Parenting Checklists

Diaper Bag

• Diapers: Take more than you think you'll need, as many as one for every hour of your outing.
• Small box or travel pack of wipes: These aren't just for baby, but for your hands, too.
• A tube of barrier cream or diaper-rash cream
• Several cloth diapers or other cloths for burping, spit-up, and other messes
• An extra shirt, pants, and pair of socks for baby
• An extra shirt for you
• Baby sunblock
• Baby's bottle, if she uses one -- to keep things sanitary, you might put the nipple in a plastic bag
• At least one toy
• A favorite comfort object
• If baby is on solids, a container of baby food and a baby spoon, or else a container of snacks, such as cereal or crackers
• A bib
• Two extra pacifiers (if baby uses them) stored in a clean plastic bag
• A cell phone for emergencies
• An index card with your name, address, and phone number, should the bag get lost
• An index card with the pediatrician's number, a neighbor's number, and a number where your spouse or one of baby's grandparents can be reached
• A changing pad -- many diaper bags come with one
• A few large plastic bags for sealing and tossing dirty diapers, or taking home soiled clothes
• Water and a snack for you