Nurseries and Baby Gear

Diaper Bags are driving me nuts!

So I'm expecting my first in Feb and I'm going on a hunt for a diaper bag. I love bag shopping so I thought this would be fun! I've been scouring these boards for recommendations for two weeks now and I still can't seem to narrow it down. I always loved the look of the Kate Spade Stevie Bag and thought for sure I'd go for that, but after reading some reviews, it doesn't seem as practical as a baby bag should be--although its SUPER CUTE! I love organization and pockets in my bags so I was looking into SkipHop's Grand Central or the Studio....but then started looking into JuJuBe's BFF. I never wanted a backpack, but hear many people talking how good it is when you are doing a lot of walking with baby. The plus side to me with BFF is the amount of organization it has, but the downside is price and there aren't stroller straps! Lastly, I could always go with Vera's baby bag, but again no stroller straps? Not sure.

I've never been good at making decisions, so this is one in the same.  I know many of you love your Stevie, Studio, and BFF--I've read past posts. I just thought typing out my own post would get out some of my confusion over which bag to get. :)  

Also--is it normal for my and DH to each have our own bags? He wants a diaper dude.

Thanks for listening! If you'd like to offer me some advice, I'll gladly take it. 

Re: Diaper Bags are driving me nuts!

  • I have 5 diaper bags plus one for my husband. I don't think that's the norm but I like changing them out with the seasons or even with outfits (casual versus a dressier affair).

    I actually really like the Kate Spade Stevie bag and find it really practical. It's roomy and easy to find things in. Plus, the changing pad that comes with it is probably the best out of any diaper bag I own. I have the Skip Hop Duo and Studio. I find them okay for smaller trips but I'm someone who likes to pack a lot and, honestly, I find them too small. I have a giant Marc Jacobs bag that is fantastic and probably my favorite simply because it can fit so much-- it's almost like an overnighter. It was super useful for the newborn phase when carrying more than you need isn't a terrible idea since you never know what will get spit, peed or pooped on. I have a Petunia Picklebottom boxy backpack that I like for clipping to a stroller (also has a good changing pad) but I don't love it for everyday use because I'm just not a backpack person, plus, now that my son is older, we don't need much for everyday trips so I've defaulted to a smaller, more handbag like bag. My new go-to bag is the baby Cargo Georgi stroller bag. I love it because it looks more like a regular handbag but has plenty of space for everything that a toddler needs (plus my wallet, keys, phone and stuff.

    TL;DR: I have too many bags.
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  • Kate spade is having a 2 day 75% off sale on some diaper bags. Just to make your decision harder!!!
  • When you're looking at bags imagine yourself getting stuff out of it quickly. That means actually finding stuff and not digging to the bottom to get one item.

    Things to consider:
    Size
    Pocket Function
    Bag Layout
    Bag Weight

    Out of all of my bags I keep going back to my OiOi carry all with the 2 boys, but I loved the OiOi hobo bag with 1 LO. I think it's because the bags carry wider and not deeper so I'm not constantly digging around my bag for something. Wider bags also seem to hold more stuff than other bags so I've never needed a backpack.

    The OiOi bags have pockets in places that make sense and it's really easy to find stuff and they carry like a purse, so I've never needed to use the stroller attachment. In fact I've gotten compliments on my "purse" several times only to tell someone it's a diaper bag. They have them at Nordstrom, BBB, and amazon in a ton of styles if you're looking.

    I also have a Timi and Leslie Leather Tote and stuff constantly makes it to the bottom of that bag it's also heavier. I like the parent bag, but it needs more pockets in the actual bag. It's annoying because the bag was kinda pricey and I'm not loving it.

    OiOi has dad bags too, but my DH hides from the baby stuff. I've never known a dad with a bag.



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  • eyenigh said:

    I have 5 diaper bags plus one for my husband.

    This. And the whole rest of your post made me smile! Big help!! Thanks so much!
  • FmrAFBrat said:

    When you're looking at bags imagine yourself getting stuff out of it quickly. That means actually finding stuff and not digging to the bottom to get one item.

    Things to consider:
    Size
    Pocket Function
    Bag Layout
    Bag Weight


    This. Great advice thank you!
  • I first ordered the Ju Ju Be BFF and absolutely loved it! You can can their stroller attachments that snap into the metal rings on the side of the bag. I ended up sending it back and getting the Be Prepared as we are having twins and plan to cloth diaper so I needed the extra room. 

