Personally I have three under the age of three and I keep stashes of things in the trunk of my car. Diapers (a few of each size), a case of wipes, spit rags, and sweaters, extra binkie, ect. I can easily get around with one diaper bag. You really dont need as much as you think unless you are staying overnight.

I have two and this is what works for me: 1. I keep a luggage tag attached to my diaper bag that is a list of everything I need. Before I leave, I check the list and make sure I've got everything. When we get home from an outing, I don't put my diaper bag away until I've restocked it with everything.

That is a great idea about storing stuff in the trunk!

I have 3 under 3 (3 months, 19 months, and 2.5). I use one diaper bag. When I'm out if I notice I am low on diapers I fill them up when I get home. In my diaper bag I carry, Diapers for the two that are in them, an extra outfit for the baby, a pair of pants and underwear for my 2.5 yr old, formula, an extra pacifier, two small stuffed animals, a small coloring book, crayons, wipes, and sun screen. I have the diaper bag shown above. You will make it work. But I like the idea of an extra stash in the car. I keep a potty in my car for emergencies.

I have twins and a toddler, and I have one (LARGE...we use cloth diapers) bag. I, too, keep my trunk very well stocked with on the go necessities so that it's not such a big deal if I forget something.

Ditto. I try to keep the bag stocked at all times. Snack containers get filled and tucked into the bag during breakfast, regardless of the day's plans. I keep extras of the basics, (diapers, wipes change of clothes for each) in the car for emergencies. The car also contains juice boxes and special snacks for diverting toddler tantrums in key moments. And I try to keep the unnecessary culled so we don't get overloaded.

I also have three under three. A 2.5 year old and two 8-month olds. We use one bag--the Dad Gear backback. I've tried the car trick, and it doesn't work for us--I don't remember to rotate the items regularly, as evidenced when my 2-year-old ended up in our backup diaper--sized newborn. Similar to the luggage tag trick is to create a list and laminiate it--then you can check items off as you go. You can make several lists for different outings--for church add toys, for longer trips take more than one bottle, etc.

Sorry to hijack the post, but what's the bag pictured in this post?

oops, I'm an idiot. I found the link.

@andrec - It's the Go Gaga Messenger bag
http://www.amazon.com/Go-GaGa-Messenger-Bag-Copper/dp/B0023W6XM2/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1297881966&sr=8-26

I use this bag for my 12 and 24month old boys. It's large enough to hold everything I need, and the strap is ergonomic, so I don't feel incredibly weighed down if I have a bag of full sippy cups.

My husband and I have 5 children (all in a 6 year time span) and we always chuckle a little at the moms w/ one or two kids w/ the big giant diaper bag for a trip to Target. My best advice? Stash everything in the car, refill on a regular basis, throw an extra diaper/wipe, pacifier, bottle in your pocketbook, and enjoy the ride. Will you have everything that you need EVERY SINGLE TIME? No, but you'll quickly realize that you can get by w/ alot less stuff and just enjoy the times w/ your kids.

Yes, one bag is definitely the way to go IMO. I love Magz811's luggage tag idea, will have to try that! The main thing I was going to add is that it will probably take you 2x as long to get everyone out in the beginning. It's not just about packing the bag, although these tips are great - but getting everyone dressed (WHY OH WHY DID I HAVE A BABY IN DECEMBER??) and cajoling them out the door. Start getting them ready at least 30 minutes before you want to be out the door. Or even more. I'm not kidding.

Hi everyone! Great suggestions so far! Recommendations for people who don't own cars?

Carrie

When I had a newborn and a two year old, I managed just fine with one diaper bag. I also keep a small travel-bag in my car that has extra diapers, wipes, wet ones and at the time, nursing pads. Now that my older son is potty trained, I keep a spare change of clothing for him (and it gets used more than I'd like to admit). I found that usually the few supplies I keep in the car was enough to get us through the major catastrophes - if there's a major catastrophe, you usually just want to go home afterward anyway.
It IS a challenge to fit everything you need in one bag for longer outings, so in that case, I always evaluate: for example, what snacks can I buy while I'm out? Can the kids be entertained with something other than half our toy collection from the house? I also find that I just have to be either more efficient while I'm running errands or save some of them for another day or when I don't have the kids with me.
When your little one gets to be more mobile, I highly recommend either a sling diaper bag or a backpack-style diaper bag. I always find two free hands WAY more important than any gear I could haul. Now that my boys are 18 months and 3.5, I can usually get by with just my juju be mini-me backpack.
I panicked about logistics before our second was born, I used to lay awake at night imagining horrible situations, but none of them have actually happened in real-life. You'll find a way to make it work!

