New parents have a lot of questions:
How can I help my spouse connect to our baby while I’m pregnant?
Can you hold your baby too much?
Do I count the time between feedings from the start of a feeding or the end?
Is green poop normal?
What should I pack in my hospital bag?
Other common questions relate to diaper bags, like what you should pack in a diaper bag or if you even need one.
Yes! Do you leave your house without a purse or at least a wristlet? (If you do, I don’t know how you do it.) Diaper bags are just like purses—they’re great for holding everything you need when you leave home; except this time you’re storing things for your baby and a few things for you.
Babies require A LOT of stuff, especially newborns, and you need a convenient place to put all the diapers, wipes, etc., even on those short trips to the grocery store.
Many handbags and backpacks can double as diaper bags. Some parents choose to use a large bag they already have and just buy a diaper bag insert organizer so they have more pockets and organization inside their bag. With that being said, a diaper bag is a great purchase—or something to add to your baby registry—for even the most minimalist of parents.
While a stylish tote is made for a woman’s everyday necessities, it tends to lack all the necessary interior pockets for a baby’s everyday necessities. Today’s diapers bags are as fashionable as the purse you use now, but they’re more functional for this new stage of life.
Does your favorite tote have insulated bottle pockets or an insert to store your portable changing pad in? A diaper bag does. Is your expensive fabric shoulder bag easy to clean from spills and spit up? Most diaper bags are made with easy-to-clean outer materials and a waterproof interior lining.
And moms, consider your partners. Are they going to carry around your purse when they take your baby on a daddy-daughter date? I’m guessing their reaction would be something like this…
A diaper bag backpack is a perfect option here because you can easily find one that’s sporty enough for him but still cute enough for you and that’s convenient and comfortable for both of you.
Shop Anywhere I Go Backpack Diaper Bag
Packing your diaper bag for the hospital is fun, or at least it should be. Don’t stress over what you need to pack. The hospital will provide some things if you want or need them. And if you live close to your hospital, you can always have your spouse run home to grab something you forgot or ask the grandparents to stop by and pick it up on their way to see you.
But to help ease your mind and ensure packing that cute diaper bag for the first time is as fun as it should be, use this hospital bag checklist:
The hospital will have diapers, wipes, baby wash, and lotion, but if you have a certain brand you want to use, then you can bring your own. It’s actually not a bad idea to bring a small extra bag to put all the free (kind of) stuff in that the hospital will send you home with.
Once you bring your baby home from the hospital, you’ll want to repack your diaper bag, and then repack it before every outing. Here are some things to have inside your diaper bag:
Now that you know the essentials for your baby, here’s what to pack in the diaper bag for yourself:
As your baby gets older, what you put in your diaper bag changes. Take for instance some parents swap out a baby wrap for a structured front baby carrier once their child is around 6 months old and has good head control, so they can hold their baby but have their hands free to shop. Just remember to consider your baby’s age, stage, and every scenario you may encounter and then pack accordingly so you’re prepared no matter what happens while you’re out.
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