Questions re: Diaper bags and Pediatricians

LoLoPanda

1. Diaper Bags - J and I were at BBB the other day and checked out their diaper bags. J and I both liked the JJ Cole tote HERE but then he liked the OiOi carryall HERE . I also know that the JuJuBe and the Skip Hop are favorites, and I was wondering if anyone had recs for their favorite diaper bags (I know this question has been asked many times and I'm sorry to ask again)

2. Pediatricians - When is it OK to look into a Pedi for LO? There's a really good doctor at the Kaiser we'd be taking DS to and I know he's fairly popular (have heard rumors of a wait list) so I don't know if I should wait until after she's born, or if I should make contact now? If not right now, and it's OK before the baby's born, then when would be a good time?

Thanks in advance ladies...I really appreciate your input!

Smuches4u

I can only share a little insight on #2.  Kaiser won't let you sign up a DC until they are born & have a MR#.  So you cannot officially choose a pedi until the paperwork is done (day of birth).  That said, you can and are encouraged to make visit appointments to get accquainted with the Dept. - at least we were, even though we never took the time.

Because we never chose beforehand we defaulted to a NP for the 2wk follow up and from there were assigned a Pedi for the 1mo follow up.  After two or three visits with that guy (who's famous quote was "You're first timers" at every visit, annoying!), a new guy came on staff & was shadowing our initial guy.  We promptly & very easily switched just hours after that visit online.

Best of luck.

altreu

I love my OiOi diaper bag! I have the tote style, which is fantastic. I have room to carry everything, including extra cloth diapers (which take up a lot of room!). The inner pockets are great for wallets, keys, cell phone, etc. And for me the best part is the fact that the outside is waterproof and very, very easy to clean. 

pkw

1. I learned the hard way that I would have been better off waiting on the diaper bag.  Kaiser gives you a diaper bag when you leave the hospital...you can just use that until you figure out exactly what you want in a bag.  We ended up buying a new one 8 months down the road...so to date we have spent around $250 on diaper bags. Ugh.  Also, I liked the carry all, until I realized how few bottles I could fit in it plus where would my stuff go???  I don't carry a purse unless I am by myself.  

2. Kaiser does not exactly let you sign up for a pedi before baby is born.  That was not really acceptable for me, so what I did was I researched online all the pedi's in my choice hospital and then the ones I liked I asked if I could interview them by putting in a message to their office (via phone).  The ones who called back (which all but 1 did) were the ones I decided to interview and select from.  I picked one, loved her to pieces, and she reserved a spot in her practice for EJ (took our name, etc).  But after EJ was born we had some jaundice issues and some other stuff so we had to see a doctor immediately and we ended up falling head over heels for him and signed EJ up with him.  For a while I thought about switching because I was frustrated with my being too pushy and him bending to my will...but we talked and found a perfect median and I am thrilled with our choice.

So either way you do it...the assigned doctor or the one you finagle your way into getting....Kaiser is pretty workable.  Just remember, you can ALWAYS change your doctors. 

m&m818

#1 - I was gifted the skip hop city chic https://www.skiphop.com/product/41000.html when DD was a newborn and loved it. Reasons why I loved it - easy access to everything, perfect size spots for bottles, pacis, burp cloths, diapers with room for mommy stuff, easy to hook on to stroller and still reach stuff. Plus it didn't look like a diaper bag.  

 It unfortunately broke around 8 months so we switched to skip hop duo but it was too small for long trips. 

Someone had given us a PPB boxy back pack also. I wasn't a huge fan at first, but it really was the right size for most of our trips. We used that until almost 2 and just switched to a Skip Hop Zoo Back for DD to carry.

#2 -  As other ladies stated, we were not given the option to choose until after delivery. We lucked out and really loved our Pedi that we selected from those available, but I know we could change if we needed to. I think I remember our OB giving us a list of all the pediatricians available, and their specialties. To be honest we didn't do much research because we knew that  we'd be able to change if we ended up not happy. 

oceanangelbeauty

Just wanted to say Sooo excited for you LoLo!!!!!!