The supplies and furnishings available to parents and babies today are a marketplace of cute and innovative paraphernalia. Most of these new items help parents and babies stay comfortable and healthy while on the go. In a busy world, where no one stays still for long, having the essentials ready in an instant is something we all like to have. For parents, it’s even more important. Many of the items suggested below for a diaper bag are common sense supplies, but because of the mobility of babies and their parents, some of these articles may surprise you.
Diaper Bag – Cloth or Plastic
Before you start collecting items for your baby bag, the quality and materials of the diaper bag are factors to consider for durability and eco-friendly sustainability. Choices for healthy materials are fabrics such as cotton, hemp, or bamboo, but if your intention is to recycle the bag for future use, stay away from plastics that have phthalates and lead.
The size and style of the handle and shoulder strap will either make the diaper bag easy to transport, or uncomfortable to carry. Choose a thick strap with padding, and make sure it’s long enough for your body and comfortable carrying. Once you have selected the appropriate bag for your lifestyle, it is time to stock your diaper bag with articles that will keep your baby clean and comfortable.
Diapers – Disposable or Cloth
Convenience and cost seem to be the biggest considerations when choosing to use disposable or cloth diapers. There are plenty of pros and cons for both diaper materials, so the next consideration would be a parent’s lifestyle. If a child goes to a child care facility on a regular basis, there is no doubt that disposable diapers are the most logical choice. Child care attendants do not have the time to deal with diaper cleaning and sanitizing. One of the downsides of disposable diapers is the landfill waste that creates millions of no biodegradable trash.
Cloth diapers have existed since the 1800s, but were improved in the 1940s. There are health benefits to using cloth diapers, but the laundering and storing of soiled cloth diapers can be time consuming unless a diaper service is used. There is also a significant difference in cost between using cloth and disposable diapers. Make sure you consider all the options and do what works for your baby and your lifestyle.
Baby Hygiene Products
Having an ample supply of diapers is just the beginning to keep a baby clean and dry. Disposable wipes come in handy, not only for the obvious reason, but for cleaning baby’s and parent’s hands and filthy surfaces. Small, travel size tubes of diaper rash cream and plastic bags are also convenient items to have for changing a baby’s diaper. Keep a small supply of hand sanitizer in there as well. After you give birth, hospitals and birth services will sometimes provide you with a few basic supplies like this to help get you started.
Food and Drink
A baby’s feeding schedule, especially as an infant and toddler, is quite frequent so a parent never wants to be without bottles, formula, juices, cereal, or baby foods. Older children enjoy portable snacks that they can eat with their fingers. Be sure to store these in containers that won’t open easily and spill in your bag. Bibs help keep a baby’s clothing clean if there is no time to change soiled shirts or pants.
Extra Clothing
If the time away from home is going to be lengthy, it is always helpful to carry some extra clothing in the diaper bag so that a clean outfit is available to replace dirty clothes. Special occasions and holidays are also times when an extra change of clothing may be necessary.
Don’t Forget Mom and Dad
Parents often find it helpful to place some of their personal items in a diaper bag in case a separate bag or purse is not being carried. Unfortunately, some emergency situations do arise, so it is a good idea to list phone numbers of pediatricians, relatives, and employers on index cards and place them in a secure pocket of the bag.
Diaper bags are a staple in the inventory of baby supplies. It is inevitable that you and your baby will need to travel somewhere and having an adequately filled baby bag will make the trip easier and much more enjoyable. So whether you’re reorganizing for a big trip. Planning for your first pregnancy, or preparing a bag for a new adopted baby, make sure you’ve included some of the essentials.
