Summertime Diaper Bag Essentials

When Little Guy was born, our diaper bag was full for every possible newborn need on the go. Then winter came, our outings got shorter, and we whittled our supplies down to the bare minimum of a diaper, some wipes, a wetbag and maybe an extra outfit.

But summer is here! To the park! To the zoo! To the lake! To the friend’s house with lots of lawn and play equipment! To the … you name it!

Since we’re out of the house for longer stretches and Little Guy is increasingly more mobile, I’m finding I need more “schtuff” to make it through the day and not have to improvise at every turn.

Here’s our list of what’s in our everyday and “specialized” bags:

General Diaper Bag
Get a bag that is large enough to hold what you need, but small enough for you to carry whilst wrangling your munchkins. We use the Skip Hop Grand Central.

Diapers: We use Thirsties All-In-Ones or Rumparooz Pocket diapers stuffed with a padfolded Osocozy flat and a Thirsties hemp insert when we’re on the go.

Cloth Wipes and Spray Bottle: Bring extra wipes for everything from changing diapers to wiping down faces and hands before eating to cleaning up spills on the carseat from all the snacks you packed. My favorites are the generic Flannel Baby Wipes – cheap enough that I don’t care if they get “ruined”, but tough enough for any job. A simple travel spray bottle will wet the wipe quickly.

Hat: Since Little Guy likes to take things off (bib, socks, hats …), we’ve opted for one with attachments that he can’t figure out (yet). The Sun Hat by My Swim Baby comes in three colors, and they’re all reversible!

Sunscreen: All natural and small enough to fit in the diaper bag, Episencial Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35 does the trick!

Sunglasses: Mostly for Mama. But lots of kids enjoy having their own set, too! Consider getting sunglass head straps to keep them on your kid and off the nearest lawn, never to be seen again.

First Aid: Little Guy is in shorts all the time, and crawling all over cement, sand, bark, and grass. CJ’s BuTTer helps heal the scuffs and wounds; I put a small amount from our giant tub of Monkey Farts in a repurposed container. Bandages, antiseptic wipes, and BALM! Baby First Aid Balm complete the small stash. The American Red Cross has a full list of items you can keep in your car for emergencies.

Wetbags: If you keep two medium sized wet bags with you, you’ll have one for dirty diapers, and one for wet and/or dirty clothes. We love the PlanetWise in Hoot and Organic Silver Scroll.

Snacks: Healthy, filling snacks are essential on the go, for mamas and babies alike! Avoid crankiness from fluctuating blood sugars and keep your favorite trail mix in Planet Wise’s reusable snack bag, or your little one’s apple slices in their zippered sandwich bags.

Water: Spending your day in the sun can be grand, until you get home and realize how dehydrated you are! Make sure you have age-appropriate water bottles for both you and your little ones.

Extra Clothes: When Little Guy was a newborn, the extra clothes were for when he’d spit up all over himself. Now, they’re for when he’s decided that a dirt patch is the greatest play area ever, and we’re not done with our stops for the day.

Swaddle Blanket: Use it as a swaddle. Tuck it into your car window as a sunshade. Cover car seats when they’re not in use so the buckles don’t get too hot. Lay it out for your little one to play on. Use it as a changing pad. Wipe up spills and messy faces. The uses are endless!

“Specialty” Bag
A duffel, cloth grocery bag, or even a cardboard box in the trunk of your car all work nicely.

Swim Diaper: We’re going with Apple Cheeks’ Swim Diaper – a staple to own multiples of, and definitely a diaper that will get scuffed up a bit from playing in the sand and the dirt!

Swim Shirt: UV Protection at SPF 50+ means no reapplying gobs of sunscreen to your kids’ entire body, just arms and legs. We like the My Swim Baby UV Shirts for the basic colors that go with everything. And not all clothing has UV protection! Live near a pool, wading pool or the beach? Consider getting a couple of these.

Life Jacket: Most city community centers or sporting goods stores will have a sale on these at some point in the season. Get one if you’re going to be in anything deeper than a wading pool!

Stroller and/or baby carrier: Our soft-structured carrier goes wherever we go, and we double check to make sure Little Guy won’t get too hot with our shared body heat and too many layers of clothing. Our stroller comes in handy for longer days when we have lots of things to carry, like a trip to the zoo where we bring our own lunch.

Picnic Blanket: A large blanket (possibly with a waterproof side) or beach towel that everyone can sit on always comes in handy.

Bubbles: Bring whatever outside toys your kids like to play with in the pool, on the lawn, or at the playground. In our house, bubbles, chalk and balls of any size are all sure winners.

There you have it! The summertime essentials for our family.

I’m sure you all have your lists of “must pack this” items for your outings – share your ideas in the comments!

Bio: Stephanie is a wife to Peter and stay at home mom of Little Guy. She loves Jesus, taking care of her family, sunshine, coffee, and a good book. She blogs about life over at The [Almost] Nerdy Wife.


