How big should a diaper bag be, and what should go in it?
Diaper
Do your own thinking! asked:
I’m trying to make a realistic guesstimate of how much junk we’ll want to lug when we leave the house with a baby…
I’m trying to make a realistic guesstimate of how much junk we’ll want to lug when we leave the house with a baby…
I’m looking at two bags; one is 11″H x 15″W x 6″D, and the other a bit smaller, 9″H x 10¾”W x 4¾”D.
Am I right in thinking that the little one will be fine for quick trips around the neighbourhood, and the larger one okay for longer outings?
What’s in your diaper bag? And what’s essential (er, okay — diapers!), and what’s just nice to have?
Tim
March 1st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Debra
You should have two diaper bags one that is large and one that is small. These items should go in it:
Formula (unless you breastfeed)
blanket
bottles
change of clothes
diaper pad for changing in a bathroom where liners aren’t filled
diapers (of course)
baby food (for older babies of course)
stuff animal or toy for baby
It also depends on whether or not you go to the pediatrician in that case I would pack baby tylenol.
I also used it as a purse so I wouldn’t have to carry one, so I would carry my wallet and keys too.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 am
Vera
I had two bags, for just the reason you mentioned. The bigger one held an extra set of clothes and extra food, they both had the baby basics: diapers, wipes, couple toys. It was really easy just to grab and go with the small one for trips to the park or just the store. The bigger one I used for day trips, or if I was planning on visiting friends for a few hours. Good Luck!
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:57 am
Beverly
i have two diaper bags a bigger one and a smaller one for around town as to what to put in it
- diapers
- recieving blankets
- wipes
- an extra soother
- extra clothes
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Carrie
for me i like a big diaper bag cause when u got a baby u dont have time to carry him/her diaper bag and ur stuff as well plus u got to be reasy for anything! esp when ur on the go….my diaper bag consist of 2 pacifers, 2 bottles, a toy, plenty of diapers, wipes, MY WALLET! lol and a change of clothes for my son plus his food and spoons babies are messy but they cant help it thats why i say u gotta be ready for anything…but dont get something you cant haul around! get something that will hold all of the things u need plus comfort for ur shoulders and not to bulky to be in the way cause ur going to be the one carrying it not someone else…make it easy for u as well! good luck
March 5th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Lee
To go out I have a bag (not a diaper bag) that has about 7-10 diapers, the little wipes box, 2 t-shirts (onesies), a extra outfit, a bib, a pair of socks, his favorite toy, formula (a extra bottle)and a blanket. I think that is it.. To me this is the essential’s.
I try to limit everything. Hope this gives you.
March 9th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Stephanie
you’re right about the third paragraph.
-diapers
-formula
-bottles
-wipes
-food
-pacifier
-little toys
-blanket
-extra clothes
-stuffed animal?
-little books
-tylenol or advil(in case you get a headache)
-other stuff
March 10th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Carrie
I like to keep diapers, wipes, change of clothes, changing pad, bibs, and Purel in there. Whether or not you are breastfeeding has a lot to do with the size of the bag you will need too. I like the ones with a place on the side to put a bottle or sippy cup.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Chris
a snack, bottle, bib, diapers, wipes, changing pad, a change of clothes, a few fave shaky toys or board books. I also put my wallet, cell phone ect. Remember it’s not just for the baby’s stuff, it usually replaces your purse too. I’d go with the bigger one, or buy 2 if you really want.
March 13th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Marilyn
I have 2 kids and one on the way (I’m 27 weeks) and I have a rather large diaper bag but I also keep things for both kids in it. If you only have one kid though the smaller one should be enough. As to what to put in it, besides diapers of course, bring bottles, formula, 2 changes of clothes (in case of diaper blow outs and spit ups) extra bibs, wipes (duh), and a spare pacifier. Those are just the bare basic needs I never leave home without when I have a newborn. You never realize how much you will need all these things until you don’t have them. I really hope this helps. And congrats on the baby!
March 16th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Ramon
The smaller one is fine you should have diapers,wipes,rash creme,a change of cloths,anti-bacterial,2 one gallon Ziploc freezer bags(for smelly diapers).
March 17th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Michele
It all depends on how old your baby is if your baby is a newborn baby then you just need a little one with a blanket, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, bibs, bottles, etc. if your baby is an older baby then a bigger is better for there toys and the baby food and lots of changes of clothes. But also if it is a long trip a bigger bag would do better for newborn baby. it all really depends on the circumstances
March 19th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Emily
the two bag thing as mentioned above is great along with the suggestions of items to include.
I would suggest an extra shirt for you babies get your shoulders etc full of yummies.
If you are nursing remember a nice size blanket to provide privacy (if that is a concern of yours) also nursing pads, the extra shirt comes in handy here as well since breast milk sometimes leaks, also always have a bottle of water in your bag gotta stay hydrated to nurse well!
March 22nd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Carlos
I started off with a large diaper bag when my son was newborn. I kept diapers, diaper rash creme, wipes, extra pacifier, bottle, powdered formula and spring water to mix, bib, burp cloth, xtra outfit for baby, receiving blanket and small changing pad (just in case you’re at the store, etc. ~ public changing stations aren’t always the cleanest!), couple of small toys.
