The well-stocked diaper bag

When you’re traveling with your baby, one school of thought is to pack light, since lugging around your baby and probably a stroller is enough already. Another, more practical approach, though, is to pack like your life depends on it. Don’t worry. It will. When you’re on the go with a little one, you want to be ready for everything and anything. Your diaper bag can help get any job done. Consider it your changing table away from home as well as a baby entertainment center and portable food court. Here, some packing pointers:

•    Start with a diaper backpack or messenger-style diaper bag that you can wear diagonally across your body. Either is awesome for traveling because they keep your arms free. They’re great for everyday, too.

•    Assign each diaper bag compartment to a specific item so you don't have to go digging for things. Spending time trying to find your baby's pacifier, for instance, can quickly escalate into a crying crisis.

•    Plan for unexpected layovers by packing extra diapers, a change of clothes, extra baby wipes, diaper ointment, medication your baby may be taking, baby pain reliever and a small first-aid kit, snacks, a bib or two, extra formula and sterilized water if you're formula feeding, plastic bags for disposing of soiled disposable diapers or compartmentalizing clothes that get wet, baby books, toys, your baby's favorite blanket, extra pacifiers in case you lose one (don't assume you'll find the exact one your baby prefers in the airport's newsstand), hand sanitizer, and sunscreen, if necessary.

•    Pack bottles and perishable food like yogurt in freezer/fridge packs. Throw anything out that’s been sitting without a cold pack for more than two hours.

•    Pack a book or your favorite magazine. When your baby dozes, you can catch up on your reading.

For more information, see our report on diaper bags, including features to consider before buying one.