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Summertime Diaper Bag Essentials

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I will show you mine, If you show me yours

I love purses. I always have and probably always will. On the other hand, my wonderful husband is practical and likes to keep things simple. We balance each other out pretty well. So when I was pregnant with Morgan I wanted the prettiest diaper bag out there. I looked at what all the designers offered and just couldn’t decide. My husband, on the other hand made it clear he was not going to carry a “pretty” diaper bag and we really needed to find something practical. I gave in, but we agreed if the practical bag did not work then I can get my “pretty” bag. After doing some research we decided on a backpack diaper bag. It wasn’t pretty, but boy was it practical.

Ahh….the diaper bag. Who would have thought a little bag could rule your life? I sometimes wonder…do I really need everything in here? That question is usually answered when I forget the bag at home. For those readers who don’t know me (which are probably most…if not all) I am not the most organized person in the world, so why would my diaper bag be any different?

Well 18 months later, I am still carrying the backpack. It is so wonderful! The bag itself has 3 big pockets, a small one at the top and 2 bottle pockets on the side. What I carry in it has evolved as my daughter has grown. There is no need for bottles any longer, so I now use those pockets for sunscreen or our own reusable water bottles. The front pocket never really carried anything, but now it is packed full of food. I can’t go anywhere without food for Morgan or myself. The second pocket hasn’t changed much; it still carries clothes that do not match. My poor little girl, if she makes a mess she is not going to match. I am sure I will hear about this when she is 16 and there is no reason not to have matching clothes, it just never works out that way. Finally, the big pocket carries all her lovely fluff, wipes, wet bag and my wallet. I make sure there are at least two diapers in there at all times and I still carry disposable wipes because we are recovering Costco addicts and we purchased a lifetime supply of wipes when they were “on sale”.

Now the small pocket at the top is a catch all. Sometimes it has money, left-over food, lotion, chapstick and because of my stellar organizational skills it probably has my debit card in it. The one I search for in my wallet every time I go to the store with the diaper bag still in the car (yep I am sure I am not the only one that has happened to). My cell phone is always in one of the pockets and I can never find it when I truly need it.

However disorganized I am I am not sure if I can ever rid myself of the diaper bag. It has everything I need…well sometimes. The great thing about being a parent is we have all “been there” and I know that if I forget something another mom or dad is willing to help me out.

Bio: Liz McGarraugh is a 35 year old SAHM of an 18 month old little girl Morgan and is currently pregnant with a second little girl due in July. She has been married to her loving husband for almost 3 years and currently resides in Katy, TX with her cat Otto and dog Buddy The Elf.

I will show you mine, If you show me yours

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My Diaper Bag Isn't Perfect

While pregnant with my newest addition, I watched a video online of a mom who easily packed her very small diaper bag with her two kids’ cloth diapers and all the essentials she needed for a day out. After that video, I was convinced that finding and filling my diaper bag with cloth diapering essentials would be easy, painless, and fun. While I was still pregnant, we decided to cloth diaper and I jumped in feet-first. I made all the initial purchases of cloth diapers, cloth wipes, diaper spray, wetbags, snappies, and more. In order to carry all of this stuff, I then set out to find a diaper bag that would fit my needs. I now have a newborn in cloth diapers and a (mostly) toilet-trained four year old. Since my older child use ‘sposies, we had a pretty small diaper bag for him so I knew the diaper bag for my new baby would need to be bigger and better in order to hold all my cute fluff, as well as some basics for my older kid. I set out to find the perfect diaper bag. I thought it would be just as fun as picking out all the cute fluffy stuff!

Admittedly, I purchased (and then returned) at least half a dozen diaper bags, searching for the perfect bag that fit all of my criteria. I didn’t think my list was that long: 1) outside pocket(s) for cell phone, keys, and wallet; 2) long pocket across the back of the bag to hold the diaper changing mat; 3) big enough on the inside to hold at least four cloth diapers, wipes, and a wetbag; 4) have a long shoulder strap AND short handles; 5) be gender neutral (we didn’t know the gender of our baby before he was born AND my husband would also be carrying the bag so it would need to fit any and all situations). I would shop and find a bag that seemed to fit my criteria and bring the bag home to test it. I would pile up everything I wanted to put into the bag, then try to stuff it all in the bag and see if it fit while still being functional. In addition to the diapers and accessories I would need to carry, I also needed to fit in a receiving blanket, burp rag, a small container of disposable wipes, an outfit change and an extra pair of socks for the baby, and anything else I thought I would need for a day out. I’m a chronic over-packer so I tried really hard to only pack the absolute essentials.

