by Stephanie Joynes

Created on: October 21, 2008   Last Updated: December 24, 2008

Holiday shopping can be a nightmare. The crowds, the music, the lines, and somehow the retail stores managed to double their inventory making the aisles half the size they were before November! Sure, navigating this tangled web was possible when you were on your own, but now you have a baby. This makes your challenge ten times more difficult.

This is where your well-stocked diaper bag is the most important thing you will need this holiday season. I noticed when I first began my exploration into shopping with a little one that I overpacked my diaper bag out of pure fear of forgetting something I would desperately need. Nope, not anymore. Here are the things you must have for your holiday shopping excursions.

Diapers and Changing Pad: Do not leave the house without diapers! At the same time, you do not need to pack the entire pack of Pampers either. Think of how many diapers your baby may go through during your day out, and add two just in case. If by some reason you find yourself without that emergency diaper, there is a mom code that we help each other out. Ask a fellow mommy for a diaper, and be sure to send the good mommy karma along if you find someone without an emergency diaper.

Wipes: Where there are diapers, there are wipes. Have a travel friendly packet in your bag. If you don't have that, just throw what you have into a ziplock bag so they don't dry up while you are out.

Bottle, spoon, and a jar of food: If your baby is eating solids, a spoon and a jar of food should be enough for a morning or afternoon excursion. As for the bottle, put the milk in a thermos so it remains cold throughout the day. And if you have a strap to hold the bottle to the stroller, use that as well. Babies have a funny way of launching their bottles at the most inappropriate times. It also might help to have a small bag of Cheerios if your child eats solids. It's a handy little dry food that you can occupy your child when a meltdown ensues.

Toys: Keep the toys as a bit of a surprise for your child. She'll be fascinated by all of the people, music and presents around her. But once you are in that long line, she will get a bit perturbed. This is when you take one of those toys out so she can amuse herself.

An Extra Outfit: There are always accidents. The feeding goes awry and baby ends up with sweet potato down her sweater. There might be a brief, but icky spit up moment. But the most likely incident to occur is a leaky full diaper that got out of hand while you were standing in line for that great 50% off deal.

The Baby-Specific items: If your baby is teething, make sure you have a teething ring for her. If your baby loves her binky, have a stash of pacifiers handy. If baby doesn't go anywhere without her blankie, make sure it's in the stroller too. Don't forget the diaper rash cream if her bottom is sensitive right now.

Aspirin: This is for you, just in case.

Remember you will have to carry this diaper bag around all day, plus all of the gifts you are purchasing. The best thing to do is to pack light, but keep the necessities. If you have a smaller diaper bag, use it! This is the craziest time of year, and doing it with a stroller and a fussy baby makes it even more challenging. Know when to call it a day. If your child has had enough, go home. Don't make yourself crazy by having one marathon holiday shopping session. If you have a child that doesn't want to do a full day, then break it up into several shorter shopping excursions. Then you'll have a lighter diaper bag, your sanity, and still end up with presents under the tree.

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