How To Pack A Diaper Bag Backpack Plus Helpful Tips To Keep It Organized

When it came to learning how to pack a diaper bag backpack, I never took the time. Until I was in a certain situation with a screaming baby who had a dirty diaper and there I was, ignorantly fumbling around my bag looking for things I couldn’t find.

You are having a horrible nightmare.

You are out with your baby, running errands and doing all the new mom things. Your baby needs a diaper change, so you take them to the baby changing station in the bathroom. The moment you lay them down, they start screaming bloody murder, wiggling all over the place.

So, there you are, trying to change them as fast as you can, but you can’t find what you need. You start to hyperventilate, and then sweat, trying your best to wake up from this terrible dream.

Except you don’t wake up, because it’s not a dream.

It’s real life, and this is really happening to you!

Don’t worry. I’ve been there. Every mom has!

And although you can’t always prevent your baby from screaming during this situation, you can definitely make it easier for yourself by having an organized diaper bag and knowing exactly where things are.

Here is how I pack my diaper bag backpack and some advice to keep it tidy so you can avoid future nightmares as described above.

This post is all about how to pack a diaper bag backpack and some helpful tips to keep it organized.

How to pack a diaper bag backpack and helpful tips to keep it organized

Pick a diaper bag that fits your needs

When it comes to packing a diaper bag, you need to find a diaper bag that works well for you. Currently, I have this backpack, which does its job well (tbh, I’m still on the hunt for the perfect affordable diaper bag).

But think about what aspects you want in a diaper bag before you purchase one.

If you aren’t sure what to look for in a diaper bag, check out this article. However, I have found that you might need to experience what it’s like to use a diaper bag in order to figure out what you like and don’t like in a bag. Be open to ordering a new diaper bag and returning the one that’s not working for you.

Diaper Bag Essentials

Next, determine what your diaper bag essentials are depending on the age of your baby.

For example, newborn diaper bags will typically have less items than a diaper bag for a one year old, and the items will also vary depending on how many kids you have.

In this post, I am specifically focusing on a newborn (my baby is only 7 months at this time). If you aren’t sure what the essentials are, check out these posts to help you get started!

I will show you how I packed my bag when my baby was a newborn with the minimal essentials, as less items will keep your bag the most organized.

Keep in mind- the way I pack my diaper bag changes depending on the things I add as my baby grows. So realize that you might not pack your bag in the future the same way you pack it now.

Simple Steps to Organizing Your Diaper Bag

Once you have a diaper bag, be sure to unzip ALL the pockets. Remove ALL items that may be inside and set everything you don’t need out of sight. While your diaper bag is empty, clean it now if necessary. Finally, start to pack your diaper bag.

Many moms like to pack items within a similar grouping. You can keep these groups together in compartments or mesh bags if you’d like to.

Examples of “Groups” include…

Diapers, wipes, diaper cream, wet bag, etc.
Baby clothes including seasonal accommodations, and any blankets.
Feeding accessories, like bottles, bib, burp cloths, etc.
Baby entertainment items, like toys, teethers, books, etc.
Mommy essentials, like water bottle, hand sanitizer, chapstick, lotion, snacks, etc.

How to pack a diaper bag Backpack: The Minimalist newborn Bag

Diaper Bag Organization Tips

A diaper bag checklist can help you stay focused and clear on what items you actually need. It can keep you from accidentally overpacking any unnecessary supplies.
Have your own supplies that are specifically for the diaper bag. No need to remove them every time you return home, because you will just need to repack the bag when you go out. Keeping the bag packed at all times is ideal.
Take the time during the week to restock items that you’ve used, like diapers, wipes, etc. You will also need to replace outfits with one that fit your baby as they grow, and plan for seasonal changes.
A minimalist diaper bag tends to be more organized because of it contains less items to worry about.
Whenever you get something out of the bag, put it back where you originally got it when you are done using it. Do not just throw items back in the bag all willy nilly. It’s easy to just toss items back in the bag when you are in a rush or when your baby is crying.
Using clear containers within your bag can help to organize items even further, or you can use mesh pouches or pencil cases. Label them as necessary.
Making small seasonal bags that you can easily swap in and out of your diaper bag can be helpful. For example, you can create a summer bag with sunscreen, a sun hat, a portable fan, and bug spray. You can also make bags for different occasions that might not happen as often, like going to a restaurant and including baby utensils, and a bib, etc.
Use sample sizes when possible to help save space and decrease added weight in the diaper bag.
Storing items in the car by using a diaper caddy can free up space in your baby bag without compromising on essentials.
Talk to your partner about the way you have the bag organized and your expectations to keep it organized. My husband, I love him to death, but every time he changes a baby diaper, the bag becomes a mess. I can’t ever find anything. Somehow things get put in places they shouldn’t be or the items just get thrown back into the bag carelessly. Show your partner how you want the backpack to look on the inside, and ask them to put things back where they belong. You can even go as far as labeling each compartment/pocket to help your partner remember where everything goes. Or just decide to do all the diaper changes yourself if it bothers you that much, and have your partner help you in other ways.

For me, organizing a diaper bag was harder than I thought. I thought it was a dumb thing to waste time on… until I experienced the nightmare I described at the beginning of this post hahaha. Then it became a priority!

Having a disorganized bag at the wrong time can make things 100x more difficult than they have to be. So, take the time to figure out what works for you when it comes to a diaper bag. I promise that it will make everything easier and less frustrating and you won’t pull out your hair (at least not all of it 😛 ).

How To Pack A Diaper Bag Backpack Plus Helpful Tips To Keep It Organized