My baby is now eight weeks old and I have committed to a diaper bag. It’s not perfect, but for now it’s working. It’s army green so it’s essentially gender neutral and as a bonus, it hides dirt and poop that happens to get on it; it has a long shoulder strap and short handles which makes it easy to carry in any situation; it has a large back pocket for my changing mat; it has plenty of outside pockets for my wallet, keys, cell phone, and a few extras; and it has adequate inside space. The bag isn’t perfect (I don’t think I’ll *ever* be able to find the perfect bag) but it works pretty well. I’ve carried four pocket diapers, two prefolds, and a cover in the bag along with a wetbag, half a dozen cloth wipes, a four-ounce bottle of diaper spray, two receiving blankets, a burp rag, a small travel case of wipes, two onesies, two pairs of socks, a package of “pacifier wipes,” my wallet, my cellphone, my car keys, and a 20 ounce water bottle. I’ve also recently started carrying a ring sling in the bag as well. It’s certainly a tight squeeze and the bag doesn’t always zip closed, but it fits. If I ever two babies in cloth diapers or stop breastfeeding and have to carry bottles and formula….well, maybe I’ll just have to go diaper bag shopping again!

Angela is a lucky mom to two amazing sons: a newborn and a four year old. Living in a small town that isn't cloth diaper friendly, Angela spends a lot of time online researching cloth diapers and trying to convince her husband to buy "just one more cloth diaper" to try out.

My Diaper Bag Isn't Perfect

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How To Pack a Trim Diaper Bag

When we were shopping for diaper bags my husband insisted on a small black one. “I don’t want to carry something that looks like a purse” he said. Since he was so supportive with my plans of natural childbirth, breastfeeding and cloth diapering, I acquiesced. It really was a small request.

Fast forward a few months and that small diaper bag is actually a huge blessing. It’s a lot easier to haul around a 3 month old when you have a lightweight bag that fits easily into the stroller, and doesn’t put much extra weight on your back. Having a small bag has also forced me to pack efficiently. Here are some tips

1) Pack your trimmest diapers: In our house those are 2 GroVia Shells with Organic Cotton Soakers snapped in, 2 additional soakers, and 4 disposable bio soakers. When flying or on a day trip I up the cotton soaker count to 4. That’s 10 diaper changes, an entire day’s worth, in one bag!

2) When possible, roll things up and store them vertically: Stored this way a nursing cover, Planet Wise wet bag, premium sized prefold (for a burp cloth), receiving blanket, and pint sized zip- top bag of pre moistened cloth wipes fit easily into the main compartment with our cloth diapers.

3) Breastfeed: Do you really need another reason? While I understand this doesn’t work for everybody, it’s nice not to haul bottles and formula around town.


4) Make the most of extra pockets: This is how all the little extras stay within easy reach. The front pocket of my bag is my purse, holding a wallet, coupons, phone, car keys, etc. The side pockets contain our camera, some dry cloth wipes for spit up emergencies, hand sanitizer, sunglasses (mine) and a sun hat (hers). Inner pockets keep CJs butter, a backup outfit, and a travel pack of antibacterial wipes handy. (Those antibacterial wipes are key. Have you seen the public changing stations?? You know what happens there. Clean before and after every change.)

5) Keep it stocked: Every other day after putting away the diaper laundry, I take a moment to restock and reorganize the diaper bag. This is probably the most challenging part of keeping it all together, but also the most important. I once changed an extra poopy diaper and then realized that our wet bag had been left at home. I ended up carrying that dirty diaper around in a black 55 gallon trash bag for the rest of the day!

When you pack only the essentials, there is plenty of room for extras. Depending on the occasion, I’ve also thrown in my e-reader, some children’s books, a knitting project, the Moby wrap, snacks, or a light jacket for mom. It all still fit!

Melissa Lindsey is taking a short hiatus from her nursing career to care for her infant daughter and move across the country. In the short space between Evelyn's bedtime and her own she enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her fabulous husband.

How To Pack a Trim Diaper Bag

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Magic Mary Poppins Diaper Bag

When I think of my diaper bag, I have a Mary Poppins moment, wishing so desperately that I could look so assembled and tidy with a small bag that I could whip a lamp or a bed out of in a moment’s notice.  Generally, however, I think I look more like a frazzled mom digging furiously for little E’s favorite toy, a clean diaper, wet bag, and wipes to conquer the task at hand as quickly as possible!

The problem is that I like to pack everything in my diaper bag just in case.  You just never know when you might need some CJ’s BUTTer, infant Tylenol, or an extra outfit or pair of socks!  If I left the house without those things, however, I’d probably survive, but I’m not sure I’d survive without these five staples:

• A wet bag.  I love my Bummis and Planet Wise wet/dry bags and have different sizes (and colors, of course!) for different outings. 
• A changing pad.
• Diapers.  And not just any diapers, but cute diapers.  (Because let’s admit it – all cloth diaper addicts linger maybe just a little bit longer in public restrooms while changing their little one’s sweet tushie in hopes the mama next to you might notice how adorable those cloth diaper bottoms really are.)  And maybe I’m just a little on the *over prepared* side, but I like to pack lots of extra diapers.  I generally throw in a flip cover with several stay-dry inserts, and maybe a Bum Genius pocket diaper or two… (or my new personal favorite: the Bum Genius Freetime diaper!).  The Freetime diaper is my go-to diaper for babysitters or the church nursery.  LOVE IT. 
•  Toys.  Always good for a distraction!
• Wipes.  I go back and forth between my Planet Wise flannel wipes and homemade wipes with Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion potion in my Planet Wise Wipe Pouch with an adorable owl print. 

