How To Organize a Diaper Bag

December 18, 2020

This content was updated for accuracy and relevance on December 25th, 2021.

The ultimate parenting accessory. The box of treasures every new mom relies on for the many, many items your baby needs. We’re talking, of course, about the diaper bag.

When you spend a good chunk of your time with a newborn, it’s likely that you’ll be trading in clutches and wristlets for something with a little more space (and a lot more diapers). New mothers often find their diaper bag turning into their everyday purse, and why not? With so many interior pockets, it’s a no brainer that you’d use it to carry both diaper bag essentials and personal goodies (who says diaper cream and lip gloss can’t be side-by-side?).

If you’re a newcomer to the diaper bag lifestyle, you may be looking for some advice on making the transition from cross-body bag to cross-baby bag.

Fortunately, BÉIS has you covered in the diaper bag organization department. Read on for everything you need to know about how to organize a diaper bag like a pro.

Do You Really Need a Diaper Bag?

Does a fish really need water?

It can feel next to impossible to forge the land of motherhood without a reliable diaper bag. This is especially true for moms with busy schedules. When you’re constantly on the move, it’s going to be tough to keep up with the baby’s dirty diapers when you’re miles away from the comfort of home (and the fancy changing table your aunt picked out from your baby shower registry).

As much as you love staying home with your baby all day, it’s just not practical for most moms. That’s why the right diaper bag essentials are going to be a crucial part of mobile motherhood (because as wonderful as your pride and joy may be, no baby is capable of holding it in when nature calls!).

The Bottom Line: Yes, you need a diaper bag—one that fits your lifestyle.

What Should You Put in a Diaper Bag?

child walking up a see saw with diaper bags on display

Now it’s time to figure out what to put in your baby tote bag. While it might be called a diaper bag, it’s really more like your “everything” bag. Aside from your own personal items, there are a few key things you’ll want to make sure you’ve packed each time you leave the house.

Below is a foolproof diaper bag checklist that will have you prepared for any baby bumps in the road:

Diapers galore – The amount of diapers you pack will usually vary depending on where you’re going. With that in mind, it’s always good to keep some diapers on hand no matter the situation. On average, most babies need a diaper change every two hours or so. If you keep a solid stash of diapers and diaper wipes on hand that will last several days, you should be good to go.
Soothing rash cream – Diaper rash loves popping up at the worst moments, especially when you’re traveling. A long car ride can quickly turn your destination into Rash City, USA. The trick to keeping this literal pain in the butt at bay? Always packing rash and diaper cream in your diaper bag. Keep a travel-sized tube of diaper rash cream on hand for fast relief at any time (and to avoid a tear-filled car ride home)
Extra baby clothes – Diapers are great—but they’re not exactly an impenetrable force field. Sometimes little accidents can turn into big messes. Instead of having to run home every time a diaper fails to do its job, keep an extra change of baby clothes tucked away in your bag! This emergency outfit will save you in times of deep you know what—plus, who doesn’t love a mid-day outfit change once in a while? Work it, baby!
Yummy snacks – Your diaper bag isn’t limited to just—well—diaper-related things. You’ll want to utilize the zippered pouches as much as possible by packing everything your baby might need throughout the day. A heavy weight item on this list? Snacks, snacks, and more snacks. Obviously, if your baby is still on milk or formula, snacks won’t be necessary just yet. However, if you know your little one tends to get the afternoon munchies, it’s best to prepare for this by throwing a few non-perishable num nums into your diaper bag. And hey, worst case scenario, you get to eat the snacks if they don’t want them. It’s pretty much a win-win with this one!

What If Your Bag Can’t Hold Everything?

For larger items that won’t quite fit in your diaper bag, you may need some extra support. Some common examples of additional bags that help carry the rest of your baby load include:

Breast pump bag – Nursing can be a complicated process, and it typically comes with its own set of must-haves. If all your pumping gadgets and gizmos are infringing on your diaper space, opt for a breast pump bag as well. This will give you a place to store shields, tubing, and even some extra milk bags and bottles for breast pumping on the go.

Personal tote – Sometimes you don’t want to share. It’s totally normal to bring along your own purse, separate from the diaper bag. If you’re willing to carry both, this can help keep your belongings more organized.

Lunch box – If you want to bring some cold treats on your outing, a lunchbox is a great option for packing snacks. An insulated lunchbox can also double as a cooler for bottles of milk, a sippy cup, or formula! You may also use a baby bottle bag to keep your baby’s drinks cold.

Diaper bag backpack – Is a backpack more your style? We’ve got you covered. The BÉIS backpack diaper bag is a great option for moms who want a more hands-free changing experience. With tons of pockets, adjustable straps, and even an odor-proof pouch for when there’s no trash can in sight for that dirty diaper. This diaper backpack even has pouches for a pacifier and two extra baby bottles, all tucked away in a sleek, stylish design.

The Bottom Line: While diapers, wipes, a burp cloth and cream are the diaper bag essentials, plenty of moms opt for extras, like snacks and clothes. If your diaper pack is getting full, a second baby bag may be helpful!

How Do You Make Diaper Changes Easier On-The-Go?

Mastering the art of the quick diaper change is a skill that takes practice—but some handy tips and tools don’t hurt either.

When you’re out and about with your baby, you want to be prepared for any diaper-related emergencies. These baby travel essentials can help step up your mom-game, no matter where life takes you.

Portable Changing Pad

Let’s be real, most moms can turn any surface into a changing table (in a pinch). Unfortunately, spur of the moment diaper changes can lead to some awkward conversations when you’re in public—like when the restaurant manager reminds you that the table is for eating, not changing. Of course there’s always the public restroom changing tables, but you can never be sure when those were last sanitized—plus, not every destination will even have a restroom.

That’s where the BÉIS Portable Changing Pad comes in handy. With this lightweight pad you’ll be able to whip up a comfortable diaper change no matter where you are. It has a wide layout that gives your baby plenty of room to roll and squirm (though you’d probably prefer they didn’t), and even a built-in pouch for baby wipes! The best part? It rolls up into a stylish wristlet that can be carried inside your organized diaper bag, diaper backpack, or on its own.

Diaper Bag Organizer

When you’re short on time, the last thing you want is to be rummaging around for lost items (like how pacifiers always seem to disappear when you need them the most). If you’ve opted to transform your regular purse into a diaper bag, you’ll need a way to keep things organized. After all, most bags aren’t built for baby essentials.

The question is, how does one keep their bag neat when there’s so many things in it? Enter: a bag insert! The BÉIS Diaper Bag Organizer is the perfect solution for moms who want organization, without sacrificing style. Multiple pockets provide the space you need for all your baby’s accessories, both large and small. The bag insert even comes with a laptop sleeve for the mom who needs to take business on the go.

If you’re looking to pair down to a single bag, the tote insert is a great way to make your go-to purse more versatile and baby-friendly!

The Bottom Line: Public diaper changes will go smoother with the right tools. A portable changing pad and bag organizer can lighten your load without leaving you ill-equipped.

Elevate Your Diaper Game with BÉIS

To all the moms who believe style and baby wipes can coexist, BÉIS couldn’t agree with you more!

Now that you know what to put in a diaper bag, our wide selection of diaper bags, backpacks, and organizing accessories will have you ready to take on even the toughest changing moments—and look good while doing it. With the right baby gear, and these packing-savvy tips, you’ll be on your way to having the ultimate changing setup.

Just remember to pack extra diapers, wipes, and of course, snacks (for you and your little one). You’ve got this in the bag, mama! Literally.

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