Keep Your Diaper Bag Ready To Go: How And What To Pack

There is little that is more frustrating in regular daily errands than finding your diaper bag is not packed and ready when you get to your destination or when you want to leave the house on time. There are two main methods to keeping the diaper bag ready, one packing it when you get home and the other packing it before you leave, but there’s also a less common option of packing the bag during daily tasks rather than making it a task of its own. Each family will find one method that works best for them, or perhaps each member of the family will find one that works best for them, but the benefits are the same for all methods.

Packing When You Get Home

For many people, they find it easiest to replace the used items in the bag when they arrive home. This can be easier when trying to remember what is missing, saving time going through the full contents and looking to see what needs replacing, instead of just remembering what was used while out of the house and replacing those. It may save time and frustration, however, at some times, this will not be feasible as the baby may be restless, feeling ill, tired, or needing to be fed upon arrival at home and it is then necessary to remember to pack the bag again later.

This method is most successful if there are two people present so one may care for the baby while the other repacks the bag, and it is less likely to be forgotten later.

Packing Before You Leave

The contents of a diaper bag should be checked before leaving the home each time, however, some will find this the key time to pack the bag after the last use as well. Advantages to this method include being certain it is fully packed before leaving and being able to pack specifically what you need for that day and the tasks that you will be completing. This works best for those who are doing different things each time, going to new places, or engaging in different activities. It also allows for the baby to be the focus upon return home, when they may be tired or hungry. It does slow down the process of leaving the house as it is another task to complete, and it can be easy to rush out the door and forget to pack the bag, leaving you with only what was already in it.

Packing As You Go

For some packing, as you go throughout your day may bring a new efficiency for packing a diaper bag. When folding laundry add a clean set of clothing for the baby, or diapers if you use cloth diapers. When unpacking groceries select what baby foods or snacks should be moved to the diaper bag for the next outing. When removing bottles to clean replace them so they are always in the bag and ready to go. This method can add a few steps to other tasks, but it does not exist as another point on the to-do list all of its own, combining the benefits of each other chore and having the bag packed by the end of each day. It can be a time saver, or it can make other things take longer, depending upon what works best for the individual.

Benefits Of An Always Packed Diaper Bag

Whether you are staying at home for the day or you have several errands to run, having a fully packed diaper bag will make any time outside of the home easier. By having it already packed and ready you will not be worried or stressed about things being missing when you get there, or searching the bag to ensure it has everything when you are already supposed to have been out the door. Packing when you have ample time and replacing items as they are used will ensure that you can have all the things that you need when you are out of the house.

Common items that are included are bottles, diapers, wipes, change of clothing for the baby, burp cloths, snacks for mom as well as baby and any other children, changing pad, drinking water, diaper cream, baby lotion, and baby spoons/forks as well as soothers, a blanket, and a calming toy or two. Other beneficial items are a change of clothes or at least a shirt for mom, cover for nursing and naps, protein drink or bar, supplies for overnight, nursing pads and other supplies for mom, and spare keys for the house or car in the event the first set gets locked in.

The key to a successful outing with a young baby is having the supplies that you need to keep both you and your baby comfortable, fed, warm, and clean. It can be beneficial to create a list of what you want to be in the diaper bag at all times and check it quickly before you leave each time, to ensure that nothing is missed. There are many different times that a bag can be checked and repacked including upon arrival home, before leaving, at the end of each day before going to bed, or throughout the day as you are handing the items that need to be packed in it already. A diaper bag can be used as a purse or instead of a purse, but should have some items for the comfort of the parent as well, as they may spit on, have spills occur, or become too hot or too cold. The longer that you will be away from the house the more you will need to be in the bag, and they can be taken not only when you are going for errands or to visit someone but also to the park, for a walk, or when you are going to a class or workout.