Then… add some gas drops, a snuggle blanket, maybe a baby carrier, lotion, a bib, some baby food, my wallet, a hair bow or two, an extra shirt for me in case there’s a burp-gone-bad…

I like to be prepared! :)

So maybe I’m not quite as poised as Mary Poppins, but we seem to have the same philosophy – you can never pack too much!

Bio: Molly is a stay-at-home mama with a love for all things baby, family, cloth diapering and blogging.  As a former teacher, she loves to help others discover the world of cloth diapering, frugal living, and how to fit everything in a diaper bag!

Magic Mary Poppins Diaper Bag

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Diaper Bag, Diaper Bag, I Can't Stuff No More

Every wonder what is in everyone else's diaper bag? I know I have! Every time I see someone carrying a diaper bag, I find myself wondering what's inside. I know with using cloth it seems like you have to have everything with you. Or you have to have a huge bag to hold it all. Well after having several bags, I found the perfect one. My diaper bag is nothing more than your average tote. I paid $15 for it and it is awesome. It holds all my fluff without problem. The inside is wipeable! No more messes to clean for me.

Now that I have my ultimate diaper bag, it is time to pack it up and put it in the car. What will I put in this diaper bag, you ask? Well here is a break down of the things I use in my diaper bag.

-2 Flip covers with microfiber inserts
-2 Thirsties DUO AIO's
-4 WAHM Cloth wipes
-2 extra sleepers
-2 sample size jars of CJ's BUTTer
-1 Spray bottle of my home made wipe solution
-1 package of Flips disposable inserts
-6 Bummis flushable liners
-1 Small Bummis wet bag.

When on the go we try to keep things simple. We also like to keep our bag stocked so we don't have to pack it every time we leave the house.

The Flips are a great diaper with multiply options for inserts. We use our microfiber inserts in them but always have the disposable inserts on hand. That way we don't have to worry about not having enough diapers.

The Thirsties are another great option for us. They are all one piece and are smaller than most of our pockets. They save some room in the diaper bag for other goodness. No stuffing to add or remove. We just add one of our flushable liners to them to make cleaning a dirty diaper that much easier.


We never go anywhere without our CJ's BUTTer. That stuff works for everything. From cuts and scrapes to diaper rash, it has us covered. Our 2 sample jars fit perfectly in a tiny pouch attached to our bag's handle.

Our wipes are WAHM made and are amazing. It only takes one wipe to clean even the biggest blow out. They are flannel backed with terry cloth and OBV.


We keep 2 extra sleepers in our bag. Plenty in case of a blow out or messy baby. Since they are one piece changing him is a breeze.

Finally, you can't forget about our Bummis wet bag. This thing is awesome. It attaches right to the bag's handle. It holds up to 3 of our dirty diapers. We never have an issue with storing our dirty diapers!


Yes we keep our bag well stocked with everything we need. We never run out of anything. It is plain and simple but we love our diaper bag system and it leaves little room for clutter.
I showed you mine. Now what does your diaper bag look like?

By Lisa K.

Diaper Bag, Diaper Bag, I Can't Stuff No More

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Dada's Diaper Bag

The first baby item DH bought before DD arrived was his Surfer Baby Ultimate Diaper Bag. He took this purchase very seriously and scoured the Internet to find the perfect bag to meet his high criteria. It had to be able to hold all of his necessities for a hike, organize our baby’s needed items, and, most importantly, it couldn’t look anything like a diaper bag. So he chose the one-shoulder backpack and it has quickly become my favorite bag as well.

Organization is the key to success when cloth diapering. I use a few extra accessories to make the stash easily accessible. There’s a Wahmies wet bag for soiled diaps and a small sack of 10 Planetwise Wipes in another wet bag. The side pocket carries a spray bottle to wet the wipes. I repurposed the plastic zippered bag my drapes came in to hold 4-6 diapers. The diaper bag also came with a large surfboard-shaped changing pad. I quickly grab all these changing tools and get everything unzippered before I start. The roomy inside pocket makes it easy to store all this and more.

I have a spare outfit for baby, tshirt for Mama, and a receiving blanket to keep DD warm or cover up nursing in a pinch. I also never leave home without my keys, cell phone, and wallet which each have a special spot in the bag. There’s room for a Nalgene in the mesh side pocket and it has a cooler pouch to store expressed milk. I stash hand sanitizer and snacks, while DH keeps a flashlight and a few first aid items in there.

One of the most convenient features of the bag is the small, detachable sack. It’s the perfect size to store what we need for a single diaper change. This is great for a quick walk or a diaper change in a confined space (think airplane.) Another option is to carry camera gear in it.

So far, even though DH got to pick our go-to bag he has successfully avoided on-the-go diaper changes. He reminded me that men’s restrooms are typically gross, so I forgive him for that. Either way, it’s nice to have a bag he’s proud to carry.

