Diaper bags are a must-have for any new parent; we carry it everywhere. In the beginning, my husband and I made noob mistakes like forgetting to pack wet wipes. It resulted in us rummaging clumsily through the diaper bag while our baby played footsie with his poop.
Hence, it’s important for you to spend a few minutes organising your diaper bag to make it efficient and functional for you. While there are many beautiful (albeit expensive) bag organisers out in the market, you can actually do it for a fraction of the price. Here’s how:
1. Categorise
Firstly, identify the items you want to include in your bag and categorise them. In my case, I have five categories:
Diaper change
- extra diapers
- foldable changing mat
- nappy rash cream (travel size)
- wet wipes (travel size)
- a folded plastic bag (for dirty diapers)
- hand sanitizer
Change of clothes
- a onesie
- a shirt
- a pair of shorts
- socks
Feeding
- a bib
- a hanky
- a snack
- a breastfeeding cover
Entertainment
- his favorite book
- a teething toy
Mommy’s stuff
- purse
- disposable breast pads
2. Colour code
Next, purchase large see-through fabric pencil case in different colors. Buy the zippered ones that are wide and flat rather than bulky and round. Also, make sure the size of these cases are tall enough to store each of your categories yet still fit into your diaper bag. I purchased mine at the local DIY store for RM2 each. Then, use a different colored case to store each category you have identified, for example:
Diaper change – Pink case
Change of clothes – Blue case
Feeding – Green case
Entertainment – Yellow case
Mummy’s stuff – Red case
The colours help make it easier to identify the category you want to pull out of the bag. Plus, if you’re getting your husband or a helper to retrieve a diaper from your bag, all you need to do is say “Pass me the blue bag!”. Works great during a poop explosion.
3. Use a filing system
The reason you need to purchase flat bags instead of rounded ones (which may store more contents) is because you need to arrange the bags upright like a file. This way, you are able to see each category clearly from the top when you open your diaper bag. It saves you the hassle of having to empty the contents of your bag to get to that teeny tiny pair of socks.
4. Put a ring on it
If you like changing bags to match your outfit of the day, use a loose ring binder to bind the individual bags together. All you need to do is hook the ring binder onto each zipper slider and lock the clasp. When you change bags, just grab the ring binder and all the individual bags will follow in one swift motion. You can even move this into your husband’s messenger bag if he’s taking the baby out for the day.
5. Don’t over pack
Lastly, always keep your diaper bag lean. This means consistently restocking items the moment you reach home with only the stuff you need. An overflowing diaper bag will only slow you down. On the occasion where you are traveling further, keep a basket of extras in the car. It’ll be worth the effort.
So far this system has worked well for us and we’re no longer digging through our diaper bag for that elusive hanky. I hope these tips are helpful to you too. If you have other tricks to keep your diaper bags organised, do share in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you!
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Wei Yenn was a PR Consultant before trading it for a career in education. A mother to a music-loving toddler, her most influential teacher is her son.
