What to Put in Diaper Caddy – Use This Checklist to Stay Organized

Baby's feet

Parenting can go either way. You can make it chaotic and find yourself feeling frazzled by the end of the day. Or you can turn it into a relaxed affair by getting organized. This is why it’s a good idea to know what to put in a diaper caddy. And a checklist for that is essential.

A diaper caddy brings you one step closer to keeping you sane when dealing with diaper changes. Whether you’re doing it at home or while visiting the grandparents, having the right items in it means your diaper changing goes a whole lot smoother. This is why I also have one, albeit a very simple one.

All You Need to Know About a Diaper Caddy

You may be wondering if a diaper caddy is necessary. Is it simply another baby product manufacturers have come up with to make more money? Or is it something that really makes parenting a bit easier?

Today, I’m going to talk about diaper caddies, what makes them a useful item for the nursery or out of home, and most importantly, what to put in a diaper caddy.

What is a Diaper Caddy?

A diaper caddy is a wonderful holder with various compartments and pockets for holding all the stuff you need for diaper changing. This nifty organizer allows you to store baby items such as diapers, diaper rash cream, and baby wipes in a methodical fashion.

When the time comes to change your baby’s diaper you’ll be able to stay calm knowing everything you need is where it should be – neatly organized in a diaper caddy! It’s similar to the concept of mise-en-place in cooking: chefs or organized parents have everything ready and at hand before they start to cook.

Every parent who does a diaper change knows how out of hand it can become if all the right diaper changing items are not easily accessible. Your baby is wriggling, you’re trying to keep them entertained while frantically searching for the bum cream. Before you know it, your baby is screaming and you’re still hunting down the elusive cream.

This is a typical scenario of a parent who is not organized! So, a diaper caddy basically brings order into your life while diaper changing.

Which Type of Diaper Caddy is Best?

You’ll find a variety of diaper caddy designs on the market. Which one is best for you depends on when you’re going to use it. Are you looking for something to organize all your baby’s diaper-changing goodies in one place in the nursery? Or do you want something that’s portable so you can simply pick it up and take it with you wherever you go?

If you’re looking for a diaper caddy for the nursery, then the stationary caddy is your solution. It’s normally larger than most diaper caddies and sits on the baby’s changing table / dresser. All the items needed for diaper changing are stored in different compartments. While this is a great way of organizing your diaper changing process, it does take up space and isn’t a portable option.

The portable diaper caddy, on the other hand, is lightweight, has handles for easy carrying, and has various compartments for easy storage of diaper-changing items. This caddy can be taken anywhere with you. All you have to do is make sure it’s always stocked with the right items so you can pick up and go without worrying you’ll be caught short the next time you change your baby’s diaper.

Another design often seen with diaper caddies is the hanging diaper caddy. This is a popular space saver option and can be hung in the baby’s nursery or even in your bedroom if that’s where you often change your baby’s diapers. Simply hang it up on the baby’s crib, behind the door, or in the closet. While this caddy is “movable” it’s not ideal for taking with you on a day’s outing.

You could always make your own DIY diaper caddy so watch this video to show you how to go about doing it.

A word on diaper bags: While your diaper bag is perfect for those days when you’re popping out to the shops with your baby, they’re often not big enough to hold all the items you need when you’re traveling. That’s why a portable diaper caddy is the better option. Read my article about diaper organizers if you’re using a diaper bag. I share tips for packing like a pro!

Checklist: Always Pack These 7 Essentials in Your Diaper Caddy

Once you’ve decided on which diaper caddy is best for you, packing it with the right items is essential if you want to stay organized. Here’s my checklist for 7 essentials to always be packed in your diaper caddy (and I’ve added some other ideas at the end).

  • The Diapers

This may seem obvious but how many times have you left home without stocking extra diapers in the caddy? Or you’ve used up the last diaper in your stationary diaper caddy only to not replace it with extra diapers. So, make sure you always have diapers in your caddy for quick access. Have a look at this Pampers Swaddlers or Baby Dry article I wrote on these popular models.

