I'm not sure anyone will agree with me here, but I would never spend $140 on a diaper bag. When I cded my son 7 yrs ago, I only brought along 6 fitted diapers, one spare diaper cover, 2 outfits, some wipes in solution in a ziploc and a plastic bag for soiled diapers. This all fit in a larger sized diaper bag. I'm new to baby wearing, back then I usually held him and used the stroller to hold the diaper bag unless he was sleeping.
Need advice from expd mommas re: diaper bag, baby wearing & bottle feeding
Dear mommas, I am very pregnant, very hormonal and very confused.
I can't find a "diaper bag" I like. I do have a trusty Timbuktu messenger bag. It has a waterproof lining and is machine washable. I was also handed down a Baby Bjorn Shell Diaper Bag. It's kind of weird, but it was free, so whatev. My mother, who is in love with the Fleurville Mothership thinks these are ridiculously small and will not do the job.
We will be cloth diapering & using cloth wipes (another idea of mine she thinks is "cute but impractical" with a sing song "we'll see how that goes!"). I experimented today after receiving an email announcing a shopping trip tomorrow with "the goal to find a diaper bag that will do the job."
My messenger bag fits to the brim:
wipe solution
wetbag
6 diaper covers
6 fitted diapers
10 wipes
1 medium sized waterproof "lap pad"
Change of clothes
The baby bjorn has a few more compartments (for what?) and a little more room left.
What am I missing? Do I need a larger bag? A much larger bag? Do any Mothership owners want to vouch for its' $140 pricetag?
Also, my mother says an insulated area of a diaper bag is necessary to transport breastmilk & bottles. I will be a SAHM & plan to breastfeed exclusively. I am really excited about and commited to extended & consistant nursing (insert another "we'll see how that goes" here). Am I naive to think I will never use bottles? Are these compartments necessary or useful for reasons other than insulating breastmilk?
I'm also concerned about a large bag interfearing with my plans to wear my baby. My mother remind me " you will be amazed at how quickly she grows and you won't be using the carriers as much and will need to use the stroller more." I also hate strollers. I see them useful in some situations, but we plan to primarily carry our daughter. Is this possible with a large bag? Am I really underestimating the all mighty stroller?
What did you start with? I figure I can always buy a huge diaper bag later if we run out of room... but is this enough to start us off? I can't imagine going on long excursions so soon after her birth anyway. Probably more like Ped visits (who is conveniently 5 blocks from my home) and grocery shopping (the coop is across the street).
Any advice?
Thank you for your time
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I can't find a "diaper bag" I like. I do have a trusty Timbuktu messenger bag. It has a waterproof lining and is machine washable. I was also handed down a Baby Bjorn Shell Diaper Bag. It's kind of weird, but it was free, so whatev. My mother, who is in love with the Fleurville Mothership thinks these are ridiculously small and will not do the job.
We will be cloth diapering & using cloth wipes (another idea of mine she thinks is "cute but impractical" with a sing song "we'll see how that goes!"). I experimented today after receiving an email announcing a shopping trip tomorrow with "the goal to find a diaper bag that will do the job."
My messenger bag fits to the brim:
wipe solution
wetbag
6 diaper covers
6 fitted diapers
10 wipes
1 medium sized waterproof "lap pad"
Change of clothes
The baby bjorn has a few more compartments (for what?) and a little more room left.
What am I missing? Do I need a larger bag? A much larger bag? Do any Mothership owners want to vouch for its' $140 pricetag?
Also, my mother says an insulated area of a diaper bag is necessary to transport breastmilk & bottles. I will be a SAHM & plan to breastfeed exclusively. I am really excited about and commited to extended & consistant nursing (insert another "we'll see how that goes" here). Am I naive to think I will never use bottles? Are these compartments necessary or useful for reasons other than insulating breastmilk?
I'm also concerned about a large bag interfearing with my plans to wear my baby. My mother remind me " you will be amazed at how quickly she grows and you won't be using the carriers as much and will need to use the stroller more." I also hate strollers. I see them useful in some situations, but we plan to primarily carry our daughter. Is this possible with a large bag? Am I really underestimating the all mighty stroller?
What did you start with? I figure I can always buy a huge diaper bag later if we run out of room... but is this enough to start us off? I can't imagine going on long excursions so soon after her birth anyway. Probably more like Ped visits (who is conveniently 5 blocks from my home) and grocery shopping (the coop is across the street).