BIO: Jeannette is a budget-conscious mama with a degree in Design and Merchandising from Drexel University. She's realizing every day that her daughter is more like her active husband so she's glad to have a diaper bag she won't mind getting dirty.

Dada's Diaper Bag

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My Super-Trim Diaper Bag!

We always talk about how trim diapers are under clothes, but I'm more interested in how trim my diaper bag can get!

With a 2 year old and a 2 month old in diapers, having enough cloth in one bag for a day's outing was bulky and not working out very well.  I could have purchased a bigger diaper bag, but I am addicted to my Skip Hop Duo!  (And I reeeally didn't want to carry around a bigger bag!).

Enter the GroVia diapers!

When I pre-snap 2 shells with soakers in the center of the bag, there is still room for 2 soakers in each interior pocket.  That means no fumbling around for an insert when I need it.  When I pack it this way, there is a total of 6 diaper changes in my bag!  That is enough changes to get us through a full day of activity!

The amazing benefits of having these diapers especially for my diaper bag are that I don't have to worry about packing the right size for both kids.  (This makes my husband really happy...I can't seem to remember very much!).  Plus, I love to advocate cloth diapers, and GroVia is such a user-friendly option for showcasing the ease of cloth diapering.

There is also enough room in the bag for other necessities:

- Wet Bag (I love my Fuzzi Bunz).
- Wipes in front pocket for easy grabbing.
- Planet wise snack bags with trail mix or crackers.
- Muslin receiving blanket (perfect for a nursing cover).
- Sippy cup.
- 2 changes of clothes for baby.
- A handful of small toys/books.
- My wallet!  (If I can find it somewhere around here!).

Of course, sometimes I throw in one of my other diapers to coordinate with their outfits, but for a full day out, this is what works best for us.  I'm happy that I have a super-trim diaper bag ready with cute fluff!

By Julie G.

My Super-Trim Diaper Bag!

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How To Pack Your Cloth Diaper Bag

How To Pack Your Cloth Diaper Bag

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My Diaper Bag: Double Duty

I am currently cloth diapering two children and this means I need some serious space in my diaper bag.  Although they do take up more space, cloth diapers are not hard to use when out and about.

I currently use Vera Bradley’s diaper bag that I got on an after Christmas sale a couple of years ago.  I love the roominess and built in pockets.  I love that I can put in several pockets/inserts and still have room for my wallet, wipes, and other necessities.  Another plus is that this bag came with a cloth diaper changer that is machine washable.

Here are some things I include in my diaper bag:  wet bag, 2+ diapers per child, Grandma El’s diaper rash cream (I have a child with food allergies, and rashes on his bum are part of the fall-out), cloth wipes, ring toys for the baby, lightweight change of clothes, nursing clover up, a burp cloth, crayons, scrap paper, and bubbles.  I always keep extra things to do in the diaper bag for those “moments” we all have as moms.  Travel size bubbles, like those given out at weddings, are a GREAT distraction for my kids.  I simply re-fill them when they run out or get spilled.  There isn’t enough in them to be any great problem if they do spill, and it is soap water…no harm done!

I keep the “extra” stuff in my interior side pockets, and my diapers/wet bag in the main part so I can easily grab them.  My wipes I usually keep on the inside also, but it can also be beneficial to have them on an outside pocket…always those times where little hands and noses need wiped.  Cloth wipes are great for just that.  I love that my cloth wipes (I make my own solution from a recipe I found at Kelly’s Closet) don’t have added chemicals, so I feel free to wipe their faces and not worry.  I keep my cloth wipes in a “regular” travel wipes container.  I check them before we leave the house and if they are dry, just add a little more water.

Sometimes though we are just taking a quick trip to the library or grocery, and I don’t really need several diapers.  In that case, cloth diapers are SO handy.  I simply take along a small wet bag.  Into the wet bag I put my wipes container,, a one-size pocket, and an insert.  If someone does need a change while we are out, I simply snap my one-size to whoever needs it and adjust the insert accordingly.  My Bum Genius diapers work great for this very thing!

I know other cloth diaper moms who only use cloth them at home, not out in public.  I find that not only do I continue to help the environment/our budget/their bums by using cloth outside of the home, I also am able to answer questions others have about cloth diapering and help spread the love!

By Jenney

My Diaper Bag: Double Duty

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Packing a Smarter Cloth Diapering Diaper Bag

Families are on the go more than ever these days, and diaper bags have become survival bags for many parents. Not wanting to get caught out of the house without a baby necessity, we try to pack everything into our diaper bags….and if you use cloth diapers that means a lot of thinking and planning ahead to avoid an over-stuffed, bulging diaper bag.

