What do you actually need to pack in your diaper bag? Here’s the list

We’ve all been there—You’re standing in the cramped corner of a public bathroom with a naked, wailing infant on the changing table, rummaging around your stylish diaper bag for a wipe and a clean diaper. Your fingers move past the toys, extra shirts, and baggies, only to come up with… nothing.

Knowing how to pack your diaper bag for optimum performance in a crisis situation is key because let’s face it, every moment in motherhood is basically a crisis situation. As moms, we have to anticipate every possible scenario our little ones might possibly throw at us, and that can mean bringing a lot (like A LOT) of stuff with us when we leave the house. So as you work through this diaper bag list and figure out what you and your baby definitely need, don’t forget to read our tricks and tips on how to pack diaper bags so you can make your life easier. (Diaper changing hacks like packing certain items together in small bags and having an emergency changing kit made that you can grab in a pinch are game-changers!)

Related: How to change a diaper: A step-by-step guide

So what do I need in my diaper bag?

The key is to think about what items you actually use on any given day to meet your child’s needs. Now imagine how you’ll pack all of those items in one bag without bringing too much extra stuff. For example, are three different winter hats for one toddler necessary? Probably not. A backup onesie for your newborn? Yes, always. Also, consider the age of your child—a diaper bag for a potty-training toddler vs. a breastfeeding infant will look quite different, as any veteran mom will tell you.

And, the season and climate you’re in will dictate what types of items you should include. A mom who lives in southern California doesn’t need nearly as much warm winter gear as one in northern Michigan. The mom in SoCal will probably need sunscreen and a sun hat for baby, whereas the northern mom is more likely to toss an extra winter hat and gloves into her bag.

One trick to packing your diaper bag with all of your essentials is to think about your child’s typical day. Must-haves? Diapers, wipes, a portable changing pad. Extra clothes for newborns who love those diaper blow-outs—always a necessity. But also, extra clothes for toddlers who love saying “uh-oh, Mommy” when they don’t make it in time are just as important. For both cases? Plastic bags to wrap up stinky diapers or bring home dirty clothes in!

Related: ‘Divide and conquer’ works for us—and this unisex diaper bag makes it easy

Wondering “What do I need in my diaper bag?” Here are 15 important items for your diaper bag list.

1. A good diaper bag, of course!

There are endless choices out there—from high-end to low cost, from simple styles to bags with a sea of pockets, zippers and adjustable straps. This one really comes down to personal preference, budget, and the lifestyle you live. Talk to your friends who are in the same stage of life as you, ask them if the love/hate their diaper bag, what they look for when picking one out. Read some reviews, do a little research, and pick a bag that seems like it fits your mom style.

Fisher Price

Signature Quilt Diaper Backpack

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$60

Four and half stars and hundreds of reviews suggest this affordable bag from Fisher-Price hits all the marks. It not only features plenty of pockets to keep everything organized, it can also keep three bottles or sippy cups cold in the insulated front pocket!

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Skip Hop

6-Piece Diaper Bag Backpack Set

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$99.99

This adorable diaper bag / backpack combo comes with a long list of accessories, including a pacifier pocket, a changing pad, stroller straps, a bottle bag and a packing cube as well as nine pockets (yes, NINE!) for ultimate organization. Choose from three color options—black, dove, or blush—all of which come with a beautiful quilted detail that wipes clean (which, let’s be honest, is what matters most).

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Related: This beautiful handbag is actually a diaper bag

2. Diapers

For a baby 0-3 months, pack 2 diapers for every hour you’ll be out. For 3-12 months, 1 diaper for every hour. (A good rule of thumb: anticipate how many you *think* you’ll need, then cram in a couple more. You’ll thank yourself later for being over-prepared.) Also, if you’re heading to the beach or pool, don’t forget swim diapers!

Charlie Banana

Cloth Diaper System

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$129.99

Going the cloth diaper route? The one-size, grow-with-baby design of the Charlie Banana cloth diaper system makes them easy to use from day one through the diaper years. They can be used with reusable inserts and disposable inserts alike.

