Diaper Bag Essentials

The new diaper bag is purchased and now it's time for inventory. Stocking a diaper bag is basically a process of preparing for all possibilities. A well-stocked diaper bag is one part suitcase, one part first aid kit, one part entertainment center, and one part portable toilet.

Diaper Bag Essentials

• Diapers
  This one's easy, but how many diapers you should stock isn't always so obvious. For smaller diaper bags used for quick trips to the store, two or three diapers should be adequate. With larger diaper bags, a good rule of thumb is better safe than sorry. Guess how many you'll need for the day and add two more than that number.
• Wipes
  Antibacterial wipes will be necessary for both parent and baby, so always have a large number at hand. To help you know when restocking will be required, keep a supply of baby wipes in a Ziploc bag or plastic container.
• Cream
  Diaper rash will make for a long and cranky day, so diaper cream is another diaper bag essential.
• Changing pad and blanket
  Diaper changing can't always wait for a perfectly sanitary environment, so stock a changing pad in your diaper bag for emergencies. A small blanket can double as a changing pad, but you may want to carry both a changing pad and blanket if baby will be napping during the day (and sometimes a burp cloth on top of that).
• Sealable bags
  A garbage can won't always be nearby, so a supply of sealable bags equal in number to the diapers you're carrying is a diaper bag essential.
• Pain Relievers
  Teething, doctor's visits, or common colds will leave your baby in need of pain relief. Children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. You'll probably also want an adult supply for mom and dad's headaches.
• Extra Clothes
  Spills and accidents will frequently leave babies in need of new clothes, so a spare outfit is another diaper bag essential. Nursing moms might also want to stock the diaper bag with an extra shirt of their own.
• Food and Entertainment
  A full day out will require nutrition and distraction. Baby bottles and plastic containers with solid food should have a reserved place in your diaper bag. Toys or children's books will also provide necessary distraction during the day.