Stick to a three-diaper minimum.
“I always have at least three diapers in the bag—one for the change I anticipate, one for the change I don’t, and one as a ‘sacrifice’ diaper, when the change I didn’t anticipate turns into a blowout.”’ —Lori Rosen, Summit, New Jersey; mom of two.
Prepare for change.
“From watching the Food Network, I’ve learned that French chefs have a technique they call ‘mis èn place,’ which means ‘putting in place.’ They know that dicing and slicing before they cook helps everything go smoothly. I apply the same to diapering. I make sure I’m ready for action—with wipes, a plastic bag and a change of clothes—before the diaper’s off.” —Taylor Newman, Austin, Texas; mom of one.
Create a distraction.
“My smartphone is my secret to getting the job done quickly. I stream some children’s music, lay the phone on the changing table, and it mesmerizes my baby. It’s so much easier to change a calm baby than a wriggly one.” —Stephanie O’Hara, Long Island, New York; mom of one.
Keep it clean.
“I have a mini bottle of hand sanitizer in my diaper bag that I refill from a big bottle at home. I use it after diaper changing to wipe my baby’s feet, hands, and whatever else got pooped on.” —Peggy Cheng, Oakland, California; mom of two.
Pick up a portable changing pad.
“I use something called the Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station. It's a clutch that folds out into a changing mat and has pockets for wipes, diapers and cream. It’s nice and flat, so I can put it on gross public changing tables, in the trunk of my car, or even on the ground.” —Nora McCarthy, Norwalk, Connecticut; mom of two.
Go in style.
“I bought a chic, oversize purse to fit diaper essentials and all my stuff. I have everything in easy reach for quick changes in restrooms and it helps me feel like a woman…not an overpacked mom!” —Pamela Yonkin, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; mom of two.