How to Organize a Diaper Caddy: Best Tips for New Moms
As a new mom, you know that having everything you need within arm’s reach can make a world of difference.
One of the most essential tools you can have in your home as a new mom is a well-organized diaper caddy.
Keeping your diaper caddy stocked and organized not only saves time, but also is essential for making diaper changes a breeze!
In those early newborn days, you’ll be doing a lot of feedings and a lot of diaper changes. That means you’ll be going through a lot of diapers, and you’ll want to be as organized as possible.
When I became a new mom, one of the first systems I set up was a diaper caddy for our living room.
That was the space where we spent the most time, so it made sense to have a portable baby changing station nearby.
That way I didn’t have to go all the way to the nursery changing table for every diaper change.
In this blog post, I’m sharing all of the new mom must-have diaper caddy essentials.
I’ll explain everything I keep in my diaper caddy, as well as some helpful tips for keeping it organized.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. For more information, see my disclosures here.
What is a Diaper Caddy?
A diaper caddy is basically a basket or organizer where you keep all the essentials you need for diaper changes.
Things like diapers, baby wipes, diaper cream, and those extra odds and ends that you might need when you are tending to your baby.
It’s all about having everything literally at your fingertips whenever you need it.
Why a Well-Organized Diaper Caddy Matters
A well-organized diaper caddy is like a portable baby care station. When your new baby needs a diaper change or a quick clean-up, you don’t want to be hunting around the house for supplies.
If you have a well-organized diaper basket, all the essential items are at your fingertips. This allows you to get the job done without any distractions or stress.
Overall, it will make your life a lot easier as a new mom.
Essential Items for Your Diaper Caddy
Time for another diaper change? You’ll want to have your diaper caddy armed and ready with all the essential supplies.
From preventing diaper rash to dealing with those sudden messes, here’s a breakdown of the must-have items to include in your diaper caddy:
1. Diapers
The star of the show! And also an obvious item to keep in your diaper caddy. Make sure to stock up on diapers. You’ll be reaching for these frequently, so having a good stash is a must.
SHOP DIAPERS
2. Baby Wipes
An absolute necessity. From diaper changes to cleaning little hands and faces, baby wipes are your go-to for quick cleanups.
SHOP BABY WIPES
3. Diaper Cream
Diaper rash is no joke! Having a reliable rash cream on hand can help prevent and soothe discomfort. I prefer this Walmart brand diaper cream. It’s cheap and effective at preventing diaper rash.
SHOP DIAPER CREAM
4. Diaper Cream Paddle
Skip the mess and make applying diaper cream a breeze with a diaper cream paddle. No more messy fingers!
SHOP DIAPER PADDLE
5. Changing Pad
A key part of a portable changing station is having a foldable changing pad. Lay it out as a clean place to change your baby. It also prevents diaper change messes from getting all over your home.
SHOP CHANGING PAD
6. A Change of Clothes
Ah, blowouts – every parent’s rite of passage. Be prepared with extra clothes for your baby. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later. I normally keep a basic white onesie in the diaper caddy in whatever size fits my baby.
SHOP A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
7. Burp Cloth
Babies come with lots of messes – a burp cloth is something to always have handy for any unexpected moments. I always kept at least one burp cloth nearby for spit up or wiping up any mess the baby would make.
SHOP BURP CLOTH
8. Baby Lotion
Keep your baby’s skin soft and moisturized with a gentle baby lotion. This is a great place to store an extra tube of lotion that’s within easy reach. During a diaper change, you can easily moisturize your baby’s skin.
SHOP BABY LOTION
9. Eczema Cream
For those sensitive skin days, eczema cream is a lifesaver. A little TLC goes a long way in keeping your baby’s skin comfortable. I always kept a small tub of this cream around for when my baby had little spots of eczema or really dry skin.
It’s so cheap that I can easily keep a few of these creams around the house.
SHOP ECZEMA CREAM
10. Pacifier
For a newborn, diaper changes aren’t always the most comfortable or warm experience. If your baby is fussy, a pacifier can work wonders to soothe and calm them down.
