Bag to wear while baby is on back (accessible in front)???

[Limabean1975]

I wear my baby on my back in my Boba (similar to Ergo), and I'm looking for a comfortable, medium sized bag that I can access from the front (ie don't have to take baby off to access it, like the Ergo backpack). Any suggestions? I was thinking of a messenger-type bag but I'm not seeing what I am picturing online. Also, if the strap goes across baby's back I think it has to be nice and wide and padded.
I don't carry alot - I need it to fit a diaper or two, a water bottle, sunscreen, wallet/keys, maybe a sweater. If I need to carry more than that I'm okay with an additional larger bag - what I am looking for here is something for short jaunts.

[MittensKittens]

I have an ergo with backpack, and only after receiving it did I think about having to take the ergo off to access the bag .

BUT...

If you extend the straps of the ergo backpack the whole way, you can still wear it over the carrier, or at least I can! Could you give that a try?

[Limabean1975]

Originally Posted by MittensKittens

I have an ergo with backpack, and only after receiving it did I think about having to take the ergo off to access the bag .

BUT...

If you extend the straps of the ergo backpack the whole way, you can still wear it over the carrier, or at least I can! Could you give that a try?

I have a small backpack (daypack) I could try doing that with....but I still think I'd prefer something that is on my front. There were bags a that were popular a few years ago that I thought were called messenger bags, that looked a bit like a fanny pack - very wide strap all the way around, pouch kind of integrated with strap...does anyone know what I am talking about? I'm not finding them on teh interwebs!

[MittensKittens]

There's also something called an onbag, which you can clip onto any part of any baby carrier - I only ever saw it mentioned in passing, on TheBabywearer.

[Limabean1975]

Hmm, the Onbag looks interesting, but expensive (and from the UK), and as far as I can tell everything is out of stock.

Thanks anyway!

Anyone else?

[ears73]

I posted almost the same question on the uk baby wearing site and got onbag as a suggestion. I just ordered the baby size even though it was expensive because I couldn't find anything on ebay or etsy like it. Are you a sewer? They have patterns and it would be extremely cool to make your own - at least I think so, but I don't sew!!!!
Anyway - as a frequent backpack user and now a backcarry fan, I was perplexed as to what to wear for a bag. I am hoping the onbag will be as awesome as it looks and hopefully some us stores will carry them soon.

[Mnkymma]

I use a cross-body bag and I love it. Here's the one I use: http://www.rei.com/product/798733 It holds everything I need - wallet, keys, toys, extra diapers, snacks, etc. and the strap on my back fits easily between DS and me.

[TheGirls]

At Target here they sell purses that go over the shoulder like a messeger bag - it's basically a great big hobo bag with no shape to it, lol. But you can put a lot in it, and I put it on so that it doesn't go over baby. (goes in front of the baby across my back, then under my arm.) It easily holds diapers, snacks, sippys, and my personal items. And sometimes some small shopping...

It looks kinda like a really really deep sling...

[Limabean1975]

Originally Posted by ears73

I posted almost the same question on the uk baby wearing site and got onbag as a suggestion. I just ordered the baby size even though it was expensive because I couldn't find anything on ebay or etsy like it. Are you a sewer? They have patterns and it would be extremely cool to make your own - at least I think so, but I don't sew!!!!
Anyway - as a frequent backpack user and now a backcarry fan, I was perplexed as to what to wear for a bag. I am hoping the onbag will be as awesome as it looks and hopefully some us stores will carry them soon.

I don't know how to sew. I wish I did! Maybe one day. Please do post a review here when you get your Onbag!!

Originally Posted by Mnkymma

I use a cross-body bag and I love it. Here's the one I use: http://www.rei.com/product/798733 It holds everything I need - wallet, keys, toys, extra diapers, snacks, etc. and the strap on my back fits easily between DS and me.

I really like the looks of that one! Where does the bag rest on you when you are babywearing on your back? We don't have REI here but I bet I could find something similar.

Originally Posted by TheGirls

At Target here they sell purses that go over the shoulder like a messeger bag - it's basically a great big hobo bag with no shape to it, lol. But you can put a lot in it, and I put it on so that it doesn't go over baby. (goes in front of the baby across my back, then under my arm.) It easily holds diapers, snacks, sippys, and my personal items. And sometimes some small shopping...

It looks kinda like a really really deep sling...

No Target here, but I think I know the kind of bag you mean...and I think I want something with more structure.

[Limabean1975]

Oh wow, I just found more info about the Onbag, and a Canadian seller...it looks pretty awesome. But the small size one is $124!!! I'm seeing bags similar to the REI one at MEC for $25-$30.

