Summer weather is right around the corner! If you’re headed out for a warm-weather adventure with your little one, it’s important to bring everything you’ll need for a fun day in the sun. Babies and toddlers can be unpredictable, and many of my favorite adventure day-pack packing tips came from my years spent packing the diaper bag for my two little guys and making sure I had everything we needed for whatever situation might arise.
10 items every parent should pack in the diaper bag for a summer adventure
Sunscreen: If you’re spending the day outdoors, sunscreen’s a must for protecting your little one’s tender skin. Many experts recommend using mineral-based sunscreen instead of their chemical-based counterparts, so do your own research and find a product that fits your family’s needs. (Don’t forget to pack sunscreen for yourself too!) The FDA recommends not applying sunscreen to babies younger than six months of age, so if you’re taking a young baby outdoors, avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours when the sun is high in the sky.
Sun hat and protective clothing: Bucket-style hats are great for keeping little heads and faces sunburn-free. If your baby is under six months old, consider SPF-rated lightweight clothing designed to lower the risk of sunburn.
Fluids: Babies and young children are much more susceptible to dehydration when the heat is high. Pack appropriate fluids for your child, whether that’s water, juice, formula, or milk. You may find that a small, soft-sided cooler or insulated bag will fit inside your diaper bag. One of my favorite tips is to freeze a small, eight-ounce water bottle and slip it inside your insulated bag. It will keep your drinks cold, and if it melts, you’ve got an additional bottle of water on hand.
Snacks: It’s always good to have finger-food snacks on hand, both for baby and for you! Whether it’s “O”-shaped cereals, crunchy puffs, or crackers, pack something that can stand the heat. Anything with a melty coating (i.e. yogurt raisins) will turn to a sticky mess inside a hot bag.
Mister bottle: A mister bottle uses air pressure to spray water droplets in a fine mist. This mist really doesn’t saturate clothing, but it does cool the air in the path of the mist down by ten to 30 degrees! A few quick spritzes with a mister bottle can cool your child down, and again, this is an item you’ll likely be using to cool yourself as well.
Insect repellent: Your little one may not be able to communicate to you that a group of mosquitoes has decided to swarm upon their delicate skin. Stick to DEET-free repellents for infants and toddlers. There are many natural insect repellents made with plant oils that are safe for babies’ skin.
First-Aid Kit: Keep a small first-aid kit in your diaper bag to treat skinned knees, small cuts, and other minor injuries.
Extra change of clothes: When my children were small, I quickly learned that keeping an extra change of clothes for them in the diaper bag was a must. Whether my little guys decided to sit in a sandbox puddle or dribbled food on their shirts, I had a second change of clothes ready to go so no one had to ride home in the car with wet or dirty clothing. If you keep a gallon-sized plastic bag in your diaper bag too, you’ll have a waterproof place to store those dirty clothes until you get home.
Baby wipes: Of course, these are important for diaper changes, but every parent knows that baby wipes are invaluable for washing little hands (or mom and dad’s hands!) and cleaning up small messes too.
Diapers: What would your diaper bag be without diapers? Luvs is the diaper of experienced parents! They’re softer and more absorbent than ever before. Luvs diapers have large stretch tabs for easy fastening, ultra-leakage protection, and a money-back guarantee! Luvs Ultra Leakguards diapers with NightLock Plus™ provide high-quality features babies and parents need for less cost than the premium brands.
Luvs is also offering big savings this month to help parents save on diapers Here’s a link to print a $2.00 coupon for any Luvs diaper pack or box! Print sooner than later, as the coupon will drop to $1 on 5/28/17. This Sunday’s paper will also have a $2 coupon in the inserts.
Parenting is expensive. You’ve got to save money whenever you can, but think about this — saving money on diapers will help you have a little more cash on hand for all of your summer adventures!
More about Luvs diapers:
- Luvs knows that between laundry, play dates, snack time, and nap time, you don’t have time for leaks! Luvs makes life easier for busy parents by helping to keep leaks in the diaper where they belong, so your baby stays dry and comfortable, even overnight.
- A contoured shape hugs baby for a great fit and a super-soft cottony material – softer than ever before – feels gentle on baby’s skin.
- The Luvs Money Back Guarantee: We feel so strongly about our diapers that we’ve guaranteed them! If you aren’t satisfied with the leakage protection of Luvs, we’ll refund your money. See our website, www.luvsdiapers.com, for details.
- Luvs diapers are available in sizes newborn through 6, feature fun designs in every pack, and can be found at mass, discount and grocery stores where baby care products are sold.
- For more information on Luvs diapers, visit www.luvsdiapers.com or the brand’s social media channels on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/luvsdiapers), Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/luvs) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/luvsdiapers).
Hashtag: #ShareTheLuv
wolverine70 says
Great tips! Thanks, Jill!