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Here is the 4th part of our baby registry checklist guide, diapering essentials.
If you found this page and want to see the other parts, here are links to each:
- Comprehensive Baby Registry Checklist (this is long, the broken down “parts” are below if that is easier to read)
- Baby Registry Checklist Part 1: Clothes
- Baby Registry Checklist Part 2: Feeding
- Baby Registry Checklist Part 3: Bathtime
- Baby Registry Checklist Part 5: Health and Safety
- Baby Registry Checklist Part 6: Bedding
- Baby Registry Checklist Part 7: Baby Travel and Gear
- Baby Registry Checklist Part 8: Nursery and Toys
Supplemental Posts:
- Create Your Own First Aid Kit and Baby Medicine Stash
- Save Money on Your Remaining Baby Registry Items
Diapering Essentials You Are Going to Want:
Diapers
This is where you need to decide if you are going with cloth diapers or disposable diapers.
Disposable Diapers
Get some in different sizes, but don’t go too crazy with Newborn size diapers. Your hospital may give you some and people will usually gift this size if they gift diapers. Something I noticed with the brand we picked was that they didn’t have larger boxes of newborn-size diapers so we ended up switching to the next size up once our baby was within the weight range for size 1. The newborn size also costs a little more per diaper than the next size up.
We use Pampers Pure diapers and haven’t had any issues. We picked them because they are more gentle on a baby’s sensitive skin. We are actually about to order Coterie diapers to try them out after reading so many positive reviews. I will let you all know what we think when we have tried them out for awhile!
As far as creating a stash we had three boxes of 198 size 1 diapers and four boxes of 31 newborn diapers. The boxes of 31 diapers ended up being less expensive than the larger box. We ended up buying a few more boxes of the newborn size before switching to size 1.
Creating a stash really isn’t necessary, but if you are like me it helps you feel more prepared.
This is another item we have set up for Amazon’s “Subscribe and save” to save money.
Cloth Diapers
Since we used disposable diapers I am not a good resource for this. Here is an article from The Bump about cloth diapers.
Unscented Baby Wipes
Unscented will cause less irritation for your baby. We use the Pampers sensitive baby wipes and haven’t had any issues. We buy the refill packs and use them to fill our wipe holders. (We actually just switched to the Pampers Pure wipes just to switch things up and they are great! They stay wet longer than the sensitive ones)
And seriously, you are going to need so freaking many of these.
Side note, even though you are going to need a lot of these don’t go too crazy ordering a bunch of boxes of them. Remember that you have to store these as well! We try to always have at least one unopened box of wipes, and typically order the box containing 576. You don’t need to do this, but we do just because sometimes I am not the one grabbing the new package to fill our wipe dispenser. Seriously, somehow I manage to be the one who never has to switch this out, but I am also the one that usually orders wipes and diapers. So it could be a while before I realize how many we have gone through.
We actually recently set these up as a “Subscribe and save” shipment from Amazon to save money and have one less thing to remember.
Changing Pad
Yup, you are going to want one of these.
Try to get one that is easy to clean and has one of those “seat belts” on it to keep your baby from getting crazy and bailing on your diaper changing session. We have the Summer contoured one, but I have also heard great things about the Keekaroo.
The only downside to our changing pad is that the sides that fold up create a crack so you need to make sure you clean that area out if they get wet. Other than that it is great, and a fraction of the cost of the Keekaroo!
Want something a little more Instagrammable? Here is a super cute option.
Barrier Cream
It is up to you on which brand you use. We have only used Aquaphor and been successful in keeping diaper rash away, so I can’t speak to the other brands. I would suggest getting a large tub of it for your diaper changing station and a smaller tube for your diaper bag.
We use to buy a new tub when our current one was half empty, but this is another one of our baby essentials we set up as “subscribe and save” shipments from Amazon to save money.
Changing Pad Table or Tray
These are nice to keep your changing pad in place and create a safer changing environment.
We originally thought we would buy a changing tray to hold our changing pad after we decided on a dresser. Why? Because I wanted them to match. Did we ever do this? No. We seriously have our changing station set up on our very large bathroom vanity. Which has been set up to create a safe space for our baby.
Changing tables are just a, well, table, made specifically for changing a baby. Get one with space for organizing your diapering essentials if you get one.
Changing Pad Waterproof Liners
How many?: 3-6 depending on how often you do laundry. We have 6.
These things have saved our changing pad covers a time or two, and sometimes just ended up replacing our covers altogether.
We have two sets of three of this kind and I love them.
Diaper Bag
Ah yes, the bag that is like Mary Poppin’s bag where she seems to be able to pull everything out of it. This bag is going to keep all of the things you and your baby need while you are out and about.
You could use a regular bag, but you will miss out in insulated pockets. So, if you go this route definitely get some kind of insulated cooler bag for bottles or milk storage. You will also not have the travel changing pad that sometimes comes with diaper bags. Which you will definitely want one, so buy one separately if you go with a regular, non-diaper bag.
Things to think about when looking for a diaper bag:
- How it is carried/held: We wanted one that could be used as a backpack. Some bags are designed to be carried multiple ways, but a backpack was what we were told we would want for when our baby was walking around. That way you have your hands free.