So what to do? Pack a smart diaper bag and include items that can do double duty. And get in the habit of checking the bag when you get home, refilling what’s necessary and getting the soiled diapers into the diaper pail, so you’re never caught without something or with a smelly bag! Here’s a list of suggestions:

• Look for specially-designed wet bags and keep them in your diaper bag to hold the dirties. These lightweight bags keep the odor in and you just toss them into the diaper pail with the diapers when you get home – they go in the wash right with your diapers!!
• If you are using cloth wipes, just wet a few and put them small wet bag (like the PlanetWise Wet Bag size small) for use when you’re out. Put the used cloth wipes right into your other wet bag with your dirty diapers… it’s still just one dump into the laundry pail.
• What you pack for mealtime depends on the age of your baby. Include a bib, bottle or sippy cup, food container and spoon. Cheerios or another healthy snack in a sandwich bag can be a lifesaver. A small water bottle will also come in handy. Keep all of your food and eating accessories together in a small bag (another wet bag would work) to avoid messes and keep the food from coming in contact with the icky stuff.
• Toss in a small clutch purse for your own personal items, it’ll save you from bringing a large purse along in addition to the diaper bag.
• Pack a favorite toy and book to entertain your baby while you’re busy. I like to keep some favorites in the diaper bag, so my son only sees them when we are out and still gets excited about them!
• A few more necessities like sunblock, a hat and a stain stick go a long way to preventing meltdowns. I also throw in a couple reuseable grocery bags – the kind that fold down into a little ball. They are lightweight and we always seem to find a good use for them.
  

Packing a smart diaper bag can make or break your outings with your baby. But when you pack light and only include what you really need, you’ll get out of the house faster and spend less time searching around for things in the bag.

Contributed by : Sarah F.- Communications Manager for http://www.DiaperShops.com

Packing a Smarter Cloth Diapering Diaper Bag

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Make Room For Cloth: What's In Your Diaper Bag?

After a painful 22 hours of labor, my first daughter was born. I was so excited to start showing her off in the cute clothes, the darling accessories, and of course, the cute little diaper bag I received at my baby shower. Much to my disappointment, those cute little bags failed to hold what I thought were much needed essentials. Four years, two more kids, and a frugal switch to cloth diapers later, presented me opportunities to learn to how to keep my cargo light, yet efficient.

Cloth diapers are naturally bulky, taking up precious space. Therefore I highly recommend the Gro-Baby diaper system. With one diaper on my child, all I need is one additional shell and two soakers. Toss in a wet bag, a few cloth wipes, and bumGenius diaper spray (in a 2.5 oz spray bottle I found at a local drug store), and I have everything I need!

When my son is only wet, I just spray and wipe with toilet paper from the bathroom (Saves the wipes for messes!). Just in case, I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on hand for those incontinent diaper changes. My Maya wrap replaces the need for a nursing cover and a blanket - and since it's conveniently located in my car it's always readily available which also allows for the much needed space in my bag. When I was nursing, all I really needed was some nursing cream- stored in a lip gloss container.. Now that I've switched to bottles, I pack one bottle with enough warm water for one feeding. Although there are formula containers on the market, I’ve found using a recycled M&M minis container can hold 4 oz of formula comfortably. I also have a travel toothbrush with dish soap on the tip in the event I need to wash the bottle.

Other accessories I ditched were my daily planner, camera (replaced by my phone), extra clothes (I leave those in the car), and toys. Instead of toys, I've found the best way to keep a child happy is to engage them in the activity at hand. Playing games like I Spy or Peek-a-Boo help greatly! I do bring a snack cup filled with a healthy snack which hangs on one of the key rings outside my bag. I also found a small container (for pacifiers), which I drilled holes into and hang from a key clip as well. Now with a diaper bag full of essentials, all I need is my wallet, and I’m ready to go!

-- by Crystal H.

Make Room For Cloth: What's In Your Diaper Bag?

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Cloth Diapering on the Go

I clearly remember the first time I changed a cloth diaper away from home. It was June 2008, and I was out with my two sons, (then 26 months and 3 months old), and my mother who was visiting from out of state. We had just finished lunch and were headed back to the car when I noted that it was time to change the baby’s diaper. I proceeded to lay Brendan down on the floor of the van behind the driver’s side seat and pulled out my diaper bag. I grabbed a Moonbeam bumGenius One Size 3.0 pocket diaper, my wet bag and some wipes. (At the time I was very new to cloth diapering and hadn’t made the switch to using cloth wipes yet.) I changed his diaper, rolled the wet diaper up and tossed it into my wet bag for the ride home. It was just as easy as changing a disposable diaper and I didn’t have to look for a place to throw away the soiled diaper. My mom was quite impressed with the bumGenius diaper, as when I was a baby, she cloth diapered me with prefolds, pins and “plastic pants”.
Since that day, I’ve changed countless cloth diapers while out and about. Some of the more memorable ones include, various zoos, Disneyworld, an airplane bathroom, the beach…the list goes on and on. It’s interesting to see the reactions of some people when they see that my children are cloth diapered. I think the most common comment I hear is, “Wow, that’s a cute diaper, is that a special brand?” I think most are surprised when I tell them they are reusable cloth diapers. Of course, my printed Blueberry Minky One Size diapers tend to get the most comments since the jaguar and cow prints are just downright irresistible. I’m not sure if anyone has gone home to do research on cloth diapering after encountering my cloth diaper change, but I guess you never know, right?

