It might seem like a diaper bag is the most trivial of items to consider when you are having a baby, but actually the diaper bag can be a great accessory to making your life easy at staying on the go. Your diaper bag purchase is actually one of the fun items that you get to choose among all of the other decisions that have to be made when having a baby.

Not all diaper bags are created equal. When considering a diaper bag, you will want to keep in mind several thoughts that will help you narrow down on the perfect or ideal diaper bag. The ideal diaper bag will be a well-made diaper bag that has different compartments that allow for easy access of bottles, keys, wipes and diapers. The ultimate diaper bag will be stylish, yet will also have great function making finding a pacifier easy or grabbing a bottle while staying on the go easy.

Typically in most diaper bags, you will find side pockets for bottles, zippered pockets for keys and other small essentials as well as a waterproof lining for keeping spills from ruining your new bag. Snap hooks are becoming more common for keeping keys or pacifiers close at hand. The ideal purpose of the diaper bag is to keep you organized and well prepared as you stay on the go with your little one. Diaper changes need to be quick and easy, allowing you to focus on your baby, not digging through an unorganized diaper bag trying to find your essentials.

Here is a check list of the most common items that are needed in a diaper bag:

Basic items:
Diapers
Baby Wipes
Pacifier
Extra zip-lock gallon bags for dirty diaper disposal
Changing pad cover
Diaper Cream
Anti bacterial wipes (for wiping down high chairs or table tops or messy hands)

Feeding Essentials:

Bottle
Formula or water
Ice pack for bottle (if nursing)
Velcro bib
Burp Cloth
Nursing cover (if nursing)

Spare Parts:

Complete change of clothes, typically stored in a zip lock bag
Extra hat for is the weather changes and you need extra warmth

Diapers:

Diapers are essential when packing a diaper bag. The questions is how many diapers do you typically bring with you. This will depend on the length of the trip and the age of your child. When they are infants, you will typically change your infant more often, and as often as a diaper an hour, assuming that you do not have any explosions. So if you are staying out for several hours, I would typically bring a diaper for every hour with two to three extras. If you have an older child, you will not need to change them as often, therefore, you will need a few less diapers. A good rule of thumb is to carry to many than too few.

Baby Wipes:

Baby wipes will quickly become one of your staples in your life. You will find so many uses for baby wipes that you will amaze yourself. Not only will you use them for wiping messy bottoms, you will find yourself cleaning restaurant tables, wiping messy fingers, cleaning spit up off your clothes to wiping running noses. Most people carry them in a plastic wipes case and typically have them in multiple locations like their car, their purse as well as their diaper bag.

Changing Pad Cover:

You never know where you will have a diaper emergency and you will never know what type of accommodations that will be offered. Keep a changing pad cover in your diaper bag and use a soft burp cloth for layering if the surface is too hard for your little one. You never know the sanitary conditions of where you are changing your baby so a changing pad cover is ideal.

Antibacterial Wipes or Gel:

As a mom, you can probably not have enough of antibacterial wipes or gel. If you think about all of the things that you touch that are germ infested, you will drive yourself crazy. I keep both of these items in my diaper bag for after I change my little one, but also for after I go to the grocery store and have pushed a basket that everyone else has sneezed on, put a raw chicken package on or other kids have drooled on. As a new mommy, we tend to be a little germaphobic, but that is o.k., it is only normal to want to protect our child from anything possible.

Zippered Gallon Bags:

You just never know what will happen while you are out - so a zippered gallon plastic bag is ideal at holding dirty diapers that you have had to change on the backseat of your car, or spit up shirts, or when an explosion happens and you have to strip your little one down and start over. Imagine trying to figure out what to do with those items in your bag or in your car. Make life on the go easy by just tucking them in to the bag, odor free, mess free and you are on your way. Keep a couple tucked away for those just in case moments

Feeding Supplies:

Depending on what age your child is, your feeding needs will vary. If you have an infant, then you will want to carry a bottle with water and formula for a quick feeding on the go or a nursing cover is you are a nursing mom. If you have toddler, then you may want to stock your diaper bag with little snacks, straws and spoons for feedings. Keep in mind to carry the essentials that you need to make a successful outing.

Entertainment:

Books, teething toys and pacifiers are great things to throw in your diaper bag for your outing. You never know when you will need a little help to keep your little one entertained so keep a few of their favorite things close at hand.

To Keep in Mind:

One of the things to keep in mind is that a diaper bag needs to make it easy for you to find your keys and cell phone in case of an emergency. When walking to your car, it is important that you find what you need quickly so that you can focus on your child and not on digging in the bottom of your bag trying to find your keys. If you keep your diaper bag stocked, then when it is time to leave you are always set to go. I used to carry my diaper bag in to the room and unload and reload immediately then hang the bag on its designated hook and I knew I was ready to go.