Diaper bags? « Back to Group Discussions

[babychak]

What should I be looking for in a diaper bag? All of the ones I have seen in the stores are HUGE - do you really need one that big? (I know the answer is probably yes...) What are the "must have" features, especially if you are planning to cloth diaper? Any recommendations for specific brands/models? I've been looking at Skip Hop - any opinions there? I'd prefer something functional to a designer bag and don't want to spend an obscene amount, which I see is easy to do....

[Bmorefarmgirl]

You need a wet bag to keep dirty dipes in. I could not find a cute one anywhere, so we just use plastic grocery bags. I carried a huge diaper bag for maybe 18 months. I had diapers, wipes, changing pad, diaper cream, clean clothes, socks, blankets, and lots of toys when DS was a baby. He's 2.5 now and we have been carrying a small black shoulder bag (the hospital freebie from similac, actually) for the past year or so. We could downsize when we stopped bringing a lot of toys with us. And once I realized I hardly knew what was in the diaper bag since all I was using any more were the diapers!

Now we have 1 change of clothes (sometimes, if I'm really prepared) 1-2 dipes, changing pad, tissues, wipes, and a snack. But it's a totally different story with a newborn. One breastmilk poop blowout and you might be wishing you could carry a spare car seat in there!

I feel most of the features in my big bag were for storing bottles and formula. I just shoved everything in the main compartment and rummaged to find things.

[CindyCindy]

The jujube BFF is by far my most favorite diaper bag I have used.  And I don't like diaper bags.  I never carry one with me, although I do leave stuff in my van just in case.  I am a minimalist.  It IS super spendy, but you can definitely find them used out there, the even have their own forum (crazy!).  http://shop.ju-ju-be.com/BFF-at-Ju-Ju-Be-in-PID10858-09FM02A.aspx  This is a backpack, that has a gazillion pockets while being super compact.

I agree that you 100% need some wetbags, but don't agree there aren't cute ones out there.  Planetwise has been my favorite, they are cute, soft fabric and have a dry pocket on the outside.  http://www.granolababies.com/planet-wise-wet/dry-bag/prod_1117.html  Even if you don't cloth diaper you need one to put dirty sposies in if you don't have a garbage near by, or clothes that have been dirtied by a blow out.

Personally I will be going with a local company to me to purchase a new bag for myself this year.  I love her fabrics and love supporting local moms.  You can definitely look at your local farmers market and see what is out there!  http://www.marandalee.com/

Have fun shopping!!

[finnegansmom]

I have a Kate Spade bag that doesn't look like a diaper bag at all.

I also have a Sherpani diaper bag which my husband will carry when needed (it looks like a black messenger bag).

I often use an LL Bean boat and tote.

I have several wet bags in several sizes for diapers.

I breastfeed so no bottles, just a change of clothes, maybe a small blanket and some diapers/wipes etc.

I usually leave it in the car.  I don't really go out many places, and public bathrooms skeeve me out so I'd prefer to change the baby in the car than in a target restroom or something.  Although the though of going to target with 3 kids and a newborn is horrifying to me.

I have this wetbag which is big enough for 2-3 diapers.  You can buy them elsewhere as well.  Very cute and well made.  I almost want to say they use procare instead of PUL for the liner, it seems thicker and more substantial.  I have a few bigger ones I love for the beach.

http://www.amazon.com/Itzy-Ritzy-Zippered-Whale-Watching/dp/B00465USZ2/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1341939443&sr=8-22&keywords=wet+bags

[Thyme Mama]

I've never carried a diaper bag!   Now for #4 I definitely want a diaper bag/purse combo that isn't huge and doesn't look like a diaper bag. I love being a mama, but some of the accessories and attire of motherhood in my culture just feel waaay to frumpy and blech. I want to be able to wash the bag often and I want something that goes equally well with my hippie-ish attire and also my church clothes. I decided on a JuJuBe BeHave in Earth Leather, the steel with lilac lining. It is spendy, but I believe in buying a quality item that will last, instead of a $40 bag that will look thrashed in a few months.

And PlanetWise has adorable wetbags. There really is something for every mama's style. I just bought the small size and you could easily stuff 3-4 AIO OS dipes in it.

