Your nappy bag is going to be going everywhere with you for the first few years of your baby’s life. There are many ways you can include eco products and continue to do your bit for the world your baby is growing up in, even when you are out and about.
As your baby grows and changes, you will change out what you need in your bag. How long you are out and your personal will also dictate your bag contents, but here’s a basic list to get you started.
Essentials
Nappies
I’ts not going to be a nappy bag without nappies! There are many great eco options available so whether you go compostable, reusable, or biodegradable make sure you pack one for each hour you will be out.
Nappy bags
Single use plastic bags are gone but there is still the matter of safely sealing the smelly nappy until you can dispose or deal with it. Again, compostable or biodegradable bags are the way to go or a mositure resistant washable bag will also do the trick.
Wipes
If you have compostable or biodegradable wipes at home and don’t want to take the whole pack with you, pop some in a small container. A few washable damp cloths in a container work a treat as well or if you feel creative you can make some with paper towels, water, oil, baby soap and aloe vera.
Milk, snacks and water
Whatever your child’s main food source is, pack some extra. If it’s breastmilk, pop a snack and a bottle of water in for you.
Changing pad
If your nappy bag doesn’t have a change pad built in, you can simply pop in a hand towel.
Extra clothes
You never know when a spectacular up chuck or poonami will make an appearance so a complete extra set of clothes including socks is essential. Also keep a warm top, a sun hat and a warm hat in the bag.
Bib
A spare bib is always handy – even if it’s just to wipe up.
Optional extras
Bottom balm
If your baby has a bit of a sore bottom or is due a poonami, a nappy balm can help provide a barrier and makes a nappy change easier. A bottom balm is also a great way to avoid nappy rashes too.
Hand sanitizer
If you think a wipe isn’t going to do an adequate clean up or you are using public toilets, a bottle of hand sanitiser will be worth including.
Toys
The age and stage of your child will dictate what you include.
Spare cuddly
A hard learned lesson by many parents is to try and have a spare cuddly so if one is lost, it’s not crisis time.
First aid kit
A few plasters, and some baby pain relief will often come in handy.
What is your nappy bag essential?
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Written by Robyn
Robyn creates content on Kidspot NZ. Her hobbies include buying cleaning products and wondering why things don’t then clean themselves, eating cheese scones with her friends, and taking her kids to appointments.
Favourite motto to live by: “This too will pass.”
These are all great ideas and the majority of which I currently have available in my daughter’s nappy bag. I do ned to add plasters, that is a great idea when something comes up even if it’s just me getting a blister after going on a big walk with the pram! I like the idea of a damp cloth but I’d be worried I’d forget it and find it when it’s a smelly, musty mess.
The bag in the picture makes me think that it’s too small for everything that you need to bring though. The list here is a mile long and if you have to formula feed, you definitely need a bigger bag. I appreciate the ideas and I realise that a first aid kit can really come in handy even just a few plasters.
These are all great ideas, I like the damp cloth idea perfect for those really messy hand and face clean ups.
I love this list I tried to use cloth nappy’s most the time and used washable fabric soaked in tea tee oil and put into a bag or small container I found it better than wipes which sometimes you need to use heaps of when out and about and at home. Out of the essentials list I carried all and most the optional extras you can never have too many items in a nappy bag.
I love the essentials list…so spot on.
.. but probably dont carry as much. anymore.
I did come across some eco bags which are made of cornflour and disintergrates once dicarded
Very handy to have and consider.
These are all very good ideas, its also a good idea to pack a spare top (at least) for yourself as babies can spew or your boobs might leak etc…
I’m a big fan of Eco Store products – I used the baby products when my daughter was a baby and we now use the washing powder for our clothes, the dishwashing liquid and the dishwasher powder for the dishwasher. I think they are fantastic products that work really well along with being kind to us and the environment 🙂
The ecostore nappy balm sounds like a great addition to not only the baby bag but to a first aid kit as well. The added benefits it would give – for rashes, burns and the like – would make it an ideal accompiament to the first aid kit or cupboard at home. I think I will look for some as we often need something like this!