You probably aren't too worried but maybe it will help to say: I think each baby you add to the family throws off the routine and it takes a little while to figure out what works. I have a 4YO and 2YO and I know that when each was a small baby we were lugging a lot more stuff than we are now. Not only because they need more when they're little but because I was paranoid we'd be without what we needed.

Something that worked for me when my older one was a toddler was to give him his own little backpack. He loved carrying it and it held a couple of diapers, wipes, a snack, or whatever I felt like he needed, and my hands were free to wrangle the baby.

Now I have #3 coming in a couple of months and I think my most important game plan is to be ready at least 30 minutes earlier than I think we need to be ready. Because something always goes wrong and you always forget something!

I also echo the other suburbanites about keeping a stash in the car if you have one. The challenge is to remember to rotate at the change of seasons...

If you don't have a car, I would still agree with those who say to minimize and see where it leads you. One bag is plenty--sometimes more than enough!!

In our house #1 just turned 2 and #2 arrives in less than 3 months. We are happily carless and the diaper bag (Skip hop Duo or Duo double depending on the amount of gear) lives on the stroller handle. Thinking about packing for two I have a much better sense now of what I need and use and will not carry the kitchen sink like I did at first.
-I like having dedicated pockets in the bag so I can just feel the snack pocket and know if we have enough.
-I keep the real back up stuff (extra clothes, diapers) in zip lock bags to keep them small.
-I plan for forgetting things like refilling the wipes container with a back up tiny pack of wipes.
-I also use the basket of the stroller to keep extra stuff that we always use (like reusable bags).
-I have checking the bag on my weekly to do list to clean it out and make sure it is all stocked.
-I worked at a shop that sold GoGaga bags (there are a few styles) and they are wonderful, green, comfortable and functional. My boss still uses hers as a laptop bag.

I have an almost-3 year old and an 8 month old and I just use one bag. I actually use the Fossil key-per utility tote which wasn't explicitly made to be used as a diaper bag, but I love it. It is very big which works great for me because I carry my giant camera around with me most of the time and it is made of laminated canvas so it cleans up easily.

Just try to keep it simple. A couple of diapers, wipes, an extra onesie, and a small snack are usually all that you need.

I have one diaper bag for my 2.5 year old and my 2 week old.

For the 2 year old:
Extra pants and a shirt
3 x diapers
Two toys (small!)
Two packs of snacks (NON-sticky things so it doesn't create a huge mess - and things that will last for a while without getting smushed up)
Empty sippy cup

For my 2 week old:
2 x Extra sleepers
4 x diapers
Travel formula dispenser
Bottle with 4oz of water in it
Small tin of bum wipe

Shared for both:
Bum wipes (travel pack that keeps them wet)
Waterproof change pad (folds up nicely!)
Flannel wipes

One half of the bag is for my 2.5 year old, and the other for the 2 week old so it's easy to find what I need.

The only thing I have to do before heading out is fill the formula dispenser and the bottle of water. If I'm bringing more than one bottle, I just bring a larger water bottle and dispense it from there as needed.

My bag works as both a shoulder bag and a backpack - so it's great! It's in pure black - so my husband doesn't have issues carrying it either.

I always keep a few blankets in the car, along with an extra pack of wipes (they work great for general clean-ups in there anyways - like when my husband spills his coffee haha).

Making SURE to restock it when you get home is a good idea - I find it's better than rushing to remember anything while trying to leave. I put mine on the kitchen table to remind me to restock it and then put it back to by the door when it is good to go again.

I don't carry a purse, and I find that this works great for me - not too much to lug around, and when I go into a store, I only bring a toy/snack or something for the 2 year old, if I need to change a diaper I just go get the bag - unless I know I'll be in the store for a long time and then I haul the bag in with me.

Keep the diaper bag stocked at all times! It’s ready to go when you are. There are toys, binkies, etc that stay in the bag. We refill wipes, diapers, and snacks as needed. When we take one sippy, bib, or spoon out to wash, we put a new one in at the same time.

We have two diaper bags, a larger one for longer trips and a small one for short errands. Both are kept stocked and ready.

1) a backpack is great, b/c you will not have any free hands (usually).
2) I was amazed after #2 came along how much less stuff I considered critical to bring with us in comparison to when #1 was a baby. Funny how that works, you'd think the second-time mom would be the experienced one remembering to bring EVERYTHING under the sun, but I think it works the other way. Suddenly you're so cool and confident that you know you can wing it with less stuff on hand. : )

I have a 3 year old and a 9 month old, and I don't use a diaper bag at all.

