Alllll the diaper bag questions

mrsdanielleM2010 · May 2014

I'm having trouble choosing a diaper bag, and I'm hoping some STM experience can help, so here goes:

What were the key features you really used? I'm insisting so far on an insulated compartment or insert, the ability to hang it off a stroller, many pockets, and easy to wash/sturdy. I was 100% sold on the Skip Hop Forma until I saw it in person - it seemed like the quilting was susceptible to pulls and tears.

Did you and DH/SO share the same bag, or did you each have your own? How did this go, logistically?

If I buy a bag in the $50-75 range am I just going to have to replace it within the year? If you spent over $100 did you find it kept up through toddlerhood?

Finally, if there is a particular bag you either hated or adored, can you say which one and why?

Thanks everyone

TheNutt · May 2014

I am going to go with a nice purse like bag. Yes I will spend more money but I hate the way diaper bags look. My BFF bought a Kate Spade bag (at FULL price :0 ) and has used it for the last 4 years.It has held up really well. I do not expect it to last thru toddler hood for me simply because I get bored and will want to replace it with something new after a year but that is just me.

Beedeck · May 2014

I have a coach diaper bag it has held up well and I still use it. The biggest draw back for me is it doesn't open wide enough for me to dig through it, if something is at the bottom of the bag I usually have to take a bunch of stuff out to find it. It does have a lot of pockets though which is really nice, and I like the long strap as well as two handle straps, I use them each depending on what else I am carrying at the time.

DH has a messenger bag he registered for and we received as a shower gift. He used to keep it stocked when DS was younger and would use it when he would take him out. It was much lighter than the coach diaper bag and not so bulky.

Ceridwen21 · May 2014

I have the Skip Hop Versa and it lasted me pretty well through to DS' toddlerhood (he's now 2.5), but the seams are starting to tear and two of the zippers are broken. In all fairness though, I used and abused his bag every single day so I do feel like I got my $70 worth. I did find it to be too small for my needs though. I could not cloth diaper on the go with it, which was disappointing.

I just bought the Kate Spade Clementine and am very excited about it. Seems a lot roomier and more stylish, so I think I will even be able to use it post-diaper bag needing phase (ex. overnight bag).

DH and I shared the diaper bag (though I was the one using it 95% of the time). He is not thrilled about the Kate Spade so he will probably use the Skip Hop when he takes the kids out on his own. Sharing was not logistically complicated. We didn't bring it to/from daycare so it was really only just for outings. Whoever had DS had the bag.

For me, a very important feature is being able to wear it hands-free, so an over the shoulder strap is a must (I'm really not a fan of backpacks). Otherwise, just get the biggest one you can find, especially if you want to cloth diaper and/or bottle feed.

Bella2425 · May 2014

I got a big honkin' plastic lined insulated thing (graco maybe?) before I had the baby thinking it was perfect (big, lots of pockets, wipeable) but in the end it was just SO BULKY. I felt like it was all diaper bag and no contents. I found a smaller simple JJ Cole hobo diaper bag on clearance at Target shortly after he was born and loved it. It was smaller, but didn't have all the bulk, so I could actually fit more in it! All that to say, just think about the bulk of the actual bag when looking.

JSS1002 · May 2014

I splurged on a PPB boxy backpack - it is just plain black, DH and I share it. At first, I left it at daycare in the mornings so that DH would have it at pickup if he needed/wanted to go somewhere, but that NEVER happened, and it was one more thing to remember at the end of the day, so now the bag pretty much stays in my car, in our front room, or with us if we are out and about with baby.

Features I like:

Ability to hang off the stroller.

Backpack straps in addition to shoulder strap

Lots of pockets

Mom pocket (ie, somewhere I can stash lip gloss, my keys, and a small wristlet)

Things I way way way overthought:

Everything, including attached changing mat (have maybe used one time)

Insulated portion -- this doesn't have it, and I worried about that, and I have never once needed it. I just have a very small cooler bag that fits into the diaper bag.

Mostly I just wanted it to be compact enough to be convenient and I do like the option to wear it like a backpack. At 13-14 months old, it is mostly a vehicle for diapers. When LO was tiny, I needed a lot more, but never needed it as much as I thought I would.

