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I’m still pretty new at the whole “sustaining the life of another human being” thing, but at least I’ve managed to figure out what I need to have in our Brooke Van Gory diaper bag when Dre and I head out into the wilds of Seattle with the baby. If you want to get the low-down on what we lug around with us (and oooh: offbeat discount from Brooke!) keep reading…
1. Custom changing pad/emergency minky (gifted from RockerByeBaby)
This roll of awesome does double duty: it’s a badass changing pad when we need it, but also acts as an emergency mini-minky blanket when Tavi gets cold. Amber from RockerByeBaby sent me a full-size minky (and it’s definitely the baby’s go-to blanket) but it’s nice to have some emergency minky-to-go when needed.
2. Custom puker (gifted from RockerByeBaby)
I really didn’t understand just how many burp rags we would go through in a given day. I use everything as a burp rag now, including this star-emblazoned could-be-a-diaper.
3. Wet Sack (by Itsy Ritsy)
This was a gift from Offbeat Megan. It’s lined with plasticy stuff so that we can stick Tavi’s post-production diapers in it. And yes, this firmly establishes my skullie theme for the baby gear. I have a big explanation about the circle of life, and how even as we’re celebrating the start of the baby’s life, we’re keeping the other end of the spectrum in mind. But I think it’s mostly just cute.
4. Low flow nipple
This is left over from our trip to Portland last weekend. Dre took a bottle of pumped milk with him and the baby when they went to a brunch with his family. It’s funny to me that we went out of our way to get low-flow nipples, out of concern for not wanting to make the bottle too easy for the baby. Realistically my milk flow is so intense that the baby is used to nursing from a functional fire hose.
5. Soothies and little bag (by Poise.cc)
Tavi doesn’t like pacifiers yet, but these stay in the bag in part because I was so pleased with how they fit in the little bag I got from Cinnamon at SXSW last year. It’s designed for business cards, but felt perfect for carrying an extra binky … That my son doesn’t yet like or need. But it’s so cute!
6. Seventh Generation Baby Wipes
Feeding my cloth diaper hankering
Ok, you can count me among the obsessed. If I wasnt a hippie, I would probably cloth diaper just for the fact that disposables don’t... Read more
7. Bebe au Lait nursing cover
This was a gift from my guy friends at Nearlyweds. I’m not especially shy about breastfeeding in public, but I figured it’s good to have a cover in the diaper bag just in case I need it.
8. Crappy blanket from hospital
This was the blanket Tavi was wrapped in when he was born. It’s thin industrial cotton and totally cheap, but I carry it as an emergency swaddler.
9. Disposable road diapers
We do cloth diapers at home and on round-town trips, but when we’re traveling elsewhere (like we were last weekend) we go disposable.
10. Emergency onesie
Break glass in case of blow-out! This onesie was decorated at our shower.
11. Motherlove Nipple Cream
Because my boobs. They hurt.
12. Lansinoh Nursing Pads
This makes me sad. I have a whole assortment of wonderful washable nursing pads, but unfortunately my milk flow is just too much to be contained by cloth. After two weeks of soaking through over a dozen nursing pads (and several shirts!) a day, I finally bit the bullet and tried disposable nursing pads. Problem solved. *le sigh* I’m hoping that my flow will slow down a bit in coming months so I can return to my washable pads. Until then: these fuckers.
Offbeat Discount:
Get free shipping when you order a custom diaper bag (or anything else) from Brooke Van Gory Designs! Just mention Offbeat Mama when you place your order.
13. Custom diaper bag (gifted by Brooke Van Gory Designs)</strong)
The bag that carries it all! This bit of loud & fabulous baggery is a custom creation from Brooke Van Gory Designs. It’s got pockets for everything, and is perfectly in keeping with my “circle of life”/punk rock skull theme. It’s an awesome conversation starter, and doesn’t feel to duckies & pastels for me. (Thanks, Brooke!)
Like I said — I’m still pretty new at this whole mama gig. I’d love to see what you more experienced mamas are lugging around in your diaper bag. Take a photo and stick it in the Offbeat Mama pool … and then share the link in the comments! 🙂
The best part of BFing is that you have more space in your diaper bag. 😀 Posting my pic now!
