What to Put in a Diaper Caddy for Superior Baby Organization

In the early baby days, feedings, diaper changes and even naps happen all over the house, not just the nursery. When baby needs a diaper change, sometimes the last thing you’ll want to do is relocate your little one to the diaper changing station that contains all your diapering essentials. That’s where diaper caddies can come in handy. These convenient baby organization baskets are designed to make diapering easier — wherever you need to do it. Diaper caddies have a spot for everything your baby needs for a diaper change and much more, and they allow you to take your diaper changing station on the go with you — even in the car! 

What Is a Diaper Caddy?

A diaper caddy is a specially designed organization basket to make carrying all of your baby essentials throughout the house or to the car much easier. They typically come with many compartments, adjustable dividers, pockets, and a handle for easy transportation. These especially come in handy when the baby’s bedroom and diaper changing station are on another level of the home than the main play area. With a diaper caddy, you can have all of your diapering essentials nearby and you won’t need to relocate your baby to give them a fresh diaper. 

Why It’s Nice to Have an Organized Diaper Caddy

When you designate a spot for everything in your diaper caddy, you’ll be able to quickly scan your baby diaper caddy and know immediately what you’re missing or what you need more of, especially if more than one person is using the caddy. Before using a felt diaper caddy throughout the house, I used a regular bin and there were so many times I found myself staring at it wondering what was missing, only to realize mid-diaper change that I didn’t put any wipes in it. Diaper caddies help keep you organized, and you can spot immediately if you’re totally missing wipes or need to add more burb clothes. Well-organized diaper caddies help take some of the guesswork out of optimized parenthood. 

What Baby Items to Put in a Diaper Caddy

Diapers

Of course, diapers, diapers, and more diapers! You’ll want to put 1 diaper in for every 2-3 hours you plan on having the diaper caddy as your primary changing station. Typically, parents just pack their caddies with 6-8 diapers and replenish them as stock runs low. 

Wipes

A pack of wipes (or two) are an essential item to have in the diaper caddy not only to clean up diaper messes, but all the other messes those babies can create. From spit ups to food messes, wipes are key to have on hand at all times with a little one around.

Diaper Cream

It’s always smart to keep diaper cream around to protect baby bums from rashes. If you want, you can even include a diaper cream applicator in your diaper caddy to keep the tough-to-remove cream off your hands. 

Changing Pad

Changing pads are perfect for when you’re doing a diaper change on the floor or couch and don’t want any of the mess to get on your home. Vice versa, they’re also great when you want to protect baby from a scratchy carpet texture. We recommend a changing pad that is easily wipeable, so you can easily clean off and store it for the next use. 

Diaper Trash Bags

Small plastic trash bags can stash your baby’s dirty diaper for its trip to the trash or if you need to set it down for a minute before you have a chance to properly dispose of it. 

Hand Sanitizer

Clean hands are important when you have a little one around, so make sure you have some easily reachable to use after every diaper change if you’re not able to immediately wash your hands. 

Burp Cloths

I went through these a lot in the early days, and would always have 4-5 packed for every adventure or afternoon in the living room. These absorbent little towels help maintain the spit-up mess and help you avoid some extra outfit changes. 

Pacifiers

If your baby is a fan of the pacifier, you’ll certainly want to store one or two in your diaper caddy so you can easily reach one when your baby needs one, or inevitably loses the one you already gave them. 

Baby’s Favorite Toys

You’re probably already in a sea of baby toys, but it never hurts to have a new one to pull out to make diaper changes more enjoyable for both of you. 

Extra Baby Outfit

Leaks and spills and everything else happens, so it’s always nice to be able to quickly change your baby into a clean outfit on the fly. 

Make a list of the items you know you for sure want to keep in your caddy. Then, find a diaper caddy that would fit all those items and keep them organized, bonus points if you find a caddy that is customizable and can grow and change to your growing and changing needs. 

Consider where you’ll store this caddy most of the time, and the type of aesthetic you’ll want it to go with. You don’t have to sacrifice your home’s style for baby products. 

Look for a caddy that is made well and is durable, so you don’t have to think twice about grabbing it, throwing it in the car, packing it to the brim or letting your baby tug at it. 

Other Ways to Use a Diaper Caddy

Once the diaper days are behind you, the diaper caddy's versatile design can transition to serve multiple purposes throughout your home. Here are other ways to use a diaper caddy:

New Mom Care Kit

A thoughtful gift for a new mom, a diaper caddy can be filled with postpartum care items. Include things like nursing pads, nipple cream, healthy snacks, a water bottle, and other self-care items to help her feel pampered and supported.

Nursing Caddy

For breastfeeding or pumping moms, a diaper caddy can be repurposed into a nursing caddy. Fill it with nursing pads, nipple cream, burp cloths, a water bottle, snacks, all the pumping supplies, and a good book or magazine to make feeding time more comfortable and convenient.

Baby Accessories Organization

Use a diaper caddy to keep all of your baby’s accessories in one place. Store items like bibs, hats, socks, mittens, headbands or hair bows, and shoes, making finding and coordinating outfits easy.

Bathroom Organizer

A diaper caddy can help keep your bathroom clutter-free. Use it to store toiletries, such as lotions, shampoos, bath toys, and washcloths. It's also handy for organizing your makeup and skincare products.

Toy Organizer

As your baby grows, their toy collection will expand. A diaper caddy can be an excellent way to organize small toys, blocks, and action figures, making cleanup time easier and keeping play areas tidy.

Book Caddy

Encourage your child's love for reading by using a diaper caddy to store their favorite books. This portable book caddy can be moved from room to room, making it easy to have story time anywhere in the house.

 

Car Essentials Kit

Use a diaper caddy to keep your car organized. Store snacks, water bottles, a first aid kit, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and small toys to keep your little one entertained on the go.

Craft Supplies Storage

If you enjoy crafting or have older children who do, a diaper caddy can be transformed into a portable craft station. Store markers, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, and other crafting essentials in the various compartments.

Picnic or Outing Kit

Pack a diaper caddy with all the essentials for a family outing or picnic. Include items like reusable utensils, napkins, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and a small first aid kit.

Pet Supplies Organizer

If you have pets, a diaper caddy can be a convenient way to keep their essentials organized. Store leashes, poop bags, grooming tools, treats, and toys in one easy-to-access location.

A well-organized diaper caddy can be a game-changer for busy parents, providing easy access to all the essentials needed for quick and efficient diaper changes. Beyond its primary use, a diaper caddy's versatility makes it a valuable tool for various organizational needs around the house. By investing in a high-quality, durable, and stylish diaper caddy, you'll not only enhance your diaper-changing experience but also find countless ways to repurpose it as your baby grows. Whether you're using it to keep your car tidy, organize craft supplies, or store pet essentials, a diaper caddy proves to be a practical and adaptable addition to any home. Embrace the convenience and functionality of a diaper caddy and enjoy a more organized and stress-free parenting journey.