    I'd looked at A LOT of Youtube videos and reviews of the bags I was interested in and that helped a lot. And for some strange reason I find it fascinating to see what people carry. 
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  • aeh72aeh72 member
    edited August 2013

    When I was initially looking for diaper bags I convinced myself that it was ridiculous for me and DH to have separate diaper bags (and that is coming from a girl who is a purse "ho". I love buying purses!). I wanted to pack one bag and know it always had what we needed whether I or DH was carrying it.  So, I got the Skip Hop Via Messenger. Great bag that was not girly so I knew DH would be comfortable carrying it.  Cut to a year later and DH had probably carried the diaper on his own without me, once maybe twice.  Around DS' first birthday, I went out and bought myself a Kate Spade diaper bag - which is what I really wanted all long.  I got the Serena model.  I LOVE it!  I wish I had bought one for me at the beginning and just gotten a cheap messenger or backpack for DH in case he needed it.

    And, ditto the Kate Spade sale going on right now - they have some Stevie and Serena models on sale. 

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  • I love my JJB BFF.  You can use stroller clips from a variety of companies for it too. I use the Think King hooks and they are great because I don't have to undo a clip to get the bag off.  I just lift it off the hooks.  It's super organized and it's really easy for me to find things in it.  I had a different bag that was more tall and narrow and it felt like a black hole where I couldn't see what was really in it.  I love all the organization.  I only use it messenger style but I can see that once my son is walking, the backpack straps will be really handy chasing the 2 kids.  

    Let me say too that I wanted a dedicated diaper bag.  I didn't want to be carrying baby stuff around in my purse and moving things back and forth.  I also only wanted 1 diaper bag.  It's hard enough to make sure one bag is fully stocked so I am glad that we chose a print that's gender neutral so DH can carry it too.  And to be honest, my DH never takes the diaper bag.  If he's going out with DD, he packs a little JJB Quick with diapers and wipes.  
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  • Everyone left some good tips to ponder. I think I will be going with the Kate Spade Stevie, thanks for the heads up on the sale. I also have a Kate spade outlet near me. I just found a skip hop bag in TJMaxx that is pretty gender neutral so I bought it for $30. This will be my throw around bag for errands, etc. The KS Stevie will be for going out to nicer places/holidays. Thanks again for all your support! I'm glad I posted!
  • I don't have much advice on the diaper bag itself other then make sure like others have said that its easy to get into and that you have a zipper on the main compartment . Nothing sucks more then your diaper bag falling over and everything falling out while your trying to juggle and infant / toddler or child in general . One product that has helped me ALLOT are these organizers you can get made by Sugar booger . There awesome . The pack comes with four pouches ( there large btw) one for your clean clothes one for your dirty clothes that I keep folded and tucked away when I don't need it , one for your snacks and goodies and one for your little things like pacifiers , teethers, small toys our your extras. There amazing you just grab the pouch you need , you don't have to dig through the whole bag to find anything and everything else stays neat and organized . Added bonus it's super easy to transfer everything from bag to bag. I have four kids so I use a huge Patunia Pickle Bottom weekender bag and two sets of the Sugar Booger bags I love them .
  • I think I'm adding a vera bag to the mix. I use vera for all my other traveling/work bags, so I think a baby bag would be good. I'm going crazy here...this is what happens when you don't work in the summer. Too much time on my hands+can't buy nursery stuff yet til we find out the sex of the baby. Those bags sound great!
  • One trick I just learned to help organize my Stevie... I put a few diapers, a travel pack of wipes, and a tube of diaper ointment in a little zipper cosmetic bag (mine is LeSportsac, but anything would do) and it keeps those essentials separate and easy to find, plus I can grab that and stick it in my purse or the car for times I don't feel like taking the whole diaper bag.
  • aeh72 said:

    When I was initially looking for diaper bags I convinced myself that it was ridiculous for me and DH to have separate diaper bags (and that is coming from a girl who is a purse "ho". I love buying purses!). I wanted to pack one bag and know it always had what we needed whether I or DH was carrying it.  So, I got the Skip Hop Via Messenger. Great bag that was not girly so I knew DH would be comfortable carrying it.  Cut to a year later and DH had probably carried the diaper on his own without me, once maybe twice.  Around DS' first birthday, I went out and bought myself a Kate Spade diaper bag - which is what I really wanted all long.  I got the Serena model.  I LOVE it!  I wish I had bought one for me at the beginning and just gotten a cheap messenger or backpack for DH in case he needed it.