SHOP PACIFIER
11. Hair Tie
Because let’s face it – dealing with diaper changes while your hair is all over the place isn’t ideal. I always keep a hair tie nearby because I don’t like to have my hair in my face when I’m dealing with blowouts
SHOP HAIR TIE
Other Optional Diaper Caddy Items
Here are a few other items that may be helpful for you to keep in your diaper caddy. I do not keep these items in mine, however you might find that you need some of these things to make your portable changing station function well.
12. Hand Sanitizer
Keep a pocket-sized sanitizer in your diaper caddy for those moments when a sink is out of reach.
SHOP HAND SANITIZER
13. Small Trash Bags or Plastic Bags
Diaper changes can get messy. Having a stash of small trash bags or plastic bags in your diaper caddy is a great idea. Use them to dispose of dirty diapers and contained soiled clothes.
SHOP SMALL TRASH BAGS OR PLASTIC BAGS
14. Nail Clippers
Baby nails grow like weeds. And they are also so sharp! Tuck a pair of baby-safe nail clippers into your caddy to trim those tiny nails during a diaper change.
SHOP NAIL CLIPPERS
15. Nasal Aspirator
Babies have a knack for stuffy noses at the most inconvenient times. A nasal aspirator is a savior when it comes to helping your new baby breathe easy. Have one on hand in your caddy if you tend to use this item often.
SHOP NASAL ASPIRATOR
16. Small Toys
Diaper changes can sometimes be met with resistance, especially as your baby gets older and grows more curious about the world around them. Keep a few small toys in your diaper basket to provide a quick distraction during changes.
SHOP SMALL TOYS
Choosing the Right Diaper Caddy
Before we dive into the organizing tips, let’s make sure you have the right diaper caddy for your needs.
There are a variety of different diaper caddy options out there. You’ll want to make sure you choose a good diaper caddy that will hold everything you need and can withstand daily use.
My favorite portable diaper caddy is the Skip Hop Diaper Caddy.
The Skip Hop Diaper Caddy has two large main compartments and a few smaller organizing pockets inside. It also has a few small exterior pockets as well which are very easy to access.
Another notable feature of this diaper caddy is the handle on top. It has a nightlight built into the handle which is perfect if you are changing a diaper at night or just need some extra light.
To turn on the nightlight, just touch the pad on the top of the handle. I’ve found this feature to be so convenient and helpful!
Best Diaper Caddies
I’ve searched around and found a collection of the best diaper caddies out there. You can shop some of the best finds below.
SHOP DIAPER CADDIES
Organizing Tips for Your Diaper Caddy
Now it’s time to pack it all up inside your diaper caddy!
Here are some practical tips for organizing your diaper caddy:
Categorize Items
Group similar items together to create a sense of order. This makes it easy to find what you need quickly.
For example, I like to keep all of the healthcare items together and all of the diaper changing essentials together.
Use Compartments
If your diaper caddy has compartments or pockets, assign specific items to each section. This prevents items from getting jumbled up.
I keep a stockpile of diapers in the larger open compartment and all of the other items in the other compartment with the additional pockets.
This gives me room to organize items by category in the smaller pockets within the caddy.
Keep Most-Used Items Easily Accessible
Arrange items based on frequency of use. Items like diapers, wipes, and the changing pad should be easily accessible when you need to make a quick diaper change happen.
Rotate Supplies
Regularly check and replenish your diaper caddy to ensure you never run out of essentials.
Set a reminder to check the supplies regularly, and restock as needed.
Also, take a moment to declutter or swap out items that are no longer necessary. For example, if your baby has grown, swap in their new diaper size and a onesie in the next baby clothing size up.
Final Thoughts about Organizing a Diaper Caddy
As a new mom, you’re already juggling a lot. A well-organized diaper caddy can be a game-changer for new moms.
By choosing the right caddy, including essential items, and following the best organization tips, you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.
With a great portable diaper caddy, you can confidently tackle diaper changes and other baby care tasks like a pro!
Remember, it’s not just about convenience – it’s about reclaiming a sense of order amidst the chaos of the newborn phase.
I hope that this blog post helped you in some way to prepare for your new baby. If you need more help preparing for a new baby in your family, check out some of my other blog posts below.
