Hellobee

Packing light is a thing of the past. Babies require lots of stuff! Here are the items I like to have on hand when I’m out and about with Liam.

1) I usually have 2 Bum Genius cloth diapers and a few disposables with me when I leave the house with baby TTT. Since cloth diapers take up a ton of space, I pack them separately if we’re going on a long road trip. I use disposable wipes on the go and store them in the plastic case that came with the diaper bag.

2) I also carry a small wet bag (Planet Wise Outer Space) to store dirty diapers until I get home to put them in the wash. This is also useful for dirty and/or wet clothes!

3) This Scout bag from Petunia is supposed to be a daddy diaper bag, but I love it for myself. It’s nice and roomy, has tons of pockets to keep me organized, and a changing pad to turn any surface (often the trunk or back seat of the car) into a changing table. My only complaint it that the fabric is really thick, so when it’s loaded with stuff, it can be pretty heavy.

4) Mr. TTT got me this wallet from Urban Outfitters for Christmas and I love it so much. It’s cute and very functional, holding everything I need in one place – credit cards, cash, receipts, coupons, etc. I always use the diaper bag as my purse now, so a big wallet is a must.

5) I also like to keep a board book with me for times when baby TTT and I are waiting or if someone is in the back seat of the car with him. It’s never to early to read to a baby – we’ve been reading to Liam since before he was born!

6) I keep one aden + anais bamboo swaddle blanket in the diaper bag because, while this type isn’t great for swaddling (the fabric is too soft and slippery), they are great for draping over the stroller when it’s sunny or Liam’s legs when it’s chilly.

7) I have the Porter Udder Cover and use it all the time, even at home. Something I realized early on with nursing is that I hated being secluded in the nursery or bedroom while nursing, and much preferred to stay out where the action was and use a cover.

8) Baby TTT is enjoying toys more and more these days, so I try to have one on hand, like the oh so popular Sophie. I always chuckle when I stuff something in the bag and hear her little squeak from underneath the pile.

9) My friend Mama2Cakes made me some burps cloths that I love and reach for first whenever I don’t want to risk being covered in spit up. They are in all sorts of fun colors and patterns, in a style similar to these from Babies R Us.

Some other things I like to have on hand are my iphone, keys, hand sanitizer, stain removing wipes, a onesie and small packages of tissue. I also keep baby TTT’s immunization record in a plastic sleeve in the diaper bag so I never forget it when taking him to the doctor.

What are your diaper bag essentials?