What’s In My Toddler Diaper Bag?

If your diaper bag feels like you’re carrying around bricks, it’s probably time to reassess what you have packed. Now that my daughter is two, I realized I can remove a lot of “baby” items and focus on what she really needs. With this in mind, here’s what I decided to keep!

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Snacks

Let me start this section off with a bit of honesty. Last week, I found a fully rotted banana in my child’s diaper bag, and that’s when I decided it was time to take a closer look at what I was keeping inside!

In general, I prefer to keep easy, prepackaged foods like healthy granola bars or Larabars. That way, I have something quick to grab and I’m not worrying about it spoiling. Cereal, like organic cheerios, is also a safe bet because you can keep it in a baggy and it will usually stay good for a long time. And in truth, if you have a hangry toddler on your hands, stale cheerios are so much better than having nothing!

Another safe bet would be apple sauce or fruit pouches, if your toddler still enjoys eating them. My kiddo has gone on various boycotts of snacks since eating “real people food” full-time.

Lastly, I’d like to mention those lovely perishable food items. I’m talking bananas, apple slices, berries, and maybe even last night’s dinner. Some days, I pack food like this and it’s a total win. Other days, it’s forgotten, and my car ends up smelling like old broccoli. So my recommendation is to set a reminder to check your diaper bag (and car) for any leftover perishable food items at the end of an outing!

Besides food, I try to always bring water in the bag, either in a sippy cup or a stainless steel bottle.

LifeVac

Simply put, the LifeVac is an anti-choking device that can be used on adults, children, and even babies. When I finally started feeding my daughter solids, I felt so nervous about what would happen if she started choking.

Having this in the bag has given me such ease. I hope I’ll never need it, but again, I’d rather be prepared than have regrets. Even though she’s older now, I’ve decided to keep it in the bag because she can still easily choke as a toddler.

I’ve found keeping it in the diaper bag makes it a little heavier, but I like knowing exactly where it is at all times. However, he company also makes a version to keep in the car if you prefer.

Diapers, Wipes, and Bum Cream

Well, this section is pretty obvious. If you’re kiddo isn’t potty trained yet, you’ll need all the essentials. 

I like to pack a mix of regular and overnight diapers so I can choose which type best fits the situation. Overnight diapers are especially great when you have a long drive ahead of you, or if you think your toddler might fall asleep before you get a chance to change them.

I usually keep a wipe package that’s about half full because it’s less heavy to carry, and I don’t need them often.

Similar to the wipe package idea, I like to put diaper ointment containers that are running low in my bag. In my mind, they weigh less and are less likely to make a big mess if they spill. Plus, diaper cream isn’t always a necessity, so I don’t need a huge amount in the bag.

Pee and vomit bags

Look, I’ll admit, my husband likes to tease me for this. But I’d much rather be overprepared than underprepared. So yes, I keep a stash of emergency disposable bags in the diaper bag at all times. If you’ve ever had to make an emergency side-of-the-road bathroom stop, you’ll understand my comfort in having an alternative on hand. 

I also keep these bags in my car, but I feel better knowing I’ve got spares around. The ones I purchased on Amazon are thin, compact, weigh basically nothing, and therefore take up minimal space. These bags are made to absorb liquid within 45 seconds, so the mess stays in the disposable bag rather than going all over the car. So honestly, I’ll be the last one laughing when these bags save us from a little disaster.

Hair Accessories

Recently, I’ve added additional hair accessories to the bag. I used to keep only a few hair ties in the bag, but now I’ve got a mini hairbrush, a soft headband, and a bag of hair ties.

If your toddler loses hair ties or is constantly messing with their hair on outings, this may be a good solution for you!

 If you have a child with short hair, you can probably get away with just keeping a comb in your bag.

Toys and Books

No one wants to lug around half the playroom in their diaper bag. But I have found that keeping a few small items can keep my toddler entertained while out and about. Something like a small car works well because it’s lightweight and can be used in a variety of ways. Another item is a doll, figurine, or animal of some sort to encourage imaginative play.

Some days, I’ll also add a board book to the bag so I have it as an alternative activity option. But books can be kind of hit or miss depending on your toddler’s interest level, so I recommend choosing one of their favorites if you plan to include one at all.

Spare Clothes

I like to keep one or two spare clothing options in the bag. If I pack two options, I make sure they don’t overlap. For example, I might pack a short-sleeved dress and shorts as one outfit. The next outfit might be a sweatshirt and sweatpants combo. The idea is to be prepared for any scenario.

I prefer to include clothes that are comfy but not too tight. I also choose clothes that won’t be missed from the closet. By “not missed,” I mean the outfits that my child doesn’t reach for or has become less ideal for regular use. This way, I don’t have to worry if they get messed up during an emergency outfit change.

Plastic bags

I tuck a few small grocery store plastic bags into the pack as well. They require minimal space and can be a game-changer in an emergency situation. I’ve found that they’re perfect for:

• Protecting a car seat from a dirty toddler
• Transporting dirty clothes
• Holding trash or dirty diapers for later disposal
• Separating dirty toys or shoes from clean items

Things I no longer keep in my toddler’s diaper bag:

• Pacifiers and teething toys
• Spare shoes
• Dedicated baby snacks
• Noisy toys or an abundance of toys
• Baby utensils

You can either sell, pack away, rehome, trash, or store in your baby’s keepsake box any items listed above that no longer make sense to keep in your diaper bag. In the case of shoes, I like to keep a spare pair in the car rather than the bag since they tend to take up more space.

Things I plan to add with time

• A portable bathroom seat that folds
• A few pairs of training underwear

I’ll need to make adjustments to the bag after my toddler is potty-trained, and I plan to start by adding the items listed above.

The Future of the Toddler Diaper Bag

Creating a secondary emergency pack that I keep in my car has allowed me to downsize my diaper bag. On top of that, I carry it much less frequently now than before. Now I tend to leave it in the car during outings with the intention that I can quickly come back and grab it if really needed. 

In general, I prefer to do diaper changes in my car, where I know the hygiene levels of each surface, rather than a random public restroom. However, I know that will soon change as my daughter potty trains and begins to exclusively use normal toilets.

Once she’s potty trained, the diaper bag will become the “emergency bag,” and I’ll continue to use it so I can be prepared for any uncomfortable moment life throws my way.