What features do you want in a diaper bag?

martinsgirls

Mobile: What features do you want in a diaper bag?

I went to the outlets yesterday and ended up buying a Kate Spade Diaper Bag.

It is black nylon with a ton of pockets. I will probably end up keeping it because it was a great deal but I am just curious to know what features you think are important.

Here is a link to the bag in a different color on Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/Spade-Classic-Serena-Black-White/dp/B000CN1B94

 

happybride 276

Being a FTM I am interested in seeing what others find important.

RedDDD

I have this one https://mzwallace.com/mzwshop/product.php?products_id=881

and LOVE it.  Most important to me was that it didn't look like a diaper bag since it was going to be my every day bag.  I have carried this every day for a year and it still looks great.  Second to me was that it was nylon so it cleaned easy.

afreud

I bought a smaller sized travel bag from Charming Chalies...I am a FTM so all I can think of is the bigger the better LOL If it doesn't work I got it on clearance and I figure I can find another I might like...I may just get two just in case since I really have no idea what works the best...

a2003tiger

The most important things to me are that it is big, open access, easy to carry (I have one that converts to a backpack and LOVE that feature), easy to clean and a changing pad is nice (although you could buy one if it doesn't have one in there).  My DH splurged and got me a Petunia Picklebottom for DS.  I love it, but it could be a little more spacious.

This is ours...

 https://www.petunia.com/bags/boxy-backpacks/boxy/classically-crete-boxy-backpack

Shanmarie1083

Everyones needs are so different, so you will get a ton of varying responses on this. 

For me the two most important things are enough room for cloth diapers (which can take up a lot of space), and ease of access to the "mommy section".  I use my diaper bag as a purse so I like easy access to my wallet, cell, keys, and a few personal items like chapstick, breast pads, hairbrush, etc. I don't like to have to dig through the inside of the bag to find these things, so large outer pockets with zipper closures are a must for me. 

Stroller clips are also a nice feature to look for.

I have the Skip Hop Grand Central and Skip Hop Versa as my diaper bags. The versa is good for smaller day outings and the Grand Central if I need to take more than 3-4 diapers with me and a few outfits.  

SweetPeaK26

I personally see no point in expensive diaper bags. I had a Walmart one and it did everything I needed it to. And even after two kids, is still in great shape.

Key features: holds diapers and wipes, bottles, and a few pockets on the outside of the bag for easy access to pacifiers and my keys.

PrettyInPearls23

I'm a bag whore (even before DS) so it took me 4 diaper bags to find one I absolutely love. That one is the Skip Hop Studio Tote (in pewter).

The features I love the most about it are: insulated pockets on the ends for bottles, two separate exterior zip pockets that I can use for my keys/wallet/phone so they don't get lost inside the bag, large enough that I can bring everything I need, but not too big where I overpack it. Also, I love the length of the straps. They're long enough where I can wear it on my shoulder, but not so long that the bag hits on my hips. It stays put behind my arm so I'm not whacking the kid in the face when I bend over.

I love that the bag looks like a purse and the quality of it can't be beat!

RedDDD

SweetPeaK26:

I personally see no point in expensive diaper bags. I had a Walmart one and it did everything I needed it to. And even after two kids, is still in great shape. Key features: holds diapers and wipes, bottles, and a few pockets on the outside of the bag for easy access to pacifiers and my keys.

Only reason I had an expensive bag is because I work in a corporate environment and it was going to be my everyday bag.  I wanted something that would look professional, carry baby stuff and work stuff, and last years and not look like crap-ola.  Plus, I have a hand bag fettish and it was one thing I was willing to splurge on.   

kakhmama

I started out with one of those huge diaper bags and quickly realized I liked the smaller ones. I had to have the changing pad and a couple of pockets and I was good to go.

when my LOs got to be around 6mo old I moved to that changing pad that had a zipper compartment that held 2 diapers and a small pkg of wipes...it looks like a clutch. Alot of my outings were so quick and close that was all I needed.

ksf13

I got a Vera Bradley backpack on sale for about $35 (regular $90) right after we found out we were expecting. I've heard lots of people say its great for a diaper bag, plus it's hands free. It seems a little small, but I'm going on opinions from second time moms. I'm going to start out with this one and see how it goes. My MIL bought us one too, but I haven't seen it yet. It will be nice to have a backup.

