What to Pack in a Diaper Bag

The purpose of a diaper bag is to have all the essentials easily accessible when on the go with babies and toddlers. But aside from the obvious diapers and wipes, what else might be a good option to include? 

Here are some of my favorite diaper bag fillers, providing just enough without taking up too much space:

• Extra clothes for baby- a onesie or shirt, pants/shorts and socks

• Disposable plastic diaper baggies 

• Hand sanitizer or Wet Ones wipes

• Diaper changing mat- click here for my favorite mat for on the go

• Small pack of tissues

• Thin swaddle blanket & burp cloth (babies)

• Nursing/teething necklace for adult to wear and child to chew on 

• Toys for out and about (babies)

  • Small, thin board book (Indestructibles books are great for this!)

  • Teether 

  • Small rattle 

  • Finger puppet or rubber animal

• Toys for toddlers

  • Teether

  • Finger puppets or a few plastic animals

  • Small, thin book

  • Playdough 

  • Jumbo crayons and small pad of paper 

• Simple feeding supplies for older babies & toddlers to use at restaurants or on picnics etc.

  • A small plate WITH dividers. Easy to wipe out and is handy for a variety of foods (even soup!)

  • Small fork and spoon

  • Thin plastic bib that rolls up small

• If bottle feeding, needed supplies

  • Tip: heating a bottle on the go isn’t always easy. You can purchase small bottle warmers for travel or use an insulated to-go cup with a lid and store hot water in it. Ceres Chill products are great for taking breastmilk or formula on the go. Check out cereschill.com if transporting milk for your baby is a part of your typical routine.  For 15% off, use code: BEHOLDINGBABY. (As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission at no extra charge to you if you choose to purchase using my code.) 

• Snacks and water bottles for parent and toddler

• Make-up bag with essentials for mom (wallet, nursing pads, chapstick, gum, etc)

• Seasonal items

  • Hats & mittens

With a little intentional planning, outings with babies can feel less daunting.

What’s in your diaper bag?