The first time you leave the house with a baby, you pack as if you're crossing the Pennines on foot. Spare everything, spares of the spares, and a bag so heavy you need a sit-down at the end of the road. A few months later, you're the person heading out with one nappy in a coat pocket. The right answer sits somewhere in between, and it depends on two things: how long you're out, and how old they are.
Here's the edited list. Start from this, then adjust for your baby and the weather.
The one rule
Pack nappies for the time you'll be out, then add two. Two is the number of surprises. Everything else on this page is negotiable.
The two-hour outing
A walk, a coffee, a quick shop. You don't need the big bag. You need the essentials somewhere you can grab them one-handed.
0–6 months
- Nappies (see the rule), wipes, a few nappy sacks
- A small changing mat
- A muslin, or two if they're a sicky baby
- A spare vest and sleepsuit
- If bottle-feeding: a ready-to-feed carton and a clean bottle is the simplest option for a short trip
- Dummy, if they use one
A changing clutch keeps the nappy, wipes and mat together, so you can take just that into the loo and leave everything else with the pram.
6–12 months
All of the above, plus a bib, a drink in their cup, one small toy or book, and once they're eating solids, a snack in a snack cup that doesn't scatter the moment it's tipped.
1–4 years
- Nappies, or if you're potty training, two changes of pants and trousers. Two. Not one.
- Wipes. You'll use them on hands, faces, car seats and yourself.
- A snack and a drink
- A bag for wet things
- For a newly trained toddler, a fold-flat travel potty, because "I need a wee" never happens near a loo
The full day out
Now you want the proper bag. A backpack beats a shoulder bag for a long day: two free hands, weight on both shoulders, and nothing sliding off your arm as you lean into the pram.
Every age
- Nappies for the day, plus two
- A full pack of wipes, not the travel pack with three left in it
- Something to change on when there's nowhere to change
- Two spare outfits, socks included, and an extra layer for the weather
- Muslins, nappy sacks and a wet bag
- Tissues and hand sanitiser
- Any medicines your child needs, and a few plasters
- A phone charger
- A snack for you. The day goes downhill fast when the hungriest person is the one in charge.
Under 1
- Feeds for the day. For bottle-fed babies, ready-to-feed cartons are the easiest; if you use powder, the NHS has guidance on making up feeds when you're out. If you're breastfeeding, bring a nursing scarf if you'd like one for your own comfort, not because anyone else needs you to.
- A spare dummy in a clean case, if your baby uses one (the NHS advises against clipping dummies to clothes)
- A hat for the weather, and their comforter if they have one
- A pocket high chair once they're sitting up, for the café that doesn't have one
1–4 years
- More snacks than seems reasonable
- A water bottle or cup
- Spare pants and trousers. Potty training on a full day: three of each.
- One quiet activity for the café: a quiet book, or crayons and paper
- Reins if you have a bolter
Restock the minute you get home
The only bag that works is a restocked one. Before you take your coat off: nappies back up, wipes checked, dirty spares out, clean spares in. Two minutes now saves a very long minute in a motorway services loo.
What to leave at home
- Full-size bottles of anything. Decant.
- More than two toys. They'll want your keys anyway.
- The third muslin, the fourth outfit and the second changing mat, unless you're staying over.
- Anything you haven't touched in the last five outings.
Nappies for the time you're out, plus two. Always two.
If you'd rather start from a ready-made set, the Out & About Bundle is on our kits page.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For anything about your baby's health, development or feeding, talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP, or call NHS 111.
