Parenting

30 Diaper Bag Hacks Every Mom Should Know

ParentingPublished Apr 8, 2020
By Megan Zander
diaper bag hacksiStock

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 in the first place. 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 30 diaper bag hacks make a day out with baby a little less stressful and a little more fun.

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Keep a Backup Kit in the Car-placeholder
Keep a Backup Kit in the Car
Amazon

Keep a Backup Kit in the Car

Want to always be prepared without carrying around a super big or super heavy diaper bag? Then getting a trunk organizer like this is key. Keep spare changes of clothes, extra diapers, wipes, and whatever else that's needed in this little tote, and no one will ever be caught off guard.

Collapsible Trunk Organizer & Changing Station ($35, Amazon)

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Use Space Bags-placeholder
Use Space Bags
Amazon

Use Space Bags

This might sound a little silly, but for some of us, it's worth it! Use space bags to store extra diapers and changes of clothes, sucking all the air out of them with a vacuum before packing them up in the diaper bag to save space. This could be invaluable! 

Ziploc Flat Space Bags ($17 for 6, Amazon)

3/30
Organize With Cosmetic Cases-placeholder
Organize With Cosmetic Cases
Amazon

Organize With Cosmetic Cases

Keeping the inside of the diaper bag organized is important to be able to quickly grab what's needed, especially in a hurry. Using cosmetic bags to divide things into categories will ensure that everything's easy to find, and these come in a few different sizes.

Mesh Makeup Bag Cosmetic Organizer ($10, Amazon)

4/30
Add a Mini Umbrella-placeholder
Add a Mini Umbrella
Amazon

Add a Mini Umbrella

Looking for more essentials that should be included in any diaper bag? A mini umbrella is perfect if the room exists for an extra addition. It's hard to predict when it could rain, and it's definitely better to be prepared, especially with little ones in the mix. 

Extreme Degrees Mini Umbrella ($8, Amazon)

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Consider a Diaper Clutch-placeholder
Consider a Diaper Clutch
Amazon

Consider a Diaper Clutch

This definitely doesn't replace a standard diaper bag -- it's just an addition for those times where it would be annoying to carry around an entire bag, especially during short outings. This bag is small and light and includes just enough room for wipes and a few diapers, plus it folds out to a changing pad.

JJ Cole Diaper Changing Clutch ($10, Amazon)

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Baby First Aid Kit-placeholder
Baby First Aid Kit
Amazon

Baby First Aid Kit

It's hard to predict what can go wrong when babies and toddlers are involved, so why not be prepared in case of an emergency? This first aid kit is perfect for taking on the go, and includes items like thermometer strips, burn cream, bandages, and gauze pads.

Small Compact Mini First Aid Kit ($20, Amazon)

7/30
Three Words: Dog Poop Bags-placeholder
Three Words: Dog Poop Bags
Amazon

Three Words: Dog Poop Bags

Yes, we know babies and dogs are different, but honestly, dog poop bags are a lifesaver for anyone who's got kids in diapers. They're built to conceal a poop smell, which makes them perfect for storing dirty diapers in until they can be disposed of -- and the bags are inexpensive and come in a cute dispenser that's compact and easy to store or clip on the diaper bag's handles.

Simpletome Dog Waste Bag Dispenser ($13, Amazon)

8/30
Bring a Spare Charging Cable-placeholder
Bring a Spare Charging Cable
Amazon

Bring a Spare Charging Cable

At first, it seems like this is more for mom and dad than for the baby, but anyone who's ever been out and have a device die when in desperate need for kid entertainment understands that having a charger on hand all the time is totally invaluable -- and one like this is super portable and easy to clip on to the outside of the bag.

Oneenjoy Leather Tassel Lightning to USB Phone Charger Keychain ($10, Amazon)

9/30
Invest In a Wet Bag-placeholder
Invest In a Wet Bag
Amazon

Invest In a Wet Bag

Wet bags are important because they safely contain wet things -- like diapers, clothes that have suffered from a major blow out, or wet clothes or swimsuits from days out at the park or the pool -- without getting everything else in the diaper bag wet. Plus, they're reusable, and come in all kinds of adorable colors.

ALVABABY Wet Dry Bags (2 for $9, Amazon)

10/30
Pack a Wallet-placeholder
Pack a Wallet
Amazon

Pack a Wallet

Carrying a diaper bag is hard enough, so why bother carrying a purse on top of it? By buying a wallet that's big enough to carry everything a mom could need over the course of an outing that slides easily into one of the diaper bag pockets, it's one less thing to lug around -- and decreases the chances of forgetting that purse somewhere.

