As a mom of two, I’ve figured out what to pack and what to leave at home. Here’s my diaper bag checklist to help you keep track of all your diaper bag essentials!
When you leave the house with your baby, you probably want to feel prepared for anything that might come up. Like, if your baby needs something, you are a super mom and you’ve got it covered.
Diaper change? You’re ready for that. A sudden change in temperature? No problem. Your baby needs a pacifier? Got em. Your baby is teething and needs relief fast? Done.
But what exactly do you need to pack in your diaper bag? Even if you’re a new mom with a newborn, you don’t want to overdo it and pack up your entire nursery, but you still want to have everything your little one will need.
Of course, there are lots of things you want to pack. Along with diapers and wipes, there are plenty of other things to consider too, like a change of clothes and maybe even some toys. Think of your diaper bag as a travel-sized version of your baby’s nursery that contains all of the things your baby may need whether you are heading to the grocery store, a park, or a play date.
After over-packing more than a few diaper bags in my life, I made my own diaper bag checklist that I’d like to share with you! This contains all of the important diaper bag essentials that you’ll need, and none that you won’t.
Diaper Bag Checklist: What to Pack In Your Diaper Bag
While it might seem like a good idea to stuff your diaper bag, your shoulders will hurt if you try to take a heavy bag everywhere (or, realistically, your stroller will tip over when you remove your baby) and chances are you just won’t need everything in there.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to customize this diaper bag checklist to meet your own baby’s needs, but here is a look at my top recommendations!
1. An Extra Outfit for Your Baby
The first few items on this diaper bag checklist involve dressing your baby. Definitely bring extra baby clothes in your diaper bag. In fact, you’ll want to just always keep an extra set in the diaper bag and size up as your baby grows. Because the rule goes that if you don’t pack extra clothes, you’re going to need them. You might think that you’re just going on a quick store trip, and then your baby has a diaper blow-out and it ends up everywhere (speaking from experience!).
Diaper bags fill up quickly, so I’ve learned a few tricks in picking the best baby clothes to fit in your diaper bag:
- Choose a sleeper with footies. This one-piece item doesn’t take up much space.
- Pack leggings or a thin pair of sweatpants rather than something thicker like jeans for a more compact fit.
- Consider keeping an extra set of baby clothes in your car rather than your diaper bag. If you will have access to your car while you’re out, it might not be necessary to keep all extra clothes in the diaper bag.
Related: The 22 Best Organic Baby Clothing Brands
2. Extra Diapers
If there is one thing you don’t want to forget, it’s diapers.
Your baby will likely need a diaper change while you’re out of the house (let’s hope it’s not a diaper blow-out!) so it’s wise to always keep extra diapers in the diaper bag. (Oh and remember to size up the stash in your diaper bag as your baby gets bigger.) You can even keep a few diapers in the trunk of your car just in case you forget the diaper bag.
I always suggest bringing as many diapers your baby typically uses at home for the time you plan to spend out, plus a few extras in case the velcro strap comes off or your baby goes through extra diapers.
In general, cloth diapers need to be changed every two hours and disposable diapers every two to three hours. Younger babies may need more frequent diaper changes than older infants and toddlers.
Still haven’t chosen a brand of diapers? I’m a big believer in using non-toxic diapers that are made without some of the commonly used harsh chemicals, and you can check out my full list of non-toxic diapers for reviews on the best brands.
3. Baby Wipes
Between messy faces, sticky hands, and soiled diapers, wipes are definitely a diaper bag essential. As with diapers, there are both cloth and disposable wipes on the market.
I always recommend using one of the safe, disposable baby wipes on the market because many conventional brands contain harmful chemicals and unnecessary additives that you don’t want touching your baby’s delicate skin.
Another great alternative is to use dry wipes; they’re so soft and do a better job at cleaning up tough messes. Two good options are Honest Dry Wipes or Wild and Pure Dry Wipes (if you’d rather support a small business). If you want to use cloth wipes on-the-go, plan to bring at least two per outing and a few extras for unexpected messes. Keep a small spray bottle filled with water in your diaper bag.
Or for a fully reusable option, try organic cotton cloth wipes and toss them in your wet bag (see below) once they’re soiled.
4. Diaper Cream
Diaper rashes can happen when you haven’t changed a diaper in a while. And when you’re out running errands or spending a lot of fun time at the park, time can easily fly by. That’s when diapers go a little longer than they might at home, and red baby bottoms can flare up. Always store some extra diaper rash cream in your diaper bag.