Kit includes five diapers and five inserts.

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Pampers Pure

Hypoallergenic Disposable Baby Diapers – 198 count

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$65.47

For disposable diapers, a tried and true and most importantly trusted brand by parents for decades, the Pampers line of all natural, plant-based diapers (called Pampers Pure) are extremely breathable and absorbent, keeping your baby’s bum dry and free of diaper rash. Plus, they’re chlorine, fragrance, paraben and latex free! Conveniently, they’re widely available in your local super markets and drug stores or on Amazon!

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Healthybaby

Monthly Diaper Bundle

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$105

When it comes to safety, sustainability and performance, Healthybaby diapers check all the boxes and then some. As the first (and only) diapers verified by the EWG, they’re setting a new standard in the diaper industry. Their premium, plant-based disposable diapers took three years to develop and are tested for over 900 chemical compounds, assuring parents that they’re the purest on the market. And signing up for the Monthly Diaper Bundle means you’ll never have to think about stocking your supply!

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3. Wipes

You need two kinds—one for cleaning baby’s tender skin and another for sanitizing surfaces that baby will touch and wiping down the portable changing pad. (Pro tip: store these in separate compartments so you don’t grab cleaning wipes in a rush and accidentally wipe your baby’s tender skin with a disinfectant!)

Water Wipes

240 Count Toddler and Baby Wipes

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$14.18

Moms love Water Wipes because they are made from almost entirely… well, water. And for their baby’s soft, delicate skin, they definitely want wipes free from harmful chemicals that could cause skin damage. Wipes that are 99.9% water-based, plant-based, hypo-allergenic, and unscented but get baby clean? Well it’s not hard to see why these are so popular.

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Seventh Generation

Baby Wipes – 768 count

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$27.99

Great for sensitive skin, these thick, soft wipes offer safe and gentle cleaning for baby’s bottom, hands, and face. They’ve been dermatologist tested and are hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and don’t contain any alcohol or parabens. Prices vary.

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Dapple

30-Count Hypoallergenic Cleaning Wipes

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$18.96

Made without harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic dyes and fragrances, chlorine, or alcohol, Dapples’s wipes are plant-based, have a hint of lavender, and will leave surfaces squeaky clean for your baby to be able to play safely.

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4. Hand sanitizer

Whether its cold / flu / RSV / season or not, it’s always good to sanitize your hands before and after changing baby (and likely having touched all sorts of germy surfaces while out in public). Plus, you’ll want hand sanitizer to be accessible for cleaning your hands (and baby’s hands) before snack time as well.

Baby Bum

3-Pack Hand Sanitizer Spray

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$13.47

After cleaning baby’s bum, clean your hands with some Baby Bum! This antibacterial hand sanitizer spray kills germs, is gentle and safe for little hands, and matches the theme for your diaper bag! Baby Bum’s plant-based formula contains coconut oil, banana and aloe and is vegan, cruelty, gluten and dye-free, which means it’s safe for all members of the family to use.

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5. A portable changing pad

Leaving the house means it’s very likely you will have to lay your child down on some sort of surface—whether that’s the ground, floor, a park bench, or a bathroom changing table—and you’ll feel 1000x better about doing so if you can provide a thick, waterproof layer between your precious bundle and whatever hard surface is beneath them. Make sure your changing pad is easy to wipe clean and, for your convenience, tuck a diaper and a few wipes into the pad’s pockets so when you unfold it, the items you need are right there at your disposal.

Skip Hop

Black and White Stripe Portable Changing Pad

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$29.99

This super-cute portable changing pad has everything you need—it’s extra wide and easy to wipe clean, it has a translucent wipes case so you can see the current status of your wipes supply (don’t want to run out of those!), and it has all the mesh pockets you need for your diaper-changing essentials.

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Royal Rusu

Portable Diaper Changing Pad

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$23.98

This portable changing pad comes with a comfy built-in cushion for baby’s head, lots of convenient storage pockets for diapers and wipes, and even a bonus bottle bag to  make your life easier!

