How to Make Diaper Changes Easy(ier)
Diaper changes are definitely not a fun part of parenting. Anything that can make them easier is a parent’s best friend. I learned from having my first child, that having supplies ready and available at all times is crucial. It isn’t very practical to set up a changing table stocked with supplies in multiple areas of your house in case of a poop explosion! Instead, it is really easy to have a portable changing station by having a good diaper caddy and changing pad.
Thanks to my sponsor, Elikai Designs, for supplying the free product to help me write this post today! This includes affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through these links that Califf Creations will receive compensation that is of no extra cost to you. This helps cover the costs of Califf Creations.
A diaper caddy has several compartments to keep supplies organized and is easy to carry from one room (or floor) to another. Using one of these, it is easy to have supplies on hand no matter where in the house you go.
My Favorite Diaper Caddy
I absolutely love this diaper caddy from Elikai Designs! It has 3 main compartments inside and 8 pockets along the exterior, perfect for holding smaller supplies. All of this combined allows optimal organization! Elikai Designs‘ diaper caddy is also made really well. It is sturdy enough to hold up to the abuse that a product like this inevitably endures.
Plus, it is super cute! I love the simple, yet functional design. It is very lightweight, making it even easier to carry around. The fabric is a great gray color with a white border that will look good anywhere you choose to keep it. I am a big fan of elegant simplicity with my baby gear which is what makes this diaper caddy perfect. Elikai Designs even makes a matching changing pad to keep in the caddy to lay down under baby. The changing pad has one side that easily wipes clean so you don’t need to worry about it getting dirty.
Helpful Siblings
Another benefit of having a diaper caddy is that it makes it really easy for an older sibling to help with changes. This allows them to feel involved and useful with a new baby. Placing the diaper caddy on the floor, or somewhere low enough for them to reach, allows for the option of asking an older sibling to get a diaper, changing pad other supplies you may store in there.
Involving an older sibling in simple things like diaper changes helps so they don’t feel forgotten or ignored. This will reduce jealousy and frustration. Ultimately, this benefits everyone as less frustration translates into fewer temper tantrums!
Read more about how to deal with frustration and reduce temper tantrums in my post about How to Handle Temper Tantrums like a Pro.
Supplies for Diaper Changes
I think we can all agree now, that a diaper caddy is a great product. Staying organized and keeping supplies close makes life as a parent so much easier. Exactly what supplies do you need to keep on hand though?
- Changing Pad (like the matching one from Elikai Designs)
- Diapers (either disposable or cloth – Why I Use Cloth)
- Wipes
- Diaper Rash Cream (I like a more natural cream, it is really effective too)
- Hand Sanitizer (let’s be honest, diaper changes can be messy)
- Wet Bag or Plastic Bags (for dirty diapers/clothes)
- Extra Onesie/Change of Clothes (for those poop explosions I mentioned before)
- Small Toy (to serve as a distraction during changes)
- Wash Clothes or Pee Cover (especially for a boy – laying this over them during the change will protect you from an unwanted shower)
Non-Diaper Related Supplies
There are more supplies other than the ones needed for diaper changes that are helpful to have on hand. It’s all about being prepared for anything! I learned the hard way with my firstborn that it is far better to be over prepared than to find yourself needing something and not having it nearby. There is enough room in the diaper caddy from Elikai Designs to fit everything I could think of, including these non-diaper related supplies.
- Burp Cloths (I used cloth diapers since they are more absorbent. Spit up can happen at any time, whether you breastfeed or bottle feed. You’ll always want at least one burp cloth nearby.)
- Lotion (babies skin is very sensitive and can dry out easily, I use CeraVe because it is really gentle and effective to keep skin moisturized.)
- Socks (feet can get cold really easily)
- Mittens (especially for a newborn so that they don’t scratch those adorable little faces)
- Nasal Aspirator (babies can’t blow their nose and you will want to keep it clear of mucus, which can build up especially when they are teething. I tried several different kinds and had the best results with the NoseFrida)
- Bib (When you have a drool bib, you don’t need to change clothes as often!)
- Extra Pacifier (if your baby uses them)
Keeping all of these supplies organized in a diaper caddy will make life as a parent so much easier. Elikai Designs diaper caddy and changing pad are perfect for any parents that wants this kind of organization! Are there any other supplies you would think to keep close by?
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76 Comments
Sarah
Fantastic tips. Especially for new moms!
Kat
Thank you!
Alexis H.
This is so helpful especially for new moms, I learned after my first to have a diaper changing catty and BIG bros help! It lets them feel helpful! Great tips!
Kat
Thank you! Having supplies close is always a good thing!
Tina
I remember those days! That pee cover is the best tip, as I learned the first time I changed my son.
Kat
The one time I forgot it, I regretted forgetting it!
Jennifer
I love the idea of a pee cover for little boys! Great advice!!!
Kat
Thank you. It saved me a lot of gross-ness.
Heidi
Great tips for moms!
Kat
Thank you@
shanna
so helpful for new moms!
