The Prepared Diaper Bag – A Mom’s Best Friend
Some of us we have to forego the purse for a time in exchange for the “diaper bag.” Not quite as stylish (although designers have tried really hard to disguise them), they are a necessary part of parenting. However this stage has its own set of emergencies to prepare for, many of which are not as forgiving as scraped knees.
To start with, pick your pack. There are so many styles of diaper bags, from designer over-sized purse to my personal favorite the backpack. Your purse was an extension of your personality and your diaper bag should be too. Be sure its something that’s comfortable to carry and that you don’t mind being seen with.
Now that you have the outer accessory chosen, its time to fill it!
- 3-5 diapers for each kid that still uses them
- Wipes – skip the travel size and just keep a package that has the built in lid
- Clothes – blow outs and accidents are no respecters of surroundings and circumstances. For potty training have at least underwear, socks, and pants/dress. For infants keep an entire outfit or two. At the very least always have pants or a onesie in your bag.
- If your kid is particularly talented at blowing out, consider packing a shirt for your self.
- Hooter hider – for nursing in public
- An extra pacifier or 2
- Plastic zip lock or grocery sack for disposing of dirty diapers, or concealing dirty clothing to take home and wash
- Nursing supplies – pads and cream if needed
- Burp clothes – always have a back up, if your baby is talented at puking, double that
- Changing pad
- Receiving blanket – it can warm a child (or yourself), it can be used as a back up for a second blow out, it can double as a burp cloth or changing pad, or be used as a wind blocker. The receiving blanket is the thread of the parenting universe.
- Potty treats – this is really the same as bribery, but ohhh so handy.
- Formula and bottle (filled with the correct amount of water)
- A small toy or two for entertainment.
- Teething tablets!!! These are way better than orajel.
- Travel/sample size of Diaper rash cream
- All other items that you’re baby specifically needs (gripe water, medicine, etc)
- Snacks (for you or the kiddos)
- Bottle of water for yourself, especially if your’re nursing.
- Extra pair of socks to keep those tiny toes covered (infants are as capable of losing them as the dryer)
Now you just have one choice left. To carry your purse AND the diaper bag or combine them together for one hefty bag of preparedness. Happy travels!
Shared with Monday Funday,
Tyra Baird from Oregon simply lives a lifestyle of preparedness and has a passion for sharing it. She received a Bachelors from BYU-Idaho in Child and family studies, and Home and family living. As a stay at home mom of 6 children under the age of 10, she considers herself an expert in man-made disasters and daily coping. Emergency preparedness and self reliance has been a way of life since she was a child (her mom was in the Teton Dam flood as a teen and her dad’s just paranoid). Tyra and her husband have embraced preparedness wholeheartedly. She’s been in a tornado, tropical storm, flooding, snowed in twice, severe storms, and slept through a few minor earthquakes. All of them were pretty mild. Tyra is a self proclaimed nerd who simply enjoys reading, researching, writing, teaching, and public speaking.
Hi! is the backpack from the picture real? where can I find it? Thanks a lot!