I have it packed like I'm a doomsday prepper, though. ;-)

ashaw512 · May 2014

I just used a regular diaper bag that I bought from a boutique it was a Belluvah. At not quite a year,maybe 10 months when DD started using sippy cups in stead of bottles I got a Stephen Johnson quilted backpack. I just upgraded to a bigger but small backpack that I ordered from etsy, its big enough for pull ups, wipe case, 2 sippy cups, snack bag, small bottle of bubbles, and an extra outfit. Usually her shoes and my wallet and water bottle end up in there too. Its about as big as a messenger bag, not as big as a pre-k backpack.

Djcieply · May 2014

We were gifted a diaper dude messenger bag I think its around $90 on amazon. I wanted something that DH would be fine with carrying and didnt want two different bags. DH didnt need his own bag since the diaper bag stayed with DS if he was anywhere other than our house.

I like it, I got a skip hop clutch with a detachable changing pad and I used that pad instead of the one that came with the bag. Things can get a little tight when trying to pack for an all day outing (mainly when I was packing bottles and baby food), but usually I over pack. It does have a single insulated bottle area attached to it, but I got an insulated insert for breast milk and baby food (I made my own baby food). Its been going strong for 2.5 years and hardly shows any signs of wear. The fabric also makes it very easy to clean and it also comes with the clips to hang it on a stroller. This is the only bag I have any experience with so I have no input on other bags.

brittneyandadam · May 2014

I'm curious...any thoughts on the Skip Hop Duo? Seems to get good reviews but when I checked it out, it looked a little small

DandelionAZO · May 2014

We could not go out without our backpack. We just used a standard backpack (left over from college) which works just fine for us.

ConversationFear · May 2014

Not sure which one yet - but we KNOW we want a messenger style bag. That's all we both carry, bag-wise anyway, so it will be the most comfortable for both of us. Our biggest need is space because it's going to serve as an overnight bag when going to my mom's house on weekends. I do not want to lug 12 different bags with us if we don't have to. My mom will have a lot of things at her house in place, so that helps, but we need to be able to get as much stuff as we can inside!

emmylu30 · May 2014

With DS I got the Skip Hop Studio Bag which I liked but DH didn't like to carry it because it was too "girly". He had a diaper dude messenger bag that he used and eventually we just started carrying that when would go out together then eventually I just started carrying when I went out by myself also so I didn't have to switch out bags. I really liked the space in the Skip Hop Studio Bag while I was still pumping but I thought the space in the Diaper Dude bag was fine but a little tight inside the bag although the outside pockets are awesome. I think we will try to get a backpack to use for both DS1 and DS2 this go around.

suitern · May 2014

We use the Vera Bradley diaper bag for DS until about a year ago when I switched to a large purse/backpack for him. I will still use the VB bag for the baby and carry DS's stuff in his backpack. I will eventually switch back to my large Coach purse when she is older and needs less things.

kayemgi · May 2014

We're planning on getting a Diaper Dude. I like to carry a big purse, and a big bulky diaper bag on top of that doesn't sound appealing to me. Plus we have so many random tote bags and messenger bags and all kinds of bags laying around the house, so maybe I can cobble together a combo of small bags in a big bag that will work as a diaper bag if necessary. I've read the Diaper Dude can be a little small, so if that's the case and throwing stuff in my purse/a bag we already own is not working out, I figure I can pick something up at a later date when I have a better idea of exactly what I want/need.

MrsLaLaBug · May 2014

What were the key features you really used? I wanted to be able to haul ERRYTHANG in one bag. Wanted to be able to bring a bottle or drinks without worrying about spillage(see bottle/sippy cup pockets)

Did you and DH/SO share the same bag, or did you each have your own? How did this go, logistically? We share the big bag, and we both have a stash of extra diapers/wipes in our vehicles if we are just running out somewhere and don't need the large one.

If I buy a bag in the $50-75 range am I just going to have to replace it within the year? Depends on the quality, I guess?

If you spent over $100 did you find it kept up through toddlerhood? I purchased mine from the PPB Outlet and paid over $100, and it is still in perfect condition after well over a year of use.

Finally, if there is a particular bag you either hated or adored, can you say which one and why? this is the bag I have, just a different pattern. I adore it. I'll be buying a boxy backpack this time as well.

hope this helps and good luck with your search!!

