My diaper bag over-packing obsession

Years back, being a new mom and all, clueless and obsessive-compulsive, travel time and even short trips out the house would always mean packing like there's no tomorrow.  I tend to over-pack the diaper bag and that includes unnecessary items.  Fast forward, the bag's still filled to the brim, things squeezed so that they would fit in, with the bag overstuffed all ready to explode.  And of course, there's Ryan giving me that all too familiar " You're packing way tooo much look" !  At the end of the day, when I take a peek at my baby's diaper bag, I see so many things unused and well,... unnecessary but I dumped them in the bag anyway. Lately, even half a day out with the kids in tow somehow drains my mommy energy and let's not forget the plump diaper bags and the hassle of carrying heavy stuff all throughout.  Trips, even short ones: a trip to the mall, a walk at the park, a short swim at the beach or even a short visit to the kids' grandparents make me achy, dizzy and stressed, in desperate need for a mommy massage.  My rule of thumb is: It's better to over-pack than live to regret it.  But then again, you could always stick to the basics.  My over-packing tendency might have been because of that lack of a good diaper bag basic checklist.  And so, I decided to cut back on my packing obsession with a little research because I have 3 kids now. Over-packing is way too much hassle when you have other kids.  I came up with a revised checklist, the real deal and not my own checklist w/c consists of everything but the dog.  : D

WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR BABY'S DIAPER BAG:

1.  baby bottles and formula

2.  diapers- Take more than what you think you'll need.  It's better to be safe than sorry!

3.  diaper wipes for wiping baby's dirty bottom and your hands too.

4.  changing pad

5.  hand sanitizer- this is for mommy, daddy and the older kids. Hands should be clean before handling the baby.

6.  bibs,burp clothes or small face towels for spit-ups and other messes

7.  tissues and paper towels for spills

8.  an extra shirt, pants and socks/booties for baby

9.  baby sunblock  

10.  plastic bags for dirty diaper disposal and for carrying home dirty clothes or wet clothes




11.  at least one favorite toy to keep baby pre-occupied




12.  a fave comfort object: a blanket or stuffed toy

13.  extra pacifiers

And because I have a toddler and a big kid, I also pack some portable distractions:  books, a box of crayons, their fave toys, snacks:  sandwiches/cheese cubes or cheese sticks/dry cereal/crackers/cookies or muffins/fresh fruit and their drinks in sippy cups or portable thermos.  Kliven prefers to chug down water while Khym likes his choco milk drinks.

Last weekend, the family went out to my in-laws place for Sunday lunch. And surprise!  I only carried baby's small diaper bag though I have this really huge one. It wasn't crammed with unnecessary stuff. It was surprisingly, well...LIGHT!! I hope my diaper bag over-packing obsession is gone for good. How about you?  What's in your diaper bag?