Diaper Bag

So this is more for the new(er) mom's that may or may not read my blog.

I was inspired by a youtube video posted by Kandee Johnson (check her out guys, she's soooo sweet and has tons of great videos, go here for all of her wicked awesome make up tutorials!) who just had a little baby girl not too long ago. Her video was about everything she carries around in her diaper bag with her.

Simple right?

A lot of people think so.

But after years of "Oh shoot I forgot it" or "I really wish I had...." you learn that there are some things that really should just never come out of it.

• Baby wipes are a must obviously. But instead of bringing a whole package of wipes, grab a travel container for them. That way you have what you need but it's not taking up too much space.
• Diapers. Duh, I know. But not just one or two. I don't think I ever left the house with less than 10. No matter how long I planned on being gone. You never know what's going to come out of your little ones. Hehe. Or how often. Or even, who you might be around who needs to bum one off you because they ran out of their own.
• Changes of clothes. Notice I said CHANGES. Not A change. But multiple. And I know I've emphasized this very point before, but I don't think it can ever be said enough. Imagine driving home and having your child throw up all over their clothes. You pull over and change them and clean them up as best as you can and then carry on your way only to have them do it again 5 minutes later. You need another change of clothes. I've put my oldest in my own sweatshirt before after she hurled all over her clothes because I didn't think to bring more than one thing for her to change into.
• Binkies (Nuks, Pacifiers, whatever you call them). And this obviously is only if your child uses one. Some don't. My oldest took one for all of 2 days. My youngest for almost 2 years. Maybe a little longer. And again, this is something you need to bring 2 or 3 of. Incase one gets dropped and there's no way to clean it off. Maybe it gets misplaced. Or they bite a hole in one.
• Snacks. If you've got a bigger little one who can snack on stuff, bring cheerios. Or puffs. You know, the ones that can taste like strawberries or bananas and all but melt in their mouths so there's no risk of them choking on anything.
• Extra bottles (if you bottle feed). With my youngest I used liquid formula so this was a little bit less user friendly, as the longer they were out the less they could be used. With my youngest, I used powdered formula so what I did was I'd fill one bottle with powder and water, shake it so it was ready to be had, and put it in an outside pocket. Then I'd take 3 or more (better too much than too little) with just the powder in them incase I stayed somewhere longer than I planned, or little one was just extra hungry.
• Bottled water. Not only does it help in the above bottle situation, but if you've got older kids or you just get thirsty and don't want to stop somewhere, you've got beverages on hand.
• Some kind of changing pad. Not all places have changing tables and, lets face it, even THOSE are wicked uncomfortable. At least with your own changing pad you know you're not laying them down in some other baby's goo or germs or whatever.
• Handi-wipes. Incase you DONT have a changing pad, you can wipe down whatever surface you DO put baby on and somewhat sanitize it. This goes for shopping carts, counters, booster seats/high chairs, tables at restaurants (no not saying you put your baby on those, but they touch them).
• Receiving blankets. For burping. Covering up. Or using as a headrest in the carseat, because I'm sure anyone who already has a little person KNOWS how uncomfortable they look when they fall asleep and their heads fall forward or just kinda hang their to the side. Helps cushion them a bit and make the ride a little easier on them.
• A bigger blanket to throw over their carseat to block wind or sunlight or, honestly, people. I know everyone has good intentions but sometimes a cough can slip out or someone can be getting sick and not know it. A blanket over the car seat helps to eliminate all the touching. I mean, I wouldn't walk up to someone who had a blanket over their carseat and yank it off and start playing with their baby. Would you?
• Teething rings. Gives them something to hold on to and shake around if they're not teething, and to chew on if they are.
• Any kind of rattle-y toy. I love the rattles that you can velcro around their wrists. Super cute.
• Diaper rash cream. Everyone needs it at some point or another, bless their little hearts. Makes it easier if you have it on hand instead of having to wait to buy it or use it when you get home.
• Tylenol, or whatever pain reliever/fever reducer you prefer (if you prefer any at all). Just incase. Hopefully it wouldn't be necessary to use, but you never know.
• Band aids. If you've got a little one just learning to walk, you will definitely need them. Or if you've got a baby who just loves to scratch at themselves these definitely help. Make sure you've got neosporin to go along with the bandaids though.
• Scratch mits. To put over their hands so they are less likely to scratch themselves. Babies' finger nails are dang sharp for such tiny people. And it breaks your heart when they hurt themselves.
• Grooming kit. Which usually includes clippers. One of those suction bulb thingies (that you probably play with more than you use). Tiny brush/comb.
• Bring a few pairs of socks. Socks always seem to fall off babies and go missing somehow.
• Two or three hats. Most of your heat can be lost through your head. And not all babies are born with a full head of hair (heck, some of them even lose most of the hair that they have within the first year and then it takes its time growing back).

I'm sure there was probably more that I'm not remembering. OH! Like I always brought a book in my bag because I'm a wicked book nerd and can't go anywhere without one. Put your wallet/keys/phone etc in there because it can get really cumbersome carrying your purse AND a diaper bag around.

But you get the general idea. And like I said, I forgot a lot of stuff or didn't bring enough of something or just didn't think to put something in that could have really been useful at some point (sometimes being a pack rat has its benefits). If I can save someone the trouble of doing what I did, then wonderful.

And just because I can, I'm going to show you the 2 reasons for my diaper bagging days. :-) When they were young enough for me to need diaper bagging days.

Alanna on the left and Lydia on the right.