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KeaBabies

Diaper Changing Mat

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$12.96

Not everyone wants a changing pad with a million pockets. For some parents, the simpler the better! Here’s an option that will save you a few bucks and still get the job done by keeping baby off of dirty surfaces while you change their diaper.

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6. Deodorized bags

Your kids are going to get stinky—that’s just the reality of parenthood. So it’s crucial that you pack some small deodorized bags so you can wrap up stinky diapers and contain the smell until you can find a trash can. These bags are also essential for dirty clothes after a diaper blow-out or potty-training accident. (If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll take approximately 11 eons to master the art of “getting there in time” so you might need this diaper bag essential for years to come. Godspeed.

Ubbi

36-Pack Ubbi On The Go Refill Bags

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$3.99

Do yourself a favor and grab a pack of these lavender-scented bags from Ubbi On The Go. Those diapers can be brutal sometimes, and having a way to block the stink will make going out of the house much more pleasant (for you, and for those around you!)

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Ubbi

Retractable On the Go Bag Dispenser

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$4.99

But wait! Don’t just get plastic bags that can be hard to access with one hand while you keep your squirmy baby in place with the other! You should also gift yourself a bag dispenser like this one that can be clipped to your stroller, diaper bag strap, or stored inside your diaper bag side pocket.

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7. Extra clothes

Again, this one depends on the age of your kids and the season you’re in. As a first-time mom, I can remember learning the hard way how vital it is to have backup clothes for a newborn when my baby blew through his cute “birthday party outfit” AT GRANDMA’S PARTY and had to be carried home in a towel. By the time that same baby was potty-training a few years later, you can be sure I was well prepared with backup undies and pants!

Burt's Bees Baby

Sleep and Play Romper

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$14.95

These organic cotton rompers from Burt’s Bees are perfect for backup. (And everyday wear, of course!)

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8. Extra layers and winter gear

Particularly for those tricky in-between days or if you’re going to be out of the house from morning until night, tossing in an extra sweatshirt or a warmer zip-up pajama set for later is never a bad idea in case temps drop. Also, make sure you have an extra winter hat and gloves for when your hangry toddler rips theirs off and throws it on the ground into a puddle of mud.

Carhartt

Toddler Beanie

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$14.99

Also, having a hat stuffed somewhere in that diaper bag is a smart move. Little ears get cold (and hats always get lost!) and in the effort to keep baby happy and warm, making sure you have these extra items for low temps is key. These Carhartt toddler beanies are one of our absolute favorites because they fit for ages, come in a ton of colors and the price is just right.

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9. A blanket

For warmth, or for simply providing baby a safe place to lie down, crawl, or roll around and stretch their legs, having a baby blanket with you is a must. You never know when you’ll need it—and trust us, you’ll need it.

Aden + Anais

Swaddle Blankets 4-Pack

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$39.99

There’s a good reason these top-rated swaddles have been a parenting staple for over 16 years. Basically, the muslin swaddle blankets from Aden + Anais are the Swiss army knife of parenting. They’re lightweight and versatile and come in handy far beyond simply swaddling your baby. They make perfect burp cloths and nursing covers, play time blankets or even to block the sun from the stroller on afternoon adventures.

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10. Burp cloths

Spit-up is another part of motherhood that no one loves, but pretty much no one can avoid. Especially for those early months with baby, make sure you have one or two soft burp rags to toss over your shoulder because baby’s going to eat, and then… well, you know what comes next.

Burt's Bees Baby

5-Pack Extra Absorbent 100% Organic Cotton Burp Cloths

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$26.95

You can go as fancy or as simple as you want with burp cloths, but bear in mind that they will get covered in spit-up. This organic cotton set from Burt’s Bees is soft, breathable, and folds up easily to tuck inside the diaper bag.

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Parker Baby

Muslin Burp Cloths 4-Pack

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$21.95

Here’s another choice for super-soft burp cloths to pack in your diaper bag. Made from 100% muslin fabric, this 4-pack is durable, versatile, and come in a variety of gorg colors.

