Product Spotlight: Diaper & Pump Bags

okayestmom12 · October 2018

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's....Diaper & Pump Bags!

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste prompts as needed.

For S+TMs:

Favorite [Diaper & Pump Bags]:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
What you like about it:
What you don't like about it, if anything:
Are there [Diaper & Pump Bags] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
Additional thoughts on [Diaper & Pump Bags]:

For FTMs:

[Diaper & Pump Bags] you're interested in:
Link/picture:
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Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:

To view past product spotlights, add suggestions for future spotlights see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NZB2b3JaDWH7WnSQ0ZZMP4cMmKjUHFjlPanVeDTuzPY/edit?usp=sharing

Please feel free to add in suggestions at the bottom if there is anything you want to discuss... if you can't edit the spreadsheet, tag me below or shoot me a message.

(Also just a reminder that if anyone wants to revive old threads to ask questions as we get further along and it becomes more likely everyone is doing further research, please feel free!)

okayestmom12 · October 2018

Before kids, buying handbags was my favorite hobby. Over the past 6+ years of mom'ming, I've switched from handbags to diaper bags

.

I started w/ a Vera Bradley with my DD and then went to a Timi & Leslie, then a Skip Hop, then a Petunia Picklebottom, then a Coach bag, then a Longchamp tote when she was older and required less. They were all similar in style w/ them being tote style bags.

With my DS, I started out with a JuJuBe BFF style bag and I've been pretty brand loyal to them ever since. I love how organized the bags help me be - lots of pockets, a great "Mommy Pocket" for my wallet/ keys/ lip gloss. I switched to carrying a JuJuBe BRB style bag a couple of years ago and prefer that style to the BFF because it's taller where the BFF is wider. I find that it fits my "stuff" better - I currently carry a JuJuBe Be Quick (think big wristlet) inside w/ snacks, another Be Quick w/ a change of clothes/ wipes for the newly trained DS, a pack of Boogie Wipes, my Longchamp small cosmetic case, and a small first aid kit. There also a pocket on the back that the changing pad slips into but I use that to bring the kids Kindles when we need to. The top pocket is wher eI keep my keys and Tums (essentials!). Then the Mommy Pocket has my wallet, etc. Two bottle pockets on the outside are great for my kids water bottles or mine (Depending on where we are headed).

I own 6 BRB's (including the Olive Rose one I bought to use with this little guy seen here) and rotate. It's a great, washable bag - a true workhorse.

Recently I've been intrigued by the Freshly Picked leather backpack style bag and will probably grab one on Black Friday. I love their moccs for the littles so I'm sure the diaper bag will be great too.

One thing I will say is that I love a backpack style bag. Once I purchased a JJB BFF, I knew I'd never go back to a non backpack just because it makes life so easy - sling the backpack on my back, grab the kiddo, and go. I can also babywear while carrying a backpack style bag, so that's a bonus for me.

hannahbananas11 · October 2018

FTM here. For a diaper bag, we're planning to use our Patagonia backpack (https://www.patagonia.com/product/chacabuco-backpack-30-liters/47927.html). It's got a lot of pockets, and two water bottle holders that will double as baby bottle holders. We wanted something that isn't too feminine looking, since H will also be carrying it regularly. Plus, we already had this backpack.
For a pump bag for work, I bought a Sarah Wells Lizzy bag (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WRR81Q6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aZ1UBb5DT5P5H). I like the floral print, and it has two insulated pockets. The Spectra pump that I'm planning to get fits in one of the compartments, and I can put milk and an ice pack in the other insulated compartment when I commute home each day. The bag feels well-made, though it's a little larger than what I normally like.

kayjay44 · October 2018

For our first, we used a PPB (petunia pickle bottom) boxy backpack bag that my mom bought us - we kind of hated it and now use it for a daycare bag. For our diaper bag, we got a Timbuk2 diaper bag - it’s messenger style - we love it. We will be using it again!

For my pump, I just used whatever. I didn’t care for a functional pumping bag and whatever bag worked fine.

BourbonBiscuits · October 2018

I'm fascinated by the idea of a pump bag. I love having things organized and having pockets where things belong, but I wonder if it's worth dropping $100 for a bag. Although this time my goal is to pump for the entire first year (with DS I stopped at like 4 months) so maybe the cost will motivate me to try longer.

thechickendance · October 2018

@okayestmom12 so you have owned over 14 diaper bags!? I'm a little concerned, but also impressed!!

hannahbananas11 · October 2018

@BourbonBiscuits I was skeptical of it, but one of my colleagues just had a baby last year and said that it's been really useful to have. There's a lactation room in our building, but it's two floors away and in a different wing, so you've got to trek a ways to get there. The bag will allow me to carry the pump, a book, my laptop and other work things, lunch/snacks, and my phone/wallet without everything getting jumbled together. I think if people plan to pump in their own office, then it wouldn't be as necessary to get a bag.
Side note: I'm jealous of everyone who has an office to themselves with no windows (or windows with blinds). I share my office with one other person (the male colleague who is basically Dwight Schrute), and the office has floor to ceiling windows that open up to the main library entrance.

kayjay44 · October 2018

@hannahbananas11 - I never carried my pumping stuff back and forth because our rooms had storage - Our rooms here do too. Is that an option?

etnyah · October 2018

Obviously I won’t know how things pan out. But I plan on breastfeeding as much as possible and will get a pump. I’m not going back to work until baby is 6 months old though. Do people generally still pump at that point? Not sure if getting a bag for the pump with all the bells and whistles is a good investment if I’ll barely use it.

