As a mom of 3, I have packed countless diaper bags. Whether running simple errands or going out all-day (and everything in between), I have found myself to be a bit of an expert in packing a minimalistic diaper bag. There is nothing I dislike more than carting around a bunch of unnecessary items that I rarely ever touch. Like any “how to” advice, the reality is what works for me may not work for you, and that’s perfectly okay. But, if you are looking to downsize your suitcase-sized diaper bag, read on for some tips and tricks to do just that!
- Don’t overthink it. Overthinking almost always results in overpacking. You start by thinking of all the things you “might” need, versus packing only the things that you actually need. If you find yourself struggling to differentiate the two, ask yourself “what would happen if I didn’t bring this?” Which brings us to tip number two.
- What are the essentials? Let’s start with the obvious. If I didn’t pack diapers & wipes and my baby decided this quick trip to the store is the perfect time to unload the sweet potatoes he ate for lunch, I’d likely be leaving the store empty-handed to take care of my baby’s business. So what are the essentials, you ask? For most it will look like this:
- Diapers – 1 for every 2-4 hours you will be out, with a minimum of 2 diapers.
- Wipes – Bring a half used pack. It takes up a whole lot less room in the bag. It’s rare that I ever go through the remaining wipes in one day, but if I find myself in a jam, I hit up my car stash (that’s coming up…)
- Feeding essentials – This looks different for each family. Breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding. Pack what is most important to your family’s needs to complete this task.
- The lovey – For all of my kids, it was a binky. For yours it might be a blanket or a favorite toy, and definitely a necessity to bring.
- Infant essentials – Bring an easy and thin full outfit change. You never know when a blow-out is coming or which direction it’s going. Also, a thin muslin receiving blanket instead of a changing pad will take up a lot less room, yet cover more space (and can duel as a floor blanket for non-crawlers to stretch out). Also, a burp cloth might be an essential for you.
- Toddler essentials – I never leave home without snacks and a water bottle. Potty training? Roll up a thin change of bottoms and underwear.
- Parent’s essentials –
- I make sure to have a small bottle hand sanitizer that attaches to the outside of my bag for quick cleaning of little hands.
- Two bandaids, because boo-boos happen!
- A wet bag or a simple plastic shopping bag for any messy clothes.
- A protein bar for a little energy boost when the littles are wearing me down.
- And of course…phone, wallet, keys.
- Leave it in the car! Keep a small bag of ‘extras’ in the car, and replenish it often. Things you may consider keeping in the car instead of on your shoulder might be:
- Extra diapers
- Extra wipes
- Change of clothes for each kid
- Change of clothes for you
- A book or travel activity
- A small blanket
- An extra pacifier (if your kids are like mine and constantly hide theirs)
- Sunscreen and/or hats for an outdoor day
There you have it. My keep-it-simple diaper bag packing tips. Obviously a day to the beach would include more, and maybe one day I’ll share my beach packing tips. For now, I hope this helps lighten to your load and keep it easier to organize. Happy outings!
