13 Essentials for a New Mother's Diaper Bag

I had a great time this weekend attending my cousin's baby shower.  I'm so excited that she's having her first baby: a little boy.  I can't wait to see him.  She's going to be an awesome mother. Even though she's the youngest, she's always been a natural mother.  This baby is very lucky.

So in honor of my little cousin, I'm posting a list of my top 13 essential items for a new mother's diaper bag:

1. Burp clothes: These are important for so many reasons.  Obviously they protect you and the baby when you're burbing your child.  But they're also great for a teething child or for cleaning out the bulb syringe.  I mostly used cloth diapers.  They were super absorbent and big for those larger messes.

2. A great receiving blanket: I carry at least two.  They're great for covering when you need to nurse in public and for swaddling a fussy baby.  

3. Gas drops: My pediatrician recommended that we give our son a dose every time we changed him.  Furthermore, I took a dose every time to relieve gas after my C-section.  It helped our son sleep better and have fewer hiccups.

4. Baby tylenol and thermometer: I can't tell you how many times both of these items calmed my nerves.  As a new mom, I needed that extra peace of mind knowing what my child's temp was and knowing that I could ease his pain after those vaccines.

5. Mentholatum: I don't know why but this works.  When my kids have colds, I rub a little on their feet and they get better.  Simple solution, but works fantastically.

6. Nursing pads:  I love those by Lansinol.  They are very absorbent and economical.  The breast cream by the same company is also very beneficial.

7. Wipes: I've found that the store brand wipes are just as effective as brand name.  However, I always try to buy fragrance free items.  With a slight history of sensitive skin in the family, I tend to avoid dyes and fragrances.  Who needs 'em anyway?

8. Diapers: Need I say more?  These are very similar to the wipes.  Store brand are really just as effective.  We tried a couple of different brands with our son.  He was so long and skinny; some brands just weren't tight enough to his little body.  Finally we settled on Kirkland and Pampers.  But really Kirkland were just as effective at a lower price.

9. Extra hat, socks, outfit: If you leave the house without a hat, it will rain.  If you leave without socks, your child will loose one.  If you leave without extra clothes, your child will spit up.  It's a given.  

10. Snacks and drinks: for you and your child.  Of course your child won't be eating right away, but when they start, a baggie of cheerios can go a long way to getting you out of Target without buying snacks and having your sanity in tact.

For more Works for Me ideas, check out: www.rocksinmydryer.typepad.net.