A well-equipped diaper bag can be the difference between a pleasant outing and a potentially disastrous one. As a general rule of thumb – it is best to be over prepared. You can never predict what is going to happen or how equipped the space is that you find yourself in. Trying to remember everything can be challenging. You often find gaps in your packing at the most inopportune time (when things have gone sideways). To help in this process, here is a list of “must haves” and some “nice haves” compiled by experienced moms who have learned from a few disastrous experiences of their own! This list will vary according to weather as well as the age of your child.

Download this Diaper Bag Checklist as a pdf

Must Haves

• Diapers (we love Honest Company) – for new babies, pack at least one for every hour you plan to be away plus a couple extra 
• Wipes (try unscented & sensitive Honest Company Bamboo wipes) – if you don’t have a reusable package (highly recommended), throw some into a Ziploc bag 
• Wet bag (or large Ziploc bag if you are careful to keep to away from children) for holding dirty diapers or wet/soiled clothing 
• Hand sanitizer (we like Rocky Mountain Soap Shop Co.)
• Diaper cream – we love Weleda Calendula Baby Rash Cream & Peas in a Pod Smooth as a Baby’s Bum brands
• A folding change pad or blanket (many diaper change travel kits come with wipes case) 
• Change of clothes for child – for a baby consider a onesie or a sleeper and for older children a shirt/bottoms 
• Change of clothes for you – a shirt is ideal but at the very least a scarf to cover up any mishaps 
• Bib (this Baby Bjorn bib catches all the things and these leather Mally bibs are so nice!) 
• Tissues 
• Receiving blankets 
• Soother/teething toys (see our posts on teething here for some of our fave teething toys and tips) 
• Baby food/healthy snacks  (spoon, bowl, bag for empty dirty dishes, snack trap for finger foods) 
• Sippy cup (if applicable) 
• Food and drink for you – you will be better for it! For quick energy, try Quest Coconut Cashew Bars  
• Required medication 
• Wallet (keep a handful of change in your bag at all times) 
• Phone 
• Keys

Bottle fed babies 

• Clean bottles 
• Bottles of water and powdered formula (try formula dispensers like Munchkin Formula Dispenser Combo Pack). While more expensive, premixed formula is super convenient when out and about

Breast fed babies

• Expressed breast milk (this will require a cooling device) 
• A nursing cover or blanket should you choose (we like Bebe au Lait nursing covers) 
• A few nursing pads (try Bamboobies) and nipple cream (Peas in a Pod Nipple Butter is are the best!) 

Nice Haves

• Insulated bottle tote/heater 
• Pacifier holder you can clip onto stroller (Loulou Lollipop and Snuggle Bugz silicon and wood clips are so cute!)
• Stain eraser or tide on the go 
• Face clothes 
• Nail clippers/file 
• Lip balm/gloss 
• Hair ties 
• Sling (like this Buddha Baby carrier) if your little one gets fussy and wants out of stroller (Ergobaby is great too!) 
• Disposable changing sheet (one less thing for you to wash)  
• Grocery cart cover (like this Skip Hop shopping cart cover)
• Bag for scrapes and cuts (Band-Aids/ointment) 
• Cell phone charger 
• Toys (that are in one piece and not too small) 
• Books (a great idea especially the interactive kind)

Weather Dependent

• Sunscreen 
• Sunglasses 
• Hat 
• Mitts

Once you are home and have a moment to breathe, replace items used so your bag is set and ready to go for the next outing!

Great tip: Keep a backup supply of diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, socks, water and non-perishable snacks (like trail mix) in your vehicle. This has saved me more than once!

About the author

Terri Dragatis is a wife, Mother of two, and a teacher. Her diverse interests and ability to turn everything into a lighthearted lesson, not to mention her witty quips and great sense of humor, make her an invaluable part of our team.

As a new parent, Terri remembers feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the abundance of information and wished she had effective, simple and condensed reference guides that would support us, particularly with sleep training. She believes Calm Parent Sleep Routine and other resources will provide many parents with quick to access, useful information to support you throughout your parenting journey.

For Terri, balance involves spending quality time with her family in and outdoors, cooking, camping and goofing around, getting out with friends or for a date with her husband now and again, and fitting in as much as exercise as she can.