Since having kids, I’ve realized that I had to make a CHOICE….
to be brave and go out in public with my whole crew.
I had to not fear the poopy explosions…
or the target dollar bin pre-lunch/nap time meltdowns…
or the crying in the car…
or the holding of two children while trapping the 3rd with your legs while
you try and look at the prices of that last grocery item on your list.
I’ve learned that In order to face my fear…I have to be PREPARED.
So I’m sharing what’s in my diaper bag! (which is actually my purse-from H&M)
With this being my third baby… I have narrowed it down to the
basics of survival when out n about.
1. I usually can get away with just packing 3 diapers. Down to one child in diapers.. so two are for micah and one backup.. for that moment your 2 yr old needs to pee at the park and there is NO WAY you are going in that nasty park bathroom. strap that diaper on her baby. (we do what we gotta do)
2. Bottle. soon to be a sippy cup. Filled with water for micah. He nurses..but sometimes he will let me zoom and keep him in the stroller/car seat if I give him the bottle of water.
3. Puffs! Love these things.. except for that moment you get home and realize you ran errands all day with “puff goo” on your shoulder. lovely. but seriously. they are life savers for micah. He likes to pick them up from his tray. (good for fine motor skills!) Make sure to keep an eye on your 2 yr old who will try to sneak and eat ALL OF THEM.
4. Change of clothes. I used to pack one for 2 of my littles..
but now I’m just down to micah. The day you don’t pack a change of clothes..
you will have a poopy explosion of your nightmares.
you have been warned………..
5. Wipes! I love the Up&Up from Target. (sensitive unscented version)
6. Mommy sustenance. I am loving Austin Cheese Crackers right now.
But the idea is to just pack something that you can easily snack to
refuel so you can combat the mutiny going on in the backseat.
7. Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Ointment. My micah has a sensitive little tooshy.
And when he has a little rash, If I put this on every diaper change, it clears up quickly!
My problem is remembering to put it on! So I make sure
I have a tube of this in my bag when I’m out…and a tube in my
basket in our family room (which is also filled with diapers/wipes)
8. Nursing cover. (the design I use is no longer being sold..but this one is similar.)
I sometimes nurse like a champ in the front seat of the car in the parking lot without a cover(only accidently flashed a handful of people)..but I’m most comfortable nursing with a cover. Even if it’s just a blanket or a shirt! This cover though makes it easy to nurse modestly and privately while still having easy motion to juggle your other two kids.
9. OXO Tot Flippy Snack Cup. Great container to hold BRIBERY. A snack cup full of goldfish has the power to turn your children into angels. (temporarily..so work fast)
The lid’s flaps make it so you don’t end up with gold fish swimming around
and getting crushed in your diaper bag.
It’s a twist off lid too so it wont pop up.
10. My K’tan Baby Carrier! LOVEEE it. Used it with Micah since he was little.
Still use it with him being 23 pounds. It saves me. I have the basic black..
Heard great things about the breeze stye as well.
11. Makeup bag. Because I try to not look like a hot mess while out in public.
keyword…..try. (What’s in my Makeup Bag Post)
That is what is in my bag…
Sienna’s bag??
Who knows. AND YES. my husband took her to the grocery store like this.
(BOTTOM LEFT: MELT DOWN BECAUSE DRESS IS TOO
POOFY TO WALK UP STEPS. #PRINCESS PROBLEMS.)
Do not fear taking children in public!!
Pack what you need… expect a little crazy…
and enjoy your fresh air and compliments on your CUTE kids…
Ignore any crazy looks and take lightly the parenting advice from older ladies…
You are doing awesome! :)
Dr. Smith’s has a fun giveaway going on now to celebrate that they are now available nationwide at Walgreens!
You can find a retailer nearest you on doctorsmiths.com
The Giveaway includes a $200 Walgreens Gift Card for 1st place and two runners ups can win a $50 Walgreens Gift Card. All three winners also get a supply of Dr. Smith’s as well!
Enter to win below!
