crunchy parenting

Photo by koalazymonkey

Keeping a well stocked diaper bag for your toddler is the first step towards having a smooth outing. Try to keep yours always stocked with the following non-perishable items:

• 2-3 diapers
• Refill pack of wipes (at least half full)
• Natural hand sanitizer (like CleanWell) for occasional use
• Changing pad or receiving blanket
• One small (fist-sized) unusual toy for emergency toddler breakdowns
• Compact extra clothing, like a t-shirt & leggings (sometimes stashed permanently in the car)
• Pocket camera
• Extra emergency medications (ie. if your child has allergies, etc.)
• Pocket first aid kit (or a travel one kept in the car)

If you always start the day with a bag packed with the above, then you only need to add the following when you’re getting ready to leave the house:

• Sippy cup filled with water
• Extra water bottle filled with water (for you, or to refill zippy)
• Piece of fruit
• Small bag of dry snacks (crispbread, freeze dried bananas, etc.)

I try to stay in the habit of restocking the non-perishables as soon as we come back home. Add diapers, check there’s enough wipes, offload camera pics and put the camera back, etc. If you’re keeping some of the less-often used items (extra clothing, etc.) in the car, be sure to check that once a week.

What do you keep stocked in your diaper bag?