@britvahok thanks for the link...i just ordered it too!
funny, because my seemingly UO is that i am not a fan of backpacks. this one looks pretty practical though (not to mention cute) and i am thinking my older kids might prefer it to the shoulder bags because it is more what they are used to carrying.
i have a satchel-type diaper bag with a zip top (although i installed a strong magnetic snap too. i can literally hold it upside down and the snap holds, so i usually use that but can still zip it when i want to). I think my biggest complaint with backpacks is that I like to be able to just reach down and grab what i need (especially if i am trying to grab a burp rag or wipe in a hurry!), so a backpack or messenger bag with a flap just add an extra step for me.
I also have a Lands End boat tote (someone else mentioned but i can't who right now) that i use when we are all going somewhere (pool/day trips/etc.). It is pretty big but then again so is our family, so it works. It can easily fit four beach towels and the rest of what we have along on a regular basis.
@norahkate I wasn't a fan of backpacks either! I have a Vera Bradley and Kate Spade diaper bag. They're both cute but with LO#3 I need the space and convenience of a backpack.
Getting flashbacks to my pumping days and thinking of carrying all this stuff - laptop bag, pump bag, and lunch bag - I don't even carry a purse with all this stuff when I'm going to work.
With my first, I bought a Pottery Barn backpack and loved it! I keep seeing advertisements on Facebook for the Bliss bag, and I’m thinking it may be the perfect bag this time around!
Does anyone have thoughts on a backpack with a laptop pocket?
I often carry my laptop and think it would be useful to have a bag that does it all for traveling, weekend trips, etc. I don't think I would carry my laptop every day, but we probably travel for my work about 1-2 weekends per month.
We are thinking about trying cloth diapering though (as long as our new apartment has in-unit laundry!), so I guess I'm squicked out by throwing a laptop in with gross wet diapers. Maybe if the laptop compartment is on the outside?
We currently have the skip hope duo grey backpack on our registry. It was my husband’s pick because he thinks he will be carrying everything when we go out. There is a bit of truth to that! I was planning on buying the striped skip hop duo messenger style for myself and to clip to the stroller while on mat leave. It’s rated quite highly and you can find it for a pretty good price. Today is my first day off for the summer so I’ve been doing some intense baby research here and on the internet and am now leaning towards the jujube bff. It looks super cute but breaking the hundred dollar mark is hard for me. I like that it can be a backpack and a shoulder bag and looks good for after the baby is older as a gym bag. Worth the splurge? I’m planning on only having one.
@jenchoo Literally every single mom I know has the JuJuBe BFF and they all love them. I'm a little ADD with diaper bags and like to switch it up too often to spend that much on a bag I know I probably won't use long enough to justify the price.
Oh good, I have the BFF on my registry! Also related...I have a breast pump bag as well. Is that necessary? I'd use to haul my pump to work everyday and probably use it as a purse too.
It was big enough that I used it everyday for my pump, purse, and lunch back and forth to work. I think whether or not you want separate bags ti personal preference, I thought it was easier to have just the one.
@SawyerRichardson thanks for the insight. I had a 50 amazon card so I splurged and got the bff legacy in Queen of the Nile. Can’t wait to get it because it looks so classy. I’m going on a weekend trip with a girlfriend and it might even fit the bill for that.
For all the Canadian moms, Amazon.ca currently has some prints like the one I got, on for $125 CND. It’s still a lot more than the Skip Hop bag I was going to buy but I literally researched this bag for two hours and it seems worth it.
@jenchoo I totally splurged on the BFF when my first was 2 and we had nooo idea when we were going to have #2. My husband was livid and thought I lost my mind. Mostly because our son was already 2. But... I love love love it! We had two other bags we used for a year each that were adequate but I wasn’t happy with either one, and they were each $60. The comfort factor is the biggest reason I wanted it, and I’ve been sooo happy ever since. I use the heck out of it, taking it everywhere with us. I use it as a backpack the most. We ended up pregnant with #2 right after I bought it (thank goodness...) and she’s now 18 months, and I’m pregnant with #3, without wanting to change bags! Except maybe to get a new print
The jujube bff is also what I registered for. I liked that I could wear it like a backpack, but could also open it up more like a purse (as in go digging for something without having to put it down).
