It’s the ubiquitous baby shower gift—the diaper bag. If you are a first-time mother to be, it’s very likely that somebody will give you a diaper bag as a baby gift, but it will be up to you to keep it properly stocked up on a regular basis.
With that in mind, here are the top 10 items that every new parent should have in their diaper bag, especially if you live in the Sunshine State:
1. Diapers, of course. I usually had 5 or 6 diapers packed in my bag, just in case of multiple changes or the ultimate frustration—a ripped Velcro tab that renders an unused diaper useless.
2. Diaper changing pad—make sure that one or both sides are plastic/vinyl for easy cleaning.
3. Baby wipes—not only for the obvious purpose but also to clean up any spills, spit-up, and any other leakage that is part of the daily routine for an infant.
4. Diaper creams, such as Aquaphor or Balmex, to prevent diaper rash.
5. Mini cooler for bottles—this is Florida, after all. Pumped breast milk can be chilled and stored in small portable coolers. For formula fed babies, pre-fill bottles with 4 oz. drinking water (or whatever the amount instructed on the formula packaging) and bring along some single-serve packets or pre-measure the powdered and carry it in a portable dispenser. Do not dilute the formula.
6. Burp pads, no matter if your baby feeds on breast milk, formula, or a combination of the two.
7. An entire wardrobe change—maybe two for longer trips.
8. Ziploc plastic bags to contain the soiled clothes every you make the wardrobe change.
9. Pacifiers and toys to amuse little babies, portable snacks and even more toys for toddlers.
10. Sunscreen—once again, this is Florida!
Also keep in mind that your diaper bag does not have to be an outrageously expensive tote that dads will refuse to carry, or the industrial looking bag that you might have received from the hospital. My first diaper bag was actually a backpack with my former employer’s corporate logo on it. I just couldn’t bear to spend money on a fancy diaper bag when I had a perfectly good, brand new backpack at my disposal.
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diaperbagcentral 01.10.09 at 2:50 pm
I don’t know which I like best, the post or the cute photo!
Diaper bags have changed completely since our mother’s and grandmother’s day, but the things we pack in them are timeless.
This is a good reminder, right down to the sunscreen.