How to Pack the Perfect Daddy Diaper Bag
How do you pack the perfect daddy diaper bag?
Much like you would a diaper bag for mom.
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You’ll start with the perfect diaper bag, and you’ll pack it with all the essential supplies you’ll need so that you’re prepared for any time you need to leave the leave with the baby, whether it’s to the park for a relaxing walk or simply for a checkup at the doctor to see how baby’s growing.
Let’s get to it.
Choosing the perfect diaper bag for dad
When you’re shopping for the perfect diaper bag for dad, there’s one word that comes to mind: Practical.
Some dads also prefer a diaper bag that looks a little less traditional.
If the new dad in your life prefers a more “rugged” look, you’ll definitely want to take a look at the High Speed Daddy Baby Diaper Bag Backpack. It’s our #1 choice for dads who don’t want a diaper back that necessarily looks “cute” but still needs a bag that’ll get the job done.
It has everything you need in a diaper bag and it’s even spacious enough to accommodate packing for two kids, which is perfect for parents of twins or who have 2 under 2.
Read more about it here or shop for it here!
A quality diaper bag will have the following features:
- Plenty of storage space
- Insulated areas for keeping bottles and snacks fresh
- Durable material that’s going to last
- Preferably some adjustable straps for a comfortable fit
Diaper bag essentials
After you’ve chosen the perfect bag, you need to stock it full of the right supplies for baby. Here are the essentials that every diaper bag needs.
Diapers
First, you will need plenty of diapers, right?
But how many diapers do you need?
When it comes to diapers, you’re definitely better off to over pack than to under pack. The amount you’ll need will depend on where you’re going and how long you’ll be there.
A good rule of thumb is to pack enough diapers so that you have at least one fresh diaper every two hours.
So, if you know for sure you’ll gone for 8 hours, you’ll need to pack at least 4 diapers, but I would probably throw in a couple of extra ones just in case.
Baby wipes
Next, baby wipes.
You never ever want to be away from your home without baby wipes.
In fact, wet wipes would probably be at the top of most parents’ must-have baby items!
Because, let’s be honest, we are using these for more than just diaper changes. These are the perfect solution sticky fingers, spilling sauce in your vehicle, you name it.
If you’re looking for a recommendation, we are quite fond of the Honest Co. baby wipes. You can read more about those here.
Reusable wet bags
A wet bag may not be as obvious as the previous two, but it’s equally as important.
If you’re out and about and you find yourself having to change a diaper blowout, sure, you can simply toss the diaper into the trash.
But what if baby’s clothes get messy too and you still have a few hours until it’s time to go home? That’s where a wet bag comes in handy. You can use this bag to store soiled clothes and more.
And since they’re reusable, you can clean them up between uses and use them over and over again. It’s definitely more environmentally-friendly than using a plastic bag – and it’ll probably smell a lot better too.
Changing pad
Your daddy diaper bag should also include a changing pad because you never know where you will be when it’s time to change baby’s diaper.
Not only is this more comfortable and more sanitary for baby, but it also prevents any leaky diapers from transferring onto your car seat or any other surfaces baby is being changed on.
The Babebay Portable Changing Mat is a good option if you’re looking for a nice, basic mat that folds up. But, if you need more storage compartments, you may want to consider the Alatino Changing Pad – This one has two bonus storage compartments and a place to put your baby wipes.
Baby formula and bottles
Next, you’ll want to be sure to pack enough baby bottles as well.
If your baby is still on formula, investing in some quality formula dispensers is a good option and much more convenient than hauling an entire can of formula with you.
Baby food and snacks
If baby has started eating solids or you also have a toddler or older child, you will want to include enough baby food and snacks in the diaper bag.
You’ll probably want to pack a few snacks for yourself too!
Pacifier
If your baby doesn’t use a pacifier, you can skip this one.
But if they do, definitely pack extras! If you’re in a public place, the last thing you want is for baby to drop their paci and you have no way to sanitize it right away.
Save yourself a very unhappy baby and pack some backups. You can store them in a case for easy access.
Toys
Baby needs some entertainment when you’re away from home, so pack some toys with their other belongings too!
Depending on their age, rattles and crinkle toys can be good options for travel and these types of toys also help teach them cause-and-effect, which is a win-win.
Teethers can be helpful too if you’re baby has starting showing some pearly whites.
Extra outfit (or 3)
Those messy diaper situations we talked about previously that you may need a wet bag for? If that happens, you’ll need some clean clothes to change baby into so they stay comfortable and warm.
Depending on how long you will be away from home, be sure you pack enough changes of clothes just in case you need them.
If baby is extra drool-y or has been spitting up a lot lately, you may need to pack several extra changes in case the bibs and burp cloths don’t absorb everything.
Bibs and burp cloths
Speaking of bibs and burp cloths, pack some of those too – Especially if you have a teething baby.
Burp cloths are also nice to have for other purposes. Since they are so absorbent, it’s nice to have one on hand any time there’s any liquid you need to soak up fast.
Extra blanket
When you have a baby, you always want to pack an extra blanket as well. Obviously blankets are helpful for keeping baby warm and toasty when you’re out and about, but they are helpful for other reasons too.
For example, tummy time when you’re away from home.
Diaper cream
Always keep some diaper cream in your diaper bag too! If your baby suddenly develops an irritated bottom, you don’t want to be without this stuff.
In fact, go ahead and purchase a separate tube just for your bag.
Hand sanitizer
Traveling also means you’re probably away from some warm water and soap. Hand sanitizer is the next best thing, so you’ll need to always keep some with you.
You should sanitize your hands each time before you touch any of baby’s toys, make their bottles, etc.
Disinfectant wipes/spray
And, to go along with your hand sanitizer, consider packing some disinfectant wipes or a mini spray too. Why would you need it you ask?
If you’re changing baby in a public location, you don’t know how much the previous person prioritized cleanliness. It’s best to give the area a quick wipe down if you can. At least, that’s what we do!
Those are the essentials you’ll need for any diaper bag, including a well-packed diaper bag for dad. If you’re looking for a bag recommendation, again, definitely check out the one we mentioned – It’s an excellent bag for any parent, including dads.