I always recommend using an all-natural, petroleum-free cream. Unfortunately, most mainstream brands are filled with toxic chemicals, such as petroleum, sodium borate, parabens, and artificial fragrances (which is usually code for several dozens of chemicals the company isn’t disclosing). And there are many reasons to avoid these harmful ingredients including endocrine system disruption, reproductive system toxicity, immune system toxicity, and allergies.
Fortunately, there are a number of brands on the market that are full of safe ingredients for your baby’s bum. I specifically recommend 4 natural diaper rash creams I have found and love.
5. Changing Pad or Liner
Many diaper bags come with a travel changing pad, which is really convenient. They usually fold up and slip into the diaper bag. Ideally, the changing pad you store in your diaper bag is wipeable so you don’t have to wash it in between uses.
If your diaper bag doesn’t come with a changing pad, use something that’s convenient to fold up and store and can be wiped clean or tossed in the washing machine.
6. Wet Bag or Plastic Bags
One of my favorite items on this diaper bag checklist is sealable plastic bags. It’s useful to have some kind of disposable or reusable bag that you just tuck in your diaper bag for dirty diapers, used burp cloths, or soiled/dirty clothes. I didn’t always bring these along, but I definitely did find them handy when I needed them. There’s nothing smellier than a dirty diaper or soiled clothing sitting in a hot car.
The key here is to use something that’s sealable. Make sure that it can tie, zip, or velcro shut to block out as much odor as possible. And when it comes to choosing what kind of bags to use, you truly have lots of options. I’ve seen moms throw in a few extra ziploc bags in their diaper bag, as well as moms who use dog waste bags, and wet bags.
I personally love these compostable bags by MOM EASY. They come with a handy blue dispenser so the bags don’t run loose in your bag. These are particularly good for dirty diapers.
You may prefer to use a reusable wet bag, especially if you’re cloth diapering. Either way – having something to throw dirty items into is always helpful. (Just don’t forget to take the items out of your diaper bag when you get home.)
7. Nursing Cover
If you’re nursing, be sure to bring along your nursing cover if you use one. There’s a wide range of nursing covers on the market, so choose one that works with the season, allows for good visibility of your baby while you nurse, and is easy to take on and off.
The brand I prefer is Bebe au Lait. Their covers look kind of like aprons and feature a neck strap that holds the cover in place; that neck strap is really useful because you don’t want your nursing cover to fall or be yanked off while you’re nursing. I also love the open neckline because it encourages airflow and allows you to see your baby while nursing.
They offer a few different fabrics. Their standard nursing cover, Bebe au Lait Premium Nursing Cover, is a good cotton cover for all seasons. However, if you live somewhere that gets really hot, consider the Premium Muslin Nursing Cover; it is a very lightweight, breathable cover.
8. Bottles and Feeding Essentials
Whether you’re bringing pumped breast milk or baby formula with you, you’ll need to store it safely and make it as easy as possible to prepare a bottle for your baby while on-the-go.
If you’re using formula, then you’ll want to keep formula, bottles, and water on hand. There are a few tricks to carrying it in your diaper bag. Instead of bringing an entire formula container – which is pretty bulky – you can use small formula storage containers that hold the pre-portioned amounts of formula.
You can use any non-toxic air-tight container to hold the formula or breastmilk. Personally, I always recommend glass or silicone over plastics. WeeSprout makes 4oz glass containers that can be used to hold any baby food, including formula and breastmilk.
For formula, you’ll also want to bring filtered or sterilized water from home to properly mix your baby’s bottles. Store this water in an air-tight, clean, reusable water bottle, baby bottle, or other container. I know many moms store their sterilized water in the baby bottle itself and mix the formula into the bottle when they’re ready to give a bottle. If you do this, just make sure the baby bottles you choose have an air-tight lid (not an open nipple).
I always suggest bringing enough bottles for your baby to have while you’re out so that you don’t have to clean them. It’s not always easy to find a clean sink to wash out a baby bottle, so try not to reuse the same bottle while you’re out; old, warm formula or breastmilk residue can also leave behind harmful bacteria that you don’t want your baby consuming.
