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Diaper Bag Essentials – Don’t Leave Home Without ‘Em
The diaper bag is a baby’s home away from home. A good rule of thumb is to pack the things you use for your baby at home. The last thing you want to do is to be caught without something the baby needs. Below is a comprehensive list of what to pack.
· Diapers. After all, it is a “diaper” bag. You should pack one diaper for every hour you plan to be away from home and an extra one or two in case of emergencies.
· Baby wipes. Not only are these good for cleaning during diaper changes, but they are also good for messy faces and hands. Make sure to store the wipes in an airtight container to keep them from drying out.
· Diaper cream. Since rashes appear without warning, have diaper cream handy to soothe the itch and begin healing the rash.
· Baby powder. After diaper changes you want to make sure the baby stays comfortable, dry, and fresh.
· Changing pad. Some bags come with one built in. You never know what unsanitary place you could end up having to change your baby.
· Anti-bacterial gel and wipes. Babies are very susceptible to germs. Be sure to apply gel to your hands before and after diaper changes and periodically throughout the day.
· Zipper bags. There may be a time or two that after changing the baby, you don’t have a place to dispose of the diaper. Zipper bags are great for keeping the diaper until you have a chance to throw it away. They can also be used to store any soiled clothing. You may want to pack a couple of dryer sheets as well to ward away any odors.
· Clothes. At most you will need one or two changes of clothes for emergencies cases of soiled clothing.
· Feeding supplies. The kind and amount of feeding supplies you pack depends on the stage of your baby and whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. For bottle-fed babies, pack a few bottles and some extra formula. If your baby is eating solid food, be sure to pack utensils as well.
· Burp cloths. These are helpful not only for cleaning spit ups, but also to add extra cushioning to the baby’s head when lying on the changing pad.
· Blanket. A blanket can be used to cover the child in case the air gets chilly. If it is warm outside, pack a light blanket. If it is cool outside, pack a heavier blanket.
· Toys. Bring along the toys your baby pays most attention to at home. These will keep the child amused and entertained.
· Pacifiers. Babies are notorious for dropping pacifiers. Have an extra one or two handy in case you aren’t able to rinse one off when dropped.
· Teething rings. Teething is one of the most uncomfortable times for a baby. Pack a couple of teething rings to soothe the baby’s itchy gums.
· Books. Even if your child isn’t reading yet, their favorite books are still a great source of entertainment.
· Sun-block. If you plan on being outside for an extended period of time, keep a tube of sun-block on hand. Even on a cloudy day the UV rays can still affect the baby’s skin.
· Cell phone. This is one of the most important things to have. You never know when you will need to make an important phone call.
You might even consider having two bags packed: one for shorter trips and one for longer trips. Remember it is almost impossible to over pack. It is better to have and not need something than to need something and not have it.
written by LaToya Irby