- Insulated holders for bottles: If you want, you can bring around an insulated bag instead of using these pockets, but having them won’t harm anything.
- Does it come with a (large) changing pad? Hint: you are going to need one. You can buy one separately if you find a bag you love and it doesn’t come with one.
- Can it fit everything you need? Does it have enough compartments to organize everything? The last thing you want is to be ripping everything out trying to find that one thing because you don’t have an organized diaper bag.
- Is it easy to clean?
- If it rains where you live will the materials be able to hold up?
- Will your significant other be able to use it as well? If you two have very different styles will you need to get one that they can use if they will be alone with the baby at some point?
This is the one we bought, but this is a very popular one that you will likely see all over Instagram. I just couldn’t justify spending that much on a diaper bag when there were others I liked.
The bag we bought is a very good size, can be carries as a backpack or a tote with different straps, comes with a changing pad, has great pockets for staying organized, and holds up in the rain. Plus, it isn’t crazy expensive and still stylish. But no, my husband doesn’t carry the diaper bag!
Nice to Have but Not Necessary
Changing Pad Covers
How many? 2-3, depending on how often you do laundry.
I know some of you are like, “Wait a minute…” but hear me out. We have a changing pad cover and used it for maybe a month. Then it just kinda disappeared in the closet never to be seen again. Honestly though, when her nursery is finally put together and her changing station moves in there we will probably keep the cover on there so it just feels more put together.
They are nice because they can keep the changing pad a little warmer for the baby, but to me, it is just something else to wash all the time. Instead, we use the waterproof liners and have a few sets of those. These are also a lot easier to change out than the covers.
Looking for some that have a little more of a design? This website has a bunch of cute styles.
Note, if you get changing pad covers you are going to want the waterproof liners as well.
Wipe Dispenser
We have a wipe dispenser, and actually got a smaller one for when we are out and about. And we love ours. But, do you really need one?
No.
You could just get the wipes that are resealable instead of the replacement packs. I mean, you could use the replacement packs as well but you would have to be so careful taking the sealing tape off… I have ripped the whole side of a package open trying to take the seal off before. Buying wipes that are resealable may be more expensive in the wipes you pick, so that is something to think about as well.
Bum Brush
This is something you probably won’t see on a different baby registry checklist.
We call this the butt spatula. It is honestly just a silicone spatula that you can use to apply barrier cream. Why? Because it makes it so much less messy. I had never realized how hard it is to wash off Aquaphor until we had a baby.
We ordered two of these, one for the area we change her diapers in and one for her diaper bag. To us, this thing is a 100% need, but yes, you can live without it.
Could I? No, I have been spoiled with it.
Diaper Pail
This was something that when we were putting together our registry I almost didn’t order. I considered just using a regular trash can, the idea being that a regular trash can would probably cost less since it wasn’t a “special” trash can.
Well, yeah, there are some inexpensive trash cans. BUT, you want to make sure that that trash can is going to hold in those not-so-pleasant odors. And yes, you are going to want some kind of trash can/diaper pail in the area where you are doing the majority of your diaper changes.
After watching a million Youtube videos, going over every baby registry checklist I could find, and reading different “top diaper pail” posts we decided on the Ubbi.
Why? Because it doesn’t need special liners and came in different colors.
It holds in the smelly diapers (as long as I remember to close it). It is easy to empty, has a lock on top to keep pets/other kids out, comes in different colors and designs, and didn’t have an obnoxious footprint.
And you know what? I love it. I am so glad we purchased one. But, is it necessary? No. You could just use a regular trash can. You could also just walk the dirty diapers out to a different garbage can every time. Or maybe you are doing cloth diapers instead.
Some Diaper “Washcloths”
How many?: 12-24 depending on how often you do laundry and how fast you fly through the clean ones. If you have a husband like mine who goes through laundry like no one’s business, get 24.
I can’t remember where I got this idea, but I don’t think it was a different baby registry checklist. But these are some of our most used items.
So, as I said earlier, we ordered two different colors of inexpensive washcloths from Target. One set in grey, another in white. The grey ones became our “diapering” wipes. Meaning that when our baby had a really messy diaper we would get a washcloth wet and clean our baby off with that to make sure she was thoroughly cleaned. Or, we use them when our baby pees while we are changing her.. because that happens too.
My husband also seems to think that these are covers for the changing pad. Hey, it works.
We also use these to dry off our baby’s bum before putting on barrier cream since the wipes will make it a little wet.
Because of how many uses we have for these and how fast we fly through them we have 24 of these.
Don’t Need
Wipes Warmer
Yeah, I don’t think my baby loves me any less for not heating her wipes. Look, you survived without having your wipes warmed up for you, I am sure your baby will as well.
Baby Powder
Yeah, you just don’t need it. Gone are the days when people covered themselves in it to get dry. Instead, what you can do is use a clean washcloth to dry your baby’s bum before applying the barrier cream. This can help prevent yeast infections.
That’s the end of our diapering essentials part of our baby registry checklist guide. To continue to the next part click here!