BTW, I've never heard of Motherlove. I'll have to check it out for baby #2. I used Lasinoh with Alice.
Okay this gave me a great opportunity to go through the bag and clean it out.http://www.flickr.com/photos/hunnyjoebunnydu/4226…
1) my gigi hill diaper bag. Its huge, and has tons of features, but what I like best is that its made entirely of wipe-off-able material. Spilled milk, barf, poo, whatever, wipes off, inside and out.
2) a nice warm blanket for winter, a hand me down
3) the wet bag
4)changing mat I bought at a thrift store for 50 cents
5) clamshell case for Imse Vimse cloth wipes
6) cloth diapers
7) extra clothes, including socks, because socks get poop on them sometimes, too
8)barfrag
9) extra hat
10) bummis diaper cover
11)extra 7th generation sposie
12) wipeable bib for eating
13) cloth bib for drool
14) extra little stuff-in-a-pouch reuseable shopping bag
15) assorted toys, board books
16) a jar of food, a serving dish, and some spoons
17) burt's bees diaper cream
18) camomile teething gel and teething tincture
19) bottom cleaner spray for use with cloth wipes
Most of the stuff is cloth diaper related. I bought a big bag because as a nanny I was always running out of room in the little diaper bags people had, and always had to bring a second bag for lunch and toys. This way, I can even stuff my purse in this behemoth. It has a key fob, and pockets for bottles. I usually also keep hand sanitizer in there somewhere, today it was in my purse. There can also be room for my moby wrap, or Ergo, an umbrella or parasol, my lunch and water, or whatever else I need to throw in there to jaunt to the store or go on a hike.
I adore your bag!
(1) Blue diaper bag from Heinz baby club
(2) Mommy's Touch wet bag
(3) Custom prefold diapers
(4) Better Butt(er) Cream
(5) Washcloths
(6) Tearless Foaming Wash-Shampoo
(7) extra Tights
(8) diaper covers
(9) extra Dresses
(10) Board Book
(11) spare Mittens
(12) bag of Hair Clips
(13) Sippy cup
Here's my link! http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanirolls/4226749608…
tell me more about this bum spray to be used with cloth wipes? I'm planning for the future and I want to know about green alternatives to expensive, chemical laden wipes!
here is one http://www.bumgenius.com/bottom-cleaner.php but google it and you can learn to make our own at home which is what we did, and just refilled the spray bottle
Ooh hey! This is awesome.
Could you link us to one of the homemade versions as well?
I’ve made the one with vitamin e and essential oils and it’s a pretty good recipe: http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/homemade-baby-wipes-recipes.html
I had to use the disposable nursing pads in the beginning too, but once my boobs knew what they were doing I could use my cloth ones (waaaaaaaaaaay nicer!!!)
I don't usually carry a diaper bag with us, especially now that my daughter's older. I usually just have a couple of diapers and wipes, and Burt's Bees diaper ointment (only thing that worked with my son so I use it with my daughter as well…and it smells soooo pretty! lol) and I put it in an embroidered diapy-wipey pocket I made so I can just throw it in my purse or the bottom of the stroller. But when I do need a diaper bag I use a Nightmare Before Christmas messenger bag my fiance got me and it holds diapers, wipes, a receiving blanket, a change of clothes, a bottle (or sippy cup) snacks and toys, an extra sucky, some chamillia (for teething) and my wallet and crap lol It's not all that exciting because I learned with my son just exactly what I did and didn't need to pack around (it's usually not very much)
i forget the diaper bag 1/2 the time. so i've now kept a pocketful of things in the car for out year and half old
1-disposable diaper or two (we cloth at home)
2-sippy cup
3-a snack item
4-extra outfit (in case of poop or dirt-boys seem to attract both)
5-book
6-small toy items (coloring book/dinosaurs ect)
also my purse seems to get turned into a make shift diaper bag that my son will often stuff full of items he thinks he needs to take with us. half eaten banana, a shoe, dirty sock, even a spatula! so chances are when we're out we end up having everything we need. its definitely a little easier when their older (in some ways).
i am having a hard time finding a cool diaper bag that's "me" so i came on around here to look up past entries for suggestions and got INSTANT gratification! lotsa good suggestions AND alternatives for bags and daily supplies!
thanks all!
steph
We are doing elimination communication, so if we're just going for a walk or to a friend's house, I'll just stick a cloth diaper insert in my pocket, just in case I need it. If we're going out, I'll have 3 or more inserts, a couple toys, a spare fuzzy-bunz cover (I put the insert next to my baby's bum, so that if she wets it, I can switch it out and keep the same diaper cover). I also have been throwing an extra onesie in, but I rarely need it.
