02-7-2009 - Diaper Bag Checklist

My mood while writing this blog: Tired already of Spending Money

Be ready for anything with a well-stocked diaper bag. Use this checklist to make sure that you're ready for your outing with baby.

Putting together a diaper bag for a baby may feel like packing for a weeklong vacation! Use this checklist to make sure that you're fully stocked for your outing with baby.

___ Diapers: Take more than you think you'll need, as many as one for every hour of your outing. Better safe than sorry!

___ Small box or travel pack of wipes: These aren't just for baby, but for your hands, too.

___ A tube of barrier cream or diaper-rash cream

___ Several cloth diapers or other cloths for burping, spit-up, and other messes

___ An extra shirt, pants, and pair of socks for baby

___ An extra shirt for you

___ Baby sunblock

___ Baby's bottle, if she uses one -- to keep things sanitary, you might put the nipple in a plastic bag

___ At least one toy

___ A favorite comfort object

___ If baby is on solids, a container of baby food and a baby spoon, or else a container of snacks, such as cereal or crackers

___ A bib

___ Two extra pacifiers (if baby uses them) stored in a clean plastic bag

___ A cell phone for emergencies

___ An index card with your name, address, and phone number, should the bag get lost

___ An index card with the pediatrician's number, a neighbor's number, and a number where your spouse or one of baby's grandparents can be reached

___ A changing pad -- many diaper bags come with one

___ A few large plastic bags for sealing and tossing dirty diapers, or taking home soiled clothes

___ Water and a snack for you

And yes, it all fits inside!

	Diaper Bag	You'll want to select a diaper bag that suits your needs and your style. Whether your bag is trendy or basic, it has to hold baby's gear and your own—from diapers and wipes to your cell phone and keys. You may choose something streamlined or a bag with plenty of compartments and pockets to store bottles, diaper ointment, and even a changing pad.
	Diapers	They're something you and baby can't leave home without! Stock your bag with five to seven cloth or disposable diapers, even if you don't think you'll need them all. You never know when you might get stuck in traffic or left waiting at the pediatrician's office.
	Wipes	Not only are wipes essential for wiping messy baby bottoms, they're also great for cleaning hands, faces, and even blotting stains and spills. Travel packs come in handy dispensers that fit nicely into bags. If you don't have a travel pack, you can preserve the wipes' moisture in a plastic sandwich-type bag.
	Rash Cream	You never know when your little one's bottom will become irritated and tender. Diaper rash can hit at any moment. Carry a small tube of cream or ointment to ease baby's discomfort.
	Changing Pad	Don't get caught without a clean place to change your baby's diaper—especially if you're on the road with no changing table available. Many diaper bags come with coordinating pads.
	Emergency Info	Carry the phone number of your baby's physician with you and your child's insurance card too.
	Medical Kit	Bring with you medications for fevers or colds, prescription medications if you'll need them, and small bandages.

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	Sunscreen	Don't be caught in the sun without protection for your baby's sensitive skin. A hat with a wide brim can keep your little one cooler on warm, sunny days, too.
	Clothing	Always tote at least one clean outfit (socks included!) in case baby has an extra messy diaper or spit up. You'll also want to have a sweater or jacket that offers warmth in air conditioning or a cooler climate.
	Burp Cloths	Cloths or a few cloth diapers are great for cleaning spit up and other spills.
	Blanket	Blankets come in very handy. They can be used as a soft, clean surface to put under your baby, as a wrap to keep him or her warm, or even as a shield draped over the baby's carrier to keep the sun or wind off your little one. A blanket can even double as a changing pad in a pinch.
	Snacks/Drinks	If you're bottlefeeding, be sure to bring plenty of formula and clean water to mix it with. Bring a few jars of baby food for an older infant. It's better to err on the side of caution and carry enough to last you through an unexpected delay. Additionally, bring a snack and a bottle of water for you, which is especially important if you're breastfeeding.
	Hand Sanitizer	A small bottle of this no-water-required cleanser is welcome after diaper changes when there's no sink available.

Recommended

	Toys and Books	Items to entertain your baby can be lifesavers if you're stuck waiting somewhere or your baby is getting fussy. And it's always helpful to have stuffed animals or lovies your baby likes at naptime.
	Nail Clippers	Clippers made just for your baby's soft nails are handy when you're out and notice your little one scratching with too-long nails.
	Disposable Bags	While they aren't absolutely necessary, plastic bags are convenient for disposing of dirty diapers or storing wet/soiled clothing until you get home. (Just be sure the bags are out of your baby's reach at all times.)
	Pacifier	If you'll be out for a while and your little one is comforted by a pacifier, pack a clean one in your bag so it's at the ready.

Niceties

	Clean Shirt	If you're going out for the day and your baby tends to spit up a lot or leaks through diapers, it's nice to have a clean shirt for yourself, just in case.
	Parenting Book	Have a great book you refer to frequently to find answers to unexpected questions? If you can't live without it, take it with you.