It’s also important to choose baby bottles carefully. The market is saturated with plastic options that run the risk of leaching. I always recommend glass baby bottles (with silicone sleeves if you prefer) as the best and safest option for your little one. I love the Avent glass baby bottles for their ease of use and silicone sleeve. They also come with an airtight cap, perfect for storing sterile water.
9. Pumped Breast Milk & Insulated Bags
If you decide to bring along pumped breast milk when you leave the house, you’ll want to make sure you keep the milk cool for safety reasons. It should always be stored according to the CDC guidelines. An insulated bag can be a huge help for carrying your breastmilk whether you’re keeping it warm or cold. I really love the Skip Hop Insulated Breastmilk Cooler for on-the-go. It stores two bottles (and you can also store sippy cups and maybe even your own water bottle in there!)
10. Baby Food and Snacks
Another important category on this diaper bag checklist is feeding essentials for babies that are eating solid foods. You won’t have to start carrying around baby food until your little one is around four to six months old, or even older in some cases. If you plan on nursing your baby while you’re out, you may not need to bring any extra food at all. But if your baby normally has solid foods to keep that little belly happy, bring some purees, meals, or pouches with you along with a spoon or two. I would bring along our own berries and even dishes like turkey, rice, and peas to restaurants with us all the time.
For older babies, snacks can keep your little one content, so consider age-appropriate finger foods for your little one. You can store their munchies in food containers like the Munchkin Stainless Steel Snack Catcher or these Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Bags.
With that in mind, I would also recommend bringing along a healthy snack for yourself as well, even if you don’t think you’ll be hungry while you’re out. Little ones use all our energy, and breastfeeding moms especially need to refuel often!
11. Reusable Water Bottle and Sippy Cup
As busy moms and dads, keeping ourselves hydrated is often overlooked. We’re always checking to make sure our kiddos are hydrated that we simply forget to take care of ourselves. A reusable water bottle is the best way to keep water handy (and a good reminder to take a few sips every so often!) Remember, nursing moms need extra fluids for proper breastmilk supply. You can find some awesome reusable water bottles on the market. I like stainless steel water bottles for when I’m out of the house.
If your baby is older and drinking out of a sippy cup, I recommend bringing their water cup with you as well! Definitely look for a sippy cup that does not leak and is made of non-toxic materials such as glass or stainless steel.
I personally love the Green Sprouts Glass Straw Cup. It’s very durable despite being made of glass, and it is a perfect size. You can also check out my full list of sippy cup recommendations for more options.
12. Bibs
It’s always a good idea to keep a bib in your diaper bag – whether your baby is eating solids, taking a bottle, or just drooling a lot. If you don’t want to have to pull out that change of clothing, use a bib to keep your little one’s outfit clean and dry while on-the-go!
Green Sprouts makes a really nice bib set made of organic cotton that is super absorbable. They are so comfortable even on younger babies.
13. Nursing Pads and Nipple Cream
If you’re nursing, you’ll want to keep a handful of extra nursing pads in your diaper bag.
All it takes is hearing one baby cry in a store, and your breasts can decide to leak all over the place. Letdown can also occur when your breasts are too full; this often happens when the baby takes a long nap and you haven’t nursed in a while.
To avoid embarrassing leaks, make sure you are wearing nursing pads and have some stocked in your bag in case you need to change them or forgot to wear them in the first place!
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The best disposable nursing pads I have found are the Lansinoh nursing pads. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any organic disposable nursing pads yet, but there are some good washable nursing pads on the market. Kindred Bravely’s are made of organic bamboo and very absorbent.
If you’re prone to clogged ducts or sensitive nipples, it’s also smart to keep some organic nipple cream in your baby’s diaper bag. This might be more useful to you with a new baby during the newborn stage than later on in your breastfeeding journey.
Related: Breastfeeding Tips All New Moms Should Know
14. Burp Cloths
Whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed, it’s good to have a burp cloth in your diaper bag. Keeping one or two on hand helps to protect your clothes from spit-up and can easily be used to wipe up your baby if they do spit-up.
Green Sprouts has a great selection of organic cotton muslin burp cloths, which are super absorbent and very easy to compactly fit in your diaper bag.
