10 Tips to Maximize Efficiency in Your Diaper Bag

Do you ever find yourself out and about with your little one, only to end up frustrated when you can’t find a sippy cup or a diaper?

We get it. Like life, a diaper bag can get hectic sometimes, and it’s not helpful if we’re constantly sorting through our belongings just for one thing. 

But at BabbleRoo, we understand how important it is to have an organized diaper bag. Really, it’s life-changing to know how quickly you can grab your things as long as you have a packing system in place. 

Here are 10 tips to maximize efficiency in your diaper bag. 

1. Choose a well-organized diaper bag

A good diaper bag can be as much of a lifesaver for parents and their babies. It saves time in emergency situations like when you need to change their diaper outside. 

To maximize efficiency in your diaper bag, look for a diaper bag that is roomy and well-organized. Go for options that have huge interior compartments and pockets to keep 

items separate and accessible. Bonus points if they also have straps or clips to easily attach to a stroller to keep your hands free. 

2. Look for easy-to-clean materials and features

Besides organization, a diaper bag should be easy to clean and maintain. An unclean diaper bag not only looks bad, but it can give off nasty odors, attract germs, and make a mess of your belongings. 

If you’re looking for materials that are easy to maintain, vegan leather and polyester are great options. They’re waterproof and generally low-maintenance, which means less cleanup time in case of any spills. If your diaper bags gets dirty, you can throw them into the washing machine once a month for extra TLC. 

Cleaning tips for your diaper bag

• Remove all items from the bag
• Wipe down the sides and the bottom of the diaper bag with a damp cloth
• Use an all-purpose cleaner or a gentle soap and water solution to scrub away at dirt spots and sticky patches
• Use a sanitizing spray to kill bacteria on hard surfaces and wipe down the bag with an antibacterial wipe
• Dry off the outside of the bag with a towel to prevent discolouration or mildew buildup in betwen uses
• Clean the straps with water mixed with mild soap for dirt build up 

Check out our diaper bag maintenance guide for more tips!

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3. Create your diaper bag checklist

One of the ways to make your diaper bag more efficient is to create a diaper bag checklist beforehand. This can save a lot of time and packing and ensures which items are forgotten or not when you’re about to leave a place, like the park or a restaurant. 

Some of the things I usually pack in a diaper bag are:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Baby bottles and formula/milk 
• Water bottle for you and your baby
• Food pouches for your baby if they started soilids
• Burp cloths and bibs
• An extra set of clothes
• An extra empty wet bag/plastic bag for trash and soiled clothes
• My baby’s toys
• A hat and a blanket (in case the weather gets cold)
• Pacifier/teether
• Hand sanitizer
• Snacks 
• My belongings: Phone, sunglasses, wallet etc.

4. Make sure it’s comfortable to carry your diaper bag

While your baby’s needs are important, yours is just as important, too! Your diaper bag should be comfortable to wear and carry on your back and across your shoulders. In this case, go for diaper bags that are both secure and lightweight. 

Once your diaper bag has been packed for your outing, test it out by wearing it. If it’s too heavy, rethink your diaper bag checklist and take out items that you don’t need. For the essentials that are heavy, you can transfer them to a different bag like a tote bag.  

5. Utilize the compartments and pockets

As a parent, your diaper bag compartments and pockets are going to be your best friend.  They’ll help you quickly access what you need while on-the-go. 

To organize your diaper bag, set aside a few sections for diapers, wipes, and other essentials. Don’t be afraid to repurpose those small compartments to store pacifiers, snacks, your keys, and even your phone. This way, you won’t be digging around to find that one thing you need in the moment. 

Quick parenting tip: Use resealable plastic bags for items like snacks or diaper cream that can easily leak or spill, so you can grab them quickly without any mess. 

6. Add diaper bag organizers

You know that feeling of dread when you have your baby in one arm, and your diaper bag in the other — but can't seem to find what you need? Avoid those moments of frustration and add diaper bag organizers to your diaper bag!

This pocket-sized pouches have zippers and are often labeled for easy organization. You can store diapers, extra clothes, your feeding essentials, toys, and even snacks in them. That way, you can keep everything neatly packed away when not in use. 

For maximum diaper bag efficiency, set aside a few minutes each week to make sure it's properly stocked up for the days ahead. This way there will always be an organized space where you can easily access everything that matters when out and about with your little one.

 

 

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7. Pack a change of clothes

Speaking of messes, accidents can happen when you’re out with your baby. If you’re planning to be out longer than a few hours, bring an extra set of onesies and pants at a minimum to stay prepared in case of multiple accidents. Make sure they fit and are made of breathable materials like cotton or linen blends. Throw in an extra pair of socks and shoes as well if you need to!

To maximize space in your diaper bag, roll them up as tightly as possible and stack them up on top of other clothes or items. This hack will help you grab them in one go when you need to change your baby in emergencies. 

8. Pack extra diapers, wipes and sunscreen

For diapers

It can be difficult to decide how many diapers to bring, but err on the side of caution - it's better to be overprepared than caught off guard. The Bump states that your baby will need a diaper for every two hours you’re out, so pack 3-6 diapers on your next outing.  

Quick parenting tip: Have a few extra plastic bags on hand for dirty diapers in case there’s no trash can nearby. You can also use them to store leftover snacks or empty snack bags/packets. 

For wipes

Bring a pack of wipes or restock them if your current pack is running low. 

For sunscreen

Babies can only start wearing sunscreen at 6 months old, so always carry sunscreen that is suitable for your child’s age. 

P.S. Don’t forget to stay protected by bringing your own sunscreen too!

9. Keep bottles, snacks, and toys separate

A hack to maximize the most of your diaper bag was separating items by category: Feeding, Clothes vs Toys. You can divide them and add them to different compartments in your diaper bag like this:

• Bottles: Store them in insulated bottle pockets to keep your baby’s milk warm or at a constant temperature throughout the day.
• Snacks: This could be anything from biscuits to fruit. Pack enough snacks to last your family throughout the day and store them in re-sealable bags or airtight containers. You can pack this next to your kid’s bottle of water. 
• Toys: Make sure any toys are easy to store for quick access when needed. To save diaper bag space, you can bring toys that are small to medium-sized, soft, and flexible (e.g. stuffed animals).

 

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10. Have a designated place for hair accessories and teethers

For your little one’s bows, headbands, and clips, keep them in a designated spot so you can pull them out whenever you need to. You can keep store hair accessories in small zip pouch inside the diaper bag. 

As for teethers, you can store them in other small diaper bag pockets or in dedicated pacifier holders. 

From having a dedicated diaper-changing kit to packing a few healthy snacks, these tips will come in handy when you’re out on the town with your baby. So don't be left unprepared and disorganized—make the most out of your diaper bag’s space!