Diaper Bag Essentials! So as your baby goes through the different stages of growth obviously what you need is constantly changing.  Also what you need in your diaper bag depends on where you are going and how long you are going to be there. Here is a breakdown of what my diaper bag essentials are for my 2-year-old toddler.  I broke it down into to three categories: grocery store, multiple errands, and restaurant/dinner at a friend’s house.

If I am just going to the grocery store or somewhere for just an hour- I need the bare minimal.  My daughter is potty training and I have her go potty before we leave. So I do not bother with bringing diapers for short trips. She signs or announces loudly when she needs to go (happens almost always when we are at the store). So I don’t bring or pack a diaper bag, I just bring my purse and add to it.

Bare Essentials to add to my purse:

1.    Hand sanitizer

2.    Snack cup with a dry snack (puffs, crunchies, mini pretzel sticks)

3.    Fruit or veggie pouch

4.    Handheld toy – remote/play phone something she can play with while sitting in a cart

5.    Boogie wipes (I have a stash everywhere)

If I am doing a bunch of errands, going to the park, or even just brunch at Grandma’s I pack the diaper bag or actually I always use my diaper backpack! Love this bag!

Backpack Diaper Bag Essentials:

1.    Diapers 2-3

2.    Wipes

3.    Boogie wipes

4.    Snack cup with a dry snack (puffs, crunchies, mini pretzel sticks)

5.    Fruit or veggie pouch

6.    Handheld toy – (remote/play phone)

7.    Toddler leash ( I know, no I am not walking my kid, but her tolerance for staying in a shopping cart tends to wane after 20 minutes. Instead of having a meltdown/tantrum this is helpful to have her think she has freedom of walking around. Plus she is a runner.)

8.    Diaper cream (if she needs it)

9.    Small bag of Legos or playdough

10.  Sunglasses

11.  Hand sanitizer

If we decide to be adventurous, and go out to dinner with our very active toddler, or I go to lunch with my wonderfully tolerant girlfriends; I bring my BIG diaper bag.  This is basically my “restaurant bag” or bag for dinner at a friend’s house.

My big diaper bag looks basically like a handbag. It is a deep bag and has 3 compartments with the middle having an inner zip and pouches. I am like Mary Poppins with this diaper bag. It is truly amazing what I can fit in here!

Diaper Bag Essentials:

1.    Diapers 2-3

2.    Wipes

3.    Boogie wipes

4.    Snack cup with a dry snack (puffs, crunchies, mini pretzel sticks)

5.    Fruit or veggie pouch

6.    Baby toddler shelf life yogurt (does not need to be refrigerated)

7.    Sippy cup (featured is her personalized My Silly Monkey insulated sippy cup you can order yours here)

8.    Toddler fork/spoon

9.    Peanut butter cup (can always put some on a roll/toast) and/or yogurt or applesauce

10.  Handheld toys (remote/phone)

11.  Small bag of Legos or I pack a large zippered pouch and bring puzzles

12.  Small book

13.  Small baby doll or stuffed animal

14.  Change of clothes (featured is her personalized My Silly Monkey t-shirt you can order yours here)

15.  Portable placemat

16.  Sunglasses

17.  Hair bows and clips (her hair is always getting in her face)

18.  Portable cloth high chair seat (never know if they have booster seats or a highchair)

All zipped up and ready to go! Yes, everything is in here!

So, what do you think? These are all the things I include for my 2-year old’s diaper bag essentials. What’s in your diaper bag?

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