OhioMom2
July 23, 2013 at 1:48 pmMy must have is 3 diapers and wipes!!! We use the wipes all the time for dirty hands/faces, cleaning tables at the park and of course for diapers changes!
Beth
July 23, 2013 at 1:54 pmYou are doing a great job, Natalie! Major props to you and thanks for sharing what is in your bag. I will keep this in mind when I have kids! :)
Amy Renea
July 23, 2013 at 1:55 pmextra MONEY! I always run out of cash and that extra five in the bottom of the diaper bag has saved me MANY a time!
Gemma
July 23, 2013 at 1:58 pmMy must have is SUNSCREEN – having recently moved to Florida, we don’t leave the house without it. We don’t want that Mr Golden Sun to burn my two fair haired blondies
Angela Bennett
July 23, 2013 at 1:58 pmWipes! always have wipes even with my 5 year old-she always manages to make a mess when we are out!
Anonymous
July 23, 2013 at 1:59 pmAlways have 5 diapers and wipes, but more important is the puffs. They have saved me a few times!!!
Allison Ceprano
July 23, 2013 at 2:02 pmMy must have is definitely wipes! Cannot live with out them!
Diana
July 23, 2013 at 2:03 pmDefinitely a change of clothes (obviously!). But both of my kids also loved pacifiers, so a backup was a necessity. We’ll see what #3 prefers in a few months :) Love your blog!
Brittany GraceAnn
July 23, 2013 at 2:04 pmmy organic cotton light-weight blanket – it is a jack of all trades! it has been used for changing diapers, nursing, wiping up spills, drying off wet babies, warming up cold babies… etc!!!!
Anonymous
July 23, 2013 at 2:04 pmMy must haves are snacks and juice boxes!
Holly Strother
July 23, 2013 at 2:06 pmI love Austin’s crackers! I always have a pack in my purse.
KK
July 23, 2013 at 2:13 pmDiapers and wipes!! I can handle a baby without pants as long as he’s not sitting in his own yuckiness or I’m smelling that yuckiness… : )
Kristin O
July 23, 2013 at 2:21 pmThis makes me feel like I could pare down what’s in my bag (for my 3 year old and 8 month old boys) and still be ok…which would be great because lugging all that stuff around is heavy!
lacey lamb
July 23, 2013 at 2:37 pmLately I’ve been loving the Wet Ones hand wipes for my 2 year old and 5 year old. I feel that they get their hands cleaner than using sanitizer. Thank you for this post. I’m expecting my third, and appreciate the encouragement! Love your blog! :)
Roya Gonzalez
July 23, 2013 at 2:42 pm#1 item is diapers and wipes!
Carrie Palmer
July 23, 2013 at 2:48 pmWipes! We would all be a hot sticky mess without them!
Kelsey
July 23, 2013 at 3:01 pmBaby wipes
Anne
July 23, 2013 at 3:06 pmA little snack and a bottle of water for the kids. This always calms them down, when they start to get cranky.
Brooke S
July 23, 2013 at 3:08 pmMy must have diaper bag item is my 2 year old’s epi pens for her nut allergy.
Kelly Phillips Flynn
July 23, 2013 at 3:24 pmA pacifier!
Lisa Marie
July 23, 2013 at 3:50 pmI’m a total nursing commando these days with just my muslin blankie!
alittlebitunique
July 23, 2013 at 4:00 pm#3. Puffs are life savers here as well! And my 2 year is definitely a little Puff thief if I do not watch her closely.
– Amanda
Christine Hutchinson
July 23, 2013 at 4:02 pmWipes. I don’t think I will ever stop keeping them handy!
Taylor Valandingham
July 23, 2013 at 4:15 pmBobby Pins, they are a life saver sometimes! Keeps your hair out of your face, but you never know when you may just need it for something else.
Jessi
July 23, 2013 at 4:51 pmWipes!!!! I even keep and extra pack in the car!
