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Beyond diapers and wipes — here are the genius diaper bag essentials you didn’t know you needed.
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For first-time parents, packing a diaper bag might sound simple… until you actually have to do it. Of course, there are the staples: extra diapers, wipes, a changing pad, a pacifier, and a change of clothes for your baby. That’s a great start — but you’re not done yet! When everything is so easy to grab at home, it’s easy to forget the one thing you really need. And let’s be honest, not having that one item can quickly ruin any trip.
After countless messy outings and stressful adventures with my daughter, I realized there were some unusual yet life-saving items I’ll never leave the house without again. Here are the 7 unexpected diaper bag must-haves you’ll be so glad you packed.
When accidents, blowouts, spit up & spills happen, your wet bag is here to save the day. They’re light weight and roll up super small so they take up no room, but when you open them up they can fit so much! Even when the whole family takes a trip to the pool, multiple wet bathing suits are no problem. Liquids and mess stay contained inside, not all over your diaper bag, and the best part is they can go right in the washing machine when you get home.
I seriously love a good washcloth or two in my diaper bag. Baby wipes do work for mess in a pinch, but on sensitive newborn skin, a washcloth is a much gentler option. Now, with my toddler, I use a washcloth to wipe her face and hands from crumbs after a snack on the go. There are times I’ll use one on myself! It’s a great reusable easy option that takes up almost no room - they also weigh less than a full package of wipes!
An emergency kit might look different for every parent, but once you’ve got your essentials down, make sure to keep an easy to find small zipper pouch stocked in your bag at all times (bonus points if it’s a bright color so you can grab it quick and this one has a bunch of cute print options)! Here’s a list of my personal “just in case” must-haves - feel free to adjust for yourself!
*Pro Tip: Make sure to take stock of your kit every couple of weeks to make sure you don’t run out of anything!
Image from Amazon
A Pacifier clip is for so much more than just pacifiers. My daughter stopped using pacifiers at only a few months old, but a clip is still a necessity for my diaper bag. A pacifier clip helps keep anything that can be thrown from hitting the floor. Think: toys, teethers, dolls - attach them to stroller straps or your bag easily.
*Pro Tip: look for one that’s got a stretchy loop at the end that’s super adjustable so you can fit it around anything, whether it’s tiny and thin or a big fluffy stuffed animal, like this one
You’ll always think to bring an extra change of clothes for your baby, but the truth is you need a spare shirt too. Not too long ago I was at my aunt’s house and my girl leaked straight through her diaper when I was holding her leaving me covered in pee. Thankfully my aunt lent me one of hers, but trust me, it’s just a good backup to have when accidents happen to you too. Even better if it’s lightweight and rolls up tight, so it won’t fight for space in your bag!
Yup, you read that right. Your baby will need a diaper change whether you’re near a trash can or not. You can’t just leave a dirty diaper behind, and you definitely do not want it anywhere near the inside of your bag. A little roll of disposable diaper baggies like this is your answer. They’re cheap, compact and keep the mess and smells contained.
A bib is hands down one of my top essential items — but not all bibs are created equal. Traditional bibs that fasten around the neck let drool and food drip right past the collar, which leaves a wet mess on the neckline of your baby’s shirt.
That’s why I invented the Bibbler: it folds over the neckline and fastens through the sleeves to protect shirts where other bibs just don’t. Complete with absorbent cotton on the outside and a waterproof layer on the inside, your baby is fully covered — whether it’s mealtime, drool, or snack time in the car seat.
Wondering about what sets the Bibbler apart from other bibs? Here's how it works!
If your little one is starting solids, or drools through every bib you own, the Bibbler will be the one item you’ll actually be glad you packed. It has saved me countless outfit changes and so much time scrubbing out stains — and I promise it will save you too!
Each one of these unexpected items has saved me countless headaches while out with my baby and I wish I’d had them all packed in my bag sooner. What’s the one thing you always keep in your diaper bag? Drop it in the comments so I can add more parent-tested hacks to my list!
Curious about how the Bibbler was created? Check out my founder story here!
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