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11. Bibs

Depending on how long you’ll be out, there’s a good chance your baby will enjoy a meal. And meals mean mess, so don’t forget a bib! (Plus, lots of drooling babies benefit from wearing a bib that can catch the drool and keep it off their cute outfit.)

Merlinae

Muslin Bibs

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$14.99

How cute are these scalloped muslin bibs?! Even with food and drool all over them they’re still pretty darn cute.

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12. Drinks and snacks

Whether it’s bottles and formula or sippy cups and juice, don’t forget the drinks and snacks! Leaving the house with a little one means being prepared for empty tummies, so make sure you have some animal crackers or apple sauce pouches on hand to hold them over until lunch, or even for just a distraction when you desperately need their cooperation in the stroller.

Happybaby

Purple Carrot & Blueberry Superfood Baby Puffs

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$3.59

Here’s a baby snack veteran parents swear by. Puffs are nutritious belly-fillers, and they keep baby entertained in the stroller or your lap if you toss a few of these in a cup and let those little hands go to work.

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13. Toys and books

Stick a favorite toy or two and a couple baby books into your diaper bag’s side pocket. This will help when you need to distract them so you can change their diaper, or when you need to keep them from grabbing Aunt Lydia’s breakable figurines next time a holiday rolls around and you’re having dinner at her very non-toddler friendly house. There are lots of reasons you might need baby’s little hands and mind to be busy, so don’t forget to bring a fun activity or two.

Fat Brain Toys

pipSquigz Loops

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$9.95

PipSquigz Loops suction cup to surfaces so they are harder for baby to toss on the floor (yay), their soft silicone material is safe for baby to chew on and soothe their sore gums, and they are made from bright colors and make fun noises. What’s not to love?

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CozyBookUS

Soft Montessori Activity Book

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$59.99

Another play item to consider for the diaper bag: Montessori busy books! Made with toddlers in mind, babies can start to play with these soft fabric books too, as long as they are supervised.

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Karen Katz

Where is Baby's Belly Button? Lift-the-Flap Book

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$5.99

Lift-the-Flap board books are always a hit with little ones, so a classic like Where is Baby’s Belly Button? makes an excellent choice for the “entertainment” section of the diaper bag!

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14. Pacifiers, loveys, favorite soother

When packing your diaper bag, think about the chances that your baby could nap while you’re out of the house and what you’ll need to have with you to make that happen. (Because that means you might get to have a hot cup of coffee and some adult conversation!) Do you need a couple pacifiers? Baby’s favorite snuggie or stuffed elephant? Teething rings? Toss those in there too.

GraceandGraham

Embroidered Organic Muslin Cotton Bunny Rabbit Lovey and Teething Ring Gift Set

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$36.50

This matching lovey and teething ring set is soft, personalized, and will undoubtedly be one of baby’s favorite toys to self-soothe and snuggle with.

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MAM

3-Pack of Pacifiers

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$7.89

Not all babies take pacifiers, but if yours does, you know how important it is that you have a few with you for cranky moments and nap time. That’s why you definitely need to make sure to stock up on your baby’s preferred brand and stick a few of those suckers in your diaper bag.

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15. Children’s medication

Obviously if your child needs a prescription that you carry with you, the diaper bag is a sensible place to store it. But also, packing some children’s Tylenol with a syringe or medicine cup is a smart idea as you never know when a fever could hit or baby could bump their head, struggle with teething pain or get a gas bubble.

Little Remedies

Gas Relief Drops for Babies

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$7.69

Parents and pediatricians love Little Remedies for safe, mild gas relief to soothe those little baby tummies.

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Tylenol

Acetaminophen Liquid Medicine

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$11.99

It’s heartbreaking when our little ones aren’t feeling well, and as moms, we want to make them feel better as soon as possible. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to keep a bottle of infants’ Tylenol and syringe to administer proper dosage in your diaper bag so it’s always on hand.

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A version of this article was published May 9, 2017. It has been updated.