Help shrink my diaper bag

[la79al]

I have a full size backpack that I have used for a diaper bag since DD was born. Even when we are using disposable diapers, this thing seems to be overstuffed. For our December trip, I am hoping to downsize the diaper bag enough that I can also fit sweatshirts, etc into the stroller basket. So what do I really need to pack in my diaper bag?

 

[NotUrsula]

How old is the baby now? Are potty training or reflux issues part of your current reality? These things make a difference to what will be workable.

 

[la79al]

The baby will be 19 months in December. I am purposely not starting potty training until after the trip, and no reflux issues.

 

[virginiamama]

Ziplock bags!

Instead of carrying a whole thing of wipes, or even the smaller plastic wipe containers, just jam a bunch in a baggie, squish out the air and replenish as needed.

For extra clothes, put them in a gallon bag and squish all the air out like a Space Bag.

Snack containers take up space even when they are empty. Why not use a baggie and have extra space as the snacks are consumed.

 

[2binak]

I have never been a fan of big diaper bags. I think you end up packing way more than you really need if the bag is too big. DD is now 18 months old and the only thing I use is a small diaper purse which holds 2-3 diapers, wipes, disposable changing pad, tabletopper & bib. It also has room for my keys, cellphone, wallet & a couple of small toys or books. I leave a change of clothes in the car in case we need it, but she rarely needs it anymore. We also keep a few extra diapers & wipes in each car.

As for Disney, we went last year when DD was 8 months old and managed with one backpack for all 3 of us. We used a stroller bag which attaches to the handles of the stroller (highly recommended!!!) to hold 6 diapers in a gallon-size ziploc, a quart-sized ziploc of wipes, sippy cup, snack bowl, lightweight blanket and a couple of toys. It stayed attached to the stroller the entire time. In the backpack, we had the things we wanted to have on us at all times: baby food, cheerios in a ziploc, bottles, formula, a couple of extra diapers & water plus a change of shirts for DH & I and 2 changes of clothes (in a ziploc) for DD. At night, we'd add a light sweatshirt or long pants for me. We'd always head back to the room late afternoon so we didn't need to pack for an entire day & night.

PACKING LIGHT FOR A TODDLER CAN BE DONE!!!!!!

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

In my diaper bag I carry

5 diapers,

small pop top wipes container,

former poncho (that ripped beyond repair) which has been trimmed down to become a "Disney Themed" liner for changing stations,

Cloth diaper that I use as a head cushion during changes, burp cloth, and general mess cleaner,

2 toys: Discovery's Super Yummy Teether and a cloth book about Pooh

spray hand disinfectant

Clorox wipes in a ziplock bag

I also have a couple baby food jars, 2 baby spoons, and a Munchkin fresh food feeder, a mesh "pacifier styled" tool that allows baby to suck and chew on foods without fear of small pieces choking her.

Onesie and a Mommy sized T-shirt in a gallon ziplock bag. This allows for one really messy disaster clothes change and a place to put the really messy clothes.

Maya Wrap, a double ring sling, which allows for comfortably carrying baby in long lines and onto rides.

Small wallet/cell phone holder.

That is it.

It all fits in a rather small diaper bag with room left over.

For a trip to Disney I would add:

super small pancho packs from Wal Mart

First Aid kit with Moleskin, pre-cut, bandaids, small neosporin, a few doses of tylenol, sunscreen, and an extra tampon.


I hope that helps. When I was a first time mom I tended to carry everything, but over time, I have cut back on what I carry due to my parenting style and life experiences.

I would suggest you lay out all your itmes and ask yourself, is there a way to make this smaller, or have an item do double duty? For me, I used to carry the changing pad that came with the big bag, but decided it took up too much space, wasn't soft enough for the little one's head, and could be replaced by one vinyl sheet and the cloth diaper I was already carrying.

I also used to carry way too many diapers and ointments. In my situation, my kiddos rarely have diaper rashes, so why was I carrying baby lotion and butt paste everywhere I went? For a long trip, like Disney, I would bring baby lotion and butt paste, but I would leave them in the hotel.


Oh, some little ones really love their sippy cups, but my kids went from the breast to a small cup with a lid and straw. Animal Kingdom doesn't have staws, so I would add a sippy cup for that park.

Have fun!

 

[Poohbug]

Use your car.

I always keep diapers, wipes, extra set of clothes, empty sippy cup in a little bag I keep in the trunk. These are the things I need to have with me.

I think people carry way to much stuff around with them-I like to travel lite. Think about how often you really use the stuff you carry. If it makes you nervous not having them-keep them in the car. Still handy but you don't have to carry it.