One of my favorite finds… Rather than using the bulkier changing pad that usually comes with the larger diaper bags, I purchased a package of underpads from Walgreens. They are in with the incontenance supplies. They fold up nice and small so they don’t take much space and they are disposable so if baby has an accident in the middle of a diaper change you can just toss it.
Now that he’s 15 mos. I use a much smaller bag that will hold a couple diapers, wipes, diaper rash creme, changing pad, a snack, a spare spoon and a sippy cup with water (he loves water and I don’t have to worry about it spoiling) and a bib. The little bag I have now is also insulated and has a zipper to expand a little so if you want to put an ice pack in it it will keep things cold. I only use the big bag now if we go on long trips that require more diapers, etc.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Carrie
Bring a diaper changing mat (so when you visit peoples houses or so you dont have to put the baby on the dirty diaper changing station), 3 bottles filled with milk and one with water, 2 sets of clothing, 1 box of wipes, 1 blanket, 2 feding blankets to put over your shoulder when the baby is being burped….. I would bring 12 diapers because newborns poop alot.
AND OH YEAH THE BIG BAG….
March 26th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Theodore
You should definantly buy both. The larger one when you go on a long outing and the small one when you make a quick run to the store. I have diapers,wipes,a few changes of clothes,my bottle bag,some extra formula,baby tylenol,gas drops,and 2 recieveing blankets in my diaper bag.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Kathleen
I never baught a diaper bag. I use the one I got from the hospital that similac provides. It is about 9×12x6. It works well for me, and I have never been left without. I even used it to pack for an entire weekend, and the only thing I could not fit was his special balnket which would not have stayed in the bag anyway. I only take the esentials, and try to pack light. My son is heavy enough without a 40 pound bag on my sholder.
I pack:
**Enough diapers for a change every 2 hours, plus 1.
**Wipes, but not in the tub. I use the refill pack that is just in plastic untill it is 1/2 way gone, then fill my home container and replace the bag one.
**A little bottle of powder
**The can of formula. I used to use the little premeasure container, but it did not hold enough for comfort. You can clean a bottle and fill it pretty much anywhere if you must, but formula is harder to come by.
**4 bottles, that is how many the bag will hold in the side pockets
**2 changes of clothes, depending on season i usually pack one warm one cool except for the middle of summer or winter.
**Extra socks
**Baby tylonal
**My tylonal
**Extra Pacifier
**Lotion/sun screen ( I am in Florida)
**2 recieving blankets. 1 for spit up, vomit, general baby wiping, and the other for a changing pad just in case ther is not a proper place to change him.
**2 toys. 1 to play with, 1 for when he gets bored with the first. Once he is ready to be done with the 2nd, the first is cool again. No need to bring the whole toy chest.
That is it. Baby clothes and such are small and can be packed quite easily. There is no need for a huge bag, you will just end up bringing more stuff and making it harder to find what you need, not to mention the extra weight and lack of manuverability. I have never needed more, and I have been stuck out of town twice for several hours in the middle of no where due to a bad transmission and then shotty repair. To find out hom much room you will need, befor buying the bag, but the goodies you will want in it. Try putting them together and measuring. This way, you will not end up wasting your money. Good luck, and happy baby shopping! (Its the best isn’t it)
March 28th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Karl
wipes on the side.clothes.daipers.binky.
just in cause your baby gets sick.rash medoson.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Audrey
The only time that I use my diaper bag is when my son who is 6 months old goes to his grandma’s house or my aunt’s house. You should probably get the big one.
Items in Diaper Bag: Diapers, Wipes, Onesie, Sleep-n-Play, Socks, Washcloth, Burbcloth, Scented bags, Travel size Shampoo Baby Powder Baby Lotion, Bib, and a Changing pad
March 31st, 2009 at 2:47 am
Manuel
Because I wear my baby and don’t have a pram or pushchair, I like to travel light, so pack the very least I can get away with. It’s worth bearing in mind that the stuff you will need varies enormously with the age and stage you’re at, so noone will be able to give you a definitive list! I can tell you what I take at the moment with an 8month old:
enough nappies, couple of liners, and a spare nappy wrap
water spray and dry cloths (instead of wipes)
wet bag (usually plastic carrier)
change of clothes (for space take one babygro)
one spare formula carton and bottle
bib
toy
that covers it all! We’ve been doing BLW so no need for sippy cups, spoons or special food, she eats from my plate and drinks water from a regular cup. My slings act as coats, changing mats, highchairs, swaddlers and blankets, so very multifunctional.
I have a feeling you’ll find longer lists
Remember, it’s not the end of the world if you forget something! Most places you’ll be going if it’s really an emergency you can buy one there!
You’ll overpack the first few weeks then you’ll be just fine!
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Todd
Either one of those sounds big enough for one baby. After having 6 kids, I only carry the essentials. My arm is tired!! With a small baby you need diapers, wipes, extra set of clothes, changing pad, burp cloth, pacifier (if you use one), bottle and formula ( if you’re bottle feeding), and your wallet and keys. Now that my youngest baby is two, I only carry a few pull-ups, an extra set of clothes, a sippy cup of water, and my wallet and keys. So it gets lighter and smaller as time goes by. You’ll go through several as the years go by. Relax and enjoy it.