    And, ditto the Kate Spade sale going on right now - they have some Stevie and Serena models on sale. 

    Is the sale only happening in stores? I couldn't find anything online...
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  • I had the same dilemma. I literally just decided. I wanted one bad for both of us, but I know DH will never carry it. I thought I wanted a fancy purse type and bought a few, in the end I ended up returning them and getting this. It wasn't too pricey so if I want something different in a year I won't feel bad. I still think it looks cute, but isn't so purses for DH and also isn't too utilitarian. TBH, I don't know that I will care what my bag looks like when I am out with baby, and when I'm not I will just take my purse! https://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/gray-chevron-skip-hop-duo-diaper-bag/
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  • wiscomama said:
    aeh72 said:

    When I was initially looking for diaper bags I convinced myself that it was ridiculous for me and DH to have separate diaper bags (and that is coming from a girl who is a purse "ho". I love buying purses!). I wanted to pack one bag and know it always had what we needed whether I or DH was carrying it.  So, I got the Skip Hop Via Messenger. Great bag that was not girly so I knew DH would be comfortable carrying it.  Cut to a year later and DH had probably carried the diaper on his own without me, once maybe twice.  Around DS' first birthday, I went out and bought myself a Kate Spade diaper bag - which is what I really wanted all long.  I got the Serena model.  I LOVE it!  I wish I had bought one for me at the beginning and just gotten a cheap messenger or backpack for DH in case he needed it.

    And, ditto the Kate Spade sale going on right now - they have some Stevie and Serena models on sale. 

    Is the sale only happening in stores? I couldn't find anything online...
    I got an email notice about it.  I wonder if maybe it was a private sale because I'm online their email list?  It's going on until 11:59p.m. today (August 7th).  Maybe if you sign up before the deadline, you'll get access.
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  • I had a Kate Spade (although not the Stevie) and I hated it so much, it was not practical at all.  I now have the Timi and Leslie Dawn and I love it!  It is so organized, there is a spot for everything!
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  • Quality is key. You don't want to get a flimsy bag that can't withstand wear and tear. I've seen those bags that you can put photos and can tear fairly quickly. Petunia Picklebottom has some nice bags, but they're pretty heavy. I have a Kate Spade bag that is a diaper bag, but I used it for work and it's awesome!
  • OP, sounds like you've made a decision, but I thought I'd put in my two cents...
    I have the Lug Tuk Tuk and I love it.  It's lightweight, roomy, and functional, and I like the style.  It comes in many colour options, just like the rest of the Lug bags.
    Features I really appreciate:
    -several outer pockets for easy access
    -lined key/cellphone pocket
    -"feet" on the bottom of the bag so it stands up (there's nothing worse than a diaper bag tipping over when you're quickly trying to reach in for wipes, dipes, etc.)
    -plastic-lined bottom that's easy to wipe off

    Oh, and DH likes it because it's pretty gender-neutral, but we did go for the chocolate brown colour.

    Good luck!
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  • I got a SkipHop Studio before DD was born, and I still love it! I was often tempted to buy another since they used to be on babysteals frequently and the fabric patterns were so pretty, but honestly - I have never found one with all the compartments the Studio has. Not even in the pricy, popular brands.

    At a consignment sale I looked at a never-used JuJuBe boxy one and all I can say is - it's way overrated. I've seen the same bag twice since then, at this same twice-yearly sale.
  • My DD is almost 2 and I recently bought a Jujube BFF. Before that I had a skip hop dash which I used from birth to about a year. It was bulky to carry so I switched to a jujube hobobe and just used a seperate diaper clutch.

    Now that we have started potty training, I needed something a bit bigger so I could carry all the potty training stuff as well as the diaper stuff. That's why I bought the BFF. It's a nice bag and has plenty of space. It's a bit awkward as a backpack so I just took the straps off. It can get heavy if you really stuff it full though.

    Jujube sells straps to attach their bags to a stroller. I think they are $15. Just make sure the bag doesn't make your stroller tippy.
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