The Cloth Diapering Diaper Bag

Surprise, the bag is no different than a disposable diaper bag. I have diapers, I have wipes, I have toys, snacks and extra clothes. Pretty standard, really. 

When I was planning for Calan, I found this great book that really helped me organize everything from his changing table to his closet to his diaper bag. "The Organized Mom: Simplify Life for You and Baby, One Step at a Time" was truly a life saver for me. It really had so many great tips and checklists that it made organizing for Calan so easy. Here is what it suggests for diaper bags:

• Diapers (duh, I usually pack 2 extras.)
• Wipes (I use disposable wipes still, just because it is easier for me, but you can do cloth. Just wet a few cloth wipes and keep them in a Ziploc bag or small wet bag. I just found that I did not use them enough and didn't want them to get gross smelling before I used them. I know, for the most part, the disposables are ready to go.)
• Changing pad (If you pack your bag with prefolds, you can always use those to save space. But most bags, come with a pretty compact changing pad.)
• Bibs (Calan is an insane drooler. I usually have 2-4 bibs in my bag at anytime)
• Bottle and formula (This does depend on when and where we are going, but I usually do have enough food for one bottle in his bag.)
• Bottle water (I do not pack this. But if you are a mom who wants to make sure that you have water and enough to make you babies bottle with, you might want it. I usually just fill his bottle with water before we go.)
• Snacks (Calan doesn't eat a lot of snacks, but a small thing of Cheerios is in there in case I need to entertain him for a little while.)
• Pacifer (Calan never used one, so never had one in our bag.)
• Toys (Plenty of these. Always need something to keep him entertained.)
• Recieving blanket (Nope, don't have this in there, but did when he was a newborn. Never know when you might let him lay on the ground or something like that.)
• Camera (Not always in there. I usually throw this in my purse if I want to take it.)
• Antibacterial hand cleaner (I don't keep this either. If I need something, I usually use one of his wipes.)
• Cosmetic-type bag (This is to organize things like baby orajel, pacifers, and nail clippers. But I definitely do not have this in mine. Totally not needed.)
• Empty Ziploc bag (For unexpected diaper changes and you don't have anywhere to dispose of your disposable diaper. I obviously do not have this one because we cloth diaper. I have a wet bag instead to put my dirty diaper in when we are out and about.)

Stuffed diaper bag. If you are picking out a diaper bag,
make sure to find one with tons of inner pockets. They
really help to keep you organized.  

Everything that was in the bag. (Clockwise) Changing pad,
toys, wipe case stuffed with disposable wipes, extra cloth
wipes in case they are needed, container of Cheerios,
formula divided container, bottle filled with 6 oz. of water,
2 bibs, 2 burp cloths, extra outfit, 2 cloth diapers,
medium-size wet bag, diaper cream, and sunscreen.

I do have a few items that I would add to the Organzed Mom list. I keep sunscreen, diaper cream, an extra outfit for baby, and burp cloths in there, as well as when I was nursing, a cover-up.  

For cloth diapering, I would say my only extra thing is my wet bag. Everything else is normal. Yes, my cloth diapers take up a little extra room, but overall it is the same as any other mother's diaper bag. 

Our new, large diaper bag that will be great for all-day trips
and our daily diaper bag that we use now.

When I have 2 babies, I am pretty sure that my standard diaper bag will be plenty for the day-to-day trips to the store or whatever. My mother-in-law got me a great (and large) Vera Bradley tote bag for longer all-day trips. 

Some ideas I have to keep myself organized is to keep a checklist in my diaper bag. Not sure how my brain will be working once the baby is here, but right now pregnancy brain is killing me. I am a little nervous thinking about everything that I need to remember for 2 babies and myself. I think having a checklist handy to peak at will help me until I can remember everything on my own. 

I also try to keep things in the bag that never come out unless they need to be cleaned. For example, we all have a few outfits that aren't our favorites in our kids' wardrobes. Those are the outfits that I keep in the diaper bag in case I need it. (Though I have found that once I use it, I do forget to put a new one in. Hence, the need for the checklist.) Snacks, toys, sunscreen, travel diaper cream, and changing pad are always in there too. 

Calan in our new diaper bag about a month
or so ago to give you an idea of size.
It is BIG!