Product Spotlight: Diaper bags

mrosek91 · November 2020

Today's topic is a very fun one: Diaper Bags! You will need to carry around a bunch of baby gear, so you may as well make it cute! Or if not cute, at least comfortable and organized. Or if not organized, at least easy to wipe off various baby fluids. Or if covered in baby fluids, sounds like you could use some cheering up with a cute purse. Circular and impeccable logic.

Do you have a brand, or particular bag within a brand that you recommend? How about general shape (backpack, over-the-shoulder, smaller tote for quicker excursions)? How many diaper bags do you have, and do you stash them in different places (e.g., do you have a "car diaper bag")? Do you and your partner and other caregivers use the same bag, or do you have a variety? Do you rely on the organization built into the bag, or do you use additional storage solutions like baggies or insertable slots? And really, what do you even PUT in your diaper bag? Did you bring your entire nursery and also a pharmacy and also a Toys R Us in your diaper bag with a newborn? And do you just bring an old rag and like half a diaper when your baby is 1 year old and you're over it? Please share!

Prior and Upcoming Product Spotlights

mrosek91 · November 2020

Personally, I have the JJ cole backpack diaper bag in grey. I highly recommend a diaper bag backpack, because when your trying to juggle a baby, and a bag, and possibly blanket/toys/snacks/what ever else the baby is screaming for, you want as many hands as possible. I also recommend you get one with easily accessible outside pockets, because when baby is screaming you want to be able to grab a paci or bottle really quickly.
Personally, I only have one bag, I also have items that stay in the bag. That way I know it's packed, and all I have to check when we're heading out the door is whether I remembered to replenish the diapers.
I tend to keep the bag very minimal, (if they need toys they are very happy with my wallet or keys) but that's a personal preference. Here's what I have in it.
Diapers - When they're little I carry a lot, but by the time they hit 9 months or so, you don't need more than 5.
Wipes
Diaper Rash Spray - I use cream at home, but for on the go, I prefer diaper rash spray, because Desitin can be rather hard to get off your hands.
Diaper trash bags - when my husband bought these, I made fun of him for thinking our son was a dog, but they are really amazing.
Nursing cover/ Burp cloths- as long as they nursed
Change of clothes - I actually don't carry these as much as I used to, the first 6 months or so, I'm careful to have a complete change of clothes, after that I only bother if we're going to be out all day.
Snacks - I'm actually a terrible mom, and forget snacks more often than I remember, but I always *plan* to pack snacks. These again depend on age. Those fruit sauce pouches are really good, and once they're old enough to start feeding themselves things like cheerios or ChezIts these snack cups are amazing.

gusgus14 · November 2020

We have a couple of diaper bags and have kind of switched out depending on the baby phase.

Newborn/Infant: For this stage we primarily used the Skip Hop Grand Central which I love. We just have the one bag and whoever has the baby has the bag. We also drop it off at daycare with changes of clothes. It's a tote and it's easy to clean and has lots of storage. The only downside is with it being a tote, it can sometimes be hard to carry if you're also carrying a car seat or car seat + groceries or other things (when we do daycare drop off with an infant we just leave them in their seat and bring them in that way and then leave the seat there for the day). For this stage if we were going out we would typically pack plenty of diapers, a pack of wipes, a couple of teethers, a pacifier (our first didn't use pacifiers but loved holding her wubanub giraffe), a few changes of clothes just in case, scented diaper trash bags, a small toy or two (rattle or something similar) and a couple of burp cloths. Depending on the circumstance we might also pack Boogie Wipes and tylenol/a syringe. Once she started eating solids we would also pack snacks (big fan of puffs and teething crackers) and once she started becoming less interested in nursing we'd also bring a bottle or two (depending on where we were going/how long we'd be out) in a small bottle bag that we could tuck into the diaper bag.

1-2 years: For this stage we switched to a slightly smaller backpack bag. We would pack diapers (less than when she was a baby because she didn't need to be changed as often), scented diaper bags, wipes, a change of clothes, a burp cloths if we remembered (for spills and such), a toy/book, snacks, and her thermos for water.

2+: Our first is almost 3 so for the last year we switched into an even smaller backpack bag that she normally wears herself. We pack a couple of diapers (or more recently pull ups), one change of clothes, a small pack of wipes, a couple of snacks, and her water thermos goes wherever she goes but we don't actually pack it in the bag. We also keep a couple of toys/books in each of our cars.

texas_t · November 2020

@mrosek91 I'm dying at half a diaper because it's so true.

brynn_mamaof4 · November 2020

3rd kiddo I went to a backpack and it was a game changer! Highly recommend. I just bought one off of amazon that I liked - and I still use it for overnight bags and airplane trips because of all the pockets so I definitely got my money’s worth. I think it’s too funny to think about the evolution of my diaper bag contents over the years. 1st kiddo... I packed everything I thought I may possibly need in any situation lol. Probably used only 25% of the contents. 2nd, realized I could cut back a bit but still was Uber prepared. 3rd... I had more of the mindset “ok I’ve got boobs.. a few diapers in my glove box.. a small package of wipes somewhere... I’m good” lol. I was a little bit of a hot mess because I was taking care of my mom who was actively dying from cancer and I was just all over the place (she passed 3 weeks after he was born).

This 4th kiddo I am going to try to be a little more organized/prepared but I still want a cute diaper bag. I screenshotted this from an Instagram ad I thought was really pretty! It can be backpack style, and it’s a decent size and still stylish.

Diaper rash, I Always just rub coconut oil on their bums and I think it works great when they have a rash as well.

I’ve seen these cool accordion style on the go changing pads that have mesh sides I thought were pretty nifty, I may get one.