Any advice?
Thank you for your time
1 - 20 of 37 Posts
Hi! First of all, congrats on your baby!
I'll tell you what stuff I carry in my bag...4dipes, a pack of disposable wipes, changing blanket, blanket for spitups, baggie for dirties, cell, keys, some wood toys, a cover and a change of clothes. My bag is a messenger bag from old navy. Although I love the bags your mom is into as well, it really isn't necessary and those are so huge! I am a less is more person, so this bag works for me.
I have a stroller, but ds isn't into it, so we sling whenever we are out. My sling has a couple pockets so I put keys/dipes in there and leave the bag in the car or home. If I'm wearing my bjorn then I put keys in my pockets and change his dipe before we leave. I love wearing my babe and he is 17 lbs. I will wear him as long as I can! Recently we walked with another momma and she had a huge stroller plus two diaper bags! Way too much stuff for a short walk. Sounds like you will be taking short walks to the store and such, so I would not worry about carrying every single item of need. And you will not need bottles while out...just open your shirt! That's where the goods are!
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Bottles are so not convenient, don't even worry about it right now. Good luck!! Mary
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I'll tell you what stuff I carry in my bag...4dipes, a pack of disposable wipes, changing blanket, blanket for spitups, baggie for dirties, cell, keys, some wood toys, a cover and a change of clothes. My bag is a messenger bag from old navy. Although I love the bags your mom is into as well, it really isn't necessary and those are so huge! I am a less is more person, so this bag works for me.
I have a stroller, but ds isn't into it, so we sling whenever we are out. My sling has a couple pockets so I put keys/dipes in there and leave the bag in the car or home. If I'm wearing my bjorn then I put keys in my pockets and change his dipe before we leave. I love wearing my babe and he is 17 lbs. I will wear him as long as I can! Recently we walked with another momma and she had a huge stroller plus two diaper bags! Way too much stuff for a short walk. Sounds like you will be taking short walks to the store and such, so I would not worry about carrying every single item of need. And you will not need bottles while out...just open your shirt! That's where the goods are!
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Wow. Well, first thing, I think it's great that you are thinking about all this ahead of time. It's good to try to think these things through and pregnancy is a good time for that, for sure. But in my opinion, you are kind of...umm...obsessing. I mean that in only the nicest way. I mean to say, really, I think you might be overthinking things just a bit.
But here's my take on it. You don't need to fit anywhere NEAR that amount of stuff in your diaper bag unless you are planning to be gone for DAYS. In my bag, for most outings, I carry about four cloth diapers, two disposable diapers for emergencies (because they are small) and one extra diaper cover plus snappis. I carry two or three cloth wipes (we use one per change). I don't carry "wipe solution" because we just use plain warm water which works great. My diaper bag has (included) a small folding plastic pad which I put a cloth diaper on to change the baby on. I also have a change of clothes for her.
To recap:
4 extra cloth diapers (one used to cover plastic changing pad)
2 sposies
1 diaper cover (wool)
2-3 cloth wipes
change of clothes for baby
This allows me to also put in my book, my purse, a small snack, and my water bottle (ESSENTIAL for nursing mama). There's even some room left over. Any small purchases I make usually go in this bag. It was given to me by the hospital where my dd was in the NICU, a souvenier, I guess, so I didn't spend anything for it. My original plan was to use a backpack I had.
Long story short, please don't spend a fortune on a diaper bag. Your messenger bag sounds great. You don't need to haul everything but the kitchen sink. Further, once the baby comes and if you find yourself hauling everything and the sink, too, THEN you can go get a bigger diaper bag.
As for the whole breastmilk thing, I started out pumping because I had a preemie who couldn't take the breast, but as soon as she could take the breast I gave up the pump and have never looked back. Some pumps come with a small insulated bag for bottles (mine did - Ameda Purely Yours). But if you are WITH the baby, you obviously wouldn't need to give it a bottle, (unless you had some extenuating circumstances or didn't like to NIP) so you wouldn't exactly have to fit bottles and stuff into your diaper bag, would you? I would say again, wait til the kid is out before spending a bunch of dough on stuff you might never need.
Those are my two cents. My motto throughout pregnancy and now: Don't worry, don't fret, don't buy a lot of stuff. Wow, I should put that in my siggie. Heh.
