What you need when packing a diaper bag
If you are a new parent, you'll soon realize the importance of packing a well equipped unique diaper bag. As a mother of 5 I have found that packing the right items and essentials for your baby soon becomes a basic survival instinct. Below is a list of items broken down by baby age. This list will help you keep organized and prevent you from forgetting the essentials.
If you don't think little babies don't need much guess again!
Lets start with packing for new born babies
First the diapers: 3 or 4 if you are only out for a couple of hours. The general rule of thumb is one disposable diaper for every 2hours. I say disposable because you don't want a dirty cloth diaper in your bag on a hot day. (Been there won't do it again. You look kind of funny driving down the road with your head out the window.) Along with the diapers you will need baby wipes and some sort of diaper cream. One to two sets of cloths depending how long you are out. These are usually sleepers for newborns. At least 2 bibs, which are a life saver if they tend to spit up a lot.
Second: at least one receiving blanket and most likely two. They come in handy if you are nursing.
Third: A hat. I cannot stress enough about the importance of babies wearing a hat in hot and cold climates. Please protect their little heads and eyes from the sun and from the cold.
If you are not breast feeding then you will need a bottle or two. If they are old enough then add a soother.
If you are breast feeding then MAKE SURE you are carrying extra breast pads incase you spring a leak. With my first I learnt this lesson pretty fast. My husband and I went out for dinner for the first time without my baby. That was hard enough but when my breasts thought it was feeding time, ( I think they started to have a mind of there own) I was pretty embarrassed. I laugh now but it wasn't funny then.
Packing for babies 12 Months and Up
Toys and food are the main baby products here
Diapers again (yes I know you can hardly wait until they are out of them).
A couple of entertaining action toys, a small book are also good ideas. An entire change of clothes and a sleeper, (tired of doing laundry yet, I thought I was until my little babies turned into teenagers)
Don't forget the bottle if your baby is using one and the all important soother (it's been my experience that you will only forget this once).
Crackers and more baby cookies are good. Now is a good time to bring along the apple juice in a bottle. Extras plastic pants, and extra underwear if they are a little older, don't forget the socks and while you are at it an extra pair of baby shoes.
When babies start to get older, packing their bags is a little more personal. Each child may need something a little different. If you are still nursing then a couple or receiving blankets is still required. Also pack A change of clothes, Hat, toys: one quiet one and one baby toy that makes a little noise. Throw in a couple of baby cookies and add a couple more for yourself ( yes you do develop a taste for these little treats). You will still need 1 diaper for every two hours you are out. Extra socks, plus an extra pair of plastic pants if you use them, you will be surprised on how far it goes when it escapes the diaper.
You may think by now there is no way that you can fit all this stuff in a diaper bag. Sometimes if the trip is long you may need a very large tote bag. But you will be surprised at how good you get at packing your for your baby.
One thing I would like to mention here is never and I mean never let you husband pack the bag for you, you will regret it. Only the main care giver knows exactly what is needed and what surprises may come up. I hope you have found the information here helpful, although there probably are a few baby items that I have forgotten lets just hope you don't.
What to do with a designer diaper bag (the later years)
What you don't want to do is throw it away. Designer bags are pretty expensive especially the messenger bags. What you don't know is a lot of teenage girls are using these bags for school.
# If you don't own a good bag and would like to to choose a style go to bagcetera.com designer diaper bag.
All you need to do is clean your bag inside and out, put it away or give it to one of your nieces for school. These bags come into fashion all the time and are in great demand, most girls can't afford the designer styles, but because of the high quality these bags last for years. You don't even need to tell them what you used it for.
Most tote bags have good sturdy shoulder straps that are comfortable if the bag for carrying text books. They also have cell phone pouches and inner zipper compartments for personal id and other effects. Most diaper bags are big enough that they will hold most school books and then some. The messenger styles are big enough to fit large books and to be used as a bag to carry a laptop computer. They may even find that they can carry a small purse in them so they can leave the bag in a locker when not needing it.
If you own one of the diaperdude bags like one of the camo bags, they can be used for keeping tools in or even fishing tackle. Backpack styles can be used by anyone needing a backpack for a short hike or your kids can use them to pack lunches and water bottles when out on field trips for school.
