Have you been wondering what to put in diaper caddy?
Before receiving a new baby into our lives, we research their every need and available gadgets. One of those baby products that will be unavoidable is diapers, lots and lots of diapers.
Parents will be changing diapers throughout the first years of a baby’s life. But especially during those newborn days that will be filled with chaotic feelings and a lot of changes, you’ll want to be as prepared and as organized as possible so you don’t waste time on routine things such as a diaper change.
And to allow you to organize yourself better and be prepared to face the diaper changing experience, the diaper caddy has become a must-have.
Essentially, a diaper caddy is like a basket or organizer where you keep all the diaper changing essentials such as; diapers, baby wipes, diaper cream, and other things that may not be directly for the purpose of changing a diaper but will be frequently used by mothers on their babies. You’ll want to have them at hand at any time.
What’s a diaper caddy, and are they really necessary?
When you’re preparing for a baby, there are many things you’ll need to care for your baby and make your life easier during that time. Honestly, it can be costly and overwhelming. But there are things that you could opt not to get and others that justify the additional effort.
A diaper caddy is one of those you’ll want to have. It will keep most of the baby’s articles organized for easy access, so you won’t have to be running around looking for diaper cream or wipes at odd hours (remember that you’ll be changing many diapers at all hours of the day).
If you don’t want or can’t get a store-bought diaper caddy, use a basket or a plastic box to organize the essential baby items. The point is to have everything accessible and make your life easier.
What to put in diaper caddy: Diaper caddy essentials
Nowadays, you can use your diaper caddy to keep everything neatly organized, not only diapers and wipes. Let’s see how useful a diaper caddy is and what it can hold.
1. Diapers
Kind of obvious, right? Ensure you keep enough diapers in your caddy, about ten or more, to guarantee a day’s supply. At first, newborn and size one diapers are smaller, and you could keep a larger stock in the caddy, but as babies grow, diapers get larger and take up more space.
The good news is that they will also need fewer changes every day, so don’t worry about it. Make sure you refill the diaper space in the caddy every day or as needed, so you always have extra diapers when needed.
This rule applies to cloth and disposable diapers as well.
2. Baby wipes
Keep at least one baby wiper package in the diaper caddy; usually, it should last between 3-5 days.
While it’s ideal to wash the baby’s butt after changing the diaper, sometimes you don’t have time or the energy to do so. That’s where disposable wipes and cloth wipes shine, because they allow you to clean the baby thoroughly and quickly.
Go for alcohol-free baby wipes to prevent irritating their delicate skin. Water wipes are a good option. And if you’re using cloth wipes, remember to have some cloth wipe solution for those messy moments.
3. Diaper rash cream
This is another baby essential to prevent diaper rash. Also known as bum cream in some countries, this thick ointment prevents and treats existing rash faster, so you’ll want to keep one at hand at all times to treat your baby’s sensitive skin.
After you finish wiping or washing your little one’s butt, apply some bum cream where the rash is or where it may appear.
4. Changing pad
Although you will most likely have a changing table in your baby’s nursery, having a portable changing pad allows you to do a quick diaper change on the couch, bed, table, or even on the floor.
This soft pad protects your space from getting dirty while providing a comfortable setting for your baby to lay down during the diaper change.
5. Hand sanitizer
Sometimes you’ll have to touch your baby right after changing their diaper and won’t get the chance to wash your hands. So keep some hand sanitizer nearby. It can be in gel form, spray bottle, or wet wipes (but be careful you don’t confuse them with the baby’s wipes because they can irritate your baby’s bum area).
6. Baby lotion
A baby’s skin needs to be moisturized to prevent itchiness, eczema, and being uncomfortable from dryness. If your diaper caddy has a different pocket to stock up on essential items, keep a bottle of baby lotion to remind yourself to apply it often to their bodies.
7. Nasal aspirator
If your baby has a cold, or if you want to keep the baby’s nasal passage clear, having a nasal aspirator is very useful. Remember, babies can’t blow their noses, so you’ll need to remove any excess mucus from the baby’s nose so they can breathe better.
8. Nail clippers
Babies’ nails grow incredibly fast and are very sharp, so you’ll need to keep the nails as short as possible to prevent newborn babies from scratching their faces.
Keep a nail clipper in the caddy for easy access so you can cut your baby’s nails during feedings or while they sleep.
9. Grooming kit
Right after bath time, you’ll need to change the baby’s diaper, so it makes sense to have a comb and baby hairbrush in the diaper caddy space and the nail clippers mentioned above.
10. A thermometer
If your baby is sick or when you touch your baby’s forehead, it feels warm, and you don’t want to be running around the house searching for a thermometer to check the baby’s temperature. So, since they don’t take much space, you can keep them in a small area of the diaper caddy.
11. Pacifiers
If your baby uses a pacifier, having some spare pacifiers in the diaper caddy will be very convenient if they drop the one they’re using and soothe them during diaper changes (some babies hate having their diapers changed).
12. A Variety of Toys
Another way to keep your baby entertained and calm while changing their diapers is by giving them a toy or two to entertain them, so keep some rattles or stuffed toys that you only use during a diaper change to make the whole experience more enjoyable for them.
13. Burp cloths
New moms will find out that, as well as diapers, during those first few months, newborn babies spit up and require a lot of burp cloths. Keep a few burp cloths stocked in the diaper caddy if you need to quickly change the one you’re using for a fresh one.
14. Nursing pads
Breastfeeding moms will need to change their nursing pads throughout the day. Since they’ll be spending most of the time with the baby, nursing pads become another essential that you could store in the diaper caddy if you have the extra space.
You may also want to keep these items in your diaper caddy, a change of clothes, cloth diapers, and baby soap.
Best diaper caddy
There are different styles of diaper caddies to store baby items, and the best one will be the one that best suits your needs.
Here are the most common and helpful diaper caddy designs.
- Sturdy diaper caddy: is usually made of a heavy-duty frame and has different slots to hold the baby’s diapers and other essentials. It can be portable, or you can buckle it to the baby’s crib or changing table, and it won’t lose its form. One of Amazon’s top sellers in this category is the Premium Baby Diaper Caddy organizer.
- Portable diaper caddy: the plus side of this diaper caddy is that it is small and compact, and you can carry it around with you. You can move it around your house or take it with you during trips instead of the diaper bag. Lily Miles Baby Diaper Caddy is a great example and practical choice.
- Hanging diaper caddy: It has plenty of space for diapers and baby wipes and has side pockets to keep diaper caddy essentials safe. It’s designed to be hanged on a railing or tied around a car’s headrest. The XL Hanging Diaper Caddy organizer has plenty of storage space for everything you’ll need.
- Changing table diaper caddy It can be portable or a stationary diaper caddy that you use in the baby’s nursery to keep everything organized and tidy. Usually, you hang it from the changing table’s railing or from the crib, wherever you have easier access. Hiccapop has great reviews on Amazon, and parents love this diaper caddy.
- DIY diaper caddy: not everyone can afford to buy a diaper caddy in a store but still want to have everything organized and ready. There are many ideas and tutorials online to guide you on how to make yourself a diaper caddy. There’s everything from a basic and functional diaper caddy to crafty and decorative ones.
