The only thing worse than not packing enough items in your babies Diaper Bag is packing way too much. I myself have been guilty of this so many times. I suppose the best way to pack your little ones diaper bag depends on the duration of the trip and how old the baby is.
0 to 4 Months Old
At this age you are still feeding every two hours be it breast or bottle and you are changing babies diaper at least every two hours as well. If you are going to be gone between 2-4 hours I would suggest packing the following:
1 diaper for every hour you are gone
Travel wipes
Changing Pad
If you bottle feed, 6 ounces of formula for every 2 hours gone.
3 clean bottles
If you breast feed don’t forget your breasts. ; D
2 extra simple outfits such as a onesie or t-shirt and shorts (depending on the weather)
1 to 2 small toys, there’s no need to take the toy box
A pacifier if your baby uses one
A plastic bag rolled tightly for soiled clothing
Travel size diaper cream, baby powder, sun block, little noses
Ball syringe
2 bibs or burp clothes
2-3 Lysol disinfectant wipes, packed in a zip-lock baggie
1 receiving blanket.
If you are going to be gone for a longer period of time, pack accordingly.
5 to 9 Months Old
At this age your baby may still be feeding every two hours, but you have probably introduced some food into his/her diet. This means baby will probably go a little longer without feeding or being changed. Around this age here are some things you may want to pack:
1 diaper for every hour you will be gone.
Travel Wipes
Changing Pad
If baby is bottle fed, 8 to 10 ounces a formula for every 2 hours gone.
1 clean bottle or sippy cup. Around this age they are past the point of boiling everything. So you can simply rinse the bottle out and wash it as soon as baby is done
If baby is breast feeding, you already have what he needs.
2 bottles of water.
1 extra outfit.
1 small interesting toy for every hour your gone. Babies will start to get bored more quickly around this age.
A pacifier if your baby uses one
A Teether
A plastic bag rolled tightly for soiled clothing
Travel size diaper cream, baby powder, sun block, little noses
Ball syringe
Baby Spoon.
2 bibs or burp clothes
2-3 Lysol disinfectant wipes, packed in a zip-lock baggie
A blanket if you think you need one.
10 to 15 Months Old
By now your little one has started to try “grown up food”, if this is the case you will probably start needing to pack some rations to keep baby or soon to be toddler happy!
1 diaper for every 2 hours away from home.
Travel Wipes
Changing Pad
1 Sippy Cup
2 travel juices.
8 to 10 ounces of formula
2 bottles of water.
Finger foods such as goldfish, Kix, Cheerios or a teether biscuit.
A couple interesting toys or books.
A plastic bag rolled tightly for soiled clothing
Travel size diaper cream, baby powder, sun block, little noses
Utensils if you plan on eating out.
1Bib
2-3 Lysol disinfectant wipes, packed in a zip-lock baggie (These come in handy if you need to wipe down a dirty high chair a park swing or a public changing table.)
I hope that my diaper packing list has helped you in some way. I myself was an over-packing Mom for at least the first 6 months of my sons life. Its hard to believe that you don’t have to pack everything your child owns to get through the day, but you can. Make due with as little as possible to make the trip more comfortable for everyone!