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Good luck and Congrats on your baby!
Originally Posted by Carley My messenger bag fits to the brim: wipe solution wetbag 6 diaper covers 6 fitted diapers 10 wipes 1 medium sized waterproof "lap pad" Change of clothes Also, my mother says an insulated area of a diaper bag is necessary to transport breastmilk & bottles. I will be a SAHM & plan to breastfeed exclusively. I am really excited about and commited to extended & consistant nursing (insert another "we'll see how that goes" here). Am I naive to think I will never use bottles? Are these compartments necessary or useful for reasons other than insulating breastmilk? |
But here's my take on it. You don't need to fit anywhere NEAR that amount of stuff in your diaper bag unless you are planning to be gone for DAYS. In my bag, for most outings, I carry about four cloth diapers, two disposable diapers for emergencies (because they are small) and one extra diaper cover plus snappis. I carry two or three cloth wipes (we use one per change). I don't carry "wipe solution" because we just use plain warm water which works great. My diaper bag has (included) a small folding plastic pad which I put a cloth diaper on to change the baby on. I also have a change of clothes for her.
To recap:
4 extra cloth diapers (one used to cover plastic changing pad)
2 sposies
1 diaper cover (wool)
2-3 cloth wipes
change of clothes for baby
This allows me to also put in my book, my purse, a small snack, and my water bottle (ESSENTIAL for nursing mama). There's even some room left over. Any small purchases I make usually go in this bag. It was given to me by the hospital where my dd was in the NICU, a souvenier, I guess, so I didn't spend anything for it. My original plan was to use a backpack I had.
Long story short, please don't spend a fortune on a diaper bag. Your messenger bag sounds great. You don't need to haul everything but the kitchen sink. Further, once the baby comes and if you find yourself hauling everything and the sink, too, THEN you can go get a bigger diaper bag.
As for the whole breastmilk thing, I started out pumping because I had a preemie who couldn't take the breast, but as soon as she could take the breast I gave up the pump and have never looked back. Some pumps come with a small insulated bag for bottles (mine did - Ameda Purely Yours). But if you are WITH the baby, you obviously wouldn't need to give it a bottle, (unless you had some extenuating circumstances or didn't like to NIP) so you wouldn't exactly have to fit bottles and stuff into your diaper bag, would you? I would say again, wait til the kid is out before spending a bunch of dough on stuff you might never need.
Those are my two cents. My motto throughout pregnancy and now: Don't worry, don't fret, don't buy a lot of stuff. Wow, I should put that in my siggie. Heh.
We use the bag we got from the hospital. it fits plenty of dipes.
If you are worried about interfering with baby carrying, check out this blog-- http://www.thetinyrevolution.com/
he just bought this really cool waist bag, that fits what he needs on outings. he CDs, too!
I never take a bottle in my diaper bag, since DS has free access to all the milk he needs when I am around
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You really don't need a large diaper bag, unless you often go on long excursions, or have more than one kid, etc.
If you are worried about interfering with baby carrying, check out this blog-- http://www.thetinyrevolution.com/
he just bought this really cool waist bag, that fits what he needs on outings. he CDs, too!
I never take a bottle in my diaper bag, since DS has free access to all the milk he needs when I am around
You really don't need a large diaper bag, unless you often go on long excursions, or have more than one kid, etc.
Geesh! 140 on a diaper bag..Holy Mother that's TOOO MUCH!!!
I have a Kecci Shanghai; www.kecci.com
I love it, great size where I can fit all my stuff, diapers, changing pad, DD's x-tra clothes and more! I had a Nine West Diaper bag which was waay to bulky and huge..I did not like it at all....I bought my kecci here on the Trading Post it was brand new for 32!!! I love the fabric adn you can wear it as a backpack or shoulder style or messenger.
Oh and on your thougths of bottles...Since you'll be a SAHM you most likely won't use alot..Esp. if you'll be nursing and be w/your babe.. From my experience we only used a bottle once, when I had to go to a meeting and I pumped..DH gve DD a bottle...The rest was straight from the source!
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I say get a bag you like but save the $ 140... if you can... and also get a sling too!
Good luck & Have a wonderful Birth
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I have a Kecci Shanghai; www.kecci.com
I love it, great size where I can fit all my stuff, diapers, changing pad, DD's x-tra clothes and more! I had a Nine West Diaper bag which was waay to bulky and huge..I did not like it at all....I bought my kecci here on the Trading Post it was brand new for 32!!! I love the fabric adn you can wear it as a backpack or shoulder style or messenger.
