What you need when taking a baby or toddler on an outing

The bag:

Forget trendy and think practical. Choose a bag that’s spacious, light, durable and washable. It should have a shoulder-length padded strap, or, if you would prefer to be hands free, choose a backpack. The bag should have sensible compartments with secure pockets for your cell phone, purse and keys if you don’t want to take a handbag along. A pocket for documents is useful – especially when you go to the clinic or doctor.

Some bags come with a change mat, others open into a change mat. You need pockets for bottles (some bags have these thermal lined to keep formula or boiled water warm).

Essentials:

• Soft, plastic change mat
• Nappies – towelling or disposable – at least 6 or more depending on your outing
• Wipes – in a zip lock bag
• Wet face cloth in a zip lock bag
• Packets for used nappies and trash
• Hand sanitizer
• Extra dummies in a sealed plastic container
• Tissues
• Toys
• Change of clothing
• Beanie or sunhat depending on the season
• Bibs

Feeding:

Breast:
• Shawl
• Breast pads
• Burp cloth
• Extra top in case you leak

Bottle:
• Either prepared formula or water and powdered formula
• Bib
• Burp cloth

If you also have a toddler you will need:

• Diluted fresh fruit juice in a Sippy cup
• Toys
• Extra clothes
• Extra underwear if potty-training
• Snacks
• Hat or beanie – depending on the weather.

First aid:

It’s always useful to keep these in a separate bag:

• Plasters

• Round-tipped scissors

• Tea-tree oil (it’s good for everything!)

• Teething gels

• Medicines your baby may be taking

• Nappy rash cream

• Sunblock stick for babies and children.

Top tips:

• Keep the nappy bag packed and ready all the time 

• Repack and clean it out as soon as you come home

• Keep a smaller bag for short outings with just a few essentials

• Attach a baggage label with your name and contact details (if you’re like me, there’s a chance you will leave it behind one day!)

• Don’t forget your own needs – a bottle of water and a snack. Breastfeeding moms especially get very thirsty and moms use a lot of calories for energy

• Keep a few pegs or a bulldog clip

• One contestant in the Amazing Race brought duct tape on his wife’s insistence. It came in very handy. Keep some in your car …..