Ever since my son Snickers arrived two months ago, I feel like my diaper bag has doubled in size and weight. I realised that packing for both a baby and a toddler is pretty insane, especially if you’re like me and want to bring everything we may need (e.g. raincoat, board books, ErgoCocoon, hats). So I decided to show all of you exactly what I finally narrowed it down to and why.
1. SKIP HOP Swipe Baby Wipes Case
This attachable, quick-draw-slide-and-shut wipes case is one of the many things I overuse the word “lifesaver” for. I usually keep it filled with WOTNOT Biodegradable Baby Wipes or chlorine-free wipes from Burt’s Bees. But seriously, Tesco brand wipes work just fine too.
2. MONIKO wallet/clutch
Made from re-crafted kimono, this piece comes with five different slots inside; to separate my cash, receipts, cards and gift cards. It even has room enough to fit my phone and a lip gloss, which is great for when I want to pop into a store without my diaper bag/stroller/kids/husband.
3. Richell Outdoor Lunch Series Scissors for Baby Food
Toddler-sized food, anywhere! But mainly for cutting cheese.
4. Wooden Spoon
Okay this is probably the most controversial item you’ll see in a diaper bag, but I do discipline my toddler when needed, and I carry this around just in case we’re out or at someone’s house and he makes a show of defiance. I then take it out mostly as a threat – he’ll calm down almost immediately.
5. Storksak + Bugaboo Leather Bag
This very well designed diaper bag has an insulated bottle pocket on the outside, an additional bottle holder inside, two pockets outside and another six inside. It also comes with a diaper changing wallet with slots for two diapers. As much as I love this diaper bag, it’s on the heavy side, so I do keep it hanging on the my stroller most of the time when we’re out. I know it seems a little daft to have spent so much on a bag to not actually carry it more than 10% of the time, but I justify this by claiming to carry it as a tote when I’m not out with kids.
6. The Honest Company Baby Bottle
Because Snickers is still feeding about once every four hours, I always bring at least one feed with me when we head out, and another for emergencies. My brother sent me these soft silicone natural feeding baby bottles from The Honest Company, which are actually designed to mimic natural breastfeeding and are squeezable. They are free of BPA, BPS, phthalates, latex, lead, PVC, PET and nitrosamines. (I’m also a big fan of LifeFactory glass bottles, but I only got the 4oz ones which Snickers outgrew a little too quickly).
7. Beaba Stacked Formula Container
This formula container isn’t nearly as convenient or easy to use as the Munchkin one we use at home, and somehow when I put the used container back at the bottom of the stack, there’s always loose formula flying around my bag. So really I’d recommend Oxo Tot or the Munchkin.
8. Thermos Foogo Vacuum Insulated Food Jar
If we’re heading out around lunch time, I’ll heat up T. Rex’s food and this little guy will keep it warm for hours.
9. Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Bag Dispenser
These little baggies are infused with baking soda for natural odor elimination and lightly scented with lavender for tossing dirty diapers.
10. The First Years Gumdrop Pacifier Wipes
My kids don’t use pacifiers but these wipes are safe for cleaning bottle teats, straws, and cups from restaurants with questionable hygiene levels.
11. Aleva Naturals Bamboo Baby Tooth ‘n’ Gum Wipes
I use these on both T. Rex and Snickers, so not a complete waste of money. Just a quick swipe inside T. Rex’s mouth after he’s done eating. And for the baby, they are great getting the white residue milk tends to leave on their tongues.
12. Seventh Generation All Purpose Natural Cleaner
I keep this in a little spray bottle from MUJI for cleaning tables, high chairs, shopping cart handles, other kids’ toys, and whatever needs a wipe down!
13. Mosquito patches
Sprays and creams are fine for home, but instead of adding more weight, I bring these along because they give basically the same protection, and save a ton of space in my bag.
14. Jackson Reece Mucky Mitts Hand Sanitiser
I keep the Bentley Organic Baby & Mother hand sanitizer (which I prefer because it foams) in the car but this one is so slim and perfect for my diaper bag.
15. Makeup bag
Just some essentials like concealer, lip gloss, breath spray, deodorant wipes and hand cream. I think I may remove this entirely as I just realised it’s completely useless.
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Michelle Lim-Chua is a mum of two and a copywriter with a special interest in sociology. Born in New York City and raised across six different countries, Michelle loves traveling and is naturally curious about people and their cultures. She moved to Malaysia more than seven years ago, found God and fell in love with a boy from Melaka. Michelle is still learning, along with her husband, how to be a good parent.