CplusJ=S · May 2014

I love my Ju Ju Be BFF. I have had it for over 2 years and it still looks brand new. It is more expensive than others, but well worth the cost. It can be carried messenger style or used as a backpack, it has a mommy pocket where you can store your wallet, sunglasses, keys, etc. It is made from antimicrobial material and coated in Teflon and can be washed in the machine. It has tons of pockets for organizing everything. The changing pad and shoulder staps are made with memory foam. It's got metal luggage feet on the bottom so it never sits on the dirty floor. The lining is light so it's easier to see what's inside. We cloth diapered and I was worried it wouldn't be big enough, but it couldn't have been more perfect.

jmolr · May 2014

I love love love my kate spade diaper bag. It's taken a beating but it's still going strong. It is fabric so it doesn't wipe clean but it comes in different fabrics so you can choose one that cleans easier. This is the same style I have

https://www.katespade.com/veranda-place-grosgrain-stevie-baby-bag/PXRU5042,en_US,pd.html?dwvar_PXRU5042_color=017&cgid=ks-handbags-baby-bags#start=8&cgid=ks-handbags-baby-bags

It's more than enough room and I definitely did not pay even a third of that price. If you live near a kate spade outlet you can find some great deals on older styles, especially when they're having special holiday sales.

If you want to go a cheaper route my friends love the le sportsac diaper bag and they also got it on sale at the outlets.

kayemgi · May 2014

CplusJ=S said:

I love my Ju Ju Be BFF. I have had it for over 2 years and it still looks brand new. It is more expensive than others, but well worth the cost. It can be carried messenger style or used as a backpack, it has a mommy pocket where you can store your wallet, sunglasses, keys, etc. It is made from antimicrobial material and coated in Teflon and can be washed in the machine. It has tons of pockets for organizing everything. The changing pad and shoulder staps are made with memory foam. It's got metal luggage feet on the bottom so it never sits on the dirty floor. The lining is light so it's easier to see what's inside. We cloth diapered and I was worried it wouldn't be big enough, but it couldn't have been more perfect.

You are selling the shit out of this bag! I'm going to check it out.

jortiz780 · May 2014

brittneyandadam said:
I'm curious...any thoughts on the Skip Hop Duo? Seems to get good reviews but when I checked it out, it looked a little small

I'm a FTM but I bought the Skip Hop Duo on Amazon. It looked small online but when I got it I was pleasantly surprised at the size. Not too small and not too large. I figure it will work for our needs. I just got the black one so DH can use it too and it won't get too dirty. I love the stroller straps too.

teenybean · May 2014

I've had a single large pocket bag with a zipper and one side flap pocket cheapie bag from Walmart for 5 years. It was about $18. And its been beat up snd still works great!
It has a a little Winnie the Pooh on it. So its very unisex, but my husband wouldn't care either way. It has a strap that can be cross bodied and hung on my stroller.
It's not too large that it won't fit in my under stroller basket when stuffed full, or tip my stroller over when hung from the handled. I used leftover receiving blankets for diaper changing pads cause they're lightweight and I can wash often. I don't like the kind they try to sell you.
I carried a separate soft side medela cooler if I needed to carry breastmilk...which wasn't often so I didn't need an insulated portion, but consider having it separated anyway for easier cleaning and avoiding spills.

As a habit I always had 2-3 extra diapers in my trunk plus a pack of wipes for multipurpose use, so my bag didn't need to be huge.

I also found even with the smaller size of it, when they get to toddler hood and the extra outfit you put in gets less use, if you aren't the kind of person to constantly inventory and clean out, those things get lost and forgotten. So it'll be a change in season and suddenly you need you spare shirt/pants and its 6months too small or shorts when you needed pants.

That helped me keep a handle on checking in with the activity to make sure I kinda said to myself before leaving the house...."do I have a sweatshirt, or extra shoes?" Rather than stuffing all that in there full time just in case, if that makes sense.

Ceridwen21 · May 2014

I think another factor to consider is whether or not you plan on still carrying a purse when you use your diaper bag. I did not. The diaper bag essentially became my purse during my 1 year mat leave, and still is now on the weekends. I keep my wallet, phone, lip gloss and keys in a separate pocket.

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