In the car is extra wipes/diapers/an extra outfit for each, but honestly, I rarely go to that stash, though it's comforting to know it is there.

In my purse, I toss 2 diapers, a small pack of wipes, an extra pair of panties for the older one (she's potty trained, but there are occasional productive farts), a one-piece outfit for the baby in a bag that I can use to store a pooped-on one, a few small snacks (little bags of craisins, granola bars), and my usual stuff. It's a big purse, but I'd rather carry that than a diaper bag. If we're going for a longer time, I'll put more diapers in the car to refill the purse.

I also have left a stash of diapers of all sizes and some wipes in a box at our church for all to use--good way to use up random extras, and then I don't even have to worry about whether I remembered to refill. It's handy to have in the church nursery.

I have two 18 months apart, and I use all the aforementioned tricks. I suppose those without cars would just keep a stocked bag with the stroller. Honestly, the biggest obstacle is accepting that it will take you 30 minutes or longer to get out the door. If we have to get them dressed, it is more like an hour. I personally just reached acceptance to this realization and my youngest is 11 months. Sure, I still stress out when we have family or friends here waiting on us to leave--they don't know the routine and they just don't get how long it takes. You know how when you have a newborn, just going to the grocery store is a big deal because as soon as you finish feeding, burping, changing, packing and are ready to get in the car it is nearly time to feed again? Well, imagine that with your toddler thrown in the mix--now she'll have a dirty diaper blowout just as you are ready to buckle her in. :) Or she is throwing a tantrum. BUT I keep reminding myself that all of this is for such a short time. I like the contributor who said to "enjoy the ride". This time in their lives will be over in the blink of an eye and I will miss them being little. So what if it takes a little longer to get out of the house and we're late pretty much everywhere we go? I have my little world in the backseat.

I dropped a diaper bag when the second came along. I add a cloth diaper to my purse when we leave the house and usually grab the sling. Baby in sling, toddler holds my hang, walking children nap more!

I do keep a few things in the car (water bottles, a box of crackers, wipes) but by #2 nothing seems like a crisis anymore.

I have 2 under 2 and this is what I take on a typical outing (Target, library, etc):
3 diapers/kid
Travel wipes
1 kid's book
1 toy/kid
1 top and 1 bottom for each kid (kept in gallon Ziploc baggies- keep it dry until it's needed and then keep the dirty stuff away when it's wet)
Empty sippy cup
One cloth diaper (so useful)

I carry my license, credit cards, and cash in a Fossil wristlet, that can be looped onto my diaper bag so I have less to lose.

Inside our front closet, I keep our diaper bag and also a checklist. This makes it easy for me, my husband, grandparents or a babysitter to check and restock for essentials. I keep a storage bin of diapers and wipes in this closet, so they're easy to restock.

simplify and then simplify some more! i agree with everyone reassuring you that you don't need as much as you think you do. when we had no.2, i didn't even use the fabulous marc jacobs diaper bag i had used for no.1... just a stash of diapers and wipes (and a change of clothes for both) in the back of the jetta wagon (soooo thankful i have that back trunk space to lay the baby down for changes!) a snack or two and a paci in an oversized hobo bag and i'm set. now that no.2 is a toddler, i carry even less! don't stress yourself out any more than you need to :)

Skip Hop Duo Double was the only bag that I could hold all the junk we needed in the first few months and when they first started eating real food and I needed to haul food with me. I am now contemplating getting a smaller bag. I tried not carrying as much, but it just didn't work for us.
I also keep a bin of extras in my trunk: Diapers, wipes, roll of paper towels, bibs, milk boxes, extra sippy cups, pacifiers, and an extra shirt for myself (learned that one the hard way)
I made a list of all the essentials and it began the house rule that you had to check it before leaving. The list enabled anyone (husband, my mom, friends, nanny) to pack the diaper bag, so it wasn't all my responsibility.

Wow! I can't believe how many people commenting have 3 under 3! We live in LA, and don't know anyone with 3 kids, much less so close in age!

My kids are now 7 months, 25 months, and 3 years 4 months. I have a JuJuBe Be Right Back, which has lots of separate compartments for organizing. If we are going somewhere in the morning, I pack the night before. We're frequently on foot, but I do keep a few extra things in the car just in case.
3 year old:
-No longer needs a change of pants, but did for a while, just in case.
-Snack and sippy cup

2 year old:
-2 diapers and an extra cover (we use cloth)
-Snack and sippy cup

7 month old:
-2-3 diapers, extra cover
-exclusively breastfed, so no need for anything else yet.
-small toy
-change of clothes

For general use:
-wet bag for used cloth diapers
-wipes

It really doesn't wind up being much stuff. I add more if we're going to be out for longer, but I generally leave the extras in the car, if possible, until we need them to avoid lugging everything around. Having two really little ones does make it difficult to get out of the house in the morning, but if you pack the bag the night before, lay out clothes the night before, and shower yourself the night before, it is pretty manageable!

