Twin Dads Guide to Diaper Bag Essentials

-

Twin Dads Guide to Diaper Bag Essentials

Originally Posted by: Aaron Lunceford on Families of Multiples

A well stocked bag can make or break your day. I’m a guy that likes photography, so carrying around a “man bag” is no foreign term to me.  Diaper bags, like camera bags, are rather varied when it comes to size, shape, and weight. Diaper bags, for multiples, are almost always on the larger side than those for solo parents.

Types

Having the cycling background that I do, when the kids were younger, I really liked using my messenger bags.  The laptop compartment, (paired with a plastic shopping bag), makes for an amazing place to store soiled clothing.  Now that the kids are older, I “size up” my camera bag and use that extra space for clothes and snacks. A third popular option is the backpack, great for leaving both hands and sides free to keep track of not one, but two children. For the Photog, momtog, or myself (the male version of a mom-tog, without the catchy phrase), a camera bag will always consist of a camera, lense, and accessories (flash, filters, a tripod, lens wipes, etc).  A diaper bag really isn’t that much different.


What to Look For When Choosing a Diaper Bag

Multiple compartments are great, and can help keep your items organized and easy to find, rather than at the bottom of an abyss.
A waterproof lining is a plus, and will make life easier if when spills occur.
The straps MUST be adjustable. There’s nothing worse than getting a bag, and finding that it just sits wrong. that leads me to my next point…
Make sure you’re actually trying diaper bags on. No one bag is comfortable and convenient for everyone.
Consider buying two diaper bags – a small one for quick trips and a larger one for all-day outings.
As I mentioned above, sometimes the best diaper bags aren’t diaper bags at all!  If you don’t find something that works for you, broaden your search to include backpacks, messenger bags, and camera totes.

Contents

So, what goes in a diaper bag?  This is a basic breakdown of what to bring, and what you may not actually need, toting around all of those child-associated-accessories. be sure to grab our handy checklist at the end!

FOOD

Whether it’s an actual cooler for milk, bottles for formula, a box of those banana crackers, or a Ziploc bag full of gold fish, no diaper/toddler/dad bag is complete without some form of calorie delivery system.  The last thing anyone wants, is to get caught out in the wild with a hangry monster.
Every child is different, when it comes to food, so make sure the calorie delivery system mirrors that child’s needs.  Picky eaters, spit-up prone eaters, and bottomless pit eaters all have their quirks.  So pack according to the eating-machine you happen to be toting with you.  Bibs, napkins, and neatly cut/stored food are all things that should be able to fit handily, readily, and easily in that bag of yours.

WHAT COMES AFTER FOOD

Well, I can actually think of something worse than getting caught in the wild with a hangry monster.  Getting caught in the wild unprepared for the unspeakable disasters that follow a feeding.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, have some parent-friends over for drinks.  After the second or third round of drinks, bring up the term “baby blow out” and try to keep a straight face.  Potty training our kids, we teach them that “everybody poops.”  What they don’t tell parents, parents to be, or people considering becoming parents, however, is that everyone gets pooped on.
Make sure to have a change of clothes for the kids, diapers, and wipes.  You’ll also probably want to keep a spare t-shirt for yourself in that bag, as well.  For the parents of little dudes, especially in the colder season, make sure you have something to protect against the impromptu open-air fountain that inevitably occurs while changing a diaper. (Or learn how to change them really fast!)

ENTERTAINMENT

Lastly, every parent needs something to keep the kids occupied in that magic bag of goodies that accompanies offspring.  Whether you are sitting down at church or the mechanic shop, something that grabs the kids’ attention is paramount.  Attention is the currency of happy parents.  Make sure to rotate the entertainment pieces in that bag, in order to avoid boredom (and airborne prone attention tools).

 

Here’s a great list of some possible diaper bag essentials for your bag!



Want to check out some diaper bags that were made with Dad in mind?  Check out the ones over at DiaperDude.com.  Use promo code DBD25 for 25% off!

What things make up your list of essential diaper bag items? Let us know in the comments!

About the author:
Aaron Lunceford is currently a staff writer for the site FamiliesofMultiples.com. Families of Multiples is a parenting resource helping Moms and Dads of Twins, Triplets, Quads, or more overcome the hurdles of raising multiple children of the same age. Make sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or on their monthly podcast.

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Posts

Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease

-
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear. CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease. General principles for talking to children Remain calm and reassuring. Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others. Make yourself available to listen and to talk. Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to
Read more

The ten rules for children to be educated about.

-
  The ten rules for children to be educated about. 1. Showing Respect The topic of respect is a vast one; however, it is one of the most important things that children will learn in their young life. As a parent, it is essential that you explain and also show your children what it means to show respect, and how they will know when they are being respected themselves. Respect is an umbrella term that includes many things, including manners, kindness, and politeness. Of course, it is also essential that children understand that everyone deserves to be respected, no matter where they are from or how they look. 2. Authenticity Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to a parent and their child. Honesty can be a wonderful and valuable thing if it is genuinely practiced and never taken advantage of. Parents should remember that they, too, need to practice honesty with their children, so that they might encourage them to find value in telling the truth. Additionally, encouraging
Read more

Parents Keep Going You're Doing Just Fine!

-
Life would be awesome if it was filled with people who only cheered us on and supported us and our efforts. Unfortunately, though, life isn't always so kind. Sadly, there are just as many, and maybe even more, hecklers and critics as there are cheerleaders out there when it comes to appraising our parenting skills. Parenting can be tough. Today's social media affects our parenting prowess. It influences the way people see us, as well as how we see them. Studies have shown that Facebook has increased a thing called 'social comparison.' This is not always good since social comparison sometimes increases our apprehension about ourselves and may lead to feelings that our lives lack something. On Facebook, it looks like most people out there are having more fun than we are. However, the truth is that we don't see the whole picture of their lives on Facebook. We only see the photos and posts that they want us to see... And guess which ones they want us to see? You're
Read more

15 Things Kids Want from Their Parents

-
  15 Things Kids Want from Their Parents Although they might seem like it, children aren't too complicated. There are very few things that they request of us in their first years; however, these requests are essential in helping them grow up to be kind, respectful additions to society. As parents, there are 15 main things that children will want from you as much as possible. If you can do your best to provide these things to the best of your ability, your child's future will be brighter than ever. Here are the top 15 things kids want from their parents: 1. A Good Goodnight Going to bed is so much better when parents spend some quality time with their children. Take time out of your day to tuck them in, sing them a song, or read them a bedtime story. If you don't have any books, you might consider making up a story yourself, or telling them about your childhood. Children are very receptive to parents who use their imaginations, too! 2. Affection Showing affection is one of t
Read more

The Days Are Long But The Years Are Short!

-
I know just about every parent I meet is tired. I also know that my oldest daughter just turned 19 years old, and I'm wondering where the years went. And you're probably experiencing the same thing, aren't you? My daughter is now taller than me, so is her younger 16-year-old brother. They are visual reminders every day on how tall my children are getting and how short the years are. So, what makes the days so long for us parents? Well, right from the start, our newborn babies wake up every three hours crying because they want to eat, and then need a diaper change. This pattern of behavior is really hard on us new parents. We are always tired. Parenting is a 24-hour job. I have a daughter that is 19 years old, and I can honestly say that I've had 19 years of disrupted sleep. It's a never-ending job of supervising and worrying about my kids. The years are short because of the naturally high level of activity that comes with being a parent. When we are swamped, which w
Read more