What should you pack in your diaper bag when you have a newborn baby? I just brought my third baby home from the hospital two months ago. Here is a list of the essentials that I have packed in my own diaper bag right now.
P.S. Looking for toddler diaper bag essentials? You can find that here!
Also, after you check out the list, be sure to download your free diaper bag checklist so that you don’t forget anything!
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A diaper bag
OK, obviously, you need a diaper bag! When I found out I was pregnant with my third baby, I bought this diaper bag backpack, and I have never looked back. It is the best thing ever. It holds everything I need, and I can still have both hands free while I’m carrying it. I see this diaper bag everywhere- and it’s no wonder everyone has it. It’s great.
Before I got the diaper bag backpack, I used this oversized tote to carry my diaper essentials. It adapted perfectly for a toddler, and was big enough to use for longer trips.
I have also been crushing on these diaper bag organizers for a while, and I think they would work perfectly with a tote, if you’d rather go that route. I would even use these in a weekender bag for an overnight trip with baby.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Easy Baby – Diaper, Bottle, and Supplies… | Buy on Amazon | |
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White Elm Gray Arrows Weekender Diaper… | Buy on Amazon | |
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Iduola Diaper Bag Backpack,… | Buy on Amazon |
Changing
You want to be ready for a diaper (or possible outfit) change while you’re out. Some people like to use a diaper clutch, like this one.
The good thing about the diaper clutch is that when your baby gets older, and you don’t need quite so much stuff for him/her, you can ditch the big diaper bag and just throw the clutch into your purse.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Skip Hop Portable Baby Changing Pad,… |
$24.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
Other than that, here’s what to include in your diaper bag for changes:
1. Diapers
2. Wipes
3. Changing pad
If you buy a traditional diaper bag, one of these will probably come with the bag. Otherwise, I use these waterproof liners (they are unpadded, so they roll up and don’t take up much space.) You can also buy disposable changing pads.
4. Diaper cream
This one is safe to use with both disposable and cloth diapers.
5. Hand sanitizer
6. An extra outfit
Just in case you need to do a full outfit change while you’re out. I pack a pair of footie pajamas like this one, because it’s so simple- I don’t have to worry about multiple pieces, like onesies or socks.
Some moms will also recommend that you pack an extra shirt for yourself for a spit-up disaster, but I don’t because I like to pack light and live life on the edge. 😉
7. Wet bag or plastic bag
You’ll want one of these for a dirty diaper (if there is no place to throw it away nearby) or for taking a dirty outfit back home again. This one is my favorite because it’s a wet/dry bag. There is a pocket to keep a clean set of clothes, and a waterproof pocket where you can stash a dirty outfit. When you get home, you can throw the whole thing in the laundry.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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ALVABABY 2pcs Cloth Diaper Wet Dry Bags… |
$8.49 |
Buy on Amazon |
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Simple Joys by Carter’s Baby Neutral… |
$15.91 |
Buy on Amazon |
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GroVia All Natural Magic Stick Baby… |
$16.95 |
Buy on Amazon |
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Munchkin® Waterproof Changing Pad… |
$10.25 |
Buy on Amazon |
Eating
Whether your baby is breastfed or formula fed, you’ll need to pack a few essentials to cover the “eating” category:
8. Nursing cover or lightweight blanket
I breastfed my babies, and I always felt more comfortable feeding them in public if I had a nursing cover. For a while I used one that was similar to this one, which I loved.
Now that I’m on Baby #3, I often just use a lightweight swaddle blanket like this one to cover up, rather than an official nursing cover. I find that it’s bigger, lighter, and a little easier for me to use.
Plus, I use these swaddle blankets for tons of other things… as a carseat cover, a blanket to wrap a cold baby or lie down in the grass, even a changing pad in a pinch.
9. Insulated bottle bag
If you are planning to ever pack bottles of breastmilk, you’ll want to keep them cool. An insulated bottle bag will do the trick.
This is the one that I’ve used in the past. It comes with a small ice pack, and I like it because it can clip on to the outside of your diaper bag. The backpack diaper bag that I have now actually comes with insulated pockets for bottles, so I don’t even use this anymore. Check your bag before you buy.
10. Bottles with milk or formula
If you use formula, a formula dispenser may also come in handy. These bottles look awesome– they store formula and water separately until you’re ready to mix. It can’t get easier than that.
For breastfed babies, this bottle has always been my favorite.
For parents
There are a few essential things that you’ll want to pack in your diaper bag for yourself. I usually keep these things all together in an easy-to-reach pocket.
11. Wallet
12. Keys
13. Phone
14. Snack
I always keep at least one snack for myself in the diaper bag. You never know when you’re really going to need it!
15. Water bottle
16. Nursing pads
If you are a breastfeeding mom, it’s a good idea to keep a few extra nursing pads in your diaper bag. These are my favorite reusable pads, and I like these disposable ones.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing… |
$18.51 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
wegreeco Nursing Breast Pads (14… |
$9.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Other
Here are a few more things to consider packing in your diaper bag:
17. Burp cloth or small blanket
A burp cloth is helpful during feedings. I use swaddle or receiving blankets instead of burp cloths since they’re so much bigger.
18. Pacifier
19. Teether or toy
20. Medication
Make sure to run any medications by your doctor first. We regularly use these gas drops, and these saline drops with a bulb syringe.
21. Thermometer
This might seem excessive, but I feel a lot more comfortable carrying a thermometer in my diaper bag. (This is the one I have.) It’s a big deal when a newborn has a fever, so I like to be able to check right away if I think something might be wrong.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Simple Joys by Carter’s Unisex Babies’… |
$19.80 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
Exergen Temporal Scan Forehead Artery… |
$26.50 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
Little Remedies Saline Spray and Drops,… |
$3.27 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
Cactus Baby Teething Toys for Babies 0-6… |
$8.95 |
Buy on Amazon |
Don’t forget to download your checklist!
This checklist includes the 21 items above, as well as space for you to write in your own additional essentials. Print out this checklist and keep it near your diaper bag so you don’t forget anything:
Click here to download your free diaper bag checklist.
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