For being so adorably small, babies sure do require a lot of stuff. When it comes to putting together a diaper bag for a day out, knowing what to put in and how to organise it all can get overwhelming quickly. Spare diapers and wipes are obvious, but what else? Will she need a change of clothes? Toys? What about feeding? And why didn’t we register for a bigger diaper bag?
As baby grows, every parent learns through trial and error how to put together a diaper bag and what the essentials are. But rather than learn the hard way (like me, who thought my twins shouldn’t leave home as newborns without the entire Winnie the Pooh board book collection) there are diaper bag hacks to learn now to rock this parenting thing from day one.
Part of packing a diaper bag like a pro is in picking the right bag itself. If having cold bottles of formula on hand is a must, consider a bag with insulated sleeves. If daddy plans to do his fair share of carrying the diaper bag, consider a neutral colour or a backpack option that frees up the hands.
The inner workings of a diaper bag will change as kids grow, but there are a few basics that will serve any parent well. Snacks for the family, including mummy and daddy, can help prevent the dreaded hangries and avoid a trip through the drive-thru when on the go. Toys to entertain bored kids are a must, and a toy tether can help prevent a favourite rattle from getting lost while out and about.
Changing diapers is never fun, but clever diaper bag planning can make swapping old bundles for fresh ones a little easier. Keep diaper changing supplies together in a separate bag that be grabbed quickly and taken to the changing table. Keep a spare shirt for mummy and daddy with a change of clothes for baby in case a serious spit up situation strikes.
Let these 20 diaper bag hacks make a day out with baby a little less stressful and a little more fun.
1. Ditch the Bag for a Backpack
It’s easy to get swept up in baby registry madness, but that giant diaper bag won’t be nearly as cute when it’s knocking against the car seat while trying to bring both inside. And trying to smush it under the stroller? Annoying. A backpack designed with baby in mind frees up the hands, plus daddy won’t mind holding it.
Axis Backpack, ($159, Lazada)
2. Make Tissues Easy To Reach
Having tissues in the diaper bag is Mumming101. But having tissues hanging from the outside of the diaper bag to grab the second an epic snot bubble shoots out of a child’s nose is Advanced Mumming. Stop scrambling through the bag in a panic trying to find that tiny pack and level up.
Kleenex Tissues, ($6.20, Watsons)