What to carry in diaper bag?

Hi Ladies--I just got a really cute diaper bag which is actually more of a large purse than a real "diaper bag". I love it but I'm a little concerned it's not big enough to hold all the stuff I need when out and about with the twins. But I'm also not totally sure what I need to carry around.

I realize I'm going to need a couple diapers for each baby, wipes, probably plastic bags to dispose of said diapers and wipes, bottles, a changing mat, a couple outfits for each baby(?), anything else? Of course then my own junk like wallet, cell phone, etc.

Am I missing anything?

p.s. of course the first words out of DH's mouth were "How am I going to carry that? Does it have to look *so* much like a purse??". Yes, yes it does.

 

I'd say 4 diapers for each baby, a wipe carrier, baggies for dirty diapers, bottles, changing mat, at least 2 outfits for each baby, diaper cream, baby tylenol, your junk, baby toys, burp rags, and if your doing to be out for longer a diaper for each hour your going to be gone, extra formula and water for new bottles, socks and extra blankets.

Since they are b/g i'd suggest neutral outfits for the diaper bag until they get too old for that

 

And if you're nursing, don't forget snacks! I always have a granola bar or something similar in my bags since I get SO hungry when I'm nursing. I can remember days when we'd go out with the girls and they would go through the outfits they had on AND the outfits that I had in the bag and would have to run out to the store to buy something. Granted it only happened a few times, but it was enough to make me keep a second emergency bag in the car with a onsie, some pants, extra diapers and wipes in it. And if your main bag doesn't fit everything, put some of it into the emergency bag. I'm not a big overpacker and tend to pack light, but I do love big bags.

 

Agreeing with the PP on this one about an emergency bag. My DS had severe GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux disease) and we never left the house with less than 5 outfits for him and at least one change of clothes for me. It was always way too much to carry so I kept a small rubbermaid container with a lid on it in the trunk of my car. I always had extra clothes (for both of us), diapers, wipes, a can of formula, water bottles, and TONS of burp rags. That way if I used something up out of my diaper bag I could just pick and choose what I needed to restock and then I made an effort to restock the container in my car once a week.

You probably won't need to stockpile like I did, but it was definitely a wake up call on preparedness!

 

That is an awesome idea about keeping a container in the car!!!!!!!
I am in the process of packing bags to take to hospital and am finding that my nappy bag doesn't hold as much as I would like. Packing for 2 is definately harder than packing for 1 baby.

 

I must just be a minimalist then. I have Coach "diaper bag," so obviously it is just a huge purse. All I carry in there for my boys is one extra onesie for each (they are 7 months & I have never had to change their clothes when I've been out & about), wipes, and 4 diapers total. If I know I'm going to be gone for their feeding I carry 2 Dr. Browns bottles along w/ their formula & rice cereal in our 2 containers. 1 of those has the formula needed for the bottles & the other had the rice cereal for their bottles (yes, we put rice cereal in their bottles cause of their bad reflux). Oh and I used to have their burps clothes in my purse, but the boys just hold those in their laps now lol.. and kind of try to eat them, but hey it helps w/ their drool

Other than that I just have my big Coach wallet in there. Oh I have a little cute bag inside of it that holds my mini hand sanitizer, chapstick, and eye drops for my hubby.

 

I'm with you, Jo. I actually carry less with the twins than I did with my firstborn, simply because I realized just how much I DIDN'T use that I lugged around for him. This all depends on exactly where you're going, when, and how long you're going to be there, but...

In the first year, how long are you really gone at a stretch for the most part? I tried really really hard to get and keep mine on a schedule, which meant short jaunts only. And the first few months? Dr's appts was about it. I cannot tell you how many mommas I see in a restaurant with a bag big enough to be an overnight bag for ME! Do you really need 16 diapers and 3 full changes of clothes for each baby if you're going to be gone less than 2 hrs? I'm betting most people don't.

I have multiple bags that serve different purposes. I have a backpack purse used for trips to the grocery store and such...enough room for a couple of dipes and wipes, a couple toys and pacis, and my stuff. For our "date" night - meaning, going out to dinner Friday nights w/ all 3 kids - the toy bag (with a couple of dipes just in case) that has "special" toys that aren't used at home and some snacks so that we can (hopefully) get thru an hour of dinner fun in peace. For longer trips of a few hrs or when I'll be away from the car for a long time, a regular backpack (I MUCH prefer these over regular diaper bags, as having twins requires TWO free hands and a bag that won't fall off my shoulder and clobber someone in the face). This has an extra change of clothes each, a few more dipes, maybe some snacks or mealtime food and a receiving blanket (for a multitude of uses) and my stuff. All of these bags have plenty of room for a couple bottles, too. And then I have a bag that stays in the van at all times...2 more outfits, dipes and wipes, extra pacis, and things like sunscreen and towels in the summer months, first aid stuff...everything that I want to have "just in case" but really don't need to lug around with me when I'm at Target for 45 mins.

I think we twin moms have enough to lug around...no need to pack for a week when you'll be gone for an hour. And for the record, my peeps are 9.5 months and between them and DS #1, I've had to use that spare change of clothes twice ever. Granted, we didn't have reflux-ish issues...those were diaper blowouts, but we've spend a LOT of time in the car and away from home without incident. Just my personal experience. ardon:

 

Good point Eve! I should note that we travel a LOT (3-4 hour drives each way are not uncommon for us at all and we often have quite a few 8+ hour drives too)and also have to travel an hour each way to even get to the grocery store. Yup - we live in the middle of nowhere. :lol: So my list of things to pack is a lot bigger than someone who just goes out with the babies occasionally or lives close to where they are going. Even a trip to the Drs is a 4+ hour jaunt since we have to grocery shop while we're there (again, an hour drive each way.)

 

Thanks, everyone! It's a good point, I didn't really specify what kinds of outings I would use the bag for. We live in the city so I'd be mostly using it for outings to the Dr, walks around the neighborhood and lunch or dinner with friends (this might be optimistic!). For longer trips, I can certainly use a larger tote or backpack. I like the idea of keeping emergency supplies in the car as well--I think the diaper bag would be more for outings where we are out and about walking around.
Sounds like the bag I have will be plenty big and I can keep it which makes me very happy because it's super cute!

 

Also good ideas!!!