lyric fergusson in mexico with kids

27 Top Diaper Bag Packing List Items for 2026 + What NOT to Bring

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There are so many things to think about when you have little ones in diapers. And being caught off guard when you’re out-and-about without the things you need….well, that’s a predicament! I can recall numerous times being unprepared when our son was young. There’s so many things we just didn’t think of needing until it was too late.

For that reason, I’ve put together a diaper bag packing list that includes must-have items, plus some extras you might want to consider bringing. I’ve also included my top diaper bag recommendations that can hold up to the challenge. When it comes to going out with small children, live by the old motto: Always Be Prepared!

Our family visiting the Grand Canyon during our road trip across the USA.
Our family visiting the Grand Canyon during our road trip across the USA.
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What to Pack in a Diaper Bag — 27 Essentials

  • 1. Snoofy Bee

    Snoofy Bee

    Baby’s wandering hands can make diaper changes a challenge. This take-along changing station by Snoofy Bee puts to rest the struggles that new mothers face. The sides fold up to create a barrier, blocking those curious hands. You can also attach hanging toys to the clips, to keep your child occupied while you clean him/her up. The best part: it folds up so small, that it can fit in even the smallest of diaper bags.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 2. Wet Dry Bags

    Wet Dry Bags

    Now that I have children, there’s no leaving the house without a wet-dry bag, preferably this one by ALVA. Inevitably there will be clothing changes taking place (no matter how brief the outing!), and this bag has a separate pouch for wet and dry clothing. The protective liners keep the dry items dry, and the wet items away from everything else. This one by ALVA is lightweight and has durable zippers. And since it comes with a one year guarantee, it’s hard to pass up!

    View on Amazon.com

  • 3. Reusable Snack Bags

    Reusable Snack Bags

    Toddlers get hungry so much more than we do, so packing snacks for even the simplest excursions is essential. Reusable snack bags are better for the environment, and these ones by Qinline are also BPA-free and made of food-grade material. I enjoy that they are freezer-safe as well, so we can freeze some fruit ahead of time and throw it into the diaper bag on the way out the door. They’re super easy to wash and the colorful zippers appeal to small tots.

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  • 4. Portable Bottle Warmer

    Portable Bottle Warmer

    Babies aren’t picky….right? Hopefully, you got a chuckle out of that statement, since we all know they can be quite particular. Having their milk/formula at the right temperature can be one of the many things they can be particular about. Tommee Tippee makes a portable warmer that is so convenient to have in the diaper bag. Unlike some of the other types out there, no electricity is needed, so it’s truly on-the-go.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 5. Stroller Clips

    Stroller Clips

    Put these stroller clips by Baby Uma in a pocket on the side of your diaper bag for easy access. You can quickly take them out and attach to a stroller (or many more options) so that you can hang small bags or toys, etc to them. It’s like giving yourself an extra set of hands and organizing your space at the same time. One of the best-kept secrets of parents!

    View on Amazon.com

  • 6. Quick-Dry Travel Towel

    Quick-Dry Travel Towel

    Spit up. Splash pads. Surprise rain. Blowouts with no wipes. The list is infinite for this versatile towel and I promise as a mom, you will need it. We like this one for travel, gym days, or whatever – since it dries 10x faster than cotton and is super absorbent. It’s saved me more times than I can count, and it’s light as a feather.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 7. Pacifier Clips

    Pacifier Clips

    There’s probably a mountain of lost pacifiers (and socks!) out there somewhere…it’s the only explanation of where they go! But ever since fastening the pacifier to my son’s clothing with pacifier clips, I no longer have the constant fear of washing the paci while on-the-go, or worse, losing them. The clip keeps the pacifier attached, and this one in particular also doubles as a teething ring. Never lose a paci again.

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  • 8. Indestructible Baby Books

    Indestructible Baby Books

    Entertain your little one with a colorful book by Indestructibles, without the fear of ripped pages or drool marks. These popular stories are rip-proof and waterproof and if your child is anything like mine, he/she will want to read the story over and over and over again. And over….

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  • 9. Homeopathic First Aid Kit

    Homeopathic First Aid Kit

    Never leave home without these remedies! They are natural, safe, and effective. Below are some things we put in our kit, which in turn go into the diaper bag. They have rescued us numerous times during teething bouts, tummy aches, or crabby spells.
    Camilia Teething Relief – Relief from painful gums and helps with digestive issues.
    Natural Gas Relief – Natural relief for all the symptoms that come along with gas, like bloating, colic, constipation, and restlessness.
    Baby Calm – For a fussy baby or if he/she just won’t go to sleep…this natural formula will do the trick.
    Earache Relief –Easy dosing dropper, and will comfort your baby when they have an earache.
    Echinacea Drops – A boost of immunity when we are out and about, exposed to germs.
    Baby Vitamin C – Vitamin C is another immune booster that we give our son a few days before we begin traveling. If it seems like he might be catching something, we give him a couple of drops right away.

