by BabyCenter Guest Blogger posted in Parenting

By Naz Helms
My husband and I have always loved to travel. Despite our busy schedules, we try to take an international trip at least once a year and squeeze in road trips as often as possible. Our wanderlust hasn't diminished now that we have a daughter, but the amount of stuff we lug around has multiplied exponentially. I sometimes say that I need to Mary Poppins everything into one diaper bag when going on daily adventures.
Whether we're going to the beach 15 minutes from our house, or an unpredictable excursion abroad, there are a few non-negotiable essentials I bring with us:

1. Camera: My routine is baby on one hip, camera on the other. It's so important to be able to capture the moment without missing a beat. Candid moments make the best photos and are fleeting. 2. Sunglasses and sunscreen: Everyone in the family needs sun protection, no matter what their age.
3. Bib: I love to keep my daughter's clothing looking nice and clean (as clean as a toddler can be, anyway). Of course, at her age, she's a stain magnet, so I have a bib ready to whip out at a moment's notice.
4. Placemat and baby utensils: Not all of your child's food stays on their plate, and restaurants don't always have kid-friendly serving ware. A placemat is an easy surface for young children to eat from that tidies up quickly at meal's end.
5. Aquaphor: I put Aquaphor on everything: minor cuts, scrapes, and burns,  chapped lips, my skin to protect from c...