Diaper Bag Checklist for Newborns
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I have a tendency to overpack. Obviously, I like to be prepared and sometimes I’ll admit I go a little overboard. A diaper bag checklist would have come in handy! When You are on the go, no one wants to lug around a ton of extra baby stuff. I realized very quickly I did not need 1/2 the stuff I had packed. In fact, one day, I took everything out of the diaper bag and started over. I started with the basics, then added feeding essentials, toiletries, and miscellaneous items. One thing to note is this diaper checklist is just essentials. Depending on what you have planned, this diaper bag checklist may need additional items. Here is my complete Diaper Bag Checklist of Essentials for Newborns…
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Diaper Bag Checklist: The Basics
Diaper bag
Obviously the actual diaper bag is on the top of the diaper bag checklist. 🙂 You will need something to put all your on the go baby items in. We wanted something that was simple, back pack style with plenty of room. We opted for this fast finder diaper bag. The bottle area is insulated. It comes with a changing mat already (even though I still pack an extra one) There is a side pocket with a plastic wipes container ready to go. It’s lightweight and easy to clean. We love this diaper bag!
Diapers
Another essential on your diaper bag checklist… diapers!!! Personal preference on brand. You will probably be gifted different brands by your friends and family. We used an assortment. Our favorite diapers for day time diapers was either Huggies or members mark (Sams brand). To be safe, make sure you have 1-2 for every hour you’ll be gone just be safe. I also have extra in my car emergency kit if I need more.
Wipes
Next, you are going to need wipes. Again, personal preference for brand. But wipes are a must. Our favorite wipes are Pampers Sensitive Wipes . My diaper bag came with a container, but you can use a ziploc bag or get a separate travel wipes container.
Changing Station Liner
Our diaper bag came with one already but I like to have and extra changing liner just in case. It’s super slim, lightweight, barely takes up any room and they area super easy to wash.
Diaper Trash Baggies
When you are on the go and you need to change a diaper, but aren’t near a trash can. These diaper baggies are awesome. Just thing of a doggie poop bag but for babies. I’ve also used it if I needed to change Luke’s clothes from spit up or a blow out.
Diaper Bag Checklist: Feeding Essentials
Bottles
Our favorite bottles are the MAM anti-colic bottles. I bring 2-3 bottles already filled with nursery water depending on the length of time I expect to be gone. It makes it easier for me to get a bottle ready when we are out and about when they are already filled.
Formula Dispenser
Personally, I don’t want to carry around a canister of formula. This dispenser lets me measure out what baby needs and it’s separated and ready to go. It’s about the size of a water bottle so it doesn’t take much room.
Car Seat Cover/Nursing Cover
If you want something a little more secure as opposed to a blanket draped over you for nursing, this car seat cover/nursing cover may be a better option for you. I did have to use it at the pediatricians office to wrap Luke up when we were waiting on the Doctor to come in. Oops…I forgot to replace the muslin blanket after washing it.
Burp Cloths
These will always make my list of essentials. Seriously, love these for burp rags. Technically, they are cloth diapers, but my mom swore by these for burp rags and she wasn’t wrong. Easy to wash, lightweight and they are cheap. I always have one in my diaper rag.
Diaper Bag Checklist: Toiletries
Ointment
So, we tried quite a few brands and types of creams/ointments. Aquaphor brand has been our favorite. The Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is multi purpose. It is great for dry skin, minor scrapes, chapped or irritated skin, preventing or helping to heal diaper rash and it even helps with drool rash. An added bonus…adults can use it also for dry hands, cuticles, cracked heels and chapped lips.
Diaper Rash Cream
As for the diaper rash cream, Aquaphor Fast Action Diaper Paste is our favorite. We keep a tube by both diaper changing areas (living room and nursery) and a tube in his diaper bag. It has worked the fastest out of all the brands we have tried. We use one of these two products every night at bedtime, ointment to prevent and fast action cream to minimize when he gets a diaper rash.
Hand Sanitizer
I have this with me at all times. In my purse, in my car, might as well put one in the diaper bag also. It gets used constantly. Brand is personal preference, but I like these tiny travel size purell with a jelly case. I can just attach to the handle of the backpack and it’s easy to access.
Pacifier holder & an extra pacifier
Why do pacifiers always go missing!!!??? Like always!!!! With this nifty little pacifier holder, I always have a pacifier handy. I don’t have to go searching for an extra. I know exactly where it is. You can drop it inside your diaper bag or velcro the holder on the outside of your bag.
These MAM pacifiers are Luke’s favorite. We have plenty of backups scattered throughout the house, but one is ALWAYS in his diaper bag for backup.
Diaper Bag Checklist: Clothes and Blankets
Extra Change of Clothes
Typically, I always have a basic extra onsie in the bag. Depending on what we are doing, I will throw in another outfit/romper. We live in Florida so I don’t have to worry about cold weather clothes that much. Whatever the weather is, the extra clothes should reflect it. Little tip: I’m really bad about forgetting to change out the size on the onsie. So I typically try and put one size up from what’s he’s currently wearing that way I know he has something that will fit.
Pair of Socks
One pair of socks doesn’t take up much room at all. You never know when you’ll need a pair. Personal preference, but we didn’t do the shoe thing much with Luke when he was little. The first six months we didn’t take him out much because of COVID. He was at home, my moms house, the pediatricians or an occasional friends house. We live in Florida and our Luke is hot natured it seems, but it is safe to have them on hand just in case.
Muslin blanket
Muslin blankets can be used for all kinds of things. Use it as a blanket, a nursing wrap, a window cover, car sets cover, etc… multiple use item. The 4 pack is perfect because we have them everywhere we could possibly use them. (Diaper bag, his room, the living room and in the emergency car kit.)
Diaper Bag Checklist: Miscellaneous Items
Water Bottle
We prefil the bottles that we are taking on the go, but we got this insulated bottle just in case. It holds 12 ounces without being super bulky in the diaper bag.
White Noise machine
This HUSSH white noise machine goes everywhere with us. It has a nifty clip so if you can clip in on the diaper bag, clip it on the baby carrier or throw it in the bag.
Ziploc Bag
Spit up and blow outs happen. I keep an extra ziploc bag in my diaper bag at all times. Of something gets spoiled you can just toss in the bag. If you would rather have something reusable this wet bag if a good option.
Optional:
Pacifier wipes These pacifier wipes are great for a quick wipe down. We were gifted some at our baby shower and they have come in handy, especially on the go.
Pacifier Sanitizer We were gifted this little pacifier sanitizer and we think its awesome! It uses a UV light to sanitize the pacifier. Never have I seen ons of these guys and I think its a great idea, especially for newborns.
Hand and face wipes When Luke first started teething, he got a drool rash even though we tried to keep his mouth/chin wiped off. Keeping his hands out of his mouth was also a struggle, even with teething toys and his pacifier. These are handy little wipes to keep the mouth and hands clean.
Gripe water Luke got hiccups frequently his first six months and he HATED when he got hiccups, so there we were an unhappy baby with hiccups. Enter gripe water. We used gripe water for his hiccups, gas and even fussiness. We used it enough to keep in his diaper bag. Check with your pediatrician before using.
RELATED: Newborn Bedtime Checklist
Conclusion:
Couple tips… Start with a basic list and add to it as needed. Go through your bag every so often to check and see if sizes on diapers or clothes need to be switched out. Depending on your activities for the day, and special needs of your child you will need to add to this list. But this is a great started diaper bag checklist!