cjelkin

I went for Kate Spade, too! I got the black Stevie, though. I have wanted this bag as a purse since I saw it in law school five years ago. My philosophy is that your diaper bag might as well really be a nice purse, that you just happen to use as a diaper bag for a while (my definition of a nice purse always includes adequate size, storage, and pockets, on top of the aesthetics). There is no reason that because you are a mom and need something "practical" for it to not be nice quality or stylish. I have found that the moms with ugly diaper bags tend to be the kinds of women that always had ugly purses, too. Of course, finances often come into play and I think anyone can find something that will work as a diaper bag for their budget, whether it be a backpack or a designer bag. 
I was sold on using anything Kate Spade and made out of nylon as a diaper bag when one day I knocked over an entire large cup of diet coke with ice at a restaurant INTO my then-current nylon Kate Spade bag and it cleaned out so well and didn't even leave a stain!
Aside from size and pockets, I think moms should consider if they need stroller straps, or if the bag will fit in the stroller storage basket. Basically, picture yourself on the move and make sure you can fit everything you need into the bag, and still be able to transport the bag and the baby simultaneously and with ease! 

mc12809

FTM here but I got this https://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/169/catid/6/

and this for inside https://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/208/catid/20/ to carry cold stuff.

I had a party with them in March and this was their suggestive diaper bag so I thought I'd try it. If anything it can always be just a bag and I could get an actual diaper bag. Plus I used my credit to buy them so it was free!

ETA: bag in denim and pouch in inspirations, I didn't realize the colors wouldn't stick with the links!  

hilalk

The only criteria I am looking for is, it should cost less than 50.

martinsgirls

Thanks everyone!

 

kristaeris

My favorite bag with DD was our JJ Cole Mode because I could just wipe it down. I wouldn't purchase anything very expensive because a bottle or sippy cup will leak formula, breast milk, juice, or water in it at some point. You will at some point find yourself in a situation where you don't happen to have any separate bags to put poopy/pee diapers in or baby clothes that have explosive poop or pee on them. Snacks may melt or a bag of cookies may burst and crumbs will be everywhere...etc.
I'm a pretty organized and prepared mommy but at some point, I've found myself in all of these situations. 

My must haves- Something very roomy, that can be wiped down, lots of compartments for organization, a place that I can put my wallet and keys without losing them in the bottom of the bag. 

CalMum_Momma

I carried an inexpensive Eddie Bauer for 3 years. It had a huge open pocket, which I thought was important, but learned not-so-much. The front pocket velcroed closed, but if you had anything in there, the velcro didn't hold. The interior pockets turned out to be useless.

I recently got a Graco one off my fb swap site, and I am in love with it. It has firm sides, so it holds it's shape even empty, which I love about it. I flip open the top and you can see everything inside without having to pull around at the sides of the bag. Within the large section it has two divided sections, one is insulated where I carry water bottles for me and both LOs. The other, larger section has mesh pockets on the front and back, where I keep sunblock, sunglasses, wipes, tissues, and the like, and in the bigger section between those there is room for my changing pad with diapers, as well as snack cups, camera, toys, and whatever other random stuff I throw in. There is also a mesh pocket in the top flap, but I haven't found a use for that one yet. The flap itself has magnets in the edging along the ends, so it sort of pulls itself closed and stays in place, even if I don't clip it over the front pocket, and I love the adjustable strap clip to keep it all closed. Far more effective than velcro!

Then there is a thin pocket on the back, I don't really keep anything in and a bit wider pocket on the front where I keep my kindle, phone and keys. In the side pockets on each end I keep my wallet, sunglasses, lotion, chapstick, gum...

I carry a ton, and this diaper bag is AMAZING!!!

kerriw147

I ordered this messanger style one new off of ebay for around $30-35, I had such a hard time finding something that I liked because I wanted something more stylish but then I wanted something my husband would be okay carrying and that wasn't too babyish. In the end I'm super happy with this one, its not the super stylish purse/diaper bag I would have chosen just for me but I love it!

 

shelbywilliams

I also got the Kate Spade (stevie)!  I'm already a huge KS fan, but I was beyond impressed with the features they thought to put into a diaper bag.  The fact that it's all wipeable nylon is awesome.  The stroller straps - genius.  Has great pockets and storage for mom stuff, and the changing pad has pockets built into it so you can fit some diapers and wipes and grab-n-go for a quick change.  Plus I love the design of the bag and it's not an obvious "baby bag" so I can use it forever.  DH fully supported the purchase (actually encouraged it, I was going to get something more androgynous) and was super impressed with all of the features when I was showing it off to him.

I know everyone has a different preference on the "right" bag for them, just my $0.02.  (I also read great reviews about the Skip Hop.) 

 

TristaD81

Most important to me:

1. Stroller clips!!! Iuse my stroller all.the.time and it is so amazing to be able to easily clip the bag onto the handle bar.

2. Lots of pockets, zippers closed at the top.

3. Machine washable

4. Not cutesy

I currently have the Skip Hop duo and I freaking love it. I'm going to buy another one. Not because I need it, but because I want something new