A small diaper bag is perfect once you get beyond the newborn phase. You’ll find you don’t need all the stuff you used to pack: change of outfit for the baby, change of clothes for you, extra bibs, extra nursing pads, nipple cream, nursing cover, diapers, extra diapers, wipes, creams, pacifier, receiving blankets etc.
Being able to leave the house with just what you need can be very liberating.
On this page, you’ll find more reasons to switch to a small diaper bag and a list of criteria to look for when choosing your diaper change kit.
Or, you can just skip ahead to the diaper bags. I’ve included a few links to some really great small diaper bags that I have hand-picked based on their features and the customer reviews. I’ve also included a review of the diaper change kit that I use. I’d also like to mention that a portable diaper change kit makes for an excellent baby shower gift. Because I’ve loved mine so much, this is one of my most frequently purchased gifts for new moms.
The Day I Decided to Switch to a Small Diaper Bag
Before I got my small diaper kit I would often leave the diaper bag at home if I was just making a quick trip or taking my daughter out for a stroller nap. It was bulky, it took up too much space and I never used it during these short trips.
This worked out fine for a while, but one day I ran into a friend walking her baby and we decided to go to lunch. I had to borrow wet wipes to wash my toddler’s hands and I spent the entire lunch on edge praying that she wouldn’t do a number two.
I didn’t want to be caught unprepared ever again. I invested in a small diaper bag and I absolutely love it. It’s so freeing to leave the house with just the essentials.
Nowadays, I take the small diaper bag wherever I go. If we’re going to be out all day, I’ll add a small thermal lined lunch bag. If we’re going somewhere with water activities, I’ll bring a small tote bag with a change of clothes.
Reasons to Switch to a Small Diaper Bag
- Once you get beyond the near constant spit-up and frequent diaper explosion phase, you really don’t need all the stuff you would carry for a newborn.
- Most umbrella strollers have smaller pockets under the seat that won’t fit a large diaper bag.
- It’s excellent to have your diaper changing equipment right at your finger tips when changing a squirmy toddler. Inevitably the change table will have a broken or missing safety belt and you will be using one hand to hold your child down while using the other to make the change. This is so much easier when everything is right at your fingertips.
- You can take the diaper kit on its own or add it to your beach bag or a tote bag.
- It’s more convenient to have your food, clothing and diaper changing gear packed separately so you only take what you need. Personally I prefer to not have to sort through snacks and clothes to find the diaper rash cream buried at the bottom.
What To Look For in a Small Diaper Bag
There are a few things to consider when choosing an ‘on the go’ diaper changing kit. Some of these points will be more important to you than others, but they are all helpful to note when making your choice.
Size of Change Pad: Any diaper kit you choose should have a change pad that is large enough to accommodate a growing toddler. Many change pads that come with diaper bags are ‘baby’ sized and will be useless in a year. You want a change pad that will be big enough for a two-year-old so they don’t come in contact with dirty change tables or the ground.
Padded Change Pad: For your child’s comfort I highly recommend making sure the change pad is padded since you won’t always be changing them on an even surface. Some change pads aren’t padded or only have the padding at the head.
Easily Accessible Pockets: While all quick change kits have at lease one pocket, they differ in location and orientation. Think about whether you want a kit with the pockets at the top or bottom, or a kit with pockets that fold out to the side. Some kits offer a detachable change pad which takes this dilemma out of the equation.
Comes with a Wipe Case: Some kits come with a wipes case and some don’t. I wouldn’t let this be a deciding factor though as it is easily remedied for less than $3. If you’re preferred kit doesn’t come with a wipes case, or even if it does (it will just be of the open and shut variety with no dispenser), I highly recommend buying a Huggies travel wipes case. You can refill it with the brand of wipes of your choice (I’m a fan of Pampers wipes) and it keeps your wipes moist. The best part, there is a main opening to refill your wipes and a smaller opening to easily dispense the wipes.
Recommended Small Diaper Bags for Toddlers
Based on the above criteria and customer reviews here are my top picks for a diaper quick change bag:
Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station
SkipHop Portable Baby Changing Kit
The Skip Hop Pronto changing station is available at Amazon. The kit is stylish, compact, and well-priced.
Change Pad Dimensions: 21.5″ x 21.5″
Kit Dimensions: 11″ x 8.75″ x 1″
PROS:
- Large detachable, easy wipe change pad with two fold-out wings and padded pillow area for baby’s comfort
- One compartment for the wipes case and a mesh pocket that holds up to four large diapers and / or creams
- Wipes case included, translucent so you can easily see when it’s time to refill
- Exterior zippered pocket for additional baby items or your wallet, keys or cell phone
- Folds into a clutch bag with a clip strap to attach to the stroller or your wrist, or you can fit it into any bag
- Available in several appealing colors and pattens
CONS:
- Pockets are mesh on both sides, so it can be a bit tricky getting soft items (such as diapers) in and out
Bliss N Baby Small Diaper Change Pad
SkipHop Portable Baby Changing Kit
The Bliss N Baby diaper change kit is a stylish and compact kit featuring a padded fold-out waterproof change pad with mesh pockets to hold all your diapering essentials.