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  • 10. Disposable Bibs

    Disposable Bibs

    Babies have a magical talent for mess. Protect baby’s clothing by planning ahead and having a few disposable bibs with you. Even when baby is just drinking a bottle or sippy cup, inevitably clothing will get sticky. The nice part about having them be disposable is that you don’t have to worry about making a mess in the diaper bag with a dirty bib. Just toss and go!

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  • 11. Hand Sanitizer and Sanitizing Wipes

    Hand Sanitizer and Sanitizing Wipes

    If you have a pack of these Munchkin Hammer sanitizing wipes with you, you’ll never have to worry about dirty hands again. Yours OR your baby’s! Because these wipes are safe for adults and children alike. The package is re-sealable and small, making it a great diaper bag item. Since little hands seem to get into everything, having a hand sanitizer clipped to the side of your diaper bag is another must-have. Both of these items will keep germs at bay.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 12. Cooling Towel

    Cooling Towel

    Whether you’re chasing toddlers at the zoo or around the playground, things can get sweaty quickly. I keep these cooling towels with me to cool everything down before moods get too spicy. Simply add water, wring it out, and this magical towel will drop to nearly 30 degrees cooler than the outside temp – for up to an hour! Need more relief? Just add more water, voila.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 13. Hip Carrier

    Hip Carrier

    This is one of the best things I’ve ever purchased in motherhood. Add it to your registry if you can because you will need it to take the pressure off of your back. It creates a seat for baby on your hip so you’re not having to extend so hard out to the side or wear out your arms. You can also stick diapers in the pockets if you don’t want to bring the entire diaper bag in with you for quick errands and outings.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 14. White Noise Machine

    White Noise Machine

    Assuming you’ll be home for every nap is unrealistic. When on the go, a small white noise machine will come in clutch for getting baby to sleep in loud car rides, times when you’re in a hotel with neighbors slamming doors, noisy restaurants, and more. The familiar sound will put them right to sleep if you use one at home too for consistency. We use ours at home to mask any noises we make in the house once the baby is asleep.

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  • 15. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

    Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

    Motherhood has taught my many things… But one is that your phone battery will always die at the worst possible moment! Now I bring a portable charger with me everywhere as a backup. This charger is small but mighty – saving the day when you need to pull up maps, manage work, take pictures, or play ‘The Happy Song’ by Imogen Heap amid a full-blown meltdown (yes, it works every time, I don’t know what kind of sorcery she put in that song).

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  • 16. Teething Toys

    Teething Toys

    Nuby teething toys are perfect for little ones with teeth coming in, and the design is soothing for any stage; front, middle, or back teeth. What I like best about this toy in particular is that you can put it in the fridge before you head out of the house, and when it’s time to go, your toddler will have a teether that is cooling and comforting. The design is also engaging for the baby’s mind and hands. Win-win!

    View on Amazon.com

  • 17. Portable Booster Seat

    Portable Booster Seat

    It’s annoying to lug booster seats around when you’re riding with other people, car-pooling to help the environment, traveling to a new place, or taking the kids to Grandma’s. Booster seats can be complicated and bulky. However, with the new The First Years portable booster seat, which packs up to be the size of a lunchbox, you can fit this one into the diaper bag for emergencies or planned excursions. Note: These are suitable for ages 9+ months.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 18. Disposable Place Mats

    Disposable Place Mats

    Let’s be real, restaurants are not always the cleanest and I’ve heard that menus are dirtier than toilets because they’re rarely cleaned. These disposable place mats will give your kids a surface to play on that is clean and great for snacks. Since my kid tries to eat the actual table and put everything in their mouth, this gives me peace of mind as she entertains herself while I slam food into my gullet.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 19. Spillproof Snack Cup

    Spillproof Snack Cup

    Another mom hack – these silly cups entertain them so much. It’s almost like a little puzzle challenge because they can’t see the snacks, but once they realize they’re in the cup, they have fun retrieving them. I pass this back to baby when there’s a meltdown in the car and I need 5 minutes of peace. Bring it to the grocery store, meals, or wherever to keep the mess contained.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 20. Waterproof Phone Pouch