Just seeing this now but I highly recommend the brand lily jade! They’re really nice quality bags that can convert from tote, to messenger, to backpack and don’t look like average diaper bags. They come with removable inserts so when diaper days are over you can use it as a regular purse. They’re pricey, but there’s several buy sell trade Facebook groups that you can find them for good deals if you don’t want to pay full price. I have the Shaylee and am obsessed. I love a good, classic leather bag.
UO: Hated my BFF. Didn't think it was big enough. But never looked around for something I liked better. I also didn't use daycare, so my use for a diaper bag was limited.
Ads for this one keep popping up on my Facebook. It looks nice, has anyone had any experience with it? DH wants us to get something that he also feels comfortable carrying. He will be doing morning daycare drop offs and likely carrying it a lot too. I want something that has the two backpack straps, but I don’t want it to look too bookbag like
So I've been researching different backpack styles since I saw this thread bumped the other day, and I know that with a toddler and a new baby I'll be ditching the shoulder bag... These are the ones that I have it down to, I think.. anyone have them or have any thoughts on them?
Edited to add - I want one that's going to be big enough to hold what I want/need, but doesn't look ridiculously huge (especially since I'm only 5'2"). The vector seems pretty functional, but also looks to be the biggest of the three, so not sure I'll love that.
@tropical1982 from what I read the bff can be considered small for multiple children and it’s smaller than the BRB. I think people like it so much because you can use it purse style or convert to a backpack. They have a larger Be Prepared style but people say that it can get heavy and it can’t be used as a backpack.
@spartan4life I looked that up on Amazon and it brings you to a differently named bag but the same style, called Land. I registered for the grey with gold accents and DH got grey with brown leather accents. For $40 each, if they last us a year, that's fine! DH is a shopaholic and wants different colors for different seasons so I won't feel bad if he decides to swap it out mid-year for something else.
Curious if any other moms have this though, I've read almost every amazon review on it, but I'd like to hear from you ladies.
I was back and forth between the BRB and this bag from Amazon. I decided on the Amazon bag since it was so much cheaper. I couldn't justify the price of the BRB because this will be my 3rd diaper bag. So far I love this bag, I get so many compliments and it will hold everything for my 2 under 2.
@sammierose464 I got the skip hop pumping bag at BRU before they closed for $30. I'm going to dig my pump out this weekend and see how everything fits. I dont know that its necessary so much as helpful, at least in my case. I think they'll be plenty of room for me to toss my wallet and keys inside as well. I dont have to bring much to work with me though.
FTM so maybe I am totally missing this, but we were just planning on using a tactical backpack that is nice and roomy and have a million compartments/pockets.
@jellybelly114 a couple weeks ago we baked a big ham for dinner, and it was totally awesome. Did a maple brown sugar glaze and it was sooooo good.
Also, FWIW, @SweetSweetTooth, we got a “diaper bag” with DS that included a changing pad, but still ended up buying a separate changing pad to keep in our bag and we didn’t use the one that came with it. I know each brand is different, but the changing pad that came with our diaper bag was so cheap, small and flimsy that we went with a better one anyway. So my point is you’re not missing much if you just get one separately and use a regular backpack
@SweetSweetTooth I have 3 diaper bags and they all came with changing pads. I have 2 of the summer infant changing pads. I keep 1 in the nursery and 1 on the main floor.
My Jujube BFF came today! I love it and feel like it was definitely worth the money. I don’t know how it will practically work as a diaper bag but it’ll be a great bag personally for short trips, the gym, and even work. I love how it opens so you can see all your stuff inside and they clearly put a lot of thought into the organization of pockets. I currently have it stuffed with everything I’d need for an overnight trip including my laptop which fits nicely in the pocket for the change pad. I have a 12 inch MacBook but a 13 inch would definitely fit too. I’m going on a weekend trip with a friend in a few weeks and it is coming instead of the wheeled carryon I was planning to lug onto the train. I can also fit a full size long wallet/crossbody in the mommy pocket along with all the other necessities so I don’t need to go without a purse.
Some surprises: it’s a bit heavy fully packed so I’d probably use the backpack mode most. Bonus: it doesn’t look silly as a backpack like many convertible bags and the straps are super comfy and well made. I was also surprised the change pad seems a bit small and the metal hardware clangs with movement.
