
Megan Zander
For being so adorably small, babies sure do require a lot of stuff. When it comes to putting together a diaper bag for a day out, knowing what to put in and how to organize it all can get overwhelming quickly. Spare diapers and wipes are obvious, but what else? Will she need a change of clothes? Toys? What about feeding? And why didn't we register for a bigger diaper bag?
As baby grows, every parent learns through trial and error how to put together a diaper bag and what the essentials are. But rather than learn the hard way (like me, who thought my twins shouldn't leave home as newborns without the entire Winnie the Pooh board book collection) there are diaper bag hacks to learn now to rock this parenting thing from day one.
Part of packing a diaper bag like a pro is in picking the right bag itself. If having cold bottles of formula on hand is a must, consider a bag with insulated sleeves. If dad plans to do his fair share of carrying the diaper bag, consider a neutral color or a backpack option that frees up the hands.
The inner workings of a diaper bag will change as kids grow, but there are a few basics that will serve any parent well. Snacks for the family, including mom and dad, can help prevent the dreaded hangries and avoid a trip through the drive-thru when on the go. Toys to entertain bored kids are a must, and a toy tether can help prevent a favorite rattle from getting lost while out and about.
Changing diapers is never fun, but clever diaper bag planning can make swapping old bundles for fresh ones a little easier. Keep diaper changing supplies together in a separate bag that be grabbed quickly and taken to the changing table. Keep a spare shirt for mom and dad with a change of clothes for baby in case a serious spit up situation strikes.
Let these 20 diaper bag hacks make a day out with baby a little less stressful and a little more fun.