4 Essential Items New Moms Can’t Leave Home Without

Parenthood doesn’t always leave us at 100% brainpower. Without a written down list of essentials, you’re bound to miss a few things when leaving the house. But that’s okay! Trust me, we’ve all been there (mommy brain is real). And now we’re here to help you learn from our mistakes.

So next time you’re packing up your baby diaper bag backpack, have this checklist handy! Even if you run into mishaps on your outing, you’ll be prepared for them.

1) Basic First-Aid Kit 

Small scratches and tiny tumbles are just around the corner for your little one. It can be scary, but they’ll be alright! And you’ll be relieved knowing you’re prepared for these accidents. Important items to include in your DIY first aid kit are:

Band-aids of all sizes (bonus points if they have fun designs)

Antibiotic ointment or spray

Tweezers (playground splinters are rough!)

Tissues

Hand sanitizer

Runny noses, aching gums, and headaches are other challenges you might face. Including these basic medications in your kit will help:

Pain Reliever (both for your kids and yourself)

Teething Gel

Saline nose drops or Saline nasal spray is used in therapy to allow moisture to enter the nostrils, allowing phlegm to condense and soften. It is commonly used in children and infants with stuffy noses who cannot blow their noses, making it easier for them to use a nasal bulb syringe to remove the mucus in the nose. (a dry or runny nose has the power to make anyone miserable)

2) A Change Of Clothes 

For everyone, if you can! There are two reasons for this:

Kids are messy, and they have no issue getting us messy too.

You have multiple plans in a day but no time to get home between them.

Ease your stress by bringing a change of clothes with you. We’re talking socks, underwear, shirts, pants — the whole nine yards. You never know what puddle they’ll step in or what drink they’ll spill, so having a full outfit is always the best plan.

And bring a change for yourself too! Friends, families, and strangers won’t care if you’re covered in spit-up stains, but having access to a fresh outfit will help you feel much better.

3) Snacks

No matter how short your day out of the house may be, always bring a few snacks. They don’t have to be gourmet and made from scratch; the pre-packaged stuff will do just fine. But keep in mind the healthier, the better! Good options are:

Cheese sticks

Organic fruit snacks

Nutrition rich cereal bars

Dehydrated fruits or veggies

Yogurt tubes

Bananas or other easy-to-eat fruits

According to a study done by Michigan State University, a healthy snack boosts energy and satisfies hunger. This will save you the meltdown caused by a sugar crash. Plus, incorporating healthy snacks into their day will make them more likely to be healthy eaters in the future!

4) Fun Stuff

Errands will be boring for your children, so try to include some entertainment in your bag! Try to pack things that are tactile and engaging, such as:

Their favorite little figures (such as dolls or action figures; anything that’ll get their imagination working)

Coloring books and pencils / Drawing paper

Books

Blue light from screens will impact your child’s sleep cycle, so try limiting screen time as much as possible. If you need the screen, have these options loaded up:

Educational games

Creative games

A movie or tv show

You’re All Set!

Preparing to go out with your little ones may always bring up feelings of stress, but being ready with these items will certainly relieve some of your anxiety.

So take a deep breath, double-check your bag, triple-check your bag, and get on out there. You’ve got this!