What's on Our Baby Changing Bag Checklist? Newborn Essentials We Use Every Day

Before having Arlo, I don't think I fully appreciated how much stuff you need to take with you just to leave the house with a baby. Even a walk or a trip to the shops means packing a changing bag with nappies, spare clothes, muslins, and bottles.

After our first baby, we've started to work out what we actually need to take and what we can leave at home. You don't want to be caught short when you're out, but you also don't want to carry half the house with you!

Here are the things we've found useful when packing our changing bag.

Nappies and Wipes

This is probably the most obvious one, but it's surprising how quickly you can go through nappies with a newborn. We always make sure we've got a few spares, even if we're only going out for a short time.

Baby wipes are another essential, along with some nappy bags for when you need to change your little one while you're out. I'd also recommend getting a portable changing mat, as you won't always have somewhere suitable to change them.

It's better to have a couple of spare nappies than to realise you've run out when you're nowhere near home!

Add Spare Clothes to Your Baby Changing Bag Checklist

I'd definitely recommend packing at least one spare outfit. Babies can be messy, whether it's milk coming back up or a nappy leak, and you never know when you'll need to change them.

We usually take a spare vest and sleepsuit. They don't take up much room, and it's one less thing to worry about if you need them.

Remember that newborn clothes don't always fit every baby straight away. Depending on their size, you might need something smaller or larger than you originally expected.

Muslin Cloths

Muslin cloths are one of those things you seem to use for absolutely everything. We've found them really useful for dealing with milk spills, wiping up little messes and putting over your shoulder when feeding.

They're lightweight and don't take up much room in your bag, so I'd recommend taking at least a couple with you.

You can never really have too many muslins when you've got a newborn!

Bottles and Feeding Supplies

If you're bottle-feeding, as we do, think about how you'll manage feeds when you're out and about. Newborns feed regularly, so it's worth having everything ready before you leave the house.

We use MAM bottles, which we've found work well for us. What you need to take will depend on how you feed your baby and how long you're going to be out. At the moment, we find 3-4 bottles/feed sorts us out for the day.

Plan ahead and follow NHS guidance on preparing and transporting formula safely. You don't want to be trying to work everything out when your baby is hungry, and you're away from home.

Dummies

If your baby uses a dummy, I'd recommend keeping a spare in your changing bag. They're easy to drop or lose, and it's useful to have another one available when you need it.

Just make sure you keep the spare clean and follow the manufacturer's guidance on cleaning and suitability for your baby's age.

A Blanket and Something Warm

Depending on the weather, it's worth having a suitable blanket or an extra layer available in your baby's changing bag when you're out.

The weather can change quickly, especially if you're out walking, so having something extra in the bag can help. Just make sure you dress your baby appropriately and avoid overheating them.

We've found it's better to be prepared, especially when you're out for a while.

Choosing a Baby Changing Bag

You don't need to spend a fortune on a changing bag, but a practical one makes life easier.

I'd look for something with enough room for the basics, a few separate pockets and somewhere to keep bottles upright. It's also useful to find things quickly, rather than emptying the whole bag every time you need a nappy!

If you're using a pram, you can also make use of the storage basket underneath, depending on how much room you have.

The main thing is finding something that works for you. There's no point spending loads of money on a bag with features you'll never use.

Our Changing Bag Checklist

If you're getting ready for your first baby, here's a simple list of things I'd recommend packing:

• Nappies and wipes

• Nappy bags

• A portable changing mat

• Spare vest and sleepsuit

• A couple of muslin cloths

• Bottles and feeding supplies, if needed

• A spare dummy, if your baby uses one

• A bib

• A suitable blanket or extra layer

• A spare top for yourself

You might not need everything on this list every time you go out, but it's a good starting point.

Keep It Simple

One thing I've learnt since having Arlo is that you don't need to buy absolutely everything or prepare for every possible situation. It's easy to get carried away when you're looking at baby products online, but often the basics are enough.

I'd start with the essentials and figure out what you actually use as you go. Every baby is different, and what works for one family might not work for another.

Getting out of the house with a newborn can feel like an operation at first, but it gets easier once you get into a routine. Having a packed, ready-to-go changing bag definitely helps.

We're still learning as we go, but for now, keeping things simple seems to work best for us.