Chelmon Women's Wallet ($20, Amazon)

11/30
Ditch the Bag for a Backpack-placeholder
Ditch the Bag for a Backpack
Petunia Pickle Bottom

Ditch the Bag for a Backpack

It's easy to get swept up in baby registry madness, but that giant diaper bag won't be nearly as cute when it's knocking against the car seat while trying to bring both inside. And trying to smush it under the stroller? Annoying. A backpack designed with baby in mind frees up the hands, plus dad won't mind holding it. 

Axis Backpack ($139, Petunia Pickle Bottom)

12/30
Make Tissues Easy To Reach-placeholder
Make Tissues Easy To Reach
Target

Make Tissues Easy To Reach

Having tissues in the diaper bag is Momming101. But having tissues hanging from the outside of the diaper bag to grab the second an epic snot bubble shoots out of a child's nose is Advanced Momming. Stop scrambling through the bag in a panic trying to find that tiny pack and level up. 

Go Anywhere Tissues ($2, Target)

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Stash a Spare Set of Clothes-placeholder
Stash a Spare Set of Clothes
Megan Zander

Stash a Spare Set of Clothes

Spit-up and diaper explosions can happen anywhere and at any time. Plan for the worst by keeping a full outfit -- onesie, pants, and socks (yes, socks too -- trust us) rolled together in a plastic bag. Keeping the outfit bundled makes it easier to find everything while trying to change baby on the go, and the plastic bag can be used to hold the soiled outfit.

14/30
Repurpose Breast Milk Storage Bags-placeholder
Repurpose Breast Milk Storage Bags
Amazon

Repurpose Breast Milk Storage Bags

Don't toss leftover breast milk bags (or those single samples that come with maternity clothes purchases). Their study seals and long shape make them great for diaper bag storage. Use them to hold dry snacks such as crackers or puffs, or for keeping baby spoons sanitary while in the diaper bag. 

Breastmilk Storage Bags ($12 for 100, Amazon)

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Keep Crayons in One Piece-placeholder
Keep Crayons in One Piece
Megan Zander

Keep Crayons in One Piece

Crayons are clutch for keeping kids occupied while waiting at a restaurant or during a long car ride. But with so much rolling around in the bag, it's easy from them to get broken, and we all know how toddlers feel about snapped crayons. Repurpose an empty prescription bottle as a crayon holder to prevent a "the blue is broken!" meltdown.

16/30
Travel Formula Dispenser-placeholder
Travel Formula Dispenser
Amazon

Travel Formula Dispenser

Those single-serving formula packages are useful on the go, but can be expensive and hard to find. A formula dispenser, such as this one that holds enough for three separate 9-ounce bottles, makes it easier to feed baby on the go without having to worry about keeping pre-made bottles cold. Just pack a bottle of water and mix as needed. 

Travel Formula Dispenser ($5, Amazon)

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Keep Keys Easy to Reach-placeholder
Keep Keys Easy to Reach
Amazon

Keep Keys Easy to Reach

With so much stuff inside, it's easy for car keys to go missing inside a diaper bag. No one wants to be digging through the bag looking for them, especially when it's past nap time. Use a colorful carabiner to secure keys to an inside tag or loop so they're always in the same spot and easy to snag. 

Carabiner ($7 for 5, Amazon)

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Make a Diaper Changing Kit-placeholder
Make a Diaper Changing Kit
Megan Zander

Make a Diaper Changing Kit

Tuck diaper changing essentials -- wipes, diaper cream, fresh diapers, and a travel changing pad, into a large plastic bag inside the main diaper bag. When a diaper disaster strikes, everything's all together and easy to grab. It's also simple to hand the kit off dad or anyone else stepping up for diaper duty.

19/30
Keep Teething Toys Chilled-placeholder
Keep Teething Toys Chilled
Amazon

Keep Teething Toys Chilled

Keep a teething baby from getting fussy while out and about by bringing chilled teething toys in the diaper bag. Fill a wide-mouthed water bottle with ice and a little water. Leave space to tuck a couple teething toys on top, and pop the bottle in the diaper bag. Mom gets to stay hydrated, and the baby has something soothing to gum when needed. 

Insulated Wide Mouthed Water Bottle ($45, Amazon)

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Pack Pacifier Wipes-placeholder
Pack Pacifier Wipes
Amazon

Pack Pacifier Wipes

It's the moment every mom dreads -- the baby's beloved pacifier hits the disgusting floor at a place where there's no sink in sight, and there's no backup in the bag. Oh no! Popping the paci in our own mouth and declaring it clean is one option (no judgment!) but for germ emergencies like these, having pacifier wipes in the diaper bag is pretty great. 