15. A Muslin Blanket
I love muslin swaddle blankets. They are, by far, one of the most versatile baby items. The thin nature of muslin makes it extremely adaptable for a wide range of uses: it can be folded up and used as a car seat blanket (placed over the top of the car seat straps). You can swaddle your baby in them with optimal stretch and comfort. And, best of all, since muslin blankets are a single lightweight layer, they make the best summer blankets, perfect for loosely draping over a stroller canopy for some extra shade. And, if you weren’t already convinced, these blankets are the perfect shape and size to use for a little extra privacy while nursing your baby in public. Plus, they roll up compactly, making it easy to keep one on hand.
I love the WeeSprouts blankets and these Mushie swaddle blankets as both are made with organic cotton.
16. Hand Soap
I wanted to list this as the #1 item on this diaper bag checklist, but I figured you’d want to hear more about diapers and nursing covers first. But I personally never leave my house without my mini bottle of hand soap.
Although most people carry hand sanitizer, I actually don’t recommend using it at all. It’s often made with harsh ingredients that I don’t want to use on my skin (and the same goes for industrial hand soaps found at malls and restaurants), so it’s much easier and more effective to just wash your hands. Not to mention, overusing hand sanitizer can wreak havoc on your microbiome, so that’s another good reason to bring along your own soap (and water if needed).
So, when you’re out and about, I always recommend carrying your own hand soap. Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap is my top choice as it’s both gentle and effective. They offer a travel size bottle, which is perfect for storing in your diaper bag!
Related: Probiotics for Postpartum and Breastfeeding Moms
Now, if you’re worried about being able to handle dirty hands on-the-go and don’t have access to a sink, you can always wipe your baby’s hands with baby wipes and then wash with your own hand soap when you can get to a sink. Or just grab a water bottle and rinse your hands on the fly. I do this all the time with my kiddos at the park and places where we can’t get to a bathroom.
17. Pacifiers and a Pacifier Clip
If your baby doesn’t use a pacifier, count your lucky stars because it’s one less thing you have to carry or accidentally forget. That said, if your baby does like pacifiers, it is very much a diaper bag essential!
I suggest packing two or three pacifiers. It’s very easy to lose, drop, or forget pacifiers while you’re out with your baby. I recommend silicone, one-piece pacifiers. One pacifier that I have had luck with is the Philips Avent Soothie pacifiers; it’s extremely easy to clean and durable.
You can take a look at our full list of non-toxic pacifiers for babies if you are still looking for a good pacifier for your baby and want to explore more options. But whichever pacifier you end up using, definitely don’t forget the pacifier clip!
18. Baby Carrier or Ring Sling
I use a different carrier depending on where I’m going. I usually store my soft-structured carrier in the car and roll up a ring-sling or baby wrap in the diaper bag because they’re more compact and easy to use for errands, naps, and breastfeeding.
Keep in mind that not all babywearing options fit well into a diaper bag, but it also depends on the size of your diaper bag. You might be able to roll up a wrap if you have a large diaper bag.
One popular ring sling is the LILLEbaby ring sling. It is made of linen, which is very breathable and many moms love its functionality. While linen isn’t the softest material right out of the packaging, wash it once or twice and it softens up right away!
19. Toys, Teethers & Rattles
Bring toys and things that comfort and entertain your little one; this will come in handy when you’re trying to shop or run errands, for example. Teething toys and rattles are always great choices to store in your diaper bag as well as a lovey or some baby books.
When you look for toys for your baby, make sure you pick eco-friendly companies that only use non-toxic materials. We love handmade wooden toys; those pieces can be kept in your family and used for several children. Head over to my post to read more about how to find the best non-toxic baby toys!
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20. Carseat Cover
If you’re using an infant car seat (the kind that attaches to your baby’s stroller), it’s smart to have a car seat cover ready to go. This can help protect your baby from the elements such as sun and wind, and it also helps provide shade and privacy. They’re also really helpful for baby’s naptime on the go.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to get a breathable car seat cover. It’s very easy for babies to overheat in a car seat, so they need to have good air flow in there, especially if they’re sleeping. The best option is to get a muslin carseat canopy.
21. Sunscreen
Your little one’s skin is sensitive and prone to sun damage, so it’s smart to keep your little one covered. If your baby is older than 6 months, you can also use a safe, non-toxic sunscreen to help protect your baby when necessary.
Mineral sunscreen is the best for babies. You can take a look at my guide to the safest sunscreens for babies to find one that keeps your baby safe from the sun without exposing him to dangerous toxins. One of my favorite baby sunscreens is Badger Baby Sunscreen. It has safe ingredients and offers great protection.