Kat
Thank you!
Tiffany
This is a really great caddy! I love the three compartments inside rather than one big one. Is it easily washable?
Kat
Yes it is! Makes it so nice!
Christa
Good organization makes everything easier. I love this diaper caddie!
Kat
I agree! Thanks!
Nicolette
That diaper caddy looks fabulous! In the few short years since my kids were in diapers, so many new and amazing products have been introduced!
Kat
It’s amazing how fast things change!
Kristi Ann
It’s been so long since I have changed a diaper! This brings back so many memories!
Kat
I have one son going out of them and another about to arrive, I still have a few years!
Michele
Great ideas, especially about including the siblings!
Kat
Thank you!
Pam
What a great idea!
Kat
Thank you!
Jenn
I’m JUST getting out of the diaper stage here but this is great. Sharing with my family with babies.
Kat
Thanks! I hope it helps them!
Kathryn at QuestFor47.com
I haven’t had to change a diaper since my niece was little, but these sure are some helpful tips! Thanks for sharing!
Kat
Thank you!
Mary
I’m not a mom, but an aunt to 3 and have changed plenty of diapers! You have lots of great suggestions in here. I love it. I love that you included the siblings.
Kat
Thank you!
Holly
Awesome info! Love your blog!
Kat
Thank you!
Shar
These are great tips for new moms! Diaper changing can cause a ton of chaos in a little amount of time!
Kat
Totally! Thanks.
Evelyn Hernandez
Great tips for new moms. Love the idea of including the siblings in the chore.
Kat
My son always wants to help, so the more I include him, the happier he is.
Ari Salas
Looks like a must have for sure!
Kat
Thanks! I wish I had this with my first!
Beth Goodreau
Wow girl, you are prepared! 🙂 Great read with tons of valuable info. LOVE the caddy!
Kat
Thanks! I try my best to be prepared!
Arhonda
I wish I had this information when my kids were babies! 🙂
Kat
It’s amazing how fast things change! There is so much more information out there.
Andrew Shakespeare
Anything that makes changing diapers easier is well worth listening to!
Kat
I agree! Thanks!
Dawnmarie @ EnjoyingtheDays
When we had a baby boy, we had something called a PeeWee. It has been years for us, yet I hope that some folks can benefits from your suggestions.
Kat
Thank you. I hope so as well.
T.M. Brown
Ah, yes ~ I remember those days well. Employing the older siblings, using a “cover” when changing our sons and having a caddy that contained everything we needed when it was time to change them. Great post and great ideas.
Kat
Thank you!
Veronica
Such good tips! But I do not miss those days haha!
Kat
It’s easy not to miss them!
Melissa Parcel
Great suggestions, I wish this was around when I had kids in diapers!
Kat
It’s so useful!
Arianny
Love the style of that diaper bag! My kids have only been out of diapers for 3 years and seems like there are sooo many more options already.
Kat
It’s crazy how fast things change and develop!
Tricia Snow
Sending to my daughter!
Kat
I hope she likes it!
Laura
Love that you included involving an older sibling! So sweet!
Kat
Thank you! I think it’s really important to include them.
Kirsten
Love the diaper caddy. Staying organized is always a challenge, but this helps.
Kat
I agree. Anything with lots of pockets and sections is helpful to organize.
Maggie | TotallyTeenTravel.com
Will refer back to this when I’m a grandma!
Kat
It is really helpful! I wish I had one for my first!
Jocelyn
We recently left the diaper changing stage (thank heavens), but these are great tips. Love that diaper caddy, and I’m thinking I could even use it for something else! Hang in there, Mama, this stage will be over before you know it!
Kat
It could be used for anything else you want organized! I’m about to have a second, so I’ll be dealing with diapers for at least another couple years!
Jasmine Hewitt
we had a basket made up of supplies, i never invested in a caddy per se
Kat
I like the organization of having all the sections and pockets.
Megan
Such a cute diaper caddy! Pee covers are so important for boys. I can’t tell you how many times we got squirted LOL. A small toy is a must, too, especially once they are older and start moving around more.
Kat
I agree! I mostly just used a wash cloth, but even that saved me many unwanted “showers”!
Ashley Roberts
Wow I love that diaper caddy! And what a great checklist for what to have on hand! I use a little basket and I’ll have to add a couple things.
Kat
Thanks! I love the organization of this diaper caddy, I hate digging through piles to find stuff!
Elaine McKechnie
We had a little basket of things usually off limits. Pieces of sparkly tuille, yarn, tree ornaments etc. stops the wiggles.
Kat
Special toys are great for distractions!
Laura
These are all such good tips. My baby is very wriggly at the minute so any tips to make it easier are very welcome!
Laura // em-andme.com
Kat
Definitely try a toy! Having lots of supplies on hand will help with a wriggly baby since you don’t need to struggle to find something!
KrisBeeMama
This is a great starter guide for new moms! Diaper caddies are very helpful, and I love including a toddler in the process to help them feel involved with a new baby.
Kat
Thanks! I think it’s so important!