[jocelyndale]

I used a messenger bag with clips on either end of the strap. I put on the ergo, left it hanging down in back, put on the bag, then put on kiddo. The bag crossed my torso and hangs in front or slightly to the side. If I really needed to get into it, I could unclip it from the strap. If I just needed quick access to something on the top, I could easily reach whatever it was.

[Limabean1975]

Hey ears73, did you get your Onbag? How is it?

[Chryseis]

I know this is a slightly older thread, but I thought I'd bring up the JuJuBe BeLight. I love thid bag when I have my son on my back. The straps tie and are very long, they can be tied to whatever length is comfortable. They are also crazy light and don't get in the way of carriers. You can also untie the bag to pull it off if need be. It's not the biggest bag in the world (I'd love a slightly bigger version AND a zipper to be honest), but it is wonderful for most of our outings.

[Limabean1975]

THanks Chryseis! I'm actually still looking for The Perfect Bag, so more suggestions are welcome.

Tell me more about the BeLight - does it have organizing pockets? How much stuff does it fit? (eg water bottle? sunscreen? cell phone? etc).

[Limabean1975]

Ooooh, JuJuBe has nice bags! I want them all!

The BeLight seems reasonably sized for my needs but I'd still like an idea of what fits in it. I do wish it had a closure of some kind on the top. Hmmmm. Some of their bigger bags are very very appealing, but not sure if they'd meet my babywearing OR my budget requirements.

[Astrea]

After a year of dedicated babywearing, I'm still trying to figure this one out! I've wondered if the MEC Big Pod or either the right or left hand Sling Pod Pack would work. I'm pretty sure I'm going to pick up a BeLight so if I do I'll report back. I'm seriously tempted to try an OnBag--if only they weren't so expensive! I wish there was some way to wear a two-shouldered back while back carrying. Sometimes I have to haul a LOT of stuff with me when I'm out, sans car... at this point, when that happens, I generally take the stroller (with a carrier stuffed in the underbasket as backup)

[Chryseis]

Originally Posted by Limabean1975

THanks Chryseis! I'm actually still looking for The Perfect Bag, so more suggestions are welcome.

Tell me more about the BeLight - does it have organizing pockets? How much stuff does it fit? (eg water bottle? sunscreen? cell phone? etc).

It is a smaller bag, without a ton of organization, but it's not terrible. It has an inside zipper pocket that is decently sized (this can be an outside pocket, depending on which way you have it as the bag is reversible), and two good sized pockets on the outside (which can also be the inside). Oh, it also has a thin pocket on the side w/a changing mat.

Here's what I carry:

Side pockets:
2 Sigg Bottles (pockets are perfectly sized)

Main area:
2 BumGenius (for my son)
3 size 1 sposies (my daughter doesn't quite fit her cloth yet)
Ziplock with disposable wipes (about an inch thick)
Receiving Blanket

Zippered pocket:
Sunscreen tube
Sunscreen stick
Bandaids
Neosporin spray
Burt's Bee's antibacterial spray
Packet of tissues

I often throw my cell phone and wallet in the bag. It can be a tight fit, but it is decent for a majority of our outings. It will likely get tighter soon as my daughter will fit into cloth and I'll have to carry a bit more. Oh, and it really, really needs a closure. My hope is that JuJuBe will listen and make a larger version of the BeLight w/a closure

[Limabean1975]

Originally Posted by BLB

After a year of dedicated babywearing, I'm still trying to figure this one out! I've wondered if the MEC Big Pod or either the right or left hand Sling Pod Pack would work. I'm pretty sure I'm going to pick up a BeLight so if I do I'll report back. I'm seriously tempted to try an OnBag--if only they weren't so expensive! I wish there was some way to wear a two-shouldered back while back carrying. Sometimes I have to haul a LOT of stuff with me when I'm out, sans car... at this point, when that happens, I generally take the stroller (with a carrier stuffed in the underbasket as backup)

Strollers are for stuff! My first did not spend an significant amount of time in the stroller until he was over a year old (his choice, not mine! he's big and my joints were having trouble!), but I still took it everywhere - I'd generally start out with him in it with a carrier stuffed under, then very shortly after put him in the carrier. I do the same now with DD - she's happy in the stroller for longer periods, but even though I'm a light packer, I end up needing the stroller for DS's stuff - eg when I go pick him up at school and he does not want to carry his bag, then takes off his coat, then collects "treasures" (sticks, rocks, random bits of garbage) on the way home....

Originally Posted by Chryseis

My hope is that JuJuBe will listen and make a larger version of the BeLight w/a closure

*Sigh* Yes. I imagine the Perfect Bag with the perfect price wil be on the market when my children are long outgrown babywearing.

I'm impressed by how much the BeLight fits! Makes it tempting...but a closure, a closure, it needs a closure!