A diaper caddy is a portable basket or tote that holds what you need for a change, so you carry the change station to your baby instead of the other way around. Fill it with diapers, wipes, a liner, a bag for used diapers and a few small extras, and leave out anything you do not reach for during a change. Here is the checklist, plus how a living room caddy and a bedroom caddy should differ.
What a caddy is for
A caddy earns its place when you change your baby in more than one spot, such as on the sofa during the day and in the bedroom at night. It stays in the house, and the idea is that you can pick it up in one hand and walk it to wherever your baby is.
Some caddies are felt or woven baskets, and some have dividers inside. Options include the PUTSKA Felt Diaper Caddy, Regular, Grey and the KiddyCare Diaper Caddy with 4 Dividers, Large, Tan. The diaper storage and organizers collection lists more baskets, caddies and organizers.
The core items
- Diapers in your baby's current size, enough for a few changes between restocks rather than a whole pack.
- Wipes in a small pack or a dispenser. The baby wipes collection lists packs and portable dispensers.
- A liner, such as a disposable pad or a small washable one, to lay under your baby on a sofa or a bed.
- A bag for the used diaper, such as a small waste bag, or a wet bag if you use cloth.
- A spare outfit, folded flat at the bottom.
Diapers take up more room each time your baby moves up a size, so leave some slack when you pick a caddy. A sofa or a bed is still a raised surface, so keep a hand on your baby there, or lay the liner on the floor.
Skin care and small extras
If your baby uses a cream, keep a small tube or jar in the caddy and follow the label on how to use it. You can compare tubes and jars in the diaper rash creams and ointments collection. If skin looks red, sore or broken, or a rash is not improving, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
A few small extras are worth a corner:
- a soft cloth for spit-ups and drips
- hand wipes or a small towel for you
- a pacifier, if your baby uses one
- one small toy or rattle to hold your baby's attention during a change
What to leave out
- Full packs and big tubs. They make the caddy heavy and are awkward to carry up stairs.
- Every cream you own. One at a time is enough.
- Anything small or sharp. Diaper pins, loose buttons and tiny toys do not belong in an open basket.
- Medicines. Keep them in a cupboard out of children's reach, not in a caddy.
- Things you rarely need. Nail clippers and thermometers belong in a drawer.
If a young sibling or a curious toddler can reach the caddy, treat every item as something they will find, cream included, and park the caddy up high between changes.
Shop this guide
- OTraki Wet/Dry Bags with Zipper, 16 x 20 in, 2 Pack (ships via Amazon)
- Cottonelle FreshCare Flushable Wipes, 16 Packs, 672 Total (ships via Amazon)
- Vaseline Blue Seal Baby Petroleum Jelly, Fragrance Free, 450 ml (ships via Amazon)
- KeaBabies Portable Changing Pad, Classic Gray (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Diaper Storage & Organizers
- See all: Baby Wipes
- See all: Diaper Rash Creams & Ointments
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Living room caddy vs bedroom caddy
| Item | Living room caddy | Bedroom caddy |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Quick daytime changes while you are busy | Calm night changes with little light or noise |
| Extras | Spare outfit, burp cloth, a toy or two | A dim clip light or a night light close by, an extra diaper or two |
| Wipes | A pack within reach | A pack or a dispenser with a lid you can open quietly |
| Leave out | Night items you do not use in the daytime | Toys that might wake your baby up |
Some homes need only one caddy that moves between rooms. If you have a lot of stairs, a second one saves carrying.
Keeping it stocked
- Restock at the end of the day or after each load of laundry, so it starts full.
- Keep a short list inside the lid or taped inside the basket, so you notice what is missing.
- Take out diapers that your baby has outgrown as soon as you change size.
- Look at the dates printed on creams and other products, if there are any.
Using the caddy after the diaper years
Many caddies are simply baskets with handles or dividers, so they can switch jobs easily:
- a potty training kit with spare pants, wipes and a change of clothes
- a bathroom caddy for a child's towels and washcloths
- a craft or colouring kit that travels between rooms
- a car organizer for snacks and spare clothes
Common questions
How many diapers should I keep in the caddy?
Enough for a few changes between restocks. The right number depends on how often you change and how often you refill, so adjust after a week.
Should I keep cream in every caddy?
Only if your baby uses one, and keep it out of reach of children. Follow the label on the pack.
Does a caddy need a lid?
It depends on your home. A lid helps when pets or small children are around, but it is one more thing to open with a baby in your arms. Product titles say when a basket comes with a lid.
If you would like help choosing a caddy, use the contact page to tell us which rooms you change in, and we will reply within one business day.