Is your diaper bag filled with half-eaten snacks, leaking sippy cups and dirty wipes? Is it sometimes difficult to even find a diaper in there amidst the clutter? You are not alone!
These Chicago-area moms share some of their deep, dark diaper bag secrets and the must-have essentials they won’t leave home without.
Is your diaper bag filled with half-eaten snacks, leaking sippy cups and dirty wipes? Is it sometimes difficult to even find a diaper in there amidst the clutter? You are not alone!
Mom: Marci Hughes, Chicago
Kids: Bronko, 19 months, and Mazzy, 4
months
Must-have: “CaliforniaBaby Diaper Area Wash. I always forget to refresh my baby wipe
supply. When I run out of wipes, this is a great backup. You can
make your own with the diaper wash. It has saved my baby’s butt
more than once!”
Dirty secret: “I have hand sanitizer that I’ve
never used and the bottom is filled with goldfish crumbs.”
Mom: Annette Filwett, Glen Ellyn
Kids: Mila, 2, and Natalia, 4 months
Must-have: “The most important item is the
camera. It has to fit somewhere in my bag. I also can’t leave home
without Mila’s Minnie Mouse doll, Natalia’s pacifier and the
iPad!”
Dirty secret: “My poor diaper bag is constantly
being spilled on with milk. Breast milk, chocolate milk, formula. I
have left bottles in the bag for days at a time with enough milk at
the bottom that would make any mom want to throw out the
bottle.”
Mom: Carla Bird, Chicago
Kid: Kennedy, 23 months
Must-have: “Eco-friendly RuMe bags. They’re
durable, portable, and perfect for grocery shopping, messy diapers
and anything else that your heart desires. They come in different
colors and sizes, and the mini bags are the perfect size to hold a
wallet, keys, cell phone, a few diapers and wipes.”
Dirty secret: “I have had anything from an
extra bra, breast shields, Crystal Light On the Go packets, protein
shakes, lip gloss, and even cuticle nail oil in Kennedy’s diaper
bag.”
Mom: Lauren Pero, Oak Park
Kid: Ava, 16 months
Must-have: “Besides diapers and wipes, I always
have Wet Ones on hand to wipe down dirty shopping carts and sticky
hands. Graham crackers and an Elmo book are always in my diaper bag
in case of a meltdown. They can buy me an extra 15 minutes until I
can get where I need to go.”
Dirty secret: “This is gross, but I actually
just looked in there today and found a piece of petrified dinner
roll from probably two months ago.”
Mom: Kristyn Coleman, Chicago
Kid: Jacob, 2
Must-have: “I can’t leave home without having a
snack cup in my diaper bag. If there’s one thing I have learned,
it’s that food solves almost every problem of an opinionated
toddler.”
Dirty secret: “On occasion, my diaper bag
escorts a bottle (or two) of red wine home from Whole Foods on
those ‘extra long’ days when I am in need of a relaxing
evening.”
A multi-purpose bag for sure!”
