Babies sure need a lot of things don’t they.
Spare clothes, toys, food, blankets, first aid kit, hat, tissues, wipes…the list really is endless, and that’s just some of the things you might be thinking of taking on your next trip out of the house!
When you are out with your little one it’s natural to want to be prepared for every scenario.
But this can quickly lead to the number of items spiralling out of control, and it’s not long before you realise the only way all this stuff is going to fit is if you take a suitcase with you every time you leave the house!
That’s where a well thought out diaper bag checklist comes into its own, because it will help you differentiate the must-haves from the nice-to-haves.
So we’ve done the hard work for you and searched far and wide to come up with an essential list of items that both baby and mom or dad are likely to need on most outings.
While you might want to replace the odd item here or there with something you find more useful, this list should be a great starting point when packing your child’s diaper or nappy bag.
Table of Contents
Diaper Bag Checklist
Unsure of exactly what to pack in your diaper bag?
Here’s an essential checklist that you may find useful to help pack the most useful items for both baby and parents alike.
Top 20 Diaper Bag Essentials For Baby
- Antibacterial Spray & antibacterial wipes (to clean tables and chairs)
- Bibs (you might want to take an extra just in case there are more feeds than you think)
- Blanket
- Breast Milk
- Change Of Clothes (leakages seem to happen at the worst times)
- Changing Pad
- Diapers or Pull Ups
- Diaper Cream
- Dirty Diaper Bags
- Food & Snacks (better to take too many than too few)
- Formula
- Hat (either for warmth and / or sun protection)
- Muslin
- Pacifier
- Sterilized Bottle(s)
- Sunglasses & Sunscreen
- Toys, Books & Other Entertainment
- Utensils
- Wet Bag
- Wet Wipes
Top 10 Diaper Bag Essentials For Mom Or Dad
- Band Aids
- Breast Pump
- Chewing Gum Or Hard Candy
- Nipple Cream
- Nursing Cover
- Sanitizer
- Snacks
- Spare Clothes
- Water Bottle
- Whatever Is Usually In Your Purse
FAQs
Do I Really Need A Diaper Bag?
Diaper bags are one of those items that some parents swear by, while others claim they’re a nice to have but ultimately not worth buying.
With their clever design, multiple pockets and space for just about anything you can think of, diaper bags can make your life easier when you’re out with your baby.
Keep in mind however that they are not the only option out there, and many parents find that some other bags do just as good a job – see below.
What Are Some Diaper Bag Alternatives
Some popular diaper bag alternatives include a backpack, tote bag, belt bag or fanny pack, clutch bag and messenger or laptop bag.
Can Dad’s Have Their Own Diaper Bag?
Of course!
Some dads are happy to share the same diaper bag as their wife, typically when it’s a fairly neutral looking bag and doesn’t contain any of mom’s personal items.
But if mom has an oversized, feminine-looking diaper bag that you’d prefer not to use, then you may be one of the many guys out there who wants their own separate and who want’s to pack their everything they want from their own male-focused diaper bag checklist.
Further Reading: Your Essential Guide To What Baby Gear You Really Need