No I don't work for them… but do look up lucas paw paw ointment. It works on everything from scratches, burns and insect bites to, well everything- but it seems that whole friendship groups discover this stuff when one group member has a baby and needs nipple cream. The best lip balm on earth too. Just don't be tempted to use it on new tattoos- apparently it draws the ink out! I'm sure copies are made- but the original is in a red pot or tube.
Mostly, I carry an olive green knapsack. That way, the baby is on my front in a mai tai carrier, and I can distribute weight evenly for urban hiking. In the knapsack go a little packet with a changing pad, a few diapers (we do g-diapers at home and disposables on the road) and a spare outfit (yes! including socks), oh and some 7th generation wipes. Oh, and I tend to carry a spare hat as well. That's it. We just took our first 6-hour train ride though, and then I used a bigger bag with all of the above plus more outfits and diapers, a Kenyan cloth (I was born in Kenya) for swaddling, covering the carrier at nap time, as a blanket…, a shaky toy, a pacifier, and gripe water. Train travel with a 3-month old was great, by the way!
1) 2 Sippy Stuff Sippy Secure Straps (one for stroller and on for car seat… I use them @ home too so I keep them in my bag)
2) 2 Pampers size 3 Diapers
3) 3 wash cloths (one damp)
4) 1 Sippy Stuff straw cleaning brush and lid cleaning brush
5) Munchkin teether strap
6) 1 extra outfit (I carry seperates that matches her current outfit)
7) 4 Bibs (big time drooler on my hands)
8) 2 Nuby sippy cups (one with milk and one with water)
9) 2 Bottled waters
10) 1chopped fruit
11) 1 container of cheerios (I use the munchkin no-spill containers)
12) 2 Gerber Graduates cookies
13) 1 Munchkin Spoon
14) 1 Jar of stage 3 veggies
15) Eucerine/Aquaphor tube
16) A&D ointment
17) 1 Baby hair brush
18) 1 Baby tooth brush
19) My stuff: Keys, wallet, cell phone, etc.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4228542727_fc50dde51f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="THE DIAPER BAG" />
THE DIAPER BAG!
So here’s the bag and what keeps me going during outings with the little monster. Left to right
First Row:
1. Awesome Eric cral toys, straight out of the books.
2. NOM NOM time! Organic Similac formula (because I don’t believe in breast feeding), organic baby food from earth’s best, an awesome dickies lunch box, and spoons and such. Plus Advent magic cups because it can go from bottle to bottle with handles to sippy cup. Also fresh food feeders and cookies to sooth the teething monster.
3. A super minky changing pad from Rockerbyebaby (http://www.Rockerbyebaby.etsy.com)
4. Extra clothes!
5. Organic black sling, you try carrying an almost 20 pound 4 month old in an infant carrier.
6. Dickies dino backpack. I carry a hand bag, I hip carry Aiden so a backpack does the trick for a diaper bag.
Second row:
7. Sensory blocks from (http://www.mizuryu.etsy.com)
8. Blankets, blankets and more blankets from Rockerbyebaby (http://www.Rockerbyebaby.etsy.com)
9. Hat with ears, because it’s winter and we’re in new jersey.
10. Camera to catch all those moments.
11. Bibs from Rockerbyebaby (http://www.Rockerbyebaby.etsy.com)
12. Eco-friendly stain stick
13. Diapers (I wish there was a good cloth diaper service in north jersey, if you know of one let me know!)
14. Shopping cart cover from Rockerbyebaby (http://www.Rockerbyebaby.etsy.com)
Not pictured, but makes a huge difference:
15. Boogie wipes
16. Baby wipes
17. Teething Gel
18. A&D cream
19. Teething safe jewelry
My friend Ellen was a special kind of momma when her baby was wee; she carried nothing on her person when making housecalls except a couple of diapers (stating "our friends are all Burners; you KNOW they all have baby wipes!" Her "diaper bag" was a few items that fit in her regular purse. The result? She took the baby all kinds of places, as it didn't seem like such an ordeal to go out when she wasn't hauling the kitchen sink. Smart momma!