Pacifier Wipes ($5, Amazon)

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Stash Straws Safely-placeholder
Stash Straws Safely
Amazon

Stash Straws Safely

Food establishments everywhere are cracking down on the use of single-use plastics, such as straws. That's great news for the environment. But for those of us with small children who are still working on the motor skills needed to sip from an open cup, having a few straws on backup in the diaper bag can be a huge help when out and about. A simple travel toothbrush holder keeps them straight and clean. 

Travel Toothbrush Holder ($3 for 6, Amazon)

22/30
Pack a Spare Shirt-placeholder
Pack a Spare Shirt
Megan Zander

Pack a Spare Shirt

Everyone knows to keep a spare change of clothes for the baby in the diaper bag, but only experienced parents know that mom and dad would benefit from having a backup shirt on standby as well. Roll up a unisex T-shirt and tuck it into the bottom of the bag for an "in case of emergency spit-up" option.

23/30
Add Disposable Changing Pads-placeholder
Add Disposable Changing Pads
Amazon

Add Disposable Changing Pads

The coordinating changing pad that came with the diaper bag is super adorable and fun to use -- until the first time the baby has a massive poop butt and there's nowhere to clean it. Keep a couple of disposable changing bags in the diaper bag for those "ermygawd" diapers, and save the reusable pad for the "number one only" occasions. 

Disposable Changing Pads ($6 for 10, Amazon)

24/30
Contain Pacifiers-placeholder
Contain Pacifiers
Amazon

Contain Pacifiers

Let's be honest, with all the opening and closing and reaching in to grab things, the lining of a diaper bag isn't the most sterile environment. Toss a couple of plastic condiment containers in sidewall pocket to hold protect pacifiers from germs. Not only will it keep them cleaner, but having a dedicated spot to hold pacifiers makes it easier to find one when the baby's getting cranky. 

Condiment Holder ($7 for 100, Amazon)

25/30
Fight Playground Sand With Ease-placeholder
Fight Playground Sand With Ease
Target

Fight Playground Sand With Ease

Baby powder may seem like something a grandma would suggest having in the diaper bag, but trust me on this one. A travel size bottle of talc-free baby powder is good for so much more than changing diapers. Rub some on hands and feet to easily dust off playground sand before heading back in the car.

Cloud Island Baby Powder ($5, Target)

26/30
Bring Hand Sanitizer-placeholder
Bring Hand Sanitizer
Target

Bring Hand Sanitizer

We hope no mom ever has to perform an emergency diaper switcheroo on the side of the road or on a park bench where there's no bathroom to be found. But also, we know that life throws us curveballs sometimes, which is why having hand sanitizer in the diaper bag is always a smart move. This spray version dries fast and smells like the ocean. Ahhh.

Honest Hand Sanitizer Spray ($3, Target)

27/30
Make a Wipebox Play Kit-placeholder
Make a Wipebox Play Kit
BuyBuy Baby

Make a Wipebox Play Kit

Got a spare travel wipebox lying around? Use them to make play kits perfect for tossing in the diaper bag. Some small Legos for older kids, paper scraps and some crayons for toddlers, or even a simple puzzle. Swap them out to keep the kids newly entertained each time they're out on the town. 

Anchor Wipebox ($6, BuyBuy Baby)

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Use a Toy Tether-placeholder
Use a Toy Tether
BuyBuyBaby

Use a Toy Tether

Use a toy tether on the diaper bag to sure the baby's favorite toy or stuffed friend doesn't accidentally get left behind while running errands. Bonus: It keeps toys from hitting the grimy floor. Secure one end to the bag strap and one to the lovey of choice (just make sure to keep an eye on little ones while playing). 

Toy Tether ($10, BuyBuy Baby)

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Bathtime Anywhere-placeholder
Bathtime Anywhere
Mustela

Bathtime Anywhere

Sometimes babies need a bath when they're miles from home. A surprise stomach bug, a diaper disaster, or maybe they just got a little too into the pasta with red sauce during dinner. Sometimes we need a way to clean them up when there's no tub around. Stash some of this no-rinse baby wash in the diaper bag for an instantly clean child, anywhere and any time.

No Rinse Baby Wash ($15, Mustela)

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Pack Grownup Snacks-placeholder
Pack Grownup Snacks
Amazon

Pack Grownup Snacks

When flying on an airplane with a child, the flight attendants always remind us to secure our own oxygen masks first in the event of an emergency. We can't take care of our kids if we're not in good shape ourselves. When packing the diaper bag with snacks and toys for the kids, be sure to include snacks for the adults, too. Low blood sugar isn't a good look on anyone. 

Cherry Pie LaraBar ($ 5 for 5, Amazon)

Psst: If you choose to purchase an item on this list, CafeMom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.

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