Now if you are a city dweller and don't use a car, this won't work for you. But if you use the car on a daily basis-this works-I don't even carry a diaper bag once the kids turn one.

 

[waltskids]

I second the 'use your car' suggestion. We keep a small bag with diapers, wipes, extra bib, burpcloth and outfit for DD and change of clothes for DS (potty trained but still has an occasional accident) in each car. If we go out I simply carry a purse with DD's bottle(s) if needed and a diaper or two with wipes for her as well. In WDW, we carry one backpack for all of the items and use the basket for rain ponchos.

Ok, just realized you were asking about your upcoming Disney trip, not at home: For our upcoming Disney trip we will carry (in one large backpack):
4-5 diapers (size 1)
small package of wipes
1 extra bib for DD
1 extra burpcloth for DD
extra onesie or outfit for DD
extra pair of shorts and underwear for DS
1 pullup for DS (in case of a major accident, lol!)
1 or 2 disposable bibs for DS (for any messy meal)
a few disposable changing pads for DD
bottles with premeasured formula
water bottle(s) to prepare bottles
a few snacks for DS in baggies or prepackaged bags
hand santizer and a few sanitizer wipes

We never used containers for snacks, just baggies so we could throw them away after use. Also taught DS to drink from a straw very early to avoid the sippy cup. I also skip the kid size bowls, forks, spoons, etc. We have always just used what was at the restaurant.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have a full size backpack that I have used for a diaper bag since DD was born. Even when we are using disposable diapers, this thing seems to be overstuffed. For our December trip, I am hoping to downsize the diaper bag enough that I can also fit sweatshirts, etc into the stroller basket. So what do I really need to pack in my diaper bag?

Everyone but the baby carries their own stuff. Tie the sweatshirts around the waist. Get the two older kids a fanny pack or small back pack to carry their stuff.

 

[la79al]

Everyone but the baby carries their own stuff. Tie the sweatshirts around the waist. Get the two older kids a fanny pack or small back pack to carry their stuff.

Actually, my mom has bought my DD a backpack with wheels and she is currently in training so she will be pulling it through the airport by herself. We'll see how that goes.

I think I am most nervous about our first day when we say goodbye to our luggage at 5 a.m. and won't see it again until AK closes. At least I have 4 months to work on it.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We packed as light as possible for the parks, as we knew we would be taking breaks during the day. I had 2 diaper babies on our trip and this is what we took in our bag:

3 diapers for baby
2 for toddler
travel wipe container
1 jar of food
either those packets of formula or the 3 bin things for formula, kept the big can in the room
1 take n toss spoon
disposable bibs
bottle, 1 nipple, bottle liners
tylenol (for each kid)
teething tabs
100 calorie snack bags x4
raincoat for each kid

That's it. We didn't take anymore than we needed and had a great trip.

 

[missfigment]

here is what i packed in my diaper bag for my 18 month old when we went to disney:

-6 diapers
-wipes in travel case
- sippy cup
-snack cup
-extra outfit (just in case)
-paci
-baby books/toys to occupy in lines
- small light blanket to block out the light when he napped in the stroller or if it got cool in the evening.
-a few disposable changing pads
- 2 disposable bibs

 

[Sorsha]

With my first kiddo, my diaper bag was bigger than some of my luggage. By the time I hit the third child, I hoped I had remembered to toss a diaper in my purse.

For a child the age of your DD, I would take the following.

Diapers (probably 6-10)
Wipes - I would buy one of those soft "refill" bags that actually have the little lid/dispenser area built into the bag. Having just a few in a Ziploc wouldn't work for me, I use wipes for EVERYTHING.
2 changes of clothes.
Small pack of disposable bibs
A couple disposable changing pads
A sun hat, if baby will wear one
Baby sunblock
Sippy cup
Baby tylenol
A couple of ziploc bags to seal clothes up in if they get nasty.
A few of baby's favorite toys
Favorite snacks in a ziploc

I would not take food, at 19 months, I would assume baby is eating table food by now and can just share with the family. I also would not take any extra liquids, you can get water from the water fountains and buy juice or milk in the parks. Finally, I never use hand sanitizer on/around small children and babies, so I wouldn't carry that either. Personal issues with over use of anti-bacterials and effects on developing immune systems, combined with the dangers of alcohol poisoning. YMMV though!

have a great trip!

 

[WantToGoNow]

We went to WDW when dd was turning 1 - I always carried just enough diapers for what time I would be out, travel wipe container, extra pacifier, sippy cup and an extra outfit. We went when ds was 6 months old so I had the addition of bottles, formula, disposible bibs and baby food. Still everything fit into a small diaper bag. I figured if I needed anything I didn't have, I could either buy it or return to the hotel.