Elizabeth
July 23, 2013 at 6:30 pmfor my 20 month old Number one is now…all the cloth diapering accessories followed by a fruit/veggie squeeze pouch of some sort.
lindsay
July 23, 2013 at 6:47 pmMy # 1 item is diapers an wipes…seriously I ran out once…lol horrible!!
bethany@thetharpesblog
July 23, 2013 at 6:49 pmI have 8yo twins & a 5 yo and I still carry wipes around!! They’re life savers for all occasions ;) found out last week that we’re expecting again…twins again! So ill def be able to use that gift card to fill up a new diaper bag soon!
Samantha
July 23, 2013 at 7:35 pmI used to try to pack an outfit for all three kids, now I just do one for the baby and then in my van I keep a huge ziplock bag (5 Gallon I think) that I have a change for each kid. That way I know it’s always there, but I am not lugging it around!
Ally
July 23, 2013 at 7:50 pmWipies …I always need wipies!
Anonymous
July 23, 2013 at 8:41 pmI must have an outfit, diapers, wipes and most importantly my toddler’s epipen.
SweeterSideMom
July 23, 2013 at 9:51 pmMy MUST is just a diaper and snacks these days! We’re at the point (girlies are 1 and 3) where we’re pretty good on the go. I’m sure that will change when baby #3 comes!
Bria
July 23, 2013 at 9:58 pmHere Lately, I have been carrying extra juice boxes and snacks for my 6 year old (he’s ALWAYS hungry)and for my 14 month old I always have to have extra wipes and an extra outfit(she’s super messy). I’m expecting my third, a boy, so I may reevaluate my diaper bag essentials once he gets here.
Todd and Naomi (Bell) Schneider
July 23, 2013 at 10:15 pmExtra diapers and wipes.
kellyr78
July 23, 2013 at 10:28 pmOur must have item is a bottle of water.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
Jessy28
July 23, 2013 at 10:29 pmI must have a teething toy, 2 bibs, and snacks for the toddlers.
Lucia
July 23, 2013 at 11:18 pmBoogie wipes. I love those things both for my baby and for me! ;-)
whosthatmom
July 24, 2013 at 12:28 ama few different snacks and small toys, and a diaper, and a few wipes. i’m a minimalist :P
whosthatmom
July 24, 2013 at 12:29 ama few snacks and small toys, a diaper and a few wipes. i’m a minimalist :P
http://www.whosthatmom.com
Kendy Correa
July 24, 2013 at 1:00 ami must have a snack cup, hand and face wipes, 3 diapers for each girl, an extra set of clothes, wipes, nursing cover, burp clotth, balmex, go go squeeze apple sauce and water
Natasha
July 24, 2013 at 1:26 amHmm well Breast milk for my son and water and snacks for my girls!
Trisha Millward
July 24, 2013 at 12:29 pmSnacks! Goldfish crackers and raisins usually.
Kendell Tickell
July 24, 2013 at 1:03 pmHand and face wipes is a must. One four-year-old isn’t difficult, but they she sure can make a mess!<3
Karin
July 24, 2013 at 2:15 pmAll of the above plus a a small container of Vaseline. Dry lips, check. Patchy skin, check. No diaper cream, check
Kimberly
July 24, 2013 at 3:51 pmI must have my diaper changing station that is portable with a mat, diapers, and wipes case
Annie Moore
July 24, 2013 at 4:18 pmI’m slowly getting the hang of what I *really* need to carry with my for my 6 month old. I used to be a crazy overpacker, but I feel like I’ve finally simplified. Great post!
EKB
July 24, 2013 at 5:44 pmWIPES!!! and a diaper. I dont think I can live without either of those!!!
Megan
July 24, 2013 at 11:17 pmMy MUST HAVES are wipes, FOR SURE!!! I keep them in my purse, diaper bag, the cars, etc. Great for wiping down messes, cleaning hands if hand sanitizer isn’t handy, great for taking off makeup, etc!
MercedesH
July 25, 2013 at 7:46 amSienna is a spit fire, can’t get enough of her! Lol
MercedesH
July 25, 2013 at 7:48 amExtra clothes and wipes are a must