Wow, I'm feeling pretty low maintenance right now. I have a *very* small pouch that is just big enough to hood 3-4 diapers, some wipes, diaper cream and a cereal bar just in case. I always keep that stocked and throw it into my bag whenever we go anywhere. My son brings two cars with him and a sippy cup (ALWAYS filled with water so we don't have to worry about it spoiling). That's all we ever need for the average few hour outing. If we are going out for the day I bring a few more snacks, 2 dinosaurs and a couple thin books (the ones that come in the cheerios boxes are fantastic!) and a change of clothes (which never gets used). This sounds like more than it is, it would never fill a diaper bag, and takes up very little room in my purse, which is why my gorgous Petunia Picklebottom bag is never never never used.

Granted, I only have one. When #2 comes along I will probably use a diaper bag for a while, since infants use more diapers and go through more outfit changes. But still, just keep it as simple as possible and keep it stocked!

Another with 3 under 3 and I agree with keeping it simple. I have the tiniest diaper bag and am carless. I only carry what I need. It has the inside space, 2 side pockets, a back slot and a front slot. Here's what goes in:
The main space has
for the 3 mo twins - 2 sleepers, a receiving blanket, 2-4 cloth prefolds, 2 covers into the main pouch, 2 paper diapers, a flat container of wipes.
for the toddler - a prefold, a cover, and 2 paper diapers. plus a small tupperware of snack. How does it all fit? I roll instead of fold.
One side pouch holds my wallet, phone, and keys. The other holds a jar of water for drinking.
The back slot has plastic bags for dirty diapers or clothes.
The front slot has my sling unless the boys are already in it.
I snap a toy or two onto the shoulder strap with a plastic hook and flip a blanket over the top.
I keep small tupperwares for snacks in the cupboard - when a container of cereal, crackers, or nuts is almost done the remainder just goes into one of the tupperwares so we always have a snack to grab.

woaw i needed these tips when i had 2 under 2. from what i can remember, this might sound weird, but i made sure to pack my nappy bag when i wasnt going anywhere or in a rush to head out the door. then we would just have it packed and ready by the door for those times we are rushing out the door.

I have four under 6. I bring a diaper along in the baby carrier (our Ergo has a pocket, and if I'm using the sling, I stick it in there alongside the baby), and everything else lives in the minivan. I keep a wet bag in the car and a cloth diaper change or two. Another thing that helps is that we use cloth diapers that can fit the eight month old and the two year old. We have water bottles in the car for each of the kids and for me. It's not as hard as you think to get out with two -- I think once the new one is 12 weeks or so, you'll have it down!

I do not have a car, since I live in the city center, so I have the bottom of my stroller filled with weird and wonderful things that come in handy (mittens and hats, kleenexs, small toys, a fleece blanket). I also keep three small see-through pouches in rotation for when we leave the house. They each have a few diapers, one of those small packs of handwipes, a wash cloth, a change of clothes, and a pacifier. If I glance at it and see something missing, I just grab for another or get a replacement for what I see missing if there is time. The small pouch then goes in my purse. I admit to always having a few small snacks stashed in my purse, along with crayons and paper, and I add a fresh bottle/sippy cup as we are getting ready to go. When Dad takes the kids, everything just goes in the bottom of the stroller. Basically, after one kid, I realized that its better to limit what we drag around and, in the case of real disaster, just buy what we need rather than lug around a ginormous bag. Whats the worse that could happen? You end up with an extra bag of diapers (you'll use them up in a week)?

Reading this post, I realized how much I barely need a diaper bag anymore for our 19-month-old. It's basically my purse now, with a couple diapers, a ziplock bag of wipes, and a small bag of cheerios for the babe. We're expecting #2 in a few weeks, and I'm thinking about the same stash for him, with a burp cloth and change of clothes (we're also car-free). I prefer to feed the kid just before we leave to stave off the need for lugging real food around (and avoiding meltdowns). Good luck!

My best advice is one bag that can be totally hands-free (i.e. backpack or cross-body bag). Check it every night before bedtime to see if it's stocked.

Also, I stash extras (diapers, ziploc of wipes, snack, outfit) in your car, stroller or both, depending on which you use most.

Good luck!!