Must-Have Favorites
A well-stocked diaper bag is a new parent secret weapon: It offers major peace of mind and can make family outings more convenient and stress-free. Deciding what to pack, however, can be a challenge (for first time parents, especially). While you may anxiously believe you need to pack your whole nursery, a handful of essentials is enough to cover your bases and ensure you’re ready to manage every meltdown or mess thrown your way.
Here are some of our favorite diaper bags and our picks for what to include, chosen for both style and convenience:
Fawn Design Original Diaper Bag
Don’t let the chic style of Fawn Design’s Original Diaper Bag fool you—this bag has got the goods. Made from premium vegan leather, this diaper bag has twelve pockets (six exterior and six interior), so you’ll have room for all your on-the-go essentials. Its wide half-round top zipper allows for one-handed access, and it can be worn as a backpack or messenger style. This is one diaper bag you’ll want to use even after you’ve aged out of the diaper stage.
Skip Hop MainFrame Backpack Diaper Bag
This lightweight but structured diaper bag has an oversized top opening that stays put when you need it to, giving you a clear view of its contents (say goodbye to frustrated rummaging). Two insulated bottle pockets will keep things warm or cool, and it includes thoughtful conveniences like a diaper changing pad and built-in stroller straps.
State Bags Lorimer Crossbody Fanny Pack
The Lorimer Crossbody Fanny Pack is an awesome unisex choice for quicker trips out of the house, like errand running. It’s roomy enough for your diaper essentials—and your life essentials—and it can be worn across your body or like a traditional fanny pack (they’re back, baby!). Plus, you’ll look like someone who still has time to worry about being cool.
Chances are you’ll end up at a spot where there’s no clean un-germy surface to change your kiddo’s diaper on, and that’s why we think a travel changing mat is essential. Herschel’s Sprout folds into a compact carry case, has a built-in wipes holder, and is big enough to use from the baby days through toddlerhood.
Skip Hop Grab & Go Wet/Dry Bag
Welcome to parenthood, where diaper blowouts are part of life. Skip Hop’s wet bag has a waterproof lining for wet or soiled clothes and an external mesh pocket for dry items or a change of clothes. Strap it to your stroller or diaper bag, and just throw it in the wash when you get home.
Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm
Earth Mama’s Organic Diaper Balm is actually 100% organic, and will keep your baby’s bum happy. Calendula and other yummy ingredients prevent redness and irritation, and it doubles as a multitasking skin-saving salve, too.
This Zoey Naturals sanitizer effectively kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria without the use of harsh chemicals and cleanses without water. It smells like a dream, doesn’t leave hands feeling sticky, and fits easily in you bag’s pockets. Bring on the petting zoo, puddle jumps, and poopy diapers.
Burp cloths are a mess-busting essential: They’ll manage spit-up, wipe messy mouths, and absorb spilled drinks. Copper Pearl’s burp cloths are generously sized but also thin, so they won’t take up tons of space in your bag when folded and stored. An inner fleece layer soaks up liquids and stops those less-than-pleasant baby fluids in their tracks.
More Peas Flip & Store Pacifier
Make sure you’re ready to soothe a fussy baby and keep a pacifier in your diaper bag, always. The More Peas Flip & Store is an all-in-one pacifier, teether, and case—when you’re not using it, it pops into a storage case, keeping it clean and free from the crumbs and yucky stuff in the bottom of your bag. The textured ring doubles as a teether and will soothe your little one’s store gums.
Little Unicorn Cotton Muslin Swaddle
Blankets are major daily adventure multitaskers. Little Unicorn’s oversized blanket makes a nice spot for changing your baby or eating a snack, a clean play space for your little one, or it can be used as a nursing cover. They’re lightweight, breathable, and get softer with every wash.
ZoLi Baby On the Go Travel Formula & Snack Dispenser
ZoLi Baby’s formula and snack dispenser is the perfect size for a diaper bag, and is an ideal option if you have a baby and a toddler (snacks and formula can be stored separately). Pre-portion formula for stress-free bottle making and load up on light snacks to prevent hangry attacks with older kiddos.
Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Bottle
Klean Kanteen’s stainless steel water bottles will help keep you and your little ones hydrated (and are great for bottle making, too). The chip-resistant coating is good for you and the earth, and it’s lightweight enough that toting it in your bag won’t break your back.
Mushie Flower Teething Bracelets
Mushie’s teething bracelets take up almost zero space in your diaper bag (or literal zero space if you wear them as bracelets) and are a great distraction for irritable teething babies. Soothe your baby’s sore gums while looking like a human that has time to plan an outfit (as if).
Mushie Paint Palette Press Toy
A portable toy can occupy your baby and help keep boredom at bay. Mushie’s Paint Palette toy is thin and easy to pack, and encourages sensory exploration while helping fine motor skills develop. It’s easy to keep clean, too—just rinse with water and let air dry (there aren’t any crevices for crumbs or dirt to hide in).
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].