What To Pack In A Diaper Bag For A Newborn

Forgetting to pack a crucial item in my daughter’s diaper bag when she was first born was my greatest fear! I worried about judgment if we were outside if I would forget to pack a sun hat or sunscreen. Simple items that you may think you won’t forget are easily forgotten with everything else on your mind such as:

• when did the baby eat last
• what time will they need to eat next 
• where will I be at that point in my day
• how many bottles will I need
• will I have access to water for feedings and cleaning 
• what type of clothes should my baby wear for the weather
• do I have enough diapers, wipes, rash cream, a spare outfit, etc

I’ve collaborated with Luli Bebe to share my must-haves when packing a diaper bag for a newborn.

Diaper Bag Checklist for Newborns

I am going to start with the very basics, so the next time you take your little newborn out on an adventure, you can feel confident that you are prepared for any situation to arise.

Diapers

When taking your newborn out for the day, make sure to have plenty of diapers. I prefer to always have at least 5 diapers in the diaper bag at all times when they are this young.  If I’m planning for a long day, I add extras.

Wet Wipes

Don’t forget the wipes! Just in case your little one has a bowel movement while you’re out, you don’t want to be searching for napkins.  Many bathrooms have automatic dryers these days too so paper towels aren’t even readily available as a substitute in a pinch.

Travel Changing Pad

You might find yourself surprised at how many restaurants or retail stores do not have a baby changing table in their bathrooms. It is a great idea to have your own travel pad in case you need to change a diaper on the floor or in your vehicle. My Luli Bebe Diaper Bag came with a travel diaper changing pad!

Disposable Diaper Waste Bags

You are going to love having disposable diaper waste bags! If you are on the go and have no place to dispose of a dirty diaper, it is nice to have little waste bags to toss the diaper in and tie it up tight, so the smell doesn’t stink up your vehicle or the inside of your diaper bag.

Spare Set Of Clothes

It is always a great idea to have one or two sets of spare clothing in your diaper bag. Spare clothes are not always for those blowouts of number two. If your newborn likes to spit up or maybe is a messy drinker, it’s nice to have a clean set of clothes to change them into. ***PRO TIP:  If your baby is a big spitter, have an extra top in the bag for you too! My cousin’s daughter used to spit so bad that she’d have to walk around soaked in spit-up till she started carrying an extra shirt for herself in the diaper bag too. It’s not a bad idea to keep an extra shirt for yourself in case of blowouts too!

Blanket

Sometimes the weather can be a bit unpredictable, so it’s a great idea to have something to snuggle your little one in or cover them up in the car seat when walking through the rain.

Spit Up Rag

While sometimes it’s necessary to catch your newborn’s spit up with his or her blanket, it’s great to have a spit-up rag instead to keep the blanket smelling fresh and clean.

Pacifier

My daughter loved her pacifier even in her newborn stage! Having a pacifier in the diaper bag is great for consoling your newborn until feeding time or maybe being overwhelmed on their big day out of the house. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to pack a spare pacifier just in case one goes missing or gets dirty.

Bottles

Depending on if you breastfeed or not, you will need bottles handy. With formula-fed babies, I prefer to fill the bottles with water from home, then you just need to add in the powdered formula.

Formula

You can pack the whole container of formula if you want, but if you’d like to save some space in your diaper bag, they make formula dispenser containers for you. Some of the formula dispenser containers have dividers so you can even measure out each feeding.

Nursing Cover

For breastfeeding mothers, if you feel necessary, packing a nursing cover is great for privacy.  These covers can often double as a car seat cover or blanket in a pinch.

Breast Pump

My personal choice was to exclusively pump, so a breast pump was on my list of things to pack in the diaper bag for my newborn.

Cooler Pack

If you need to store any milk before your newborn is going to drink it, a cooler pack is great to have to keep the milk at a safe temperature until feeding time. Some diaper bags even have a designated pocket that is insulated for this situation.

Diaper Rash Cream

You never know when your newborn may break out in a rash on his or her bottom, so it is a good idea to be prepared. You don’t want them to feel uncomfortable with a sore rash on your big day out!

Sunscreen

During the summer months, you will need a tube of sunscreen for your newborn. With their sensitive baby skin, always come prepared! I have two sets of sunscreen so there is always one that stays in the diaper bag.

Items For Mommy!

Last but not least, don’t forget about the items you need for yourself! You may need your wallet, sunglasses, a water bottle, chapstick, lotion, maxi pads, nursing pads, Tylenol, extra shirt, and anything to make your day more comfortable for yourself as well!

Whether it is the first time out with your newborn or just the next time you go out, you can feel confident that you are prepared to take on the day away from home! Is there anything else you pack in your diaper bag that makes life easier when taking your newborn out for the day?

Why I Love My Luli Bebe Diaper Bag

I LOVE how the Luli Bebe Diaper Bag looks! I don’t feel like I am carrying around a diaper bag. I love having the front pocket to hold my wallet and keys, so they are easily accessible and I don’t have to be digging around the inside for them. The backpack feature is nice to be hands-free and not always have the strap falling off my shoulder as I carry my daughter. Along with all the inside pockets for organization, you can’t go wrong with a Luli Bebe Diaper Bag!

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Print out this diaper bag for a newborn checklist so you’ll be sure not to miss any of the important items. Click HERE to print it.