If your baby is younger than 6 months old, dress her in light-colored, breathable clothing, a good sun hat, and keep her in the shade as much as possible. See more sun safety tips here!
22. Hats
Depending on where you live and the seasonality in your area, you can use hats to help keep your baby warm, cool, or simply shaded from the elements.
Sun hats are particularly important to shield your little one from the sun’s damaging rays (especially if your little one is too young to wear sunscreen).
I love the Hanna Andersson sun hats as they are Oeko-Tex certified and very good quality. I also like the iPlay by Green Sprouts sun hats. While these are made from polyester, they are Oeko-Tex certified.
Don’t Forget to Pack Your Personal Items
While it may not sound glamorous, your diaper bag will likely also act as your purse, at least sometimes. No need to cart around two separate bags!
Try to find a pocket or two in the bag that will be dedicated to your things. And of course, the type of mom essentials you carry is entirely up to you! A few obvious essential items include your wallet, cell phone, keys, and sunglasses. You might also think about including an extra shirt for you (whether you’re breastfeeding or not, because messy hands have a way of finding a clean shirt). Don’t forget your lip balm and gum or mints.
If you prefer to keep your items separate, you could try using a wallet on a chain or something similar to keep your hands free as much as possible.
Download the Diaper Bag Checklist PDF
I find it extra useful to have an actual printable diaper bag checklist on hand, especially in the early days of being a first time mom. A printable checklist PDF helped me remember what to literally pack in my diaper bag bag, what might need restocking, and what goes back in the bag. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost forgotten items either at the park or simply left in my car never to find their way back into the diaper bag.
To help you out, I’ve created this simple (yet effective!) diaper bag checklist PDF for you to download, print, and tuck in any pocket of your diaper bag!
FAQs About Packing Your Diaper Bag
Here are some common questions that new mamas ask me about diaper bags.
Do I Really Need a Diaper Bag?
You don’t necessarily have to purchase a diaper bag. Honestly, any bag with several pockets can hold your baby’s essentials. That said, diaper bags are made for a reason! They are crafted with your babies’ and parents’ needs in mind. And there really are so many styles out there that it is easy to find one that suits your style from totes to backpacks, all sizes, patterns, and colors. If you’re going to invest in a new bag, it might as well be a diaper bag. I promise you’ll use it!
Can I Use My Diaper Bag as a Purse?
Yes! In fact, it’s much easier to put your personal essentials in the diaper bag so you don’t have to cart around two separate bags. And stylistically, most diaper bags look more like purses anyways, so you won’t have to give up your personal style for a diaper bag.
What is the Best Diaper Bag?
The key is definitely to start with a diaper bag you like both in style and function. Think: pockets! You want pockets to help keep your bag organized. The last thing you want is to be fishing around your bag desperately for the pacifier or teether that’s buried in between a bunch of clothes and swaddles while you listen to your baby wail.
If you haven’t picked out a diaper bag yet, head over to my article on The Best Diaper Bags, which goes over all the info you need to choose the best diaper bag for you. Or, you can get one of my favorite diaper bag backpacks that I am pretty obsessed with.
What’s the Best Way to Organize My Diaper Bag?
This really depends on the diaper bag you’ve chosen and how it’s set up. In general, I like to categorize the items in my bag and keep them together in nearby compartments. So, for example, I keep all of the diapering essentials together (diapers, wipes, diaper cream, portable changing pad); baby food items together (bottles, snacks, sippy cups); baby entertainment items together (toys, books, teethers, pacifiers), etc. This really works so you’re not aimlessly fishing around in your bag.
Another option is to use diaper bag pouches to keep everything organized. These are little pouches you can use to group like items together. I really like this method because it prevents diaper bag overwhelm where everything is just tossed in the middle of a bag and you find yourself fumbling for things when you need them. That’s not really much fun, especially if you’re doing it one-handed with your baby in the other arm.
Bumkins PVC-Free Travel Pouches
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That covers everything on our diaper bag checklist and FAQs about packing your diaper bag. Remember that you can pack as much or as little as you’d like in your diaper bag. Some mamas prefer the minimalist approach, while others prefer to feel completely prepared for anything that might come up. Do what works for you, and recognize that what you pack in your diaper bag will evolve over time as your baby gets bigger. (And yes, it’s totally normal to take forever to leave the house with a newborn!) Have fun going out with your little one, mama!
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