Week 2

What to pack in the diaper bag

We recommend keeping a diaper bag pretty much packed and ready to go at all times to make sudden departures less of a hassle. In time you’ll figure out what you and your baby really need when away from home, but in general, you might consider packing:

Diapers and clothes:

• 6-10 diapers, depending on the length of your outing
• Wipes in a convenient travel case
• Changing pad
• 2 or 3 changes of clothes for the inevitable spit-up mess or bowel explosion
• 2 or 3 extra pairs of socks
• Weather-appropriate accessories like a warm winter hat, a wide-brimmed summer hat, and/or mittens
• Two blankets – heavy and/or lightweight, depending on the season
• Bag(s) for soiled clothes and diapers

Comfort Items:

• If your baby starts to develop an attachment to a blanket or stuffed animal, we recommend buying two of the item – one for the diaper bag, one for home. That way there’s less of a chance of losing it and it’ll be easier to swap and wash when one gets funky.
• Small board or cloth books
• Pacifiers, if you’re using them

Feeding:

• For formula-fed babies:
  • Bottles
  • Cans of formula
  • Water if using powdered or concentrated formula
  • A blanket to cover you (if you so desire) for public feeding sessions.
  • A breastfeeding pillow like the Boppy
• 2-3 bibs
• 1-2 burp cloths
• Easy snacks and water for you

Baby products for safety and hygiene:

• Diaper cream ointment
• Petroleum jelly
• Fever-reducer like Infant Tylenol
• Nasal aspirator and infant nasal spray
• Cotton balls
• Baby nail clippers
• Travel-size baby wash and lotion
• 2-3 washcloths
• Sunblock
• Hand sanitizer (for you and guests, not for the baby!)
• An emergency card with contact information