Now that I only have one child in diapers, my diaper bag is pretty basic when we’re out and about. I usually carry 1-2 bumGenius One Size 3.0 pocket diapers or Blueberry One Size pocket diapers, a wet bag, 3-5 cloth wipes, and a bottle of wipe solution. Although my cloth diaper stash includes everything from flats and prefolds to fitteds, all in ones and pockets, I tend to grab my pockets for on the go use. They seem to be the most absorbent and easiest to deal with while away from home. If we’re going to be away from the house for more than just a few hours, I will also throw a few extra diapers and wipes in a canvas bag to keep and stash it in the van. I’d rather make a trip to the car to restock, than carry an overstuffed diaper bag all day long.

-- by Katrina W.

Cloth Diapering on the Go

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Double Duty Bagging

I use two different systems for diaper bags.

The first one is my purse that I got big enough to also put everything I need in it for diapering my daughter. If I am just out for the morning or out running quick errands this is what I use.

Inside you will find:

-Wet bag
-Change of clothes for baby
-Couple Diapers
-Pacifier case w/pacifiers
-Changing pad
-Wipes Case w/cloth wipes
-Reusable bags for shopping
-My stuff (wallet, checkbook, keys, gum, chap stick, jump drive, phone)

If I plan on spending the day out and about, then I back a separate diaper bag and baby stuff is transferred over to that bag.

Inside this bag you will find:

-Wet Bag
-Changing pad
-4-6 diapers
-baby change of clothes
-Blanket
-Wipes case w/cloth wipes
-Pacifier holder w/pacifiers
-Change of bottoms for 3 year old
-Change of bottoms for 5 year old

I keep my stuff in my purse and just have two bags those days. In my purse I am able to put things next to each other so I can see everything. In my other bag I have to stack everything and that make digging for everything inevitable. I do try to stack it though with the least like to use on the bottom and the things that will have to be use on top. On the bottom of the bag you would find the bigger kids change of bottoms, as that is more cautionary then anything. The baby’s change of clothes and blanket would be next and the diaper changing stuff and soothing things on top. Sometimes you will also find a baby wrap in there too.


- By Angela S.

Double Duty Bagging

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Mary Poppins...A peek into my diaper bag

As cloth diapering mommies, we all know how important having the right diaper bag can be. But, when I purchased my first bag (before my daughter was even born) all I knew about diaper bags was that I wanted it to match my travel system. Looking for functionality never even occurred to me. Once I started taking trips out of the house with my daughter, I quickly began to realize how un-functional was the diaper bag that I chose.

While there were indeed allot of pockets in the bag, the changing pad took up most of the interior room and of course, being a first time mommy I felt the need to carry MANY "just in case I need it" items....actually, I still do....I like to be prepared. And I'm not into carrying multiple bags around so, I also put my wallet and some personal belongings into the bag. So it was a tight squeeze and trying to quickly fish a diaper, wipes and ointment out of a tightly packed bag with one hand and holding a wriggling, crying baby with the other proved to be difficult and stressful. (We were not even using cloth yet). Often times the bag was so full I could not even pull the zipper closed, causing contents to fall out on a regular basis. Then, (due to unfortunate medical reasons) I had to quit nursing my daughter and so bottles and formula dispensers were added to my list of things to toss in my bag. At that point I HAD to get a new bag and fast!

Before setting out to get a new bag I sat down and made a list of the must-have features that I wanted in my bag:

*Outside pocket for changing pad

*Roomy Interior w/ lots of pockets...and I mean ROOMY

*Exterior side bottle pockets

*Strap long enough to hang bag over the stroller handles.

*Something chic & trendy...NOT babyish.

*Metal feet to help protect the bottom from excessive wear and tear.

Amazingly, when I arrived at the store, the first bag I saw had all of my must-haves and a huge bonus...it was pink and brown...like my stroller/travel system. It was the Carter's All the Works Diaper Bag. I still perused over the other bags they had to offer just to make sure I was not making an impulsive decision. Then I removed all of the contents from my diaper bag and put them into the carters bag to test it out. Oh my goodness!!!! I managed to get 2 bottles, 5 diapers, 1 formula dispenser, a large wallet, a wipes case, rash ointment, teething tablets, hand sanitizer, infant Motrin, infant Tylenol, infant gas medicine, lip gloss, Neosporin spray, sunblock, extra bottle liners (Playtex drop-ins) a burp cloth AND a change of clothes all into the bag...ALL easily accessible w/ out having to take something out to get to an item. AND there was still some room. It also came w/ a matching wet bag for dirty duds & an insulated bag (which I never really used). I was sold....it was the perfect bag!

When I first purchased the bag I took it to the mall and had my daughters initials embroidered onto the front of the bag so it looks very "Pottery Barn Baby chic" without the Pottery Barn Baby price. And when she is older this bag will make a great little overnighter bag for her if she ever stays over at Grandmas, a cousins or a friends house for the night. So, I figure that I will get more than my moneys worth out of this bag.