I have my other diapers stored in one of the three drawers of our Hemnes dresser.

Pampers Swaddlers Diapers - Size 4, One Month Supply (150 Count), Ultra Soft Disposable Baby Diapers
  • Baby Wipes

To this day, I’ll always be grateful for this invention! Baby wipes are every parent’s solution to keeping their baby (and themselves) clean during diaper changes. Make sure you keep a pack in your caddy at all times. Read my article about choosing the best baby wipes for your baby, Pampers Aqua Pure vs Water Wipes.

WaterWipes Plastic-Free Original Baby Wipes, 99.9% Water Based Wipes, Unscented & Hypoallergenic for Sensitive Skin, 60 Count (Pack of 12), Packaging May Vary
  • Diaper Rash Cream

A must-have for every diaper change is the diaper rash cream. Even if your baby has the toughest skin, applying bum cream will make them feel more comfortable when wearing diapers.

A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream - Soothes & Treats Diaper Rash - Zinc Oxide 10% Dimethicone 1% - Easy Spreading Diaper Rash Cream for Baby - Healing Skin Ointment for Red, Irritated Skin - 4oz
  • Burp Cloth

Avoid those messy moments when burping your baby after a feed. Packing a burp cloth (and make sure you always replace a dirty one with a clean one for the next time you use the diaper caddy) means you won’t be caught short when your baby starts to oops their feed!

Arnzion Baby Burp Cloths Baby Burp Set Curved Absorbent and Soft Valuable 4 Pack
  • Changing Pad

Packing a nifty changing pad in your portable diaper caddy is a good idea. Choose one that’s easy to fold up into a neat, compact shape so you can pack it easily into one of the compartments or pockets of your caddy. You could also look for ideas in my article about different changing pads to choose from: Hatch Baby Grow vs Keekaroo vs Bumbo vs Skip Hop Changing Pads.

Baby Changing Pad, Portable Diaper Changing Pads for Newborn Girl & boy – Waterproof Travel Changing Station- Gift by Comfy Cubs (Grey, Compact)
  • Hand Sanitizer

Never before has this item been so vitally essential! With so many germs (and viruses) out there packing a hand sanitizer in your diaper caddy is important. Make sure you use one that’s baby-friendly.

Babyganics Foaming Pump Hand Sanitizer, Alcohol Free, Travel Size, Fragrance Free, Kills 99.9% of Common Bacteria, Moisturizing, 1.69oz (Pack of 6)
  • Toys

A trick most parents will learn while diaper changing is using toys to keep their baby entertained while the dirty deed is being done. Keep a stash of little toys in the diaper caddy and use them only during diaper changing.

Other Essentials You Could Pack in Your Diaper Caddy

While I’ve shared with you some of the most essential items you should pack in your diaper caddy, here are some other ideas:

  • Baby lotion or oil
  • Soil bag for used diapers or cloth diapers
  • Baby soap and shampoo
  • Cotton balls
  • Facecloth
  • Baby pacifier
  • Change of clothes
  • Baby brush and comb
  • Bibs
  • A small baby blanket
  • Water bottle (especially for breastfeeding moms)
  • Sun lotion

The key to using the diaper caddy effectively is to make sure it’s always well-stocked. So, when you’ve used an item be sure to replace it. Spend a bit of time each day going through the checklist I’ve shared with you and check your diaper caddy is stocked with each item.

You’ll be glad to have done this the next time you need to change your baby’s diapers and it’s all smooth sailing thanks to your being organized!

Final Words

Having a baby is one of life’s many joys. Changing diapers, however, sometimes makes parenting a bit challenging! This is why I want to show you how to pack your diaper caddy so diaper changing is a breeze.

Use my checklist and you’ll be one of those organized parents you always wish you were! Another great product is a changing tray which you might want to get.

Last update on 2024-03-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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