Part of why I switched to AIO's is that I hated putting wet/poopy dipes in with my pretty wool covers. And I didn't want to carry around 2 wet bags blah, blah, blah.

Edited by Thyme Mama - 7/12/12 at 12:04am

[TheDivineMrsM]

Pockets, inside and out. Handy for snacks, sippy cups, keys, toys, etc. 

Space for baby's stuff and yours (This will change depending on their age. As a nb, I carried diapers, wipes, diaper cream, a spare outfit, burp cloth, a plastic grocery bag for dirty diapers, and heaven knows what else. Now that she's a toddler, I carry mostly snacks and toys lol). 

Is it washable/wipeable? Diaper bags get a little gross. 

I have a Vera Bradley Pleated Tote. It's been perfect and it doesn't look like a diaper bag. It's washable, which is great too. I've seen the Skip Hop bags and most of them are too small IMO. I like the LeSportSack bags, but they definitely look like diaper bags. 

Edited by TheDivineMrsM - 7/10/12 at 5:40pm

[oikophile]

I don't know if we are going to get a diaper bag, but if I were going to go all out I'd get the Timbuk2 Stork. I have no experience with diaper bags, but I like my regular Timbuk2 bag a lot and I'm not into baby stuff that looks like baby stuff, if you know what I mean :)

[katelove]

We found cloth nappies took up *a lot* of space in the nappy bag, although I guess it depends what sort you're using. Lots of pockets are great. Mine came with an insulated bottle sleeve as well. Not essential but nice to stop the condensation from your bottle of cold water from making everything damp.

DH just bought a backpack and a whole heap of zippered, clear-sided pouches from a travel shop to use as his nappy bag. It works really well. My bag doesnt have enough pockets although the big space in the middle comes in handy sometimes.

I usually found the shoulder strap a pain when I was baby wearing ( which was all the time) and I wondered if carry handles would have been better. That may just have been me though.

[Therese's Mommy]

I got a diaper bag with my first that was made for cloth diapers, but the thing finally died after 7 years of continuous use and the manufacturer is now sadly out of business.  I could *not* find a diaper bag that looked like it would work for us.  So we got this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047FWSZ4/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00  I love it!!  We use the laptop space for our changing pad and the rest of that compartment for diapers and wipes.  We use the hydration sleeve for our wet bag.  It is great to just throw it on our back.  Lots of compartments for everything we need plus 2 side pockets for drinks.  Jansports last for a long time, so the price didn't bother us, plus it is totally usable as a backpack once our diapering days are over.

[Simonsez2u]

We have one from pottery barn, navy blue, that has been through two little ones and still looks great.  It is plain and no frills but it is easy to clean and has held up extremely well.  It is not something I usually carry around in public, for the most part I leave it in the car (it is kind of big). 
 

[CindyCindy]

Originally Posted by oikophile 

I don't know if we are going to get a diaper bag, but if I were going to go all out I'd get the Timbuk2 Stork. I have no experience with diaper bags, but I like my regular Timbuk2 bag a lot and I'm not into baby stuff that looks like baby stuff, if you know what I mean :)

I'd be alllllll over that.  I bought a timbuk2 bag for school and am now not going to school and have been bummed about what to do with my brand new awesome laptop bag.  :(  LOL.  Maybe I can find a trade?

[sere234]

I'm thinking I'll just find a nice backpack this time around. I bought a red JujuBe backpack for DS but it won't be big enough at all for 2 kids so I'll probably sell it. I really prefer backpacks so I can be hands free!

[KalaniR]

my mom just bought me a Longchamp le pilage bag. not a diaper bag, but large enough to carry around all the good stuff. I may use that out, but we are thinking about buying a baby backpack instead. saw some good ones made by Daddy Gear as well as quicksilver. We are moving to Hawaii after the baby so thinking a backpack would be much easier

[Aleka333]

I have a simple black SkipHop, but lately I've been finding it way too small.  it worked fine for a newborn, but I can't fit all my toddler's things anymore.

and for a toddler & a newborn, I know I'll need a bigger one.  on the lookout! 
 

