Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
Being a new mom is pretty darn scary and that first trip out with baby is filled with dread and worry that you have not brought something essential with. If you are like I was you may just end up packing half your house but leave out the one thing that you really needed!
In the early days of having a baby your diaper bag is going to accompany you everywhere you go. If you leave the house your diaper bag is going to be going with you. Make sure you that you choose a good quality diaper bag that you can carry easily and comfortably with you.
Your diaper bag is going to need to last until your child is well out of nappies and past potty training. It is only when your child is not at risk of having accidents and getting grubby all the time. This means your diaper bag will be with you about 3 years give or take a little if you have one child.
So check out your nearest baby store for a good quality diaper bag and all the things you will need to stock it with.
What To Pack In Your Diaper Bag For Baby
If you have a newborn baby here is a comprehensive list of things you need need to pack in your diaper bag.
Nappies
Even if you are going out for a short trip chances are high that your baby will need a nappy change so always have at least 4 nappies in your baby bag.
Baby Wipes
Another essential for if you are out with your baby. You will need them for wiping your baby’s bum but also for wiping your baby’s hands and face if your baby gets a little grubby. When my babies were young they were always grabbing at things and then putting their hands in their mouths. When you are out in public you never know what germs are floating around, especially when you go to shopping malls.
Nappy Bags
You never know what facilities will be like when you go out. You may have the luxury of a nappy bin close on hand and you may find yourself with a poop nappy and nowhere to put it. Having some nappy bags on hand is so essential. They also come in handy when you need to store something grubby in your bag. Trust me when you have a baby everything gets grubby and you don’t want everything in your bag to get dirty.
Changing Mat
Lots of public bathrooms have a baby room with a changing mat, but those could be a germ fest. I always wiped down public change mats with a wetwipe and than put mine on top. You will also find yourself in a tight spot if you are out without a change mat and there is none available.
Baby Bum Cream
I always used Sudocrem – it worked like a bomb and kept my babies bottoms safe from rashes.
Hand Sanitizer
This is essential – you don’t know where or when you will need to be changing a dirty bottom and it is important to wash your hands before and after changing your baby’s nappy. You may not have access to soap and running water so this will come in handy.
Baby Blankets
I always had one warm blanket (in winter) and two receiving blankets. I used a receiving blanket for swaddling my babies and if I was breastfeeding in public I would use another one to cover up. You can also include a breastfeeding cover if have one. The warm blanket was for in case it got cold and the receiving blanket was not warm enough.
Spare Clothing
Don’t make the mistake of leaving home without spare clothing – trust me on this, I have had some awful poop covered moments without a spare change of clothes for my baby. Make sure you have at least one full outfit spare in your bag for your baby, plus something warm in case it gets cold.
I also found that I had to take spare clothes for me too. I can’t count the amount of times I had leaky boobs and had to change my top!
Bottles and Milk
You may be a formula mommy, or perhaps you express milk and bottle feed your baby when you are out and about. Make sure that you have milk and bottles for your baby packed and ready to drink.
Dummy, Comfort Blanket, Toys
If your baby takes a dummy don’t leave home without it, the same goes for a comfort blanket or toy that your child is attached to. Bringing some toys along is always a great idea. They will always come in handy if you need to distract a fussy baby while shopping or getting other errands done.
Baby Sling
Babywearing makes your life so much easier when you are out and about. Not only do they keep your arms free, they also promote bonding and make breastfeeding easier. Don’t leave your home without it.
Snacks and Water
If you are breastfeeding you will need to keep your energy levels up and stay hydrated. Pack some easy to store high energy snacks such as protein bars and bring along a bottle of water or jungle juice. If your baby has started on solids you will need to keep some food on hand.
For Mommy
You will need to pack the obvious things such as your phone, keys, purse and sunglasses. Other important items a new mom will need are breast pads, maternity pads and nipple cream. If you have recently given natural birth you will need to bring along your squirt bottle for when you go to the bathroom. TMI? Maybe but these things need to be packed.
That is basically everything I carry in my diaper bag. When they get older, toys become important to keep them occupied while driving and a spill proof bottle/cup.
Thanks for sharing this article @lynne.
You pretty much covered everything. It is quite a daunting task in the beginning when you don’t want to forget anything and end up packing so many things that are unnecessary.
Now that JD is almost two years old both his nappy bag for daycare and the one for outings are packed within a few minutes. It becomes second nature to check if the most essential items are packed.
There are a few things that I always pack:
* Nappies
*Wipes
*Bum cream
* Formula and bottles already filled with the right measure of water for easy mixing
* Medicines (just in case)
*Thermometer (just in case)
* Snacks and at least one bottle filled with coldrink or rooibos tea
* Toys and dummy
* At least three extra sets of clothing (2 sets summer clothes, 1 set of winter clothes just in case the weather changes drastically)
* Changing mat
* Sunscreen and sun hat
The school bag is easy peasy because I send bum cream, wipes, nappies and formula in bulk beginning of every month. All I have to pack every night is his clean bottles, three sets of clothing and clean dummy. 🙂
Ooohhhh suntan lotion YES, good one @loupie – thanks for adding those very essential items I forgot. Suntan lotion and a hat – especially in our SA heat!
You’re welcome @lynne
It is easy to forget at first because in the beginning baby is too small, so it is not necessary.
It’s only once JD started running around and always wanting to play outside, that I had to remind myself to put it in all the time.
I also carried quite a few things in my nappie bag, the bag was heavier than a high school child’s back pack.
What I did not see in the lists was face cloths and bibs, my son used to drool a lot mainly when he was teething, his bibs used to get drenched and I often had to change them.
I actually miss the rush of packing before leaving the house like before.
Recently all I carry is a pack of wet wipes in my bag and my son takes his back pack with a water bottle, sometimes a snack and his choice of other random items.
Wow it is amazing how each person pack their bag differently. We are doing a water birth, and i only need to pack baby cloths sweets and my going home suit. I cant wait for my baby girl to arrive. It is our first child. I am so excited. as for today 14 July 2018 we are 37 weeks along and im telling you all i cant wait for her.
Congrats on your pregnancy @liza22 – how exciting. Yes its true many hospitals have different requirements. When you are out and about with your baby I am sure you will find this info very handy 🙂