Change Pad Dimensions: 25″ x 22″
Kit Dimensions: 11″ x ~6-7″ (based on photo)
PROS:
- The padded change pad has two fold-out panels to accommodate a growing baby and is waterproof
- Two large mesh pockets at the top for a wipes case, up to five diapers and creams
- Exterior pockets for additional baby items
- Wipes case included
- Folds into a clutch bag with a Velcro strap to attach to the stroller or your wrist
CONS:
- One customer commented that it didn’t retain it’s shape well once full.
Maman Portable Diaper Changer
Maman Portable Diaper Changing Station
The MAMAN diaper changing station is simple, compact, and easy to clean. With a waterproof, cushioned change pad, and additional pockets for diapers and wipes, everything is at your fingertips.
Change Pad Dimensions: 22″ x 22″
Kit Dimensions: 11.5″ x 7.5″
PROS:
- Removable change pad (attaches with a zipper)
- Change pad is extra wide (two fold-out panels), easy to clean, and fully padded for baby’s comfort.
- Built in bag dispenser for easy disposal of soiled diapers
- One mesh pocket for up to four diapers, two zippered pockets, the inner pocket for wipes and cream, the outer pocket for your cell phone and keys.
- Folds into a clutch bag with a Velcro strap to attach to the stroller or your wrist
CONS:
- Must supply your own wipes case
Little Grey Rabbit Extra-Long Baby Change Kit
Little Grey Rabbit Extra-Long Portable Baby Changing Kit
If you’re looking for a kit with an extra-long diaper change pad, then Little Grey Rabbit has you covered. Their change kit features a removable change pad that is the longest I’ve ever seen at 33″. However, the majority of the change pad is 12″ wide, but the arms-area folds out to 20″. So if you’re more concerned with length than width, then this is an excellent option. Featuring a quilted change pad with extra padding at the head, built-in wipes area, mesh pocket for diapers, and wrist/stroller strap.
Change Pad Dimensions: 12″ (20″ folded out) x 33″
Kit Dimensions: 12″ x 8″ x 2″
PROS:
- Waterproof vinyl change pad wipes clean easily
- Extra-long padded change pad
- Comes with a built-in wipes area
- Convenient size
- Stylish and fun
CONS:
- While the length of this kit is brilliant, the width for the legs-area is 12″ which may be a bit narrow for infants older than 1 year. But, there’s a fold-out area for your child’s arms that is 20″ wide so this will keep there arms on the mat. If you do find the foot area to be too narrow once your baby grows beyond a year, you could always bring along a receiving blanket to place under the change pad to keep your child from touching the change table.
Portable Infant Diaper Changer
While updating this page I was unable to find a comparable change kit to the one I purchased, but I’ve left in the information in case you find it useful. I bought mine from Babies R Us and they called it the ‘Especially for Baby Change Kit’.
Overall I have been very happy with this kit. It can easily carry three size 4 diapers, diaper rash cream and wipes. Or, if I really wanted to I could pack one pocket with the wipes, one size 4 diaper (or two if I really cram them in) plus the cream and pack light clothing (t-shirt, leggings, socks) in the other pocket. The kit easily fits under the stroller or I can use the Velcro strap to hang it from the handle.
Once my daughter was out of diapers this was a great little kit to have to hold wipes and the spare set of clothing for those inevitable potty accidents.
Change Pad Dimensions: 21″ x 24″ (total width including pockets 31″)
Kit Dimensions: 11″ x 7.5″ x 2″ (3.5″ thick when packed)
PROS:
- Large fully padded change pad that easily wipes clean
- Two large mesh pockets that fold out to the side – they hang nicely off the change table. Even though they are mesh on both sides, the opening is at the edge of the kit which helps when sliding in softer items such as diapers (although clothing is still a bit tricky).
- Comes with a wipes case (although it’s just the open and shut variety. I chucked it and bought a Huggies travel wipes case).
- Convenient size. I can easily carry it under my arm as a clutch bag if I go into a restaurant without a stroller.
CONS:
- No exterior pockets.
- The loops for creams are pretty useless for larger tubes. I use Aveeno Diaper Rash Cream and the tube is 7.5″ long which is too long to comfortably close the kit if I use the loops. But the mesh pockets are large enough that I can easily slide this tube in with the travel wipes case.
- Since the pockets fold out to the side and hang off the change table, I can’t use the safety buckle on the table. But, since everything I need is right there, I have no problem using one hand to secure my child and the other to change the diaper.
I hope this helps you on your search to find a small diaper bag for your toddler.
Updated: 17 April 2022
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