Once Paolo was 8 months, I rarely carried around a full diaper bag. Instead, I would grab extra diapers and wipes and throw them in my purse before heading out. With that in mind, I do think it is super helpful to be prepared and have a dedicated diaper bag in the early months, especially if you are a first-time parent. Try to keep it ready to go at all times so that you don’t have to worry about another thing to do as you try to wrangle everyone out the door.
Here is what I have filled my diaper bag with for Baby #3. Nothing too crazy, just the essentials and a few things that were always helpful in soothing both of my older boys when they were infants.
1) I am so in love with this diaper bag. A collaboration between two of my favorite brands, Lewis and Loeffler Randall is a perfect size and set up in a very functional way inside with necessary pockets and compartments. It comes with a matching changing pad, too, so you don’t have to worry about buying another thing to add to your baby kit.
2) Diapers and Wipes. After hearing many rave reviews from friends about Coterie, I’ve decided to try them out for Baby #3. They are soft, fragrance-free, super absorbent, and hypoallergenic, chlorine-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, and much more.
3) Diaper Balm or Cream. I have become a huge fan of the Mini Bloom products over the past year. A beautiful and thoughtful brand created by a mother, their products are dermatologist tested and always clean and safe for babies and our environment. I have been using the Fresh & Clean Body Wash and the Knots Be Gone Detangler on Costa and Paolo for months now, and we all love it. For the babe, I’m keeping a tube of their Toot Toot Diaper Rash Relief Cream in my diaper bag for quick relief whenever the baby might need it.
4) Dirty Diaper and Soiled Clothes Bag. Parenting can be messy. Spit up, pee, and poop, are all a big part of that first year. Having a waterproof bag on hand to easily store and separate any used diapers or soiled burp cloths and clothes is super helpful in keeping things as clean and organized as possible.
5) Swaddle and Burp Cloth. It is always a good idea to have a burp cloth and swaddle on hand when you are out. You never know when the baby might have a bit of spit-up or need some comfort and warmth from a swaddle.
6) We used this Baby Shusher all the time with both boys. It was helpful in the car when the baby was melting down. Also, whenever we were eating out at a restaurant, we would tuck the shusher into the side of the baby car seat, and it usually helped keep the baby asleep for a while so we could eat.
7) Portable Sound Machine. Like the shusher, a small, portable sound machine can be a gamechanger when the baby is fussy. It came in handy a lot when hanging out with friends. We could put the baby down early at their house, turn the sound machine on, and keep the baby sleeping while we enjoyed a little adult conversation and dinner.
8) Change of Clothes. Depending on how long you plan on being out, it’s always a good idea to bring a change of clothes for the baby. I usually bring an extra onesie, some socks, and a little beanie just in case it gets cooler.
9) If you are breastfeeding, it’s nice to have a cover separate from the swaddle you have for the baby. These multi-use coverups from Copper Pearl have so many great uses. I’ve added one to my diaper bag this time around.
