Winter diaper bag checklist for Canadian outings

Winter diaper bag checklist for Canadian outings

A winter diaper bag is your usual bag plus a few cold-weather extras: spare mitts, socks and layers, wipes and cream kept from freezing, a warm place for changes and extra diapers in case you are delayed. Adjust it for how cold it is and how long you will be out.

What cold weather adds to the bag

Winter does not change what a diaper change needs, but it changes everything around it. Getting dressed takes longer, wet snow finds its way into mitts and socks, and every layer you take off has to go somewhere.

Three additions help: spares of the small items that get wet or lost, a way to protect wipes and creams from the cold, and extra supplies for delays. Bulky layers take up room, so check that your bag has space before you add to it.

Spare layers: socks, mitts, hat, sleeper

  • A spare pair of socks. They come off in strollers and get wet in boots.
  • Spare mitts or gloves, in case one lands on wet ground.
  • A spare hat, in case one blows off or gets soaked.
  • A warm layer or sleeper for a baby, or a spare top for a toddler.
  • A wet bag or resealable bag, so damp mitts stay away from dry items.

For advice on how to dress a baby for the cold, ask your doctor or public health nurse. Check your car seat manual for what your child can wear in the seat, since bulky coats and snowsuits are often covered there.

Keeping wipes and creams from freezing

Wet wipes are damp, so a pack left in a very cold car or an outer pocket can stiffen or freeze. Keep the pack in an inner pocket of the bag, or in your coat pocket where your body keeps it warm. Warm a wipe in your hand for a moment before you use it, and keep the pack sealed between changes. A smaller pack is easier to keep in a coat pocket, and you can compare pack sizes in the baby wipes collection.

Creams and ointments can get stiff in the cold and hard to spread. Check the label for storage directions and follow them, and carry the tube in an inside pocket on the coldest days. For any diaper rash product, follow the label for use. If you are choosing one from the diaper rash creams and ointments collection, check the size on the product page so you can pick a tube that fits a pocket. If a rash, chapped skin or redness is not improving, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Diapers and spare clothes are dry, so a spare kit can stay in the car as long as the wipes and creams come inside with you.

A warm surface for changes

Changing in the cold is quick work, so plan the spot before you need it. Many malls, restaurants and public buildings have change tables or family washrooms. For places you visit often, check ahead.

A changing pad gives you a clean surface, and you can tuck a folded one inside your coat on the walk so it is not icy when you open it. A wipe-clean or single-use pad is easier to deal with than a damp one. The changing pads and covers collection shows the options.

Set up before you undress: pad down, clean diaper open, wipes out. Keep your child covered as much as you can, and put clothes back on as soon as the change is done. If the car is your change spot, stay with your child the whole time.

Extra time and extra diapers for delays

Snow slows everything: roads, buses, pickups and you. A short trip can turn into a long one, so pack for the longer version.

  • Add at least two diapers beyond the number you expect to use.
  • Bring a snack and a drink.
  • Keep your phone charged, and tell someone your route if the weather is bad.
  • Keep a spare outfit in the bag. For longer drives, check the weather and road reports before you leave.

Bags you can open with gloves on

A bag that opens easily is worth more in winter than another pocket. When you compare bags, look for:

  • Large zipper pulls or loops you can grab with mitts on
  • A wide opening that stays open on its own
  • A pocket near the top for wipes and cream
  • A surface that wipes clean after slush

One option listed as waterproof is the Warriors Saber Large Waterproof Diaper Bag Backpack, Grey. Check the product page for what that description covers, and for the zipper and pocket details. The diaper bags collection has more styles. Try any new bag with your mitts on as soon as it arrives.

The winter checklist

Changes in the cold

  • Diapers for the trip, plus at least two spares
  • Wipes, kept in an inner pocket
  • Cream, if you use one, kept close to your body
  • A changing pad

Spare layers

  • Socks, mitts and a hat
  • A sleeper or spare top

Clean-up

  • A wet bag for damp mitts and socks
  • Bags for used diapers, since outdoor bins can be snowed in or far apart
  • Hand sanitizer

Extras

  • A snack and a drink
  • A charged phone
  • A spare diaper and clothing kit in the car, with wipes and cream brought inside

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Common questions

Do baby wipes freeze?

They are damp, so they can stiffen or freeze in very cold conditions. Keep the pack inside your coat or the bag's inner pocket. If a pack does freeze, thaw it indoors and check the label before using it.

How do I keep the bag itself dry?

Slush and road salt reach any bag set on a floor mat or bus floor. Hang it up or keep it on a bench or your lap, wipe the base when you get home, and follow the care label for a proper clean.

Do I need more spare clothes in winter?

One full spare outfit is a good base. Add extra socks and mitts, since the small items are the ones that get wet or lost.

Is a backpack or a tote easier in winter?

A backpack leaves both hands free for a stroller, a sled or a mittened hand. Check that the straps let out far enough to fit over a winter coat, and that you can reach the wipes pocket without taking the bag off.

Not sure what your winter bag needs? Contact us and we will help you sort it out before the next cold snap.