What’s In My Purse With Three Boys Three And Under?

Somedays I wonder WHY I decided to quit using a diaper bag in addition to a regular purse.  When I’m out and about, hauling three little ones, ages three and under, my purse can get rather heavy, bulky, and awkward.  Sometimes I even wonder what’s in my purse.  Because it’s a combined diaper bag slash purse, things can get a little messy, but not really.

With Toddlers, What’s In My Purse?

When you’re past the newborn stages and are trucking around all sorts of ‘what-if’ supplies for unexpected blow-outs and the like, you will learn quickly about what is truly a necessity and what is not.  There are a variety of things you’ll take in mind when considering what you stuff your purse full with.  Such as:

• Do you really need all those snacks when you’re only going out for a few hours?
• Is that tube of diaper rash cream really necessary when your baby’s bottoms were just fine two minutes ago?
• Are you planning on going to the effort of covering up while nursing, or will you just take shelter in your car and be more comfortable there anyway?  (Get a free nursing cover HERE)
• Are all your kids going to need diapers, or have one or two been potty trained since you last packed a bag?
• Is that change of clothes really worth it when you know your baby has already succeeded in their blow-out for the day?

All these questions and more will run through your head when you’re grabbing your purse, fishing for the keys, trying to carry a now too-heavy infant or toddler, and tripping out the door.

What do you really need in your purse now that your baby is out of the newborn stages?

Related:  Your Diaper Bag Checklist - Newborn Necessities

What You Really Need When Your Babies Are Older

If you still prefer to have a separate diaper bag, then this post isn’t for you.  I know that you’re tired of carrying around way too much.  And everything seems to be heavier when you come back home than when you first left, even though it’s the same amount of baggage.

So opting for just a single purse with some baby items inside will STILL do the trick.  You can even use a purse that’s designed like a diaper bag inside if you so incline or even a backpack.  That way you can still be stylish while meeting your mothering needs.

Anway, here’s the super short list of what you would still need in your purse with a baby.

Diapers

For obvious reasons.  I find that my boys hardly ever need a diaper change when we’re out and about anymore unless they’ve gone number two and are fussy about it.  Passed six months old or so, your baby has more bladder control and regular times when you know that their diaper will be full.  So depending on how long you’ll be away from home, one diaper per child should suffice.

Wipes

Again, for obvious reasons.  But now instead of wiping bums, you’re going to be wiping noses, faces, hands, and even the floor where they’ve dropped their snack and splattered something else.  I use my wipes for things other than bottoms like 90% of the time now.

Milk Bottle

If you happen to head out around a meal, someone is bound to need their bottle.  If you’re nursing, scratch this one off your list.  If not, have it premade and just ready to go cold as you head out the door.  It will naturally warm up some to a more comfortable temperature by the time your baby wants it.  I use the Playtex Vent Aire bottles when my boys are no longer nursing.

Snacks

These are for you just as much as for your toddlers.  As soon as we are buckled in our seats, my three-year-old will ask for a snack.  Maybe you’re eager to not tote them around so that everyone is more likely to eat their lunch later on.  But sometimes when they’re a break down when you’re in the middle of the checkout line, a cracker can go a long way.

Toys & Books

The older ones can often carry their own or have them stuff in a pocket next to their seats in the car.  But for the babies, it’s better to have them sucking on a personal object than the handle of a grocery cart.  My third baby’s mouth is a magnet for ANYTHING within his reach.  Having a more appropriate item can calm their eagerness and your anxiety about germs.

And that’s it!  You can often toss just one of each of these in with your regular purse necessities and it’s not that much more bulk.  If you HATE adding more weight to your ever present load, just put the formula in your baby’s bottle then add the water as soon as it’s needed.  (That’s if you’re not breastfeeding anymore of course and don’t have thawed breastmilk on hand.)

Related:  Can I Get A Diaper Bag Backpack Instead?

Here Is What’s In My Purse

This was after our weekly trip to the grocery store, everything was put away, and I was cleaning it out before bed.  Because seriously, if I don’t clean it out it will be ransacked all week!

We had already eaten the two granola bars that I normally throw in there.  I didn’t have my baby’s bottle here because it was currently in the dishwasher for the night.  And I was taking the picture with my phone, so obviously that’s not here.

• wipes pack:  I love these plastic, sturdy re-fillable wipe totes that often come with the Costco mega packs of baby wipes.  I have a few of them and keep them in my purse and church bag.
• diaper:  Yep, just one.  If I know that somebody hasn’t pooped for the day yet I’ll take two, just in case.  But honestly, they seem to take up the most space because they become unfolded and always on top of everything else.  I don’t carry cloth diapers with me at all because I don’t like the hassle.
• flushable wipes:  These are for me in case it’s that time of the month. 🙂
• work badge:  Can’t get to my seat to get paid without it.
• sunglasses:  They’re the horrid, old-fogie pitch black ones that I have had to wear this week because I had eye surgery the other day.  Hooray for no more contacts!  Or glasses!  Ever!
• mini tote:  This little zipper pouch is where I keep some nail clippers, a file, and a few bandaids.
• eye drops:  Three different kinds, from the eye surgery again. Not a normal occurrence.
• lip gloss, chapstick:  Some NARS that my hubby got me in three different shades, then some Blistex, but I normally carry Burt’s Bees.  I stole this tube from my mom while we were at the Women’s Conference last month because I’d lost mine.
• pens:  You’ll never find pencils in here.  Plus, there’s always at least two checkers at the store that don’t have a pen in their apron.

“As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.”  - Victor Hugo

• IPOD/headphones:  Got the original nano for Christmas years ago and it still works just fine for me. Haven’t updated the music in years, actually.
• lotion:  Got this tube super cheap in a discount pile, but I still haven’t decided which brand I prefer.  I cannot stand to have dry hands after washing them wherever I go.
• wallet:  the typical, cards, cash, etc.
• checkbook:  I hardly ever touch this and often forget it’s at the bottom of a deep pocket.  But I still run into a few times here and there when someone can’t take a card and I don’t have cash.  It’s getting less often all the time though.
• emergency whistle:  I have yet needed to use this and hopefully will never need to.
• pen light:  I have never used this either.  My brother gave it to me but I still always just go for the awesome flashlight on my phone.
• hand sanitizer:  when was the last time you were in a public bathroom and the soap was all gone?  Yep, exactly.
• water bottle:  because I know the value of hydration, even when I’m not pregnant.  Plus, I get headaches if I haven’t had enough for the day.

A few other things that often occupy my purse are my binder with all my work stuff, goal sheets, personal development tracking, to do lists, etc.  But I only tote that to work and back with me-NEVER anywhere with my kids, because that’s just often pointless.

Related:  What To Carry In Your Purse When Pregnant - 8 Things To Not Forget

Don’t Forget One More Thing

Maybe you’re pregnant again with little ones running around.  In that case, there’s one more item that you should DEFINITELY keep in your purse.  It will give you:

• peace of mind
• keep you warm
• not break your back
• confidence knowing it’s recommended by me

What I’m talking about is a Belly Armor blanket and you don’t want to forget it when you learn what it’s for.

> > Put Your Belly Armor Blanket In Your Purse <<

I think my purse contents change often enough that I’ll keep this a regular topic.  What’s in your purse that you absolutely cannot go without?  Share it below and recommend your favorite items to the rest of us.  Have a great weekend!

Favorites In This Post:

• BPA Free Playtex Vent Air Bottles
• Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes
• NARS Lipgloss, scandal
• Blistex Medicated Lip Balm, SPF 15
• Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm, beeswax