Handed out at some stage to all new parents is a nappy bag checklist. My list was issued at antenatal class. It was two pages long. Two pages. I packed the lot. I’ve walked around for three months now with a nappy bag as heavy as my baby.
So I have two children now and my bag is half the size. This is what I carry, why I left things behind and what I did to carry it all.
My Everyday Nappy Bag Checklist
This is what I bring for anything lasting an hour or more. Whether it’s a run to the grocery store, or a morning in the park, this is the essentials.
- Nappies: Among every couple of hours gone off, moreover a spare
- Wipes: a travel pack, refilled at home
- A diaper change mat: a thin, wipeable one that folds flat
- Disposable diaper bags or wet bag: for the messy stuff
- A full change of clothes: including socks
- Two wraps of muslin: for spills, shade and burping
- Feeding gear: Anything suitable for your baby
- A dummy and a spare, if you use them
- Hand sanitiser for you
And that’s everything for the basics. To be honest, all the rest is optional.
Why the spare socks matter
Yeah, I know. But it’s true. It drives me nuts how often a sock gets kicked off my baby, and the weather in NZ can be so warm one day, then cold and blustery the next. We seem to have a pile of lost socks in parking areas in Wellington. Now I keep an extra pair in a zip pocket.
Things I Stopped Carrying
Eventually, I figured out what I never did use. Here is what was removed from the bag:
- A full-size bottle of baby lotion. We didn’t take it anywhere.
- Three different toys. One is good. Babies tend to enjoy keys more than toys.
- A thermometer. Useful at home. Don’t have to take it to the library.
- Extra blankets. A muslin does the job most days.
So my bag is zipped up. It just felt good to be able to do that.
Seasonal Extras for NZ Weather
New Zealand isn’t subtle about the weather. That’s why I keep a little pouch of seasonal extras on hand so I have it ready to go.
Summer
Our sun is tough, even when we aren’t in the direct sun. In the summer I put a large-brim sunhat, baby-safe sunscreen (for most children, just check the label) and a cover over the stroller. And more water for me. Breastfeeding is dehydration-inducing work!
Winter
In winter, I go with a sunhat instead of a beanie. I carry a jumpers and a blanket to put on the baby in the pram. I always grab a jacket too. An inexpensive rain cover has come in handy a lot.
Organising the Bag So You Can Find Things
A tidy bag is more important than a big one. Especially when your little one is mid-tantrum you won’t want to be rummaging through that bag to find a pacifier.
I organize things into small zip bags. Nappies and wipes are in one bag, feeding stuff in another and then I carry my things in yet another bag (phone, keys, lip balm, card). When I need something, I just grab the correct bag and leave the rest on the floor.
Place the change mat and wipes on top too. These will be the items you need most and always in a rush.
Lighten the Load Even Further
Here’s the one thing nobody’s saying. The bag isn’t the whole story. It’s a part, but there’s the rest of you to consider.
Once the second arrived, I found that a big pram made everything a lot more difficult – even short trips out. Not only was it hard work to get the pram in and out of the car, but once I’d thrown the nappy bag over the handle, the whole thing was at risk of falling over at the first opportunity I got to lift the baby out.
For short trips, I now use a lighter pocket stroller tote with a little basket on the bottom. I attach the altered nappy bag to the basket, not by the handles, so that it is far more stable. It folds down small enough for the boot of our little hatchback, still leaving room for the groceries.
A Quick Checklist for Your Phone
I actually keep a condensed version in my phone notes. Whenever I’m heading out I just quickly glance over them in ten seconds or less:
- Nappies and wipes?
- Different outfit?
- What food or milk?
- Dummy?
- Hat or beanie?
- Keys, phone, wallet?
Six is the one I forget the most. It’s a miracle how that works.
Restocking Is the Real Secret
The most amazing checklist in the world doesn’t fill the bag if you don’t remember to put anything in it in the first place. Which is why every night I refill the bag, when the kettle’s boiling. Change out the used nappies, add more wipes, replace the clothes that have been worn that day. Two minutes.
My other half has acquired this habit as well. Mainly due to the fact he once took the children to the beach, with no nappies. He will be doing that again!
What About the Bag Itself?
I get this question a lot. To be honest, the shape of the bag is more important than the brand. I love a backpack – it leaves your hands free. Make sure the opening is wide, the lining is wipeable, and there are two external pockets for easy access to the essentials. An insulated pocket is useful for bottles and if the bag isn’t too “nappy bag-y” your partner will carry it!
Final Word
A nappy bag is supposed to make life easier and not heavier. Begin with the essentials, select what you use and chuck the rest. You will be amazed how little you actually need!
Looking for strollers, bags and other gear in a brick and mortar shop? NV Kids is a friendly baby store in Auckland worth a visit. Being able to see things in the flesh saved us a huge amount of guesswork.
And by the way, every parent forgets something someday. A café will often give you a nappy. Another parent will offer you a nappy. We’re all in this together.
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