[Thyme Mama]

I ordered a JuJuBe BeHave in Steel Earth Leather. I got it a few days ago and sent it right back. It was gorgeous, but waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too small to be even a minimalist diaper bag and purse.

I don't like any of the Petunia Pickle Bottom bags, because of the busy print. SkipHop reviews seem to reveal that they are not made to stand the test of time. I think I am going to have to sew my own diaper bag/purse this time!

I found a few patterns for handbags on Etsy that might work. I just want to make sure I have a spot for everything in my bag. I want it to look like a purse and I want it to be funky and also formal. And washable. Tall order, huh? I just want one bag for everything. I don't like having two bags or switching bags.

[CindyCindy]

Originally Posted by Thyme Mama 

I ordered a JuJuBe BeHave in Steel Earth Leather. I got it a few days ago and sent it right back. It was gorgeous, but waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too small to be even a minimalist diaper bag and purse.

I don't like any of the Petunia Pickle Bottom bags, because of the busy print. SkipHop reviews seem to reveal that they are not made to stand the test of time. I think I am going to have to sew my own diaper bag/purse this time!

I found a few patterns for handbags on Etsy that might work. I just want to make sure I have a spot for everything in my bag. I want it to look like a purse and I want it to be funky and also formal. And washable. Tall order, huh? I just want one bag for everything. I don't like having two bags or switching bags.

Yeah the behave isn't really a diaper bag.  Although they are awesome.  Their BFF seriously is an amazing bag for cloth diapering.

[Thyme Mama]

I was so disappointed! I love the gray color and the "classiness" of the style of the BeHave.

Do you have the BFF? Do you feel it looks like luggage? It doesn't look too huge, but the straps kinda look luggage-ish to me, I guess. And I am most definitely NOT a backpack kind of girl. I really want a hangbag kind of look, but, dang I need some room and some pockets!
 

[KalaniR]

We just got a Storksak for mama and a Quiksilver Diaper Backpack for dad.

The Storksak looks great! It doesn't look like a diaperbag at all. I got the style "Olivia" in black: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/storksak-olivia-nylon-baby-bag/3091890?origin=keywordsearch&fashionColor=&resultback=1140

Totally a splurge. We agreed that a diaper backpack was the best, but thought..... mama needs one too.... just in case!

[Thyme Mama]

After doing some more CD diaper bag searches on MDC, I came across a thread where a mama highly recommended a bag I hadn't seen yet: Namaste Bags  They are geared towards knitters and are made from vegan and PVC-free "leather". She said she had the Laguna and loved it for keeping both her knitting and toddler items. The bags have gotten good reviews on Amazon.

I checked Namaste out and while the Laguna isn't quite what I'm looking for, the new Harlow is! It supposed to be out this month, so I'm going to order one and hope it will meet my needs.   I am super picky and usually only use hemp handbags that have a good "purse" like look. Sativa bags are by far my favorite bags. But I haven't been able to find a hemp bag that is large enough for what I need and also isn't a backpack or duffel bag *thing*. Plus, I need a certain level of organization in order to be spontaneous!
 

[Thyme Mama]

Originally Posted by KalaniR 

We just got a Storksak for mama and a Quiksilver Diaper Backpack for dad.

The Storksak looks great! It doesn't look like a diaperbag at all. I got the style "Olivia" in black: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/storksak-olivia-nylon-baby-bag/3091890?origin=keywordsearch&fashionColor=&resultback=1140

Totally a splurge. We agreed that a diaper backpack was the best, but thought..... mama needs one too.... just in case!

I *love* the design of the storksak! All the pockets, a zippered top, totally looks like a purse, comes with baby & organizational accessories, perfect! Congrats on an awesome bag!!!

I seriously considered the storksak but decided no for three issues: price ($150 I'm okay with, $200 is for me, lol), nylon outer material (wanted something "fancier", like leather, for $200) and the gold hardware. I have never, ever cared for yellow gold. Not even when I was a kid. It's a shame, since yellow gold looks nice on me. And I copper. Even brass I like. And I like yellow gold on other people. But something about yellow gold.........IDK.