…point taken, but I don't know that a tote bag over my shoulder has ever kept me from going anywhere? 😉
yup, burners usually do have baby wipes! Being a burner myself, I practice the whole "radical self reliance" thing and not only do I have a big ol bag with me at all times, but when a friend with a kid found herself puked on, guess who saved the day with an extra clean shirt stuffed in her bag?
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4228542727_fc50dde51f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="THE DIAPER BAG" />
THE DIAPER BAG!
So here’s the bag and what keeps me going during outings with the little monster. Left to right
First Row:
1. Awesome Eric cral toys, straight out of the books.
2. NOM NOM time! Organic Similac formula (because I don’t believe in breast feeding), organic baby food from earth’s best, an awesome dickies lunch box, and spoons and such. Plus Advent magic cups because it can go from bottle to bottle with handles to sippy cup. Also fresh food feeders and cookies to sooth the teething monster.
3. A super minky changing pad from Rockerbyebaby (http://www.Rockerbyebaby.etsy.com)
4. Extra clothes!
5. Organic black sling, you try carrying an almost 20 pound 4 month old in an infant carrier.
6. Dickies dino backpack. I carry a hand bag, I hip carry Aiden so a backpack does the trick for a diaper bag.
Second row:
7. Sensory blocks from (http://www.mizuryu.etsy.com)
8. Blankets, blankets and more blankets from Rockerbyebaby (http://www.Rockerbyebaby.etsy.com)
9. Hat with ears, because it’s winter and we’re in new jersey.
10. Camera to catch all those moments.
11. Bibs from Rockerbyebaby (http://www.Rockerbyebaby.etsy.com)
12. Eco-friendly stain stick
13. Diapers (I wish there was a good cloth diaper service in north jersey, if you know of one let me know!)
14. Shopping cart cover from Rockerbyebaby (http://www.Rockerbyebaby.etsy.com)
Not pictured, but makes a huge difference:
15. Boogie wipes
16. Baby wipes
17. Teething Gel
18. A&D cream
19. Teething safe jewelry
Your boobs will settle down eventually. They're new hires, but after few weeks on the job, they get in the groove.
I need to empty my bag, and link up! I have yet to do so, but I am glad you love the bag!
On a side note, you should totally check out cloth wipes in the future! Wee Essentials on Etsy makes an AMAZING wipe solution that I am IN love with! And Gory has really bad allergies, and this one does not bother him! Plus, it makes his bum smell good! (It smells like pumpkin pie right now! ) LOL!
I also had the fast flow, huge supply problem with my boobs which resulted in having to express and bottle feed [breastmilk only] as my son would choke but at about four months it all settled down. Now he is almost eight months old and while I still express I don't have to wear a bra to bed or any nursing pads – finally!
I also recommend Lucas Paw Paw Cream for EVERYTHING and we use Botty Butter http://www.beebeauty.com/baby-bee/botty-butter for my little one's nappy rash and it is amazing! [I don't or know anyone that does work for any of those companies, I just use their products religiously]. We also can't use wipes as he gets really bad nappy rash so use a wet dishcloth which can be quite messy but its amazing what you get used to!
Well I think mine is the usual stuff — I don't know any of the names of the brands.
1. Diaper bag my mom gave me when she hated the messenger bag I was using. *shrug*
2. fabric bag – change of clothes, socks, burp cloth, in summer a hat etc. Keeps it all in one spot and clean.
3. Plastic gallon Ziploc bag filled with essentials that I might need. various creams, medicines, disposable changing pad for sketchy bathrooms, plastic diaper sacks for when I forget my wet bag, disposable diapers for when I run out of cloth diapers, an extra Snappi, anti-bac hand gel, and other varoius and sundry "probably don't need them but murphy's law states that you *will* need it if you don't bring it" items.
