Whether you’re a first time parent or starting the newborn stage over again, it’s good to get an idea of what you’ll need in your diaper bag! Going out with your baby takes quite a bit of prep, so it’s probably a good idea to pack your diaper bag before the little one arrives. You’ll thank yourself later! Here are the top 15 diaper bag essentials for newborns.
1. Diapers
When you're brainstorming what to put in a diaper bag, you shouldn't forget what the bag is named after! The most necessary item you should pack is diapers. You never know how many you’ll need, so pack as many that will fit in the bag!
2. Wipes
The next diaper bag essential for newborns is wipes. These aren’t just for dirty diapers; they’re great when the baby spits up, needs a nose wipe, or gets sticky from snacks later on!
3. Diaper Rash Cream
You never know when a diaper rash will strike, so keeping a small container of diaper rash cream in your bag will come in handy. It's definitely an essential for a diaper bag!
4. Changing Pad
While some people may not consider a changing pad a necessity, it does come in handy! When you’re out and need to use one of the public changing stations, you’ll feel better about laying your baby on a shared surface if you have a changing pad with you. Many diaper bags come with these nowadays!
5. Extra Outfits
Accidents happen, but we can prepare for them by slipping an extra outfit or two in the diaper baby for your baby! We promise that extra clothes are absolutely a diaper bag essential for newborns. These can include items like onesies, shirts, pants, socks, and hats.
6. Pacifier
If your baby uses a pacifier, you’ll want to pack some extras when you're thinking about what to put in a diaper bag. You can even purchase a pacifier holder that attaches to the exterior part of the diaper bag, or you can sneak them into one of the pockets.
7. Burp Cloth
Newborns need to be burped after feedings, so you’ll want to grab a few burp cloths to keep in your diaper bag. These also come in handy for other messes and spills in a pinch!
8. Bibs
Another diaper bag essential for newborns when it comes to feeding is bibs. Babies don’t care when it comes to messes, but if you want to avoid changing outfits after every feed, you should grab a few bibs to keep in your bag.
9. Blanket
You may take your baby out and it ends up being colder than you thought. Or you will need to cover them up at the pediatrician’s office since (most of the time) they have you strip the baby down to their diaper. We know where you can get some adorable personalized baby blankets to stash in your bag!
10. Nursing Cover
If you feel more comfortable covering up while breastfeeding, you should keep a nursing cover in your diaper bag. It’s easy to keep up with, and you won’t have to worry about where you are to feed the baby! And, if you’re in a pinch, your nursing cover can double as a car seat cover, blanket, or towel to clean up unexpected messes.
11. Bottles and Supplies
Bottles, formula dispensers, and other necessary feeding supplies are other diaper bag essentials for newborns. You’ll want to be sure to keep extras in your bag, especially if you plan on being out during a feed.
12. Insulated Bag
No matter if you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding, you may find that you need to keep bottles cold while you’re out. You should buy an insulated bag and possibly an ice pack that will keep the milk cold until it’s ready to be used or until you get home.
13. Hand Sanitizer
After a diaper change or touching dirty surfaces, you may not be able to wash your hands. So hand sanitizer is an absolutely essential for a diaper bag! To make access to it even easier, grab a container that can attach to the exterior of your bag.
14. Bag for Dirty Clothes
When those messes inevitably happen, you’ll want to have a designated bag to put them in. This could be a reusable bag or a plastic bag; either way, you’ll be glad you have them when they spit up or have a blow out!
15. Toys
You never know when you might need to keep your baby entertained, so grabbing a crinkle book, plushie, or other toy to keep in your diaper bag is a great idea!
We hope you have a better idea of what to put in a diaper bag, and you can’t go wrong with any of these diaper bag essentials for newborns. As you gain experience with your baby, you may find that some of these work, or there may be other items not on our list that you need. Everyone is different and every baby has unique needs. Now that you’ve gotten the essentials packed in your diaper bag, you’re ready for a day out with your newborn! For an extra fun touch, wrap baby in something special with a personalized baby name swaddle!