Oh and on your thougths of bottles...Since you'll be a SAHM you most likely won't use alot..Esp. if you'll be nursing and be w/your babe.. From my experience we only used a bottle once, when I had to go to a meeting and I pumped..DH gve DD a bottle...The rest was straight from the source!
I say get a bag you like but save the $ 140... if you can... and also get a sling too!
Good luck & Have a wonderful Birth
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well, I think you've gotten enough diaper bag advice from what I've read so I'll just touch on the babywearing subject a little. I have an almost 5 month old and also a 2 year old. With ds#1 I didn't have the opportunity to babywear because he hated it (I started out with a new native pouch and a moby wrap). He hated his stroller too. Now that he's older he's more tolerant of both. He loves being in my Kozy MT on my back. But with two kids it's easier for me to have him in the stroller and wear the baby (unless the baby fell asleep in the car seat in which case he stays in the carseat and gets the stroller and I put my toddler on my back).
You will wear your baby for as much as she likes and for as long as she likes. And that's different for everyone.
And personally, (back to the diaper bag discussion) I think a messenger style bag is easier to use when bwearing because you can put it on before you put the baby on and the bag will be right where you need it and won't fall off your shoulder (because the sling will help hold it in place - well at least with wraps and mei tais - I'm not much of a ring sling kinda gal).
HTH... just take a breath, relax, and realize that you can wait to figure all this stuff out later. If it makes you feel any better, when ds #1 was just born I was still in grad school and had to take him to classes with me so I didn't even go the diaper bag route. I carried a canvas tote (Like one of those huge beach bag looking things) in the bottom compartment of the stroller and had about 10 cloth diapers, God knows how many wipes, 3 or 4 baby blankets, 2 changes of clothes, 2 or 3 water bottles for me, lots of snacks for me.... and I always had way more with me than I needed.
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Now with 2 kids I carry 1 dipe for my toddler, 2 for my baby, a few wipes, a changing pad, and sipppy cups and snacks. That's it.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy
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You will wear your baby for as much as she likes and for as long as she likes. And that's different for everyone.
And personally, (back to the diaper bag discussion) I think a messenger style bag is easier to use when bwearing because you can put it on before you put the baby on and the bag will be right where you need it and won't fall off your shoulder (because the sling will help hold it in place - well at least with wraps and mei tais - I'm not much of a ring sling kinda gal).
HTH... just take a breath, relax, and realize that you can wait to figure all this stuff out later. If it makes you feel any better, when ds #1 was just born I was still in grad school and had to take him to classes with me so I didn't even go the diaper bag route. I carried a canvas tote (Like one of those huge beach bag looking things) in the bottom compartment of the stroller and had about 10 cloth diapers, God knows how many wipes, 3 or 4 baby blankets, 2 changes of clothes, 2 or 3 water bottles for me, lots of snacks for me.... and I always had way more with me than I needed.
Now with 2 kids I carry 1 dipe for my toddler, 2 for my baby, a few wipes, a changing pad, and sipppy cups and snacks. That's it.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy
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I have several bags but always seem to need the backpack. If I have the baby in the sling, Bjorn, carseat, etc. It's great to have my arms available. And you'll want extra room so be sure your bar isn't filled to the brim when you leave te house.
Beast wishes!!!!
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Beast wishes!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you. I am relieved to be validated. & yipee for messenger bag love! It has never let me down! Now for a tactful way to tell mother to f-off
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& I completely agree, 140 is freaking ridiculous for something that will hold poop, hence my hatred of all things gigantic and gaudy. I'm pretty sure my mother is just getting her delusional grandma on or something. I am, however, looking forward to showing her all of the crap I could fit in my blessed bag that she so rudely dubbed "too small." It makes me wonder wtf she used to haul around with her.
We were given a stroller @ our shower & have a used maya, used hotsling & a babyhawk. We also have a carseat and, of course, my breasts, & since we plan to co-sleep I think we're all set.
From here on out I am going deaf to the well intended advice that is doing nothing but freaking me out. Maybe I can convince my mother to channel the $140 poop receptical fund towards a nice pregnancy massage...
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THANK YOU mommas!
