Diaper Bags are the New Purse

Other then baby and baby's car seat, it's the one item that a mother will never leave home without, The Diaper Bag. They come in so many different sizes, colors, looks, characters, and accessories. A mom or dad could be carring one and you wouldn't even know it. Many of them just look like normal bags now. I know of people that have made their own diaper bags out of a big back pack, my sister included.

In the first week of Logan's life, I knew right away that his diaper bag would be my new purse. It had to be. We went out for the first time on Friday (Logan was born on Monday) and I tried to carry the diaper bag and my purse and whatever else we thought we needed at the time. I quickly realized that carring my big purse was just unrealistic. So I just grabbed my wallet, phone, keys, Kleenex, and hand sanatiser and found a little cubby in the diaper bag for it all. Now all that I grab is Logan and the diaper bag and we are out the door.

I'm not one of those people that likes to be in a rush to get out the door when we need to leave, plus I only have so much time until Logan is hungry again. So I restock and organize the diaper bag everynight before bed. There must always be 8 diapers in the bag, a full thing of wipes, a blanket, nursing wrap, 2 changes of clothes, changing pad, and a few toys...plus 2 bottles of water for mom and dad. I like to be prepared. I don't like feeling flustered and unprepared for what's to come, so therefore I plan it out and try to be prepared for my family and just for myself. This also makes leaving everyday much faster.

You see, when you have a baby, or even just a young child, you need to have something to tote around everything that needs to go with baby and child. So when I recently read about a mother who went out for the day and after her baby had done some business she didn't change her. Instead she just let her sit in her own business while mom kept visiting stores and going shopping and not changing her until she got home, well I was furious! I mean, think about that child! How would that mother like it if she was made to sit in her own business while I toted her around from store to store shopping? All that needs to be done is have a diaper bag on hand, and if you run out of diapers, well there is always some store near by! CHANGE THE DAMN DIAPER, THERE IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO! I don't care about others smelling the business in the pants (I mean I do, but it's going to happen, so get over it), but a child needs to have a fresh diaper if not for comfort then at least for health reasons.

This story actually reminds me of my nephew Gabe (who is already turning 10 in just a few short days!) when he was a little babe. My sister and I were in the car going when we either heard or smelled that Gabe had done some business. We quickly pulled off at a park and found a bench and changed him. Let me tell you, it was a BLOW OUT! We didn’t just change that diaper, but we had to change his clothes after giving him a little mini bath with the wipes even. It was a windy day and Gabe was on the bench naked and the wind struck him in just the right way. He gave us the BIGGEST smile and cutest laugh I had ever heard. He loved all of it. You see, if we just decided to keep going on our way and wait until we got home to change Gabe then none of us would have that memory. Changing baby’s diapers can give you great memories and wonderful stories to tell…like you know in about 15 years (give or take) when Gabe gets married, I can tell that story to his new in-laws!
So to all the mom's out there...PLEASE remember your diaper bag. It's not just a diaper bag, it’s a mother's purse as well. Keep those pre-baby purses in the closet for a night out on the town or just for work. And always remember to restock it so you are prepared for your little ones needs.