    Waterproof Phone Pouch

    For those living near water or frequenting the beach, splash pads, pools, or rainy days – a waterproof phone case is awesome to have on hand. This way you can snap photos and get into the action without worrying about damage to your lifeline.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 21. Baby Washcloths

    Baby Washcloths

    You only need to put a couple of these Kyapoo baby washcloths in your diaper bag for situations that may arise, but you’ll want to pack more when you feel how soft these are! These are highly absorbent and last longer than the run of the mill washcloths. The bright colors will be eye-catching to the baby as you clean up.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 22. Diaper Bag Organizers

    Diaper Bag Organizers

    As the list of things you need in your diaper bag grows, it can be intimidating to keep it organized. Having Easy Baby organizers will help you divvy up the items into categories, making them easier to find. Because let’s face it- time is precious when it comes to diapering and caring for little ones.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 23. Baby-Friendly Bug Stickers

    Baby-Friendly Bug Stickers

    Mosquitoes seem to love babies, cause they’re so sweet I think! Keep the pests away with these fun stickers that are safe for babies and children. Kids enjoy having a colorful sticker applied to their clothes and you can rest easy knowing it’s not filled with toxic chemicals, but rather, gentle oils like citronella that deter mosquitoes.

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  • 24. Windproof Portable Umbrella

    Windproof Portable Umbrella

    I like a travel umbrella because they’re more lightweight (this one weighs 1 lb) and scrunches down to be less than 12 inches tall. It covers two people so it’s actually big enough for the whole family, and it’s strong enough to withstand real rain and wind without flipping inside out at the first gust of air. The thoughtfully-added carrying case means you can store it in the diaper bag without getting anything else wet.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 25. Baby First-Aid Kit

    Baby First-Aid Kit

    Something you hope you never need but feel relieved to have when you do. This is perfect for scrapes, bumps, and checking baby’s temperature if they feel hot. You may need disinfectant wipes at a moment’s notice and not be able to rush home for your full artillery.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 26. Organic Cotton Travel Mat

    Organic Cotton Travel Mat

    Wherever you go, setting your baby down on an unprotected floor can be daunting. Pack a portable travel mat to give you and your baby peace of mind. Toddlekind makes one that is very compact and made with organic cotton, which is hard to find in the age of plastic-based materials like polyester that are making us all sick. One of the best things to have in your diaper bag so you don’t end up worrying about grime from the dirty floor all over your baby.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 27. Stylish Nursing Cover-Up

    Stylish Nursing Cover-Up

    Momcozy boasts this cover-up as an 4-in-1 product, with uses including: nursing cover-up, swaddler, baby blanket, and my favorite….car seat cover for when baby’s napping. You could also use it to cover the cart at a grocery store or put a barrier between baby and dirty surfaces. The fabric is stretchy, breathable, and lightweight. It’s very easy to clean and can be used over and over again for any of its many adaptations.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 1. Backpack Style

    Backpack Style

    The benefits of having a backpack-style diaper bag are freeing up your hands for much-needed parenting tasks, as well as divvying up the weight on your back. You can’t even tell it’s a diaper bag; its stylish exterior can blend into so many situations. This Parker Baby Diaper Backpack is number one because of how organized you can be (eleven pockets), the durability of the zippers/fabric, and the unisex style. There is an insulated bottle pocket and a special pop-top opening for wipes. You’ll find this backpack is super convenient when you’re going somewhere eventful.

    Get it on Amazon

  • 2. Stroller Attachment Style

    Stroller Attachment Style

    If you use a stroller often, this may be the style for you, as it features special straps designed to fit standard strollers. That way, the stroller can do the work of carrying the bag for you! This one by Lekebaby has a wide-open design for storing changes of clothing, bottles, etc. The water-resistant fabric is helpful for outdoor unexpected showers, keeping your thoughtfully packed items dry (no guarantees on the baby’s dryness!) This one also has a unisex design that comes in a variety of colors. If you are a frequent stroller user, it will be your best friend.

    Get it on Amazon

  • 3. Traditional

    Traditional

    This tote design diaper bag by Baby Essentials comes with a lot of extras, such as a bottle holder, pacifier pouch, wipes case, and changing pad. This stylish set is also fully lined on the interior to help with spills, and has a large capacity if you plan to bring along a lot of items. Another plus: the outside pockets use Velcro to close, making retrieving items that much faster.

    Get it on Amazon

With little ones, you never know what life is going to put in your path each day, so it’s best to be prepared so that you have all that you need to keep them healthy, happy, safe, and engaged while you’re running around. Now that you’ve chosen a diaper bag that’s perfect for you, and ordered all the best items to put inside, don’t forget the most important thing… the baby!

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