RESOURCES — Diaper Bag Essentials

We've been in the trenches lately. So many colds. So little sleep. So. Much. Mucus.

Too gross? Yeah, I would have to agree.

Even before I was pregnant, I dreaded cold and flu season for people with kiddos. I would see the zombie-esque parents trying to get mall shopping done with a crying toddler who's nose was red and raw. The nose was always runny and watching them wipe it on their sleeve made me want to bathe in hand-sanitizer. 

Fast forward to our 2nd fall and winter season with my toddler son and a head cold hit with full force. He was miserable and so were we...but his runny nose was under control!

Why? How? What magic fairy dust were we using?

Our Dribble Shield™ burp cloths came to the rescue! You might have thought that burp cloths would exit stage left when your little one hit their first birthday but now that I am knee deep in my 5th winter with littles - my Dribble Shield™ burp cloths are going no where anytime soon!

5 Ways I Use a Dribble Shield to Survive Cold Season

#1 - More Gentle on their Nose than any Tissue

The Baby/Toddler/Preschooler has a runny nose. If I used a fresh tissue every time I needed to wipe their nose - it would be dried out and raw and I'd be shelling out major bucks for each box of Kleenex. The soft cotton muslin of a Dribble Shield™ is absorbent without drying out their tender skin. My kids don't like having their nose wiped but the Dribble Shield™ doesn't make them cry like a rough tissue or rag would. And I don't have to feel bad about killing trees every time my baby gets a cold.

#2 - Teaches Little Ones to Wipe their Nose

My kids know what I mean now when I say, "Wipe your nose!" And because we always use a Dribble Shield™ for sniffles - they know what to grab to wipe their face. My baby girl is not even 18 months yet but she knows exactly what to do when I ask her to, "wipe her nose" (she was happy to demonstrate for the photos). Bonus is that she is also learning to blow her nose and she never uses her sleeve to wipe her face.

#3 - Assign Colors to Different Kiddos

Obviously, I have quite a few Dribble Shield™ burp cloths on hand in my house. When one of my kids gets a cold - it's almost inevitable that the other is quick to follow suit. So to try to keep germs at bay as much as possible - each kid gets their own color Dribble Shield™ burp cloth. Our morning routine includes distributing a fresh cloth for each kid and pointing out the color so they know which one is theirs for the day. It also helps us as parents because we know which cloth is used for which kid.

#4 - Bib Style Aids with Coughs and Sneezes

Even on sick days, kids still like to play. For these times, I snap a Dribble Shield™ burp cloth around his/her neck (travel bib style). Wiping their nose and coughing on something other than their hands and clothes is easy because it's just below their chin. It's also great for sneezes because it's never far away. (Just as a safety note, our kids do NOT sleep with their Dribble Shields™ snapped around their necks)

#5 - Quick Washing & Fast Drying

The Dribble Shields™ aren't made of magic germ-repelling fabric so yes, they will need to be washed...and probably more often when colds are rampant in your home. The great thing is that they can be quickly washed and dried. There have been more than a few times where I've pulled them from the washer at night before going to bed and just let them hang dry. Sure enough - the burp cloth is dry and ready to use first thing in the morning without needing to run the dryer every night.

So there are my mom hacks for sick days. What are some essentials you use to survive the cold and flu season with babies, toddlers and beyond? 

Good luck this winter...and grab a Dribble Shield!

Packing a diaper bag is one of the key skills you quickly master as a new mom (right between snapping up pajamas in the dark and pulling off a onesie after a blowout). A diaper bag should have all of the essentials for on-the-go adventures. A SUPER diaper bag has these 3 secret weapons that make it easier, cleaner and more fun when leaving the house with baby. (Plus scroll to the bottom for a promo code)

Please note: we are not affiliated with any of the companies of the items we show as examples. These images and trademarks are retained by their respective companies and are only used for references.

"When we leave the house - we call it an "adventure." In every sense of the word - as parents - we are in "survival" mode; there will be challenges, bruises and a fight to keep the tiny humans alive, clean and fed. But adventures can also mean lots of fun because you are experiencing something new." - Ashlei

Power Up #1 - The Interest Catcher (not just your ordinary toy)

Over-stimulation, boredom, tiredness all occur on adventures so its imperative to bring something for baby to focus on. Focus is key for keeping a meltdown at bay because it helps baby ignore other stimuli that might be overwhelming them.  This interest catcher toy should be:

• Special - he/she will only see it on car trips. This keeps the toy interesting and different from other toys. 

• Bold - leave the neutrals at home. This toy should be colorful and fun for baby to engage with. Buttons are a HUGE plus as they enter the infant/toddler phases.

• Noisy - I hate to say "the noisier the better" so I'll put it this way - the toy should be loud enough that baby can hear it over the radio or buzz of the mall when sitting in their carseat or stroller. 

• One Piece - this is not the time for removable parts. If it can come apart - pieces get lost.

Power Up #2 - The Taste Bud Activator (irresistible edible)

Remember how I said that focus is key for keeping a meltdown at bay? An edible treat is awesome at this! Think about your most stressful day and the relief you experience when you decide to have a favorite comfort food for dinner instead of cooking. Food makes us happy and it will make little ones as well. Here are a few suggestions:

• Gripe Water - Before baby has started solids, this is an all natural, herbal supplement that can help with gas and fussiness. Just a few drops can help distract baby before they get worked up.  We also love the Wubbanub pacifier because it stays in place and offers comfort and color for baby to focus on.

• On-the-Go Friendly Baby Food - Once you have started solids - there are a variety of baby food options but we like Happy Baby organic pouches for on-the-go. No spoon required! If you make your own baby food - we like the Kiinde Foodii option to make your own travel-friendly food pouches.

• Fruit & Veggie Melts - once your baby is doing well with light chewing - we LOVE taking melts on our adventures. My 4 year old still loves them! They don't make a mess and dissolve quickly in the mouth so it's less of a choking hazard!  Perfect as a treat!

Power Up #3 - The Dribble Shield (for mom)

While the first 2 power ups were for keeping baby happy - this last one is for mom! We created the Dribble Shield cloths specifically to handle on-the-go adventures. I wanted a burp cloth that effectively kept the spit-up off me, was comfortable for baby’s sensitive skin, helped me out during breastfeeding or pumping sessions and didn’t weigh down my already loaded diaper bag. And thus the Dribble Shield was born. We call it a burp cloth but it does so much more, goes anywhere and grows with your child.
  Why we love it:

• The Perfect Size - The Dribble Shield is 3 sizes in every cloth. This means that you can go from a travel nursing cover to burp cloth to bib in less than 2 seconds. 

• Snap It & Go - Messes happen and because the Dribble Shield can easily snap onto a stroller or diaper bag - it's on hand when you need it. 

• Loop On - The elastic loop at the corner lets you connect it to a pacifier or stroller belly bar or hook or even our travel toy, the Dragon Squire. Easy to use and more playing ground patrol.

• Soft & Fast Drying - The muslin cotton gets softer with every wash, is super absorbent and fast drying. The last thing you need is a wet burp cloth in your bag.

FYI - I am not a medical professional or nutritionist so please always check with your doctor is you have questions about your baby's nutrition and follow all guidelines on baby gear & toys.

Have you gotten a Dribble Shield yet? Use the code TRYTWO to save 25% on a set of 2 Dribble Shields! Free U.S. Shipping. Limit one set per person. 

Shop at everafterbaby.com

Alright momma - go out there and have a magical day.