4. 2-3 Bum Genius diapers (not shown)
5. Wallet and iPhone (not shown)
6. winter hat and drool bib
7. wipes box.
8. toys.
9. food -optional. If I have to feed her when I am out, I usually will either sit down and order some food, or bring little tupperware containers with her food in them or some tiny jam jars I can put applesauce etc. in, plus a spoon and bib. But I actually do try to go places between meal times as she is such a slow and messy eater now that pretty much insists on doing all finger foods!
oops here is the photo!
<img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/armedneutrality/th_IMG_2393.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" >
Thanks for posting that you have found another use for the biz card holder. This is fantastic! I know of another Momma whose toddler used it on the lanyard to carry a small doll around her neck. I love creative reuse!
We use a massive Timbuktu messenger bag. It carries everything and then some. I think there are about 10 diapers in there, a few vomit rags, changing pad, and about 4 changes of clothes (and he dirties every one of them when we go out). There’s also some wipes, his bottle cooler, extra bottle, a few toys.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sk8bettyt/4769592119/in/pool-offbeatmama#/photos/sk8bettyt/4769592119/in/pool-1173823@N23/
My contribution, albeit, late to the game. 🙂
Gwen Stefani/Harajuku Lovers bag. I got it for $5, and bought it not for the name because I don’t like most of her stuff. I loved the hearts in green and blue on it, and I only have boys, but wanted a somewhat girly bag. It works. 🙂
On a daily basis, there are diapers, pull ups (3 year old in training), wipes, thermometer, hairband for me, socks for Little Toes (he gets cold toes in a moment’s notice), his hat, extra onesie, first aid kit (hey, I travel with boys!), my wallet and WIC folder.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51342642@N07/4773156259/in/pool-offbeatmama#/photos/51342642@N07/4773156259/in/pool-1173823@N23/
diaper bag
This being my second child my diaper bag is considerably smaller than it was the first time around.
1. Swaddling Blanket that was given to me. I love it because it feels like your favorite old t shirt!
2. My bib from RockerByeBaby. I am unlucky enough to live in Orange County, CA. The one bonus is RockerByeBaby has a stand at the weekly OC Market Place (A really large flea market). I can’t wait to order my custom car seat cover in the same pattern!
3. My diaper bag that I got at a re-sale shop. The main reason for choosing it is the way it closes. No zipper so it can be opened one handed, but it cinches down so that nothing falls out!
4. A huggies diaper case that I received free in the mail. We also use disposable seventh generation diapers when we are away from the house for long periods of time.
5. Waterproof changing pads that were given to me as a gift. I think they are from Babies R Us ( I KNOW YUCK!!), but most of the things given to me were from there so I have bitten the bullet and used them so as not to be more wasteful.
6. Amy Coe wipe case, another gift from Babies R Us. It is pretty handy though. We use Earth’s Best Chlorine Free Wipes. If your baby has diaper rash it is probably because of the chlorine in the regular wipes, even the “all natural” ones have it.
7. A small first aid type kit. It includes a ball sucker, and a thermometer. I also shove and extra onesie, beanie, socks, and binkers in there.
8. Extra onesie, beanie, and socks.
9 Toys for entertainment, my favorite are the wooden keys. Finding baby toys, at reasonable prices, with no plastic can be difficult.
10. Stuff for mom. Organic hand sanitizer, Eucerin lotion, and Burt’s Bees Lip Balm.
11. Binkers because sometimes she actually wants it, although it is very rare.
I have those same little booties for my baby! The ones with the animal heads that rattle… :o)
I know this article is pretty old, but Seventh Generation labels its diapers as “chlorine free” when in fact, most diapers are chlorine free to begin with. Also, rumor has it that they color up their diapers to appear more natural.
There is no regulation on “natural” and “organic” stuff — largely, it’s just a marketing term that even “Green Friendly” companies use to cash in on the fad. Make sure you read up on chemicals and other things that really make the difference between something natural/organic and not!