@jenchoo I have been able to pack enough for a kid in diapers and one potty trained for most places I go. I have to go back reorganize it at the moment (E was playing in it) but I can show you how I’ve made it work beautifully if you’d like.
Re: Product Spotlight: Diaper Bags
https://www.amazon.com/Multi-function-Straps-Insulated-Pockets-Changing-Anti-Water-Gray-5284/dp/B01MCWVQN1/ref=sr_1_16_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1528899145&sr=1-16&keywords=bookbag+diaper+bag&th=1
Getting flashbacks to my pumping days and thinking of carrying all this stuff - laptop bag, pump bag, and lunch bag - I don't even carry a purse with all this stuff when I'm going to work.
I often carry my laptop and think it would be useful to have a bag that does it all for traveling, weekend trips, etc. I don't think I would carry my laptop every day, but we probably travel for my work about 1-2 weekends per month.
We are thinking about trying cloth diapering though (as long as our new apartment has in-unit laundry!), so I guess I'm squicked out by throwing a laptop in with gross wet diapers. Maybe if the laptop compartment is on the outside?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-Gotham-Collection-Backpack-Diaper-Bag-with-Smart-Organizer-System-Black-Grey/34764544?listId=f50e6982-8fb5-4431-aeab-5db715c1651e&listType=BR&listItemId=1402f559-0a11-4f61-a753-9311f9d6479f®istryId=99551298146&selected=true
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BHPCVCF?colid=1PHESZF2D5WS2&coliid=I3SHK9B8KDRDTT&ref=br_mb_ov_item_detail
https://www.skiphop.com/skiphop-diaper-bags/VC_216008.html?dwvar_VC__216008_color=Stripe&cgid=skiphop-diaper-bags&dwvar_VC__216008_size=NS#navID=header&start=1&cgid=skiphop-diaper-bags
It was big enough that I used it everyday for my pump, purse, and lunch back and forth to work. I think whether or not you want separate bags ti personal preference, I thought it was easier to have just the one.
For all the Canadian moms, Amazon.ca currently has some prints like the one I got, on for $125 CND. It’s still a lot more than the Skip Hop bag I was going to buy but I literally researched this bag for two hours and it seems worth it.
https://www.amazon.ca/Ju-Ju-Be-Legacy-Collection-B-F-F-Convertible/dp/B00I0P7WIU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1
https://www.lily-jade.com/
https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/ju-ju-be-reg-onyx-be-right-back-diaper-bag-in-black-out/1060172341
https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/xy-by-ju-ju-be-reg-vector-diaper-bag-in-carbon/1061853096
https://shop.ju-ju-be.com/base-carbon/
Edited to add - I want one that's going to be big enough to hold what I want/need, but doesn't look ridiculously huge (especially since I'm only 5'2"). The vector seems pretty functional, but also looks to be the biggest of the three, so not sure I'll love that.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B077N4G6DW?colid=186AI6OGGW8FS&coliid=I1H9CZ11ZLDE1D&ref=br_ADD_TO_CART_title_link
TTC since 2016
Due: October 12, 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada
Curious if any other moms have this though, I've read almost every amazon review on it, but I'd like to hear from you ladies.
https://www.amazon.com/Multi-function-Straps-Insulated-Pockets-Changing-Anti-Water-Gray-5284/dp/B01MCWVQN1/ref=sr_1_25_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1530799486&sr=1-25&keywords=diaper+bag+backpack+for+mom&th=1
ETA some where out there in bump world there is person who's screen name is sweetsweetham, I almost tagged them by mistake
Also, FWIW, @SweetSweetTooth, we got a “diaper bag” with DS that included a changing pad, but still ended up buying a separate changing pad to keep in our bag and we didn’t use the one that came with it. I know each brand is different, but the changing pad that came with our diaper bag was so cheap, small and flimsy that we went with a better one anyway. So my point is you’re not missing much if you just get one separately and use a regular backpack
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Contoured-Changing-Pad/dp/B009EDSWJA/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1531151234&sr=1-5&keywords=diaper+changing+pad&dpID=31fx5WTzQaL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1
Some surprises: it’s a bit heavy fully packed so I’d probably use the backpack mode most. Bonus: it doesn’t look silly as a backpack like many convertible bags and the straps are super comfy and well made. I was also surprised the change pad seems a bit small and the metal hardware clangs with movement.