What to Pack In Your Changing Bag for a Newborn

Whether you’re a first-time parent or an experienced hand, packing a newborn nappy bag or hospital bag can be stressful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with everything that your baby needs. You want to make sure you have everything you need without overpacking.

Your baby’s changing bag is one investment that you’ll use for years and take with you everywhere. So at London Olivia, we bear this in mind with the design of our bags. Our baby changing bags are also on a mission to make the world a better place for the world’s most impoverished children. Every time you purchase a changing bag, a portion of the profits are donated to Unicef to help keep a child safe and healthy. Read on to find out more about our baby changing bags and our top items for packing in a diaper bag for a newborn.

1. Nappies

Every changing bag needs an army of nappies (or diapers if you’re American!). You want to make sure you have enough to see you through the day, with a few spare for emergencies. Restock your nappies after each trip so that you never have an empty changing bag.

Pamper is one brand that always features in the best nappies for newborns list. The brand has been around since the 1950s and is responsible for innovating nappies into what we use today. They offer the classic size 1 nappies for newborns weighing 2-5kg.

Make sure you stock up on newborn nappies, as you’ll usually be doing 10-12 nappy changes a day!

2. Baby wipes
Along with nappies, you need baby wipes. They’re a lifesaver to clean everything from poo explosions to your baby’s hands and spilt milk. We recommend trying to find 100% biodegradable baby wipes that are kind to your baby’s skin and the environment.

As a newborn has delicate skin, you want to search for the best baby wipes with natural ingredients that are dermatologically approved. Don’t forget to pack a nappy rash cream! You want to use one that has natural ingredients and a hypoallergenic formula, like the all-purpose balm from The Honest Co.

3. Nappy bags
Speaking of dirty nappies, you’ll need a packet of nappy poo bags for throwing away dirty nappies and wipes while on the go. They’re also a great way to store dirty clothes until you can throw them in the wash at home. Kit and Kin offer budget-friendly and biodegradable nappy bags that are easy to use and naturally clean.

4. Changing mat
At London Olivia, our baby changing bags come with the all-important changing mat. You want to make sure you’re always ready for an unexpected diaper change. This compact tool means you can do a nappy change anywhere from your car to a friend’s house or your local café.

5. Backup baby clothes
The newborn stage is when your baby will go through several outfit changes a day. Your baby might come home in a different outfit than they left in. Keeping backup baby clothes in your nappy bag means that you’re ready for anything. Babygrows and bodysuits are the best ideas and an easy outfit change while on the go. It is also a good idea to keep a warm hat and a spare pair of socks handy for when it gets a bit chilly.

6. Swaddle blanket
A swaddle blanket is a multi-tasking staple that you can use for keeping your baby warm or as a coverup while nursing. Choose a brand that offers swaddle blankets in a lightweight fabric that is easy to pack into your changing bag without adding too much weight. Aden + Anais are one of the most popular swaddle blanket brands, with their muslin swaddles being a best-seller.

7. Feeding essentials
Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula-feeding, your newborn baby bag needs to be prepped for feeding on the go. An insulated bottle bag is a must-have for carrying bottles of breast milk, and it’s a good idea to keep a small ice pack with it for extra insulation. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to add a few nursing pads to your changing bag.

If your baby drinks formula, keep your formula and water stored separately in two different containers. It’s best to bring your own water if you don’t have time to run into a store or coffee shop. The Tommee Tippee milk powder dispensers mean you’re ready to feed your baby anywhere at any time.

Pack a few extra bibs to help keep your baby’s clothes clean while feeding. It can cut down on outfit changes and save on extra washing.

8. Water and snacks
Don’t forget about packing a few essentials for yourself! With a newborn, it’s harder to run into Starbucks and grab your usual iced coffee. Keep a few snacks tucked away in your baby’s changing bag, along with water in an insulated container to keep it cool all day long.

9. Dummy
If your newborn baby uses a dummy, keep a few back-ups in your diaper bag. You want to store them inside re-sealable bags to keep them sanitary between uses. Our Kensington Tote comes with its own zip pouch especially for your dummy. 

10. Your baby’s changing bag
Now that you know what to pack, you need a changing bag to put everything into for your newborn.

At London Olivia, we offer two styles for you to choose from. Our Notting Hill backpack changing bags are right on-trend and perfect for parents who are always on the go. This baby changing bag is available in black, tan, and grey for ultimate versatility. It comes with everything you need, including a changing mat, mum purse, insulated bottle holder, and a padded laptop compartment. It’s a hands-free option that can double as a work or travel bag.

Our Kensington Tote changing bag is a modern-day Mary Poppins bag, available in burnt orange, black, and blush. This minimalistic diaper bag is effortlessly chic and includes a dummy pouch, two insulated pockets, and a baby changing mat.
At London Olivia, our changing bags are made using vegan leather and without plastic packaging to help protect the planet for the next generation. As part of our partnership with Unicef, every £6 donated helps to provide life-saving rehydration salts for 15 children.

What are your must-haves for a newborn changing bag? Let us know in the comments below!