The *Only* 8 Newborn Diaper Bag Essentials You Actually Need

New mom? Wondering which items you actually need to include in your diaper bag? This packing expert, and now-experienced mom, has rounded up the only 8 diaper bag essentials you actually need to tote around with you. So come along and we'll pack that diaper bag together.

Wondering how to pack the perfect diaper bag?

For someone who runs a blog specializing in travel and packing, I was weirdly overwhelmed by the idea of packing a diaper bag for my newborn, as a new parent. Maybe it was uniquely emblematic of all the other changes coming into my life, but I didn't even know where to start. 


What I did find was a lot of weirdly unhelpful lists that essentially advise you to bring every item you've ever purchased for your child in the world's smallest and most portable, perfect diaper bag. 
Well, that's just clearly not going to work. 
First, unless you're on a solo, cross-country covered wagon expedition, you're tooling around with a newborn, so you're probably talking about leaving the house for approximately an hour to meet a friend at the coffee shop around the corner. Second, you need to be able to dig through your diaper bag, slightly under duress, without letting that precious and precariously balanced baby fall off the changing table. Let's pack light and keep to the absolute necessities.


So, with nearly two years of mom life under my belt, I decided to write up a quick blog post summarizing the baby gear that you *actually* need in your well-stocked diaper bag for your new baby, that isn't over-the-top. Everything else is just fluff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do with my personal items in the diaper bag?

Personally, I always carried my own purse in addition to the diaper bag. I had everything I needed in my purse, and of course if I was going somewhere without baby, then I didn't have to worry about digging out my own possessions from the diaper bag. A lot of my friends put their personal items in a Lululemon belt bag, and then just stick that in the diaper bag when they're out with baby to consolidate.

How do I find the right diaper bag?

There are SO MANY brands of diaper bags. Honestly, my only guidance would be to get one that's a dark, neutral color and doesn't look like a purse, so Dad can carry it as well. We had a backpack diaper bag, which is nice for when you need to go hands-free to deal with baby!

There's no "right bag" just the right bag for you. They're frankly all very similar and you could always just use a normal tote bag or backpack that you already have, as baby's diaper bag.

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The *Only* 8 Newborn Diaper Bag Essentials You Actually Need

Diapers

Though we've somehow decided they need to carry all of our possessions, the reality is, diaper bags are generally used for diaper changes. So make sure you're well-stocked with diapers. Always more than one, just in-case, but no need to go overboard.

A full bag of wipes

Next on the list...you guessed it! A big, full pack of baby wipes. When the pack is running low, move it to the changing table and restock that diaper bag with a fresh pack of wipes. You don't need a million kinds of wipes (there are lots - face wipes, pacifier sanitizing wipes, hand wipes, snot wipes!), just one pack of normal diaper wipes. You can also use them for everyone's hands, as needed.

Changing Pad

Most diaper bags come with a plastic-backed changing pad to put under baby in a public restroom. I wipe it down after each use, before I fold it up and put it back in my diaper bag.

Milk/Bottle Supplies

On outings when you may need to feed baby on the go, include what you'll need for a quick breast or bottle feed.    
For breastfeeding:

• Nursing cover, if you use one
• Breast milk leaks pads
• Ice packs if you're transporting cold breastmilk

For formula feeding:

• Empty bottles
• Formula (if you're only going out occasionally, the premade liquid formula small bottles are worth every penny)
• Bottle of water, if needed

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Hand Sanitizer

Even if you have one in your purse, it's worth including a full hand sanitizer in the diaper bag. Even if I do have the luxurious opportunity for soap and water, I tend to like a sanitize after finally escaping the public restroom.

A Few Pacifiers in a Sterilizer

If your kiddo uses pacifiers (mine did), it's worth putting a few clean pacifiers in a bag or, even better, a pacifier sterilizer, for when the inevitably end up on the restaurant floor. They do also make pacifier wipes, but I wasn't a huge fan/it's just one more thing to carry around.

Change of clothes for everyone involved

The reality of the newborn life is that you're going to need an extra set of clothes at all times for baby, and perhaps just a cheap extra shirt folded up in the bottom for mom. (The extra clothes for mom aren't strictly essential, but we've all wished we had one occasionally). The extra outfit for baby is simply a must. Diaper blowouts happen more than I really imagined they would, and you can't really spot clean up that level of mess. You'll want a new, clean extra onesie to put baby into, so your day isn't derailed or your carseat befouled. Don't put your best, most expensive baby outfit in the diaper bag. Just a basic onesie will be enough to get baby cleaned up and home without trashing the car. And yes, I've thrown away a onesie in a public restroom. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

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A few plastic bags

   In the event of a mess, or if you have wet things you need to keep away from the rest of the diaper bag, it is helpful to have some form of dry bag available. Just a ziplock or other disposable, small bag will work in most instances. They do also make plastic bags specifically for dirty diapers. I wouldn't really want to put the dirty diaper back in my diaper bag, but if it's just set and you don't have anywhere to dispose of the diaper, you can store it in your car or bag for a bit until you get home or find a trash can.

Things You Don't Need for
​a Newborn's Diaper Bag

• Snacks (why is this always on the list)
• Diaper cream (unless you're dealing with some serious diaper rash)
• Tons of toys (they aren't interested in them anyway)

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope I've made you a little less stressed, if you're packing a diaper bag for the first time! As long as you have diapers and wipes, the reality is you'll be just fine in the moment and you can always add in more stuff for your next trip. Hang in there, Mama!