Several months later I became a cloth diapering Mama and the bag still remains more perfect than ever. I can fit everything mentioned above in addition to 5-6 cloth diapers & a cleansing spray (which I use after poopies to freshen her little bum). And now that my daughter is older, sippy cups have taken the place of bottles and snacks have taken the place of the formula dispenser.

It's like Mary Poppins bag...I could just keep pulling items out of my bag because it holds SO much. As you can see in the picture, there is still room at the top of the bag....no problems zippering this bag.

Now that I have been learning how to sew, when we have the next baby, I will be making my own diaper bag with all of the great features I love. In fact, I just hosted a baby shower for my cousin and my gift to her was a diaper bag which I made....with a matching wipes case and changing pad. I loved it so much I was tempted to keep it. But....it doesn't match my stroller...LOL ;) Here is what her bag looked like....

- By Amanda G

Mary Poppins...A peek into my diaper bag

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Gro Baby GROW!

With so many cloth diapers to choose from, many of them having similar qualities and options, it’s refreshing to find a diaper which is truly distinctive. The Gro Baby diaper certainly stands out from the sea of diapers out there!

I had planned on purchasing one of these nifty diapers but a wonderful and thoughtful friend sent me one as a gift. What a wonderful surprise! I was so excited to finally give this diaper a test wear!

Since the organic cotton soakers had to be prepped, and I had no other items requiring prepping at the time, I decided to wait to wash the soakers and tested the “shell” by itself.
So, for the first couple weeks I used the Gro Baby shell as a diaper cover with my Kiwi Pie Fitteds (another wonderful Natural Baby Company product) and it worked phenomenally well.

A couple weeks later I had finally collected enough items to go through the prepping process for the soakers. I was able to test the diaper as a whole once the soakers were fully prepped (after about 7 washes). I like how the elasticized insert allows itself it to fit on the smaller settings but stretching to fit the larger settings.

The Gro Baby is trim, super absorbent, soft and comfy! Yes, they are cut a tad on the small side for a one size diaper; so if your little one is in the higher end of the percentile for their height and weight, then it’s possible this diaper may not fit until potty training (but most babies do start thinning out after 12 months when they begin walking… My little man is 6 months old and just over 19 pounds, and 28” long (90th percentile). He can wear the medium sized setting on the Gro Baby (I use the largest setting if I’m using it as a cover for the Kiwi Pie Fitted).

One of the best features about this diaper is the "revolutionary" soft loop closure. It doesn’t rub/dig into the belly like some other diapers do… and since you’re able to wrap the tabs over onto one another (in either direction) you can get just the right fit!

Additionally, these diapers will reduce a LOT of bulk from the diaper bag. No more stuffing 2-3 diapers into your not-so-cloth-diaper-friendly diaper bag… simply stuff a couple inserts and one additional shell into your bag and it takes up a lot less space!

I would LOVE to see these diapers offered in a larger variety of colors! The Gro Baby diaper is a wonderful staple for any cloth diaper stash.


Note: As pictured, the kiwi color pairs well with the pair of Phinney BabyLegs!

-By Serena

Gro Baby GROW!

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Product Focus: Hulla Bags

A short description of Hulla products, when it was invented, and the types of materials it is made of.
I started sewing totes and handbags about three years ago when I was given my great-grandmother's sewing machine for Christmas. What I was most interested in at the time was making totes. I just sat down at the machine and began sewing. I started making my own patterns and practicing my technique every day. Soon I had more bags than I knew what to do with, so I opened my first Etsy shop, "Hullabaloo." Hulla bags tend to be made out of brightly colored or patterned cotton upholstery fabrics with coordinating cotton interiors. The insides are also strengthened with interfacing, which is a product that attaches to a fabric to make it sturdier. Almost all of my bags close with a velcro flap.

Why choose Hulla?
All of the bags at Hulla are handmade, unique creations and I take pride in making them to my best capacity. They are sturdy, multi-purpose bags that always draw attention. The bags are machine washable, which adds to their convenience factor. Also, I love to do custom orders. One of the things I enjoy most is collaborating with customers! I am more than willing to make something to a customer's specifications, add more pockets, different straps, make a certain size/style of bag. I think it is fun to take and idea and bring it to life, and I love how happy people get when they have a new, beautiful bag.

A brief intro about Hulla and about the inventor
I initially opened the shop (Hullabaloo) three years ago on Etsy, but closed the shop last year due to being too busy to put serious time into it. I reopened under the moniker of Hulla this year, and Im loving having the opportunity to make and sell things I love.

I'm a social worker, but I'm not working right now. I spend most of my time sewing--although lately its been hard to sew bags because all I want to do is sew diapers for my baby-to-be (I'm 5 months pregnant!) and obsess about cloth diapers on the internet. When I am not sewing, I can be found hanging out with my husband, irritating him with my crazy home decorating projects, and watching lots of television on DVD. I also am loving listening to relaxing bands like Counting Crows and the Dave Matthews Band and indulging in my guilty pleasure--young adult science fiction novels.

Product Focus: Hulla Bags

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