Right now I have a Vera one that I do like, but it's very heavy (even when it's empty) and it's huge so it's a bear to get into the bottom of the stroller, and the straps aren't long enough to go over the handles.
Come June I'll be packing for two, a 19 month old and then a newborn. I'd like something that isn't terribly bulky and some kind of stroller attachment would be awesome. Between that and the fact that I just want a new bag lol I'm taking recs....
and go!
ETA: I actually think I've decided on the Ju-Ju-Be BFF bag. Does anyone have it? Do you like it? Is it heavy by itself? Is it good sized? I looked at a you tube video where a mom went through everything she had in there and it blew my mind!
Anyone use the stroller straps? Are they worth the $25?
What about the Be Prepared one, it seems too be gigantic... and probably too big for my needs. (Grocery store, family gatherings, mall trips, zoo trips, etc. no real over night stays or anything)
Re: Rec you're diaper bag ETA JuJuBe BFF?
I had the BFF for like a week. I luckily bought it used so I wasn't out much. I hated it. I couldn't deal with it being on my back because I couldn't just reach in for anything. It just really didn't work for me, and I was so disappointed because so many people on TB love it.
The tote style bag worked best for me. I ended up using the JJ Cole Mode Tote bag that I had gotten months earlier. It's the only bag I've consistently loved as a diaper bag.
Yeah, I plan to rarely use it as a backpack. I'll mainly use the carrying handle or the shoulder strap and majority of the time that it is out of the house it will be either attached to the stroller or in a shopping cart.
What are your reasons for loving the JJ Cole one?
Even not used as a backpack I didn't like it. I hated that it was zippered and I hate to unzipper it each time I needed to get inside for something. If I left it unzipped stuff would fall out. The logistics just didn't work for me.
The reasons I loved the JJ Cole one were it was easy to clean, it was very deep and fit lots of stuff, it had the stroller straps, the changing pad was really awesome, and it was a tote style bag, so it was easily accessible but it also had a zipper in case I wanted to close it. I haven't found a bag comparable in size that was was so inexpensive (I got it on Babysteals for $29) and still lightweight. Oh and it stands up on its own and doesn't fall over like a lot of tote bags do when you put them down.
I'm used to the zipper because my VB one is zippered but it is tote style so I don't have to have it zipped. The only thing that doesn't appeal to me that much is how incredibly wide the BFF does open.. it looks like stuff would fall out.
I'll have to check that one out! Thanks!
I personally love all things Ju Ju Be with minor exceptions here and there. For one baby or if you are a good packer and don't CD, the BFF is awesome!
I'm about to have 2u2 and we CD so I really felt the need to get the Be Prepared. It is huge! I completely love it, but I would never have it as my only diaper bag. I primarily go on day outings, like the zoo and Sea World, and it's perfect for me.
One thing about the stroller straps is you need to take into account the diaper bag weight (fully packed) and the kind of stroller you're using. You don't want the diaper bag to be able to flip the stroller backwards. Also, some diaper bags have strap(s) that fit just fine over the stroller handle so additional stroller straps may or may not be needed.
If you decide on a Ju Ju Be, there is a Facebook b/s/t group where you can get a better deal.
I have the Be Prepared and am considering the BFF for my smaller bag. What I've realized is that you need to figure out what you like in a bag. I have a Columbia bag now and what I hate about it most is that it's tall and deep so things go in the main pocket and I lose or forget about them. That's part of the reason I like the BFF so much... its wider and shorter so I think for me, it will be easier to locate all my stuff. I also see what Kagl is saying though... I'm not sure I want a bag that I have to unzipper all the time to get in and out of (although my Columbia one will zip if I want it to, it doesn't have to). On the other hand, we went on a day trip recently and I took the Be Prepared and had it unzipped all day and nothing was falling out. The sides were zipped and the top was unzipped and it was great. It seems like the BFF would be similar.
Also check out Gitta bags. I like them a lot too. Skip Hop Duo double might be another option as well.
My two boys are getting a surprise May 2015!
BFP 5/21/10, Missed m/c 7/5/10 at 11w3d (baby measured 7wks), D&C 7/7/10
Aug/Sept 2010 - CD3&10 b/w & u/s, genetic testing, SA, HSG, & Lap/Hyst to remove septum
12/09/10 BFP -- 7/05/11 DS born at 33w5d. Came home after 23d in NICU at 37w0d
June 2012 - TTC #2! -- 10/05/12 BFP -- 5/23/13 DS2 born at 37w1d! Yay full term!
Surprise BFP 6/25/14 LO#3 due Feb2015!