kayjay44 · October 2018

@grebretso - I pumped for a year both times. It's also helpful if you want to build a stash for a night away (we left DD with my parents at 5 months) or even just a date night and you don't want to formula supplement.

etnyah · October 2018

@kayjay44 thanks, that’s good to know! I’m just dreading having to lug the pump back and forth between home and work (I take the bus and walk a mile), but maybe I’ll just keep the main pump at work and have a manual one at home. Coworkers will have to deal with my breast milk hanging out in the colloquial fridge!

hannahbananas11 · October 2018

@kayjay44 Unfortunately we don't have storage options in the lactation room, so we have to lug everything back and forth with us to use it. It's basically a single-use bathroom with a shower and a small sitting area, right off of a major hallway in the building. It's open to the public, so anyone has access to it, not just nursing moms, and lots of people use it just as a restroom.

etnyah · October 2018

@hannahbananas11 I shared an office with Dwight Schrute too up until recently! So glad I have my own office now. It has a window with no blinds, but I can get someone to install blinds for me I’m sure.

cmjenkies · October 2018

@okayestmom12 what do you think about JJB pump bags? I’m also pretty brand loyal to JJB for diaper bags after my second baby. I used a Blackout Be Classy with a matching fuel cell for most day to day last time if I was taking a diaper bag along. I also have a Space Place BRB with the matching set. I love it but don’t send it with sitters or anything because I don’t want them to ruin it, haha. Anymore, I use it as my own overnight travel bag.

I love backpack style bags too, but once baby is around 6m and older I’m usually wearing them in a back carry in the Tula and I can’t wear both in that case. I don’t like to front carry nearly as much after that point.

dcaron10 · October 2018

For a diaper bag I first tried a tote style (don’t remember the brand) and it kind of got annoying always falling off my shoulder. So then I tried a backpack diaper bag and I love it https

/www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N33G062?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title

For a pump bag I spent a little extra on the free medela pump that came with the insurance and you can get a pump bag, little cooler bag, some bottles and extra pump parts. To me it was so worth it. I just used the bag like a purse to carry to work and put my wallet and stuff in there so I only had to carry one bag. Then I just put the bottles in a regular lunch box

conchispita · October 2018

We got a skip hop diaper bag as a gift and hated it, way too bulky.
DH bought something similar to this on from Walmart and it worked well for us (they don’t seem to carry the exact same one any more):

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Boom-Cross-Hatch-Backpack-Diaper-Bag/964001568

For pumping I used the bag that came with the pump. I’m super cheap when it comes to this stuff.

sjnsjnsjn · October 2018

@dcaron10- Thx for that Rec. We have a big ugly shoulder diaper bag that I hate, and I def want a new bag for the newbie. That one looks pretty great with the way it organizes and front opens, and it's affordable. It's going on my Xmas list for sure

okayestmom12 · October 2018

@thechickendance - Ha - yup! Pre kids, I was a handbag whore (the amount of designer bags I had is gross). Makes sense that one addiction rolled into the other.

@cmjenkies - I don't have one but I've heard great things! I'm planning on getting my pump via Aeroflow.com and they offer a Spectra package w/ the JJB bag so I'll probably go that route! I fell head over heels for the Rose Gold Collection and am currently carrying a Whimsical Watercolor BRB.

@grebretso - Even as a SAHM, I pumped until 10ish months. Mostly because I was obsessed with my breastmilk stash and making sure it was ample. I ended up donating 1,000 oz to another mom so I pumped to maintain that too.

dcaron10 · October 2018

@sjnsjnsjn no problem! I really like it. It has a place for everything instead of just being thrown in. It is also very comfortable to wear, even for a long period of time

cmjenkies · October 2018

@okayestmom12 that’s where I’m planning to get my pump from this time too. This is my third but the first one that I’m really trying to commit to BF to 1y and routine pumping after return to work at 12w. Spending money on a bag will motivate me haha

cas060 · December 2018

Is a diaper bag typically big enough for the stuff you have to bring to the hospital for baby? I don't have one yet, thinking of a backpack style.. or will I have to pack some of babies things in my bag too?

kdrn913 · December 2018

@cass06_07 it probably depends on how much you are bringing for baby. We brought very minimal- 2 outfits and a blanket or two. Last time I ended up just keeping the baby’s outfits in my bag and we left the diaper bag at home

bellebaby221 · December 2018

@cass06_07 I only take the going home outfit and a blanket for baby. Last time I just packed it with my stuff. I had a tote bag for all the diapers and such we took from the hospital.
I just got our diaper bag this week and went with a backpack style this time. With as much time as we spend at sporting events I thought that would be easier.

cas060 · December 2018

So basically i should bring a full sized luggage bag?

they provide nothing!

sjnsjnsjn · December 2018

@cass06_07 WTH?! How does a post partum ward not have and supply diapers and wipes for the baby and pads for you?! Not to mention a PILLOW?! I mean do you have to bring your own bed sheets too?! I find that all to be nuts.

cas060 · December 2018

I guess atleast they provide the bed?? @sjnsjnsjn

thechickendance · December 2018

@cass06_07 but do they? Do you have to bring your own OB and nurses too?

cas060 · December 2018

Well... i am bringing the mw, lol @thechickendance

megpants209 · December 2018

Hey look for our ridiculous American healthcare costs, we get diapers!

becks_726 · December 2018

I love that they specify that you need to bring your own pen @cass06_07!

okayestmom12 · December 2018

becks_726 said:

I love that they specify that you need to bring your own pen @cass06_07!

This is the one that cracked me up too.

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