This post is brought to you by a STSL sponsor!
I’m pretty sure my diaper bag has gone through quite a few different phases over the past three years. First it was stocked for Lucas as a newborn, then it changed to what Lucas needed as he grew older. I swear, at one point I had everything under the sun in my diaper bag because it seemed like there was always something that he needed. Then as he got a little older, I was pretty much to the point where I really just needed to keep an extra diaper or two in the car with some wipes and I was good to go.
But now…we have our new little guy added into the mix.
So the diaper bag is back and fully stocked once again!
At first, I felt like I was trying to pack anything and everything into it to make sure I had all of the necessities for the both of them. But I quickly realized that that diaper bag was just wayyy too much – mama is already trying to wrangle in a toddler and carry a newborn. No need to tack on a totally enormous (and heavy!) diaper bag with it, right?!
So over the past few weeks, I’ve slowly started dwindling down the contents of our diaper bag and I think I’m pretty much to the point where I’ve got what I’ll need for both of them.
*********************************
Diapers & Wipes
I think it goes without saying that these are pretty much a necessity for the diaper bag, right? We’ve used Pampers Swaddlers since Lucas was a newborn and have been super pleased with them. We’ve also started doing the Subscribe & Save program with Amazon Prime which saves a bit on time and money. I tend to make sure I have at least 5-6 diapers in the bag at a time for Alex and really just 1-2 for Lucas in case of an emergency for now (hopefully that changes in another couple of weeks!).
Butt Paste
We loooove Butt Paste over here. And I know I’ve already shared my love for Butt Paste with you guys before. It was first introduced to me at Lucas’s baby shower over three years ago, and it’s definitely one item that I always make sure we are never out of/always stocked up on for both the diaper bag and at home.
Since we’re transitioning Lucas into being potty trained (we’re doing pretty well!) he doesn’t really need to use it much anymore. But there have been a few times where Alex has been a bit red, so I’ve really been liking the All Natural Butt Paste for him.
It’s great for minor or moderate rashes but made with natural ingredients and is petrolatum free, which I can certainly appreciate for his tiny bum.
Of course, there is also the Maximum Strength Butt Paste and Original Butt Paste (for minor or moderate rash), which I also keep stocked up on. Just in case!
Hand/Face Wipes
These are in there mostly for Lucas at this point, since he’s inevitably getting dirty from something or has food all over his face from something he’s had to eat (he gets that from his mama, whoops). I tend to buy these Babyganics Hand and Face Wipes which work great (you can also get a big pack of them on iHerb.com, too!)
Snacks
This is another must-have for our diaper bag. And obviously, at this point, it’s another one that’s just for Lucas but I also like to keep a couple of bars or snacks in there for myself, too. Because let’s face it – you never know when you’re going to be out and hunger strikes, right?! Things that are quick and easy and don’t make too much of a mess are usually my go-to’s; fruit snacks, bars, crackers, goldfish, raisins…these are all likely to be found in our bag.
Bibs & Burp Cloths
You can never have too many bibs or burp cloths on hand! Especially when you have a two month old who spits up all. the. time. I like to buy a big pack of just simple, cheap, plain white bibs to keep on hand for things like the diaper bag, car, etc.
Swaddle Blankets
I absolutely love swaddle blankets because they’re great for swaddling (obviously) but also good for a quick nursing cover, a light blanket to lay the baby on, or even folded up for an emergency burp cloth if I run out. Our favorites are the aden & anais Swaddle Blankets and we have a TON of them because we go through them quickly!
Diaper Bag Dispenser
A poopy smelling diaper is just gross. And if you’re going to be out and about with nowhere to dispose of it, then you want to make sure things stay smelling fresh. We buy this Diaper Bag Dispenser and the refills and they’ve always worked great at masking the odors.
2-3 Extra Outfits
Because you never know when you’re going to be dealing with a poop explosion! I keep a couple onesies for Alex and a spare shirt and shorts for Lucas in ours right now, but I’ll likely add more layers once the weather cools down again.
Sunscreen
Always need to stay protected from the sun!
Pacifiers
This one isn’t totally a necessity for us at this point, since Alex still won’t take one and Lucas hasn’t taken one for a while now (remember how THAT went?! Too funny!). But because Alex is such a disaster in the car right now, I try to keep a few for the off chance that we get lucky and he actually takes it. We have a few different varieties, but Lucas always loved the MAM Pacifiers.
2-3 Toys/Books
This varies all of the time, depending on where we’re going, what we’re doing, etc. But I always like to keep a few things just in case, including these awesome activity kits you can pick up in the dollar bins at Target. They’re great, especially for being out at restaurants, etc.
First Aid Kit
There were a couple of times I found myself without a bandaid after Lucas had taken a fall, so now I’ve made sure to keep this little First Aid To Go Kit in the bag for if/when we need something. Oh, and hand sanitizer, too!
And I think that’s about it!
How about you guys? What do you keep stocked in your diaper bag?!
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Boudreaux’s Butt Paste and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own. Be sure to check out Butt Paste on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, too!
Megan S says
All of the above plus pacifier wipes, gripe water, gas drops, and emergency formula :)
Bethany @LuluRuns says
I just got butt paste at one of my showers recently! Can’t wait to use it :)
Jenna says
We also love our butt paste and the pampers swaddlers are our favorite diaper brand as well! I keep plastic baggies for disposing of dirty diapers but I might need to look into your diaper bag dispenser
Bettina says
I like to take a 12 inch sub from blimpies in mine! Or a rotisserie chicken whichever is more convenient.
Bettina says
Sometimes I like to take a Taco Bell 12 pack or cheesy tuna casserole if I only have one kid with me for the day.
Melinda says
You need to get some sugar snap files! Since having baby #2 they keep the diaper bag so much more organized and everything has a place!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
It’s so fun to see what different moms keep packed! I did this too actually! We always keep Boogie Wipes and hand sanitizer in ours :)
Trisha says
This is such a good reminder for me to add a first-aid kit to our bag, as both boys are now mobile and thus, more prone to injuries. I’m a diaper bag minimalist. Diapers, wipes (which get used for butts, faces, and hands alike), A&D ointment, sippy cups, snacks, sunscreen. Sometimes a few toys will get tossed in, depending on where we’re going/what we’re doing. As you said, hauling around two kiddos is enough, you have to stick to the essentials in the bag!