We were given a stroller @ our shower & have a used maya, used hotsling & a babyhawk. We also have a carseat and, of course, my breasts, & since we plan to co-sleep I think we're all set.
From here on out I am going deaf to the well intended advice that is doing nothing but freaking me out. Maybe I can convince my mother to channel the $140 poop receptical fund towards a nice pregnancy massage...
THANK YOU mommas!
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i swear moms must forget what it was really like!! my mom (of five under 6 at once) says she took a shower everyday! among other gems.
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also if you are driving anywhere what i do is carry a purse and put two prefolds for the little one, some wipes, the perri bottle i got after delivery and some wipes, oh and a change of underwear and a skirt for big sister in it. anything else i keep extras of in the car so i can restock between stops.
i also keep in the car change of clothes and jackets for everyone, a big blanket, a little blanket, and a gallon of water. oh and non perishable snacks. some toys and books for the big one, toys for the little one, and a book for me. you never know.
(we also have our camping box in there too so we could actually cook with our little camping stove, and the camping cookware, oh and a can of pork and beans that we have had forever.Yuck) ok sorry that was sort of off topic.
stand up toyour mother and her grandmotherly whims. there will be many more to come.
Courtney
Originally Posted by Carley It makes me wonder wtf she used to haul around with her. THANK YOU mommas! |
also if you are driving anywhere what i do is carry a purse and put two prefolds for the little one, some wipes, the perri bottle i got after delivery and some wipes, oh and a change of underwear and a skirt for big sister in it. anything else i keep extras of in the car so i can restock between stops.
i also keep in the car change of clothes and jackets for everyone, a big blanket, a little blanket, and a gallon of water. oh and non perishable snacks. some toys and books for the big one, toys for the little one, and a book for me. you never know.
(we also have our camping box in there too so we could actually cook with our little camping stove, and the camping cookware, oh and a can of pork and beans that we have had forever.Yuck) ok sorry that was sort of off topic.
stand up toyour mother and her grandmotherly whims. there will be many more to come.
Courtney
I was kinda stessing about a diaper bag because I couldn't figure out what would work for what carrier I would use. I also didn't know it I wanted a shoulder diaperbag or a backpack. I went to a luggage store and bought a carry on travel shoulder bag for $3.99. It was nice...red actually, not too kiddyish with bears on it or anything. I used that for a bit, with the stroller it was fine, with my sling it was fine. But now I'm using a wrap so it's on both shoulders, so I've moved on to a backpack, not an actual diaperbag-backpack, just a regular backpack. It actually came free with my shoes, so it says Rockport on it. It has tons of compartments, so I love it. I can hid his mitts in it, just in case sort of thing. Today I just used my purse, it's a larger style purse, but none the less, a purse. I have a smaller backpack that I have used, but won't fit more then 2 diapers.
Basically I'm using what I have and just switch bags depending on how long I'm going out. If I'm just going to the grocery store which is a couple blocks away, I don't bring anything except wallet/ keys etc. If I'm going somewhere for 2-4 hours, I"ll change him just before I leave, EC him and bring 1 cloth diaper change pad, and a burp cloth. For more time out I usually bring 2-3 diapers, change pad, 2 burp cloths, change of clothes. I've never brought more then 4 dipes with me.
Just don't stress out about it, seriously. I wish I had thought more about breastfeeding stuff I'd need while I was pregnant. Nursing bra, breast pads, lanolin (a must...go buy it now!!!) a breastfeeding pillow, lots of burp cloths/recieving blankets.
Also prepare lots of food a freeze it.
Good luck...and congrats on the new life inside you
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Dawn
Basically I'm using what I have and just switch bags depending on how long I'm going out. If I'm just going to the grocery store which is a couple blocks away, I don't bring anything except wallet/ keys etc. If I'm going somewhere for 2-4 hours, I"ll change him just before I leave, EC him and bring 1 cloth diaper change pad, and a burp cloth. For more time out I usually bring 2-3 diapers, change pad, 2 burp cloths, change of clothes. I've never brought more then 4 dipes with me.
Just don't stress out about it, seriously. I wish I had thought more about breastfeeding stuff I'd need while I was pregnant. Nursing bra, breast pads, lanolin (a must...go buy it now!!!) a breastfeeding pillow, lots of burp cloths/recieving blankets.
Also prepare lots of food a freeze it.
Good luck...and congrats on the new life inside you
Dawn
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