Using a baby carrier with a purse/diaper bag?! Advice please!

jesstk

I know this isn't specifically a cloth diaper post, but I figured many of you CD mammas also carry your little ones often (in a carrier, sling, etc.). Therefore, could you give this first-time mamma some advice on how you carry your little one around while carrying all his/her stuff, and your stuff at the same time?  I want to feel as lightweight as possible, but also able feel prepared with all the necessities (e.g. cloth diapers, cloth wipes, wet bag, ointment, wallet, phone, change of baby clothes, etc.). 

Note: We've registered for a sling, the Beco Butterfly carrier, the Skip Hop changing pad tote, and Planet Wise wet/dry bags. We're also inheriting a big Skip Hop diaper bag, but I don't want to carry that around while I'm carrying baby around too (better for when I'm breaking out the stroller). 

Do I need a small sling bag, small backpack, etc?  And how does that work when you're wearing a carrier or sling at the same time?  I just can't wrap my brain around it.  Thanks for all your help!

sayruh

LOL.  This afternoon I picked my 3 year old up from preschool.  I parked, wrapped my 2 month old up in the moby, slung my diaper bag (with 2 diapers, change of clothes, wipes, blanket, bottle/formula) on my shoulder.  When I got to the door, my 3 year immediately asked to be picked up.  So we walked back to the car with my newbie wrapped, my diaper bag on one shoulder and a 28lbs toddler on the other.  

 

As a mom, you just make it work.  And wearing your baby is a gazillion times easier than lugging their carseat around! 

LottaLattes

I always liked backpacks for this reason, very easy to use with carriers (especially mei tai type carriers)!

namara5532

I haven't taken my LO on big outings yet, but the time I took him grocery shopping in the moby wrap I just put the diaper bag on a shoulder and off we went.  I only had in it a few prefolds, an extra cover, couple of wipes, and a couple changes of clothes as well as my phone and wallet (DH drove, so no keys needed).  I breastfeed, so I didn't have to worry about extra bottles or anything.  He slept the whole time, so I didn't need anything from the bag, although he had a wet diaper waiting for me when I got home.

StefandTodd

For an outing like the mall or something, or if I'm going to be awhile, and when he still needed tooooons of stuff, I carried LO in the Ergo and still pushed his stuff in the snap n go with his infant seat in it.  Now that I need a little less stuff, I am able to get it all into a backpack.  I'm a big fan of the backpack diaper bad for this reason  GL!

rxredhead

I honestly don't carry a diaper bag in places. If it's a short trip (restaurant or something) I put some toys and finger foods in my purse and carry that. If we're at the mall and I'm wearing him in a wrap I put a clean diaper, some wipes, and some butt spray in a wet bag and toss that in a larger purse or tote bag. I usually leave the diaper bag in the car and reload my purse when needed. I very rarely need the diaper bag stuffed full when I'm out running errands and it's easier to not worry about it

jesstk

Thank you so much for all your insights!!!  I wasn't sure if the straps to a backpack or other bag would get in the way of a carrier or sling... so your words of wisdom are much appreciated!  THANKS!

SuperGreen

I haven't had my LO yet, so I can't attest as to whether my plan will work.  But I'm planning on putting the baby into his Moby, and having the CD and BF supplies in a backpack.  I may throw my purse over my shoulder. If that's too much, I'll move the essentials from my purse into the backpack.  I got a shoulder-style diaper bag at my shower, but it's open at the top and I feel like it would fall off my shoulder all the time like my purse does.  I'm hoping after we're all settled in with the baby I can talk DH into getting an Ergo, it seems like its the best carrier.  We just can't stomach paying $120 for one right now, we've already bought so much baby stuff!

jesstellina

Shortly after DD was born, I bought a little clutch (basically a wallet with a wrist strap. I can fit my phone, cards, chapstick and gum in it.) and have used that as a purse ever since. If I'm wearing her, I'll just carry the clutch and leave the diaper bag in the car. What I would also recommend - but always forget to do myself - is to grab a burp cloth and put it between her and myself, or stick it in a strap or my pocket. Nothing worse than getting caught without one in a slobbery/spitup/sticky situation.