This post shows you New Mom Bag Essentials and Shopping List Ideas that won’t break your budget and that you’re actually going to use!
I know there are tons of items you can buy. Many of them promise to add more hours to your sleep magically.
Some are advertised as must-haves for babies and new moms, but it’s really easy to get overwhelmed and end up buying things you don’t actually need.
That’s why, in this post, I’m going to show you the real new mom bag essentials.
Just so you know, I’m a working mom, a first-time mom, and I live in a crowded city in a one-bedroom rental!
So, for me, everything has to be practical as I simply don’t have room to keep the extra stuff and don’t have time to waste!
Baby and Mom Bag Essentials
If you’re just going for a short stroll in between feedings, you won’t need to carry a bottle, pre-measured formula, thermos of warm water, or a pre-made bottle.
But if you’re planning a longer walk, make sure to include all of the above!
In addition to food, your baby will need the following items!
Diapers
You need to have a couple of diapers in your bag at all times. If you’re planning to spend more time outside, bring even more, about 3 or 4.
This is non-negotiable and something you should keep in almost every bag:
- your stroller
- your car
- your parents’ house (and honestly, just everywhere!).
Baby Wipes
Another baby must-have, baby wipes are truly one of the top mom bag essentials.
Choose paraben-free, silicone-free baby wipes made with 99% water, no harsh chemicals or strong fragrances.
Look for ones with just a few ingredients. You can get natural ones with almond oil and vitamin E, but I personally prefer simple ones. The simpler, the better.
Changing Mat
I can’t imagine going out without a changing mat. I use disposable ones (paper-based) and have a regular foldable one that I can clean with wipes or soap.
Since we walk a lot and spend a ton of time in city parks, we often end up changing outside, and most benches are not ideal for diaper changes.
A soft, waterproof changing mat that folds neatly into your bag is a lifesaver!
I just wipe it down with a baby wipe after each use, and once a week, I clean it with a bit of alcohol or wash it with soap!
Disposable Changing Pad
You can also bring disposable changing pads (the paper ones) to use in shopping malls.
If you’re a first-time mom, you might not know what those baby-changing stations actually look like.
Most of them have a soft changing mat that you really can’t use without either a disposable paper pad or at least a muslin cloth underneath.
That’s why I think you should always have at least one disposable changing pad with you.
Disposable (Poop) Bags
You need something to pack used diapers and I suggest cheap dog poop bags! Just make sure they’re at least biodegradable or a little bit environmentally friendly.
Sometimes, if we’re taking a stroll near the lake in our city, we’ll need to walk for half an hour before finding a bin to toss out a dirty diaper. Having these bags with me helps a lot.
And I should mention, I have a dog, too. He also poops during our walks, so having poop bags with me is just a part of life at this point.
Spare Onesie
There’s a joke online that if you check your mom’s bag, you’ll definitely find a spare onesie that no longer fits your baby!
We pack them and forget. But jokes aside, you do need a change of clothes. For me, that’s always a spare onesie because I need something quick and simple.
If my baby has an accident, I’ll change her (using the soft, foldable changing pad or the disposable paper one), and then I pack the dirty onesie in a poop bag!
Burp Cloth or a Muslin Blanket
These are honestly some of the top mom bag essentials, and let me tell you why!
You can change the baby anywhere, but you can’t change yourself. If you get spit-up, milk, or any kind of baby fluid on you, you’ll be stuck in those clothes for the rest of the day.
That’s why I always have a burp cloth and a muslin blanket for feeding time.
I also like carrying a clean muslin blanket in case someone wants to hold the baby.
I prefer laying it over their clothes so the baby has something soft to rest on. It’s easier, more comfortable for them, and better for the baby, too.
Nursing Cover
This one’s optional for all breastfeeding mamas, but a nursing cover can help protect your privacy when feeding in public.
I’m torn between wanting to just feed my baby freely and worrying about what other people think. But honestly, I don’t feel comfortable nursing in front of people I know.
Like, I really don’t want to show my boob in front of friends or family. It’s awkward. Maybe I’m weak because I can’t just let it go. It’s just my baby and her food, and it should be normal.
But the truth is, having a lightweight nursing cover works better for me.
Then there’s the issue of strangers giving me side eyes, usually older people with rude comments, and I just don’t have the energy to deal with that.
If the weather is hot and we’re outside, sometimes I’ll feed without the cover and just practice, bit by bit, how to feel more comfortable feeding in public.
Pacifier
If your baby uses one, you need to pack a pacifier and a pacifier holder with a protective box, and carry a backup with you at all times!
If your baby drops it, you won’t always have access to clean water to wash it, so having a spare is a must.
Reusable Shopping Bag
I carry a small, compact, reusable shopping bag for last-minute purchases. I usually go grocery shopping once or twice a week, but just the other day, we were out and saw some fresh strawberries at the farmer’s market, and of course, I had to buy them!
Having a shopping bag is a clever way to stay organized and take care of the environment at the same time.
So these are the new mom bag essentials I really think you’ll need every day.
Personal Items
Now, let me share some personal items you’ll also need to squeeze into your bag:
- Wallet and keys
- Phone and charger
- Hand sanitizer, lip balm, and compact mirror
- Hair tie or hair clip – I learned this the hard way! It’s basically impossible to feed your baby with your hair down. They’ll pull it, get it messy, or you’ll end up with spit in your hair. A hair clip is a must.
- Sunglasses
- Mini first aid kit – just a few band-aids, painkillers, and your supplements
Snacks and Food
I don’t usually pack much when I’m outside. I can grab a bottle of water or a granola bar pretty much anywhere in the city.
But sometimes, I like to keep a small candy or a chocolate bar in my bag.
It’s kind of an old habit from pregnancy. I used to have low blood pressure and would faint easily (especially in hospitals!), so I always had something sweet with me just in case.
Is It Really Realistic to Carry So Many Things?
I’m gonna be honest, it’s not realistic to carry all of this on your shoulder.
That’s why I keep most of these items in the stroller. I actually treat the “mom bag” as a stroller bag and leave it in the stroller basket.
The main reason? I’m not trying to break my back after carrying my baby for nine months. Also, I switch the stroller and the dog with my husband, so I want everything to be accessible to him, too.
That’s why I say it’s better to just buy a bottle of water or find a drinking fountain than to carry everything and risk hurting yourself.
Shopping for new mom bag essentials is all part of the Pre-Baby Talk. That’s why, when the baby comes, you’ll be ready and prepared for…
…all the love in the world.
Which of these items do you think is the most important for a new mom? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll always have these ideas handy!
This post showed you New Mom Bag Essentials and Shopping List Ideas.
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