clutch’ that they can easily toss into another bag. These are usually a changing pad with some spots to keep diapers and wipes.
Whatever you choose, make sure you like the bag and like carrying it because you will have it with you all the time.
Pack For Diapering
Diapers and Wipes – The rule of thumb is that you should pack 3 plus one for each additional hour you’ll be out of the house. I haven’t run out yet. I always unpack these when I get home because baby is growing so fast and I don’t want her to grow out of diapers that are tucked away before we can use them.
Cream – If your baby needs it. I don’t carry it every day, but would be able to toss it in if we were having issues.
Travel changing pad – My bag happens to come with a changing pad to use on the go. This dedicated pad is great, but I also considered using these waterproof pad liners because they are thin, packable, and easy to clean. You could also use a blanket, just prepare for it to get dirty.
Plastic bags – I keep these in case I need to do a diaper change at a trailhead or a park or somewhere that doesn’t have a trash can I can use. Put the diaper in, tie it up, and wait to throw it away at home.
Wet/dry bag – Blowouts are going to happen, and baby’s clothes are going to get dirty. I keep a wet/dry bag in my diaper bag to keep everything else dry and clean. My bag also has a mesh pocket where I can easily pack a change of clothes.
Change of clothes – I always pack a zippered sleeper for emergencies. If we have a blowout, I want the easiest thing to change baby into. The sleeper gets her whole body clothed, so I don’t have to worry about dealing with onesies or pants.
Pack For Feeding
Again, I breastfeed our baby, so the necessary feeding items for you may look different than mine.
If you feed with formula, figure out how long you’ll be out and how often baby eats and pack that plus a little extra. No one wants to go hungry.
Nursing cover – I have a few of these. The cheapest I use is a muslin blanket I tie and put over us. I also like this pancho-style cover from Amma. There are many options to choose from.
Burp rag – I pack one in my bag. If I was going to be out for a full day, I would probably toss a second one in with it.
Nipple butter – I keep a sample-size tube of nipple butter in my bag. The one I use came with the Medela Manual Breastpump, but I also use the Lansinoh butter at home.
Other Diaper Bag Items
Extra blanket – I pack an extra thick blanket or a waffle blanket in my bag in case we wind up somewhere that is colder than I expected. It’s also handy to have a clean blanket if your other one gets dirty.
Hat – I pack a warm hat or a sun hat, depending on the weather. Both if it is chilly and sunny.
Sun block – Not really for baby at the newborn stage yet because her skin is so sensitive. However, I’ve used it for myself a few times while we were out and it’s handy to have packed.
Diaper Bag Essentials For Mom
Phone/wallet/keys – All the essentials. Include whatever else you usually carry with you.
Snacks – I am not a functioning person without snacks. I’d say these are especially important if you are breastfeeding, but really snacks are necessary no matter who you are. A fueled mom is ready to take care of baby.
Water bottle – Hydration is key. I have a half liter Nalgene that fits nicely in one of the pockets of my bag. For more water, I usually have a larger Nalgene in my car.
What do you pack in your diaper bag?
When your diaper bag is packed, you will be able to confidently leave the house without wondering if you left anything behind.
All of the items I keep in my bag are also on my list of newborn essentials. Take a look at that post to see what else I recommend you have ready for baby.
I try to carry everything I need without overloading my bag, and I like to buy things for baby that we can use for a long time, even after the newborn stage.
Is there anything else you feel is an essential item to pack when you’re leaving the house with a newborn? Let me know below!
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