When it becomes time that you can take your little bundle of joy out and around the town, or even to visit with friends and relatives; it's good to know some essential basics. Do you know the essentials of what should go in the diaper bag?
I have devised a small checklist of the most important items that should be carried with you and baby at all times. Some of these items may sound weird or unnecessary at the time, but believe me when I tell you, the oddest things can come in very handy when the need arises.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have a good-sized diaper bag, not some small as a purse or even a large purse. Inside the diaper bag, you should have:
Diapers- (including a few extra than you think you will or may need).
Baby wipes- (make sure they are baby wipes and not just wet wipes. Baby wipes are larger, softer, and gentler on the baby).
Rash ointment- (rashes can pop up at any time out of the clear blue. It is always better to have the necessary remedy on hand, instead of waiting until a later time).
A medicine bag- (These can be purchased with some of the essentials already within them, or you can make your own. Just use a quart sized zipper bag and fill with these items: Baby Tylenol, Nail clippers, a thermometer, Nose syringe, medicine dropper, and travel size lotion and Vaseline).
Extra clothing- (It is always best to take along at least two more sets than you think you will need. Remember, it is always better to be over prepared than under prepared).
One or two extra bottles- If you are bottle-feeding make sure you have enough with you, with an extra one to spare. After all, you never know when you might just be out a little longer than planned).
Also pack within the diaper bag, cloths for burping. I found cloth diapers to be wonderful, because they can be used for more than one purpose. Cloth diapers are also great as a makeshift changing pad, placing them under the baby so as not to soil any surrounding areas. The cloth diapers make excellent burping cloths to put over your shoulder, because they absorb more liquid than a receiving blanket, and can also come in handy for strange spills or yucky happenings that can arise.
An added hint- (Keeping a couple of extra quart sized zipper bags in the bag can also come in quite handy in many ways. These bags can hold soiled diapers, if you have nowhere to dispose of one. They can also hold soiled clothing and burping cloths, so as not to return them directly to the clean items in the diaper bag).
About the Author: Terrie C.
This article has been submitted in affiliation with
http://www.BabyNameVote.Com/ which is a site for Baby Names.
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