Diaper Bag Essentials: What to Pack in a Diaper Bag

It goes without saying that anytime you leave the house you’ll want to bring spare diapers — just how many depends on your baby’s age, but three to five ought to do it. Pampers Swaddlers are always a top pick: They’re absorbent and wick away moisture from baby’s tush to prevent diaper rash. Not to mention, there’s a wetness indicator that clues you in on when it’s time for a change so that you’re not left guessing in public.

Wipes come in so handy, you may find yourself carrying around a pack even when the diaper years are long behind you. They’re as perfect for cleaning sticky fingers or muddy knees as they are for wiping baby’s bum. We especially love WaterWipes because they’re formulated with 99.9 percent purified water and a super-small amount of grapefruit seed extract, which makes them ideal for your little one’s sensitive skin. (They’re even accepted by the National Eczema Association of America!) Plus, this variation is oversized to tackle oversized messes of all types. The package is easy to slip into your diaper bag, too.

Even if your diaper bag came with its own changing pad, you may want to consider upgrading to this one — and if it didn’t, then this changing pad is definitely the one for you. For starters, it’s oversized with “wings” for baby’s arms. It’s extra cushy with foam padding and a built-in pillow for baby’s head. Plus, the waterproof material is simple to wipe clean after any accidents and it’s easy to unfold with just one hand. It weighs in at less than 6 ounces, so it won’t weigh down your diaper bag, either.

Weight: 6.7 ounces

Dimensions: 23.5 x 12.5 inches

Nope, poop bags aren’t just for dogs. When you have to toss a dirty diaper in a friend’s trash can or carry a wet one home with you from the beach, it won’t be so obvious. And while you could use a version made with pets in mind, this Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Bag Dispenser is a step up. They’re infused with baking soda to neutralize odors and have a decent heft to them. We also love how the dispenser clips on to your diaper bag.

A travel-size tube of Aquaphor is another diaper bag essential because it’s such a champion multi-tasker. Of course you know you can use it while changing a diaper to prevent diaper rash, but it’s also great on dry skin, on drool rash or to soothe over a small scrape. You could even put a dab on baby’s cheeks to prevent windburn on an unexpectedly cold day, or on your own lips when you forget chapstick. 

At some point, your baby is going to spit up or have a diaper blowout. And when he inevitably does, you’ll be grateful to have a spare onesie or outfit on hand. With this adorable seven-pack of onesies from parent-favorite brand Carter’s, you’ll always have a clean one to toss into your diaper bag. They have shoulder overlaps rather than a collar, which makes it easier to slide over baby’s head even when you’re in a busy restroom, and the snap-close crotch makes diaper changes a cinch. Just remember to change out your spare outfit seasonally — that is if you don’t use it before then — and opt for longer sleeves in the colder months.

Even if you’re not swaddling baby to encourage a nap while you’re out and about, swaddle blankets come in tremendously handy in your diaper bag. You can use them as a light blanket if the weather is unexpectedly cold, as a nursing cover, as a diaper changing pad, as a blanket on the ground or on a bench, as a burp cloth… the list goes on. These ones from Aden + Anais are a favorite of What to Expect community members because they’re made with ultra-soft muslin — plus, those prints just couldn’t get any cuter. While they’re generally more expensive than other swaddle blankets, several parents say their softness, durability and versatility make them well worth the cost.

Here’s the thing about a pacifier: when you need one, you really need one, like 30 seconds ago. Look no further than the Philips Avent Soothie, which tons of parents rely on. The pacifier is made of medical-grade silicone and is BPA-free. Its design promotes oral development and it’s easy to sterilize — just pop them in your sterilizer or boiling water. Best of all, you get four pacis in one pack so that there’s plenty to have both at home and in your diaper bag, meaning you’ll never have to be without.

When your tot is a little older, a toy will help entertain them while you’re out and about. Our pick is this Fisher-Price Soothe & Glow Seahorse, because it’s cute and cuddly, plays songs and ocean sounds and at just 1.6 ounces, it won’t weigh your diaper bag down. What to Expect’s Editorial Director, Christine Mattheis, shares, “I used to toss this in my bag because my daughter Rose haaaaaaated public bathrooms as a baby (still does) and this toy helped calm her down and distract her." Win!

How many times have you left the house, only to realize (usually while sitting on a sun-drenched bench) that you forgot to put on sunblock? That sun exposure is even worse for baby’s sensitive skin, which makes a sun hat a must for your diaper bag, especially in warmer months. This Jan and Jul version is made of UPF 50+ fabric and has an adjustable chin strap so it will stay put and fit your babe for months to come. Even better, it’s super lightweight and folds up to fit in a pocket, making this one a particularly great diaper bag addition. The prints it comes in are pretty darn adorable, too!

(Don’t forget the sunscreen, either — the Thinkbaby SPF 50+ is one of our favorites.)

If you ever get caught outdoors in cold weather, you’ll be happy to have a spare winter hat in your diaper bag to help keep baby warm. These beanies from Zando come in a pack of six so you’ll always have one to spare (even when a couple inevitably accidentally get lost). We love that these come with an edge you can roll up or down, depending on baby’s head size. They’re 100 percent cotton and are soft to the touch.

If you’re breastfeeding, you may want to pack your nursing must-haves, like a portable breast pump, nursing pads or a nursing cover. If you want to use a nursing cover, look no further than this one from Copper Pearl. It’s incredibly stretchy and provides total coverage when you nurse — and the colorful prints are an added bonus.

It gets points for versatility, too, as this can also be used as a cover for your stroller, car seat or shopping cart. Just remember: Only use it as a car seat cover when you use the seat as a carrier or with your stroller (like in a travel system) — but never when the seat is installed in your car on drives.

First aid kits can get bulky fast and weigh your diaper bag down before you even leave the house. The Welly kit wins our pick for the best kit, as it’s compact in size yet still has everything you want in a first aid kit. That includes tons of brightly colored bandages, a roll of tape, adult pain reliever for you and more. (Just keep in mind that babies won’t be able to use some of the ointments or over-the-counter medicines for a while, so make sure to read the directions carefully and ask your pediatrician beforehand.) Did we mention the kit’s durable tin is totally adorable, too?

These days, you probably don’t leave the house without hand sanitizer in your bag. This hand sanitizer from California Baby is 100 percent plant-based, and this Super Sensitive version contains no added fragrance. It’s a diaper bag staple of What to Expect’s Audience Engagement Editor, Sugey Palomares, who says this sani is clean, not drying and fragrance-free. Even better, it dries in less than three seconds and the bottle locks with a twist.

Just keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says the best way for children to get rid of germs is by washing hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds. But if that’s not possible, the AAP says hand sanitizer is okay — you just need to use it with careful supervision and follow the directions diligently. Make sure to keep it out of reach from your little one so that it can’t be swallowed, and be careful not to accidentally squirt any into your child’s eyes.

Make sure you take care of yourself, too! Stash one of these popular lip balms everywhere — your purse, diaper bag, jacket pocket, vanity. This four-pack of balms will keep lips hydrated, and you’ll be thankful when you have one of these tucked into your bag on a cold, dry day.

If you’ve never used a water bottle and extra napkins from the glove compartment to clean a gross substance on your child, consider yourself lucky. Yeti creates some of the best-selling water bottles on the market. We love that this one holds plenty of liquid (18 ounces) without any complicated spouts. It also keeps your liquids cold (or hot!) for hours. There are plenty of other sizes and colors available, too.