Have you always loved clutches? You may need to forget about them for a while. A fan of oversized bags? Well, now you’ll have two to carry with you at all times! When a baby arrives, staying organized becomes essential, and the diaper bag will quickly become your best friend. It’s practically a must-have and will come in handy in so many situations that, as you’ll see, you won’t want to be without it—at least until diapers are replaced by potty training. A diaper bag needs to hold just about everything. But how can you organize it in the best way, so you don’t lose your mind every time you need something? Here’s everything you need to know.

Why is the changing bag so important?

Spending plenty of time outdoors (of course, always taking the right precautions in both winter and summer) is recommended from the very first days of life. Fresh air supports a child’s healthy growth, helps strengthen immune defenses, and pediatricians now agree that a child’s risk of getting sick is more closely linked to staying indoors than to going outside. So, stroller, diaper bag, and off you go—adventure awaits! But what features should a good diaper bag have?

1. It must be spacious , because you’ll quickly see just how many things you need to pack.

2. It must have many , a lot bag . Why having a spacious bag is important, but it’s just as important not to waste time searching for what you need in a space that may be large but far from practical. Pockets and compartments are incredibly helpful for keeping everything separated so you can go straight to your goal when you need it—especially with a crying baby who needs a diaper change, is hungry, or has a runny nose.
   

3. It's better if it has a shoulder strap. . Because when you need it, you might not have anywhere to set it down. Having the option to carry it on your shoulder saves you from having to find a place to rest it.
   

4. Light and soft, but not too much. Lightweight is essential, because you’ll already have a lot to carry, including the stroller or pram, the baby, and all the items you’ll pack inside. It’s also helpful if the bag has a rigid base so it doesn’t collapse on itself, plus semi-rigid walls (not completely rigid) so you can fold it when it’s less full.
   
   

But what should you put in the diaper bag?

Basically, everything you might need—and when you have a small child, “everything you might need” really does mean a lot. Here’s a complete list of what you should pack in a diaper bag to avoid unpleasant surprises once you’re out of the house. Otherwise, you may end up having to turn back!

• Wipes for changing : often, it isn’t possible to wash your baby’s bottom when you’re away from home. Sometimes, you may even need to change your baby directly in the stroller or pushchair. Just imagine being in a park without public toilets or child-friendly hygiene facilities. The LILLYDOO 99% Water Wet Wipes are also suitable for the skin of the little ones and perfect for quick changes on the go.
  

• A portable changing mat or a changing pad Some bags already include one. A portable changing pad is essential for diaper changes outside the home. The portable changing pad or the body for the change are used to lay your baby on a clean surface when using public changing tables, or as a base if you need to change them on any other surface.
  

• Protective cream for diaper change : at every change, a protective cream to help prevent redness is a must. You can also find mini sizes on the market to lighten your load a bit.
  

• Gentle detergent for washing the little one : if you have the chance to wash your baby’s bottom during a diaper change, it’s important to have the right soap, too. For little ones, you’ll need a cleanser suitable for sensitive skin, preferably formulated specifically for children. In case of particular sensitivities, it’s best to consult your pediatrician about the right soap to use. .
  

• A complete change : your child might get dirty, so it’s always best to keep a spare outfit in your bag. body , one tutoring and a pair of socks , as well as a small bag to store any dirty clothes.

• Bib aprons : whether your child is still a baby or has already started weaning, bibs are always a lifesaver.
  

• Extra pacifier : children are Olympic champions at throwing pacifiers. It only takes a second of distraction to find it on the other side of the street! It’s best to always have a spare, so you don’t have to rush home to disinfect the one that fell.
  

• A bottle of water : if you’ve already started weaning and introduced water, a bottle of water should never be missing.
  

• Hand or face wipes : when children are older, they’ll take their first steps, want to touch everything, and maybe even have a snack outside the house—so add hand sanitizer wipes to the diaper bag, too. The LILLYDOO face and hand wipes do not irritate the eyes and contain only 5 ingredients.

• Also insert a diaper holder. , which is perfect for protecting diapers and keeping them from getting wrinkled.

• Tissues for cleaning the little nose.

• Bag for dirty diapers.

• Toy to entertain your child.

Tips for organizing the diaper bag compartments

• Enter the minimum required , because the more you put in the bag, the harder it will be to find what you need when you need it.
  

• Keep the pacifiers in a children's food container.
  

• Use five resealable bags to label , to organize the various items in the bag.
  Also the mesh bags o the pencil cases are excellent organizers for the exchange bag.
  

• Create various kits and keep them at home, adding them to your bag only when you need them. For example: create a summer kit with sunscreen, a hat, and insect spray, or a restaurant kit with items for children, a bib, and a sketchbook, and so on.
  

• Insert some samples instead of full-size products to save space.
  

How to prepare the diaper bag

Here are four simple steps to organize the diaper bag:

1. Open the bag, check each compartment, and empty everything out.
   

2. Get rid of anything you don’t need.
   

3. While the bag is empty, it might be a good idea to clean it.
   

4. Start packing the bag by zones, in the following order:
   
   first the diapers, wipes, changing cream, extra set of clothes, feeding accessories
   (bottle, cup, snacks, bib, burp cloth, etc.)
   , a blanket for sleep
   , entertainment items (toys, books, etc.), and finally, all the essentials for mom (disinfectant, lip gloss, hand cream, snacks, etc.).

For example: dinner out with friends? Bring pajamas. When it’s bedtime, you can change your child even if you’re still at the table; then, once you get home, they’ll already be ready and will just need to be placed in the crib.

And also: do you need to travel? Pack an extra change of clothes, bring a portable changing pad, and carry only mini-sized creams and soaps in your bag.

Are you going to friends’ houses with young children? If they allow you to use some of their products, you can lighten your bag by leaving creams and soaps at home. And if the pacifier ever falls, you can disinfect it right away.

You’ll see—it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it!

Frequently Asked Questions