Two years into motherhood, and I’ve come to accept one universal truth: your baby bag is a living, breathing entity that evolves just as fast as your child does. What worked during the newborn phase (hello, burp cloths and tiny onesies) is laughably irrelevant now that Chloe’s a full-blown toddler with opinions and an insatiable need to collect sticks/rocks/random crumbs wherever we go.

So, in the spirit of Motherhood Monday, I’m sharing my current baby bag lineup—aka the carefully curated survival kit that keeps our outings from devolving into chaos. (Most of the time.)

First Things First: The Bag Itself

Let’s be real: Your baby bag is basically your new purse. And just like your favorite handbag, it needs to be functional and stylish—because you’re the one hauling it around 24/7.

Allen and I landed on the Honest Company Backpack, and it’s been a game-changer. Here’s why:
✔ Spacious but not bulky—fits all the toddler essentials without feeling like you’re lugging a suitcase.
✔ Insulated pocket for juice boxes or milk (a must for keeping drinks cool on the go).
✔ Discreetly stylish—it doesn’t scream “diaper bag,” so Allen happily wears it too. (Unisex design for the win!)

What’s Inside: The Toddler Edition

1. Snacks. So. Many. Snacks.
Toddlers operate on a “hangry to happy in 0.5 seconds” cycle, so I always have:

• Pre-portioned snack packs (less mess, more peace).
• Squeeze pouches (for emergency meltdown prevention).
• A secret stash of my snacks (because mom hunger is real, and no, I will not be sharing my chocolate).

2. The Leak-Proof Water Bottle
Because somehow, every sip Chloe takes ends with water all over her shirt. We love the Munchkin 360 Cup—spill-proof and easy for tiny hands to grip.

3. A Change of Clothes (For Both of Us)
Toddlers are walking mess magnets. I’ve learned the hard way that someone (me) always ends up collateral damage in a yogurt explosion. Now, I pack:

• A backup outfit for Chloe (leggings + tee + undies if she’s potty-training).
• A spare shirt for me (because getting peed on at Target is not the vibe).

4. The “Entertain on Demand” Kit
Restaurants? Doctor’s office waits? Long car rides? These buy me precious minutes of sanity:

• Mini coloring book + crayons (the washable kind, obviously).
• Stickers (endless entertainment, minimal cleanup).
• A small toy car or figurine (something she hasn’t seen in a while = instant novelty).

5. The “Oh Crap” Essentials

• Travel wipes (for sticky hands, sticky faces, sticky… everything).
• Disposable diaper bags (for those “we need to contain this smell NOW” moments).
• Band-Aids (because every tiny scrape is a five-alarm emotional emergency).

What Got Kicked Out of the Bag

As Chloe’s grown, some things have (thankfully) been retired:

• Bottles + formula (milk boxes FTW).
• Pacifiers (weaned off—mostly).
• Burp cloths (RIP to the era of constant spit-up).

Final Thoughts

The baby bag will always be a work in progress—next year, I’m sure I’ll be swapping crayons for kid headphones or who-knows-what. But for now, this setup keeps us prepared (and semi-sane) on the go.

Mamas, what’s in your toddler bag these days? Any genius must-haves I’m missing? Share below—I’m always looking for upgrades!

(And to the mom currently using a grocery bag as a “diaper bag”… no judgment. You’re doing amazing.) 💛