I'll be honest, with my first kiddo I didn't really have a diaper bag. I brought along an item or two here and there and figured I would learn as I went what the 'must haves' were. And boy was I right. I had so many 'I wish I had...' moments. This pregnancy has been different. I've learned what my must haves are, and that life as a mama is just easier when you have 'grab and go bag' readily prepared for whatever life brings you when you're grocery shopping, at the doctor, or the park.
So grateful I found these wonderful companies and their contribution to my 'bag of tricks' to make Mama life a little easier.
Diaper Bag by Timi + Leslie: I loved that this diaper bag doesn't LOOK like a diaper bag. I'll use it as a purse when my young mama days are over. It doesn't feel huge but it has SO much space and so many compartments. I like occasionally using other bags when I only need a few items. But I'm a huge fan of this bag as our 'official' diaper bag.
Bloom Kind Wipes: Going on a thousand diaper runs to the grocery store with baby #1 was my least favorite thing. I became a Sam's club convert. Being able to stock up AND save money... WIN WIN! Bloom Kind are definitely my favorite. They are genuinely the softest wipes I've ever felt, and I love that the economy sized box you buy is filled with pouches of wipes that easily fit into your diaper bag. They are wonderful for sensitive skin. And they are a great bang for your buck. In fact, check out this AMAZING deal currently running on Amazon.
Doodlebum Diapers: I'm a hybrid. I don't exclusively use disposable OR cloth diapers. I use both. And it works great for us! I'm a working mom, so when things are busy or we are out and about, I like the ease of disposable diapers. Especially for babysitters as well. But do you have any idea how much money you can save by even using ONE cloth diaper a day? Let alone more than that. Any time we are home for a good chunk of time, I try to use cloth diapers and just do a little extra laundry. I know that it has really helped us to stretch our monthly budget. And I can't brag about these enough! I like that this particular diaper (Eco-Posh) is less bulky than others can be for a newborn.
Gathre Micro Changing Mat: Call me a bit of a germaphobe, but I think this is a must have especially for changing a baby on the go in public bathrooms. I flew a lot with Avery and airport bathrooms can be the worst, along with retailers like Walmart. But it's even great for your own home (I don't have a changing table). And it's incredibly easy to clean and easy to pack around.
Logan + Lenora Wet Bag: I love how cute this multipurpose bags are. A wet bag is a must have for me as a mom. To contain any kiddo mess that inevitably happens when you're out and about. The dirty spit up clothes, potty toddler accidents, wet pool clothes, blow out covered clothes, cloth diapers, you name it! But I also love that for day to day, I can store all of the 'diaper changing essentials' in it so that they are easy to find. And dad doesn't have to carry the whole diaper bag for a quick diaper change.
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment: Lets be real, I live in the desert. Where the air seems to suck the life out of you from time to time. (Even though I LOVE the dry heat!) But rather than carry a bazillion tubes of creams in a diaper bag (adult lotion, infant lotion, diaper rash cream etc) I love that this product is kind of a catch all! It works great for cradle cap, dry skin, diaper rash, burns + scrapes. And it is yet another product great for sensitive skin, made with natural products.
Lucy + Leo Natural Chap-stick: Again, you west coast desert mamas understand! Chap-stick and lotion are just a way of life out here. But I love that this chap-stick is not only great for mom, but also for kiddos and babies. Avery's lips are ALWAYS chapped. But I don't like using most chap-sticks on her because she is young enough that she doesn't understand to not lick her lips and inevitably ingest some. An organic natural chap-stick makes me feel a little better about it.
Applewhite Handmade Medicine Bag: She has tons of adorable zipper pouches. They organize items in a diaper bag to make things easier to find. I thought this one was so cute. I use it to store ointments, band-aids, orajel etc.
LifeFactory Bottle I can't brag enough about these bottles. They are super durable and transition into sippy cups and water bottles for when they are older. They are a special type of glass that is built to endure going from freezing to boiling without breaking. The silicone grip also serves as a great protector for the inevitable dropping that comes with handing it to a kiddo.
Crane Travel Humidifier: Have I mentioned I live in the desert? I feel like every time the weather changes seasons, our noses and throats get a little raw. I love that their products help us to feel better and breathe a little easier. Not to mention they are adorable and can be purchased almost anywhere. (Have you seen their full sized humidifiers?) I thought their travel humidifier was so cool! A less expensive item if you don't want to buy a full-fledged humidifier. Or a nice little one to bring along for traveling.
My Favorite Burpcloths:
Because messes happen all the time, and lets be honest, one burpcloth doesn't cut it.
Especially after a good spit up when you're out and about.
Sakatah Colors: I'm also a huge fan of their crib sheets and accessories!
Red Bunny Designs: They also have adorable bows and accessories for kiddos!
Blue Brontide: I LOVE their wooden plates and utensils for kids along with their pacifier clips.
BabyNell Hat: I can't brag enough about her unique style of baby clothes. They are all handmade and many home-designed fabrics. I love how soft and easy to bring along this baby hat is, and that it goes with everything. I like having it on hand in-case it gets breezy or chilly outside.
Loved Baby Onesie: I like having a change of clothes in my diaper bag just in case for blowouts, spit ups etc. I love how timeless and classic so many of these onesies are. Not to mention many are gender neutral and great for every kid. And they are organic, which is a great bonus.
Fact and Fiction Toys - Play Keys: Their wooden toys are adorable! I wanted to get toys for my kids that won't go in and out of style, and that maybe they can share with their kids someday.
Sophie the Giraffe: Made in France from 100% natural rubber. Classy Sophie. But really, I love knowing that it's a toy safe for my kiddo to chew. It's also easy to grasp, and the squeaker is great too.
Nomilu Pacifier Clip: A Passy Clip is something I didn't have with my first kiddo and am so excited about for our second. They attatch to toys, binkies etc. and keep them in reach of kiddos and more sanitary for mom.
Natursutten Binkie: I love their pacifiers, and that you can pair them with any pacifier clip. They have different shapes and sizes so you can find one your baby will like.
Feltman + Co Wooden Rattle: I like having this in my diaper bag as a way for 'Big Sister' to help entertain 'Little Sister'. They also have some great teethers in just about every color.
Little Sapling Toys Cookie Teether: Serioulsy all of their products are to-die for. They have toys, teethers, rattles, accessories and even decor. The doughnut teether is one of my favorite. And the US states teethers are a great gift idea.