What Are Your Diaper Bag Must-Haves?
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I was updating some older posts and was intrigued to see that a lot of my diaper bag must-haves are still in stock. So I thought it might be a fun discussion — what are the things you keep in your diaper bag (or purse if you don’t have a diaper bag)?
These were a few of my must-have items for my diaper bag…
In addition to the items on the slider above, my must-haves for my diaper bag included:
- Snacks (This was definitely key to my strategies for eating out with kids.)
- Charger for my iPhone (I love this one.)
- A complete other outfit for the kiddo (I loved this random tip I just saw on TikTok!)
- A few loose sheets with printed mazes or coloring — less bulky than a coloring book, and there are a ton of free ones on the Internet; many favorite characters may offer free coloring pages also (e.g., Pete the Cat).
Readers, how about you — what are your diaper bag must-haves? If you’re out of that stage of your kids’ lives, what WERE your diaper bag must-haves? Do tell!
Psst: these are a few of our favorite diaper bags!
Our latest favorite diaper bags for working moms include classics from SkipHop and Petunia Pickle Bottom, as well as some options from brands we love for work bags, including Dagne Dover. For affordable options, check LAND or Amazon seller RUVALINO.
Sales of note for 6/30/25
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – 2,700+ new markdowns for women — and the Anniversary Sale preview has started!
- Ann Taylor – 40% off your purchase, including new arrivals + summer steals $39+
- Banana Republic Factory – July Fourth Event, 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Eloquii – $19+ select styles + extra 50% off all sale
- J.Crew – End of season sale, extra 60% off sale styles + up to 40% off select cashmere
- J.Crew Factory – All-Star Sale, 40-70% off entire site and storewide and extra 60% off clearance
- M.M.LaFleur – Sitewide Sale, save 25% with code — 48 hours only! Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Spanx – Free shipping on everything
- Talbots – 40% off entire purchase, includes all markdowns (ends 7/3)
And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
Dog poop bags have changed my life. One roll is compact and hardly takes up any room. I keep a roll in the car as well as in the diaper bag- good for dirty diapers, soiled clothes, and general clean-up. Also useful: a muslin swaddle, extra pacifiers, change of clothes, and of course, diapering essentials. For me: phone charger, pen, $20 cash and gum (coffee breath!)
Ya’ll are so prepared. I keep to basics. But always have a spare garbage/grocery bag for dirty stuff.
I’m moving this weekend to a new house, and despite getting some great tips here, because toddler + too many work hours (for my standards, anyways) means I’ve hardly organized. And I’m trying to get an extension on an assignment or I’m going to have to fit in work this weekend too. Feeling so burned out, even though I’m very fortunate to be moving.
Summer infant reusable placemat was amazing for restaurants. I always kept infant tylenol (or motrin once old enough) with a syringe, a muslin swaddle blanket (extra layer, burp cloth, towel for explosive blow-out, so many uses), change of clothes, diaper rash cream, a baby bum spatula for application and a couple of small toys. And disposable changing table liners came in handy when out and about.
in addition to the stuff i listed five years ago (!) i also always kept a couple of these in a ziploc for emergency sink baths. https://www.amazon.com/Johnsons-Baby-Head-Disposable-Washcloths/product-reviews/B00AXMYW22. one box got me through two babies but it was good to know we had it.
Spare pads, tampons, and pantiliners. 3+ plastic bags (usually ziploc, but grocery in a pinch) folded up for wet clothes, old diapers where there was no trash, pacifiers that fell on the ground, etc. Phone charger was also a game changer when I packed it during the 2nd kid. My husband would say “emergency socks” – an adult-sized pair of warm socks that you can use as either baby legwarmers or baby mittens.