If you're a new parent readying yourself for the first outing with baby, then you might wonder what else goes into the diaper bag...besides the obvious diapers, of course. It's best to have the diaper bag packed while you're still pregnant and waiting for baby to arrive. After all, in the hustle and bustle of acclimating to life with a new baby, it can be overlooked. A good diaper bag should have plenty of pockets, large and small, for toting all sorts of things. The essential items in a diaper bag are obviously diapers - six to eight cloth or disposable diapers are enough for a daylong outing, wipes, plus a small tube of rash cream in a small, sealed plastic bag. A dose or two of any medication your baby takes should be in the bag, in case you're gone longer than you expected. A change of clothes for baby is necessary for diaper mishaps and spit-ups. Burp cloths, bibs, bottles and anything you need to mix pre-measured formula or breast milk should be included. But remember to discard unused, unrefrigerated breastmilk after 8 hours. An empty Ziploc bag is handy for stowing those dirty clothes or cloth diapers until you can get home to wash them.
A changing pad is important to keep on hand for when a clean surface isn't available to change the baby. Blankets and comfort items come in handy when baby needs soothing or is chilly. If you expect to be in the sun, then a small tube of sunscreen is important to put in the bag. Toys, teething rings and board books can keep baby occupied and are nice to have on hand when you get stuck in traffic or a waiting room. Emergency and contact information is important to stow in the bag, in the event that you lose the bag or cannot speak for your baby. Don't forget to think of yourself as you pack the bag. Moms can use portable snacks like granola bars, gum or energy bars. Throw in a t-shirt for yourself if your baby is prone to spit-ups or you're still nursing and prone to leaking. After a diaper change, hand sanitizer comes in handy...after all, juggling a baby and trying to wash your hands can be problematic. Think outside the bag when packing up for baby - and yourself.