In addition to wipes I love the “boogie wipes” for hands and faces, I think they smell so good!

I always keep the squeeze food packets and some of the pincher cheerio type baby snacks as well.

Trash bags for nasty diapers... yes!!

mrosek91 · November 2020

@texas_t I think I've mentioned before that I steal these prompts from a friend on my A19 BMB. She definitely has a way with words. These days my 1 yo is lucky when I remember to pack him diapers, not that we ever leave the house...

texas_t · November 2020

My main advice is to get a backpack. Having to make sure a bag doesn't slip off your shoulder is REALLY obnoxious when you have a newborn.

This is the one I have currently:
https://tinyurl.com/y3y2znw9

This is one I'm looking at:
https://tinyurl.com/yxcb9qcz

I really would like a leather one, but they're hard to find. Come to find out, it's because babies are gross and produce liquid that doesn't work well with leather

littlelibelula · November 2020

I was told a packpack was really useful and I was excited since I'm a backpack person. I love pockets and chest and wsist straps. You could probably modify you're favourite backpack, but i found a cheap one at a thrift store that I liked.

Fisherprice - has the fast finder system. Lots of little pockets and most have a little tag with a picture of what would fit. Great for telling your husband where to look in the bag for something.

I was told 1 diaper for every two hours and 2 extra. Great tip. I just shove 8-10 in the bag, if they fit, because the first time i left him with someone for two hours they used 3-4 diapers in that time period and I panicked and ran out because I only calculated 1 per 2 hours.

So, diapers, wipes, soother, two change of clothes, sweater, socks, bibs, towel, two swaddle blankets, comb, brush, burp cloths, change of clothes for me, kotex, disposable breast pads.

Covid - aka 6 months+: travel bag
Two change of clothes, 3-4 diapers for half day/5-6 whole day, towel, swimsuit, hat, extra shoes, socks, toy, soap/shampoo, cornstarch puff/diaper cream, roll of doggy bagsWater bottles and snacks for both of us.

I also have a pencil case/makeup pouch with 1-2 diapers, a travel wet wipes pouch, baby soap/shampoo, rash cream (sample bottles), roll of doggy bags. Now that we're using cloth diapers its almost impossible to fit one in the pouch. Great for throwing in the stroller for a walk, or the diaper bag so you have everything more accessible or can hand to the person changing the diaper. Seriously picked up lots of samples during my pregnancy, I feel sad for those pregnant now because the samples are so great for on the go.

mkc3888 · November 2020

I have a few jujube bags I like. My first was a BFF. This one can be a cross body or back back style. It ended up being my least favorite. It was too small for me and not very comfortable to wear as a backpack. My next bag is a brb. This might be my favorite. It unzips all the way so it can be laid flat open. Makes it easy to see what you have. It’s also really comfortable to wear. My last bag is a be classy. It’s a cute bag. It fits all I need and works fine for everyday. I prefer my brb for longer outings but this is a close second. They all have a mommy pocket which has a sunglasses pocket and key leash. They also have a tech pocket for your phone on all bags. They all come with a memory foam type changing pad with a separate pocket for it. In the BFF and brb it ends up being padding for your back too. I kept a pack pod to hold a pacifier and poop bags.

ccmrc143 · November 2020

@mkc3888 when you say “poop bags” in your pack pod, do you mean dog poop bags, or am I missing a key element to diapering? FTM starting to worry!

ckmb_1250 · November 2020

I’ve always thought people over think diaper bags 🤷🏻‍♀️ I just use a regular backpack with a foldup changing pad, some diapers and wipes & we’re good.

mkc3888 · November 2020

@ccmrc143 it’s supposed to be paci pod. (Autocorrect fail) but yep dog poop bags. I kept them in there to put poopy diapers in. They sell them for kids too, but I already had a bunch from my dog. We use cloth diapers and I’d use them to store dirty wipes or to keep a poopy diaper separate from the pee diapers, so I’d know which one needed to be sprayed.

texas_t · November 2020

@ckmb_1250 I don't produce enough milk to successfully breast feed, so I like a dedicated baby backpack bc it has a pocket for formula and an ice pack.

asf0613 · November 2020

@brynn_mamaof4 that bag is gorgeous! showing it to my mom now!!!

mimser · November 2020

Do most of you share bags with your partners? Or they have their own?

yellingbanana · November 2020

We had a regular crappy Graco diaper bag with my first, I hated it. It was always slipping off my shoulder and making me walk crooked. I started using a backpack (from Costco $20) when she was about 1. Since then, I will only get backpacks! I used just a regular one for 2 and 3, with a portable changing pad... that I still have and plan on using again. This time I’m planning on getting an actual diaper bag backpack for organizing and accessibility reasons.

And yes, dog poop bags are a good things to have in there for traumatizing poopsplosions! There is something about littles sitting in their car seat that just makes them poop their brains out.

I also keep a very basic, small bag of diapers and wipes in each car just in case we forget the diaper bag or run out of supplies.

Main bag has: 5ish diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, 2 outfits, poop bags, snacks, bibs, binkies, one or two toys, changing pad, bandaids and neosporin (VERY useful as they start crawling/walking).

gusgus14 · November 2020

@mimser we share

mkc3888 · November 2020

@mimser we share. I usually end up fussing for him adjusting the straps, but we shared.

mimser · November 2020

@mrosek91 is this the JJ Cole you have? I like it.

mrosek91 · November 2020

@mimser It's similar this is ours

Amazoncom JJ Cole Backpack Diaper Bag with No Slip Grips and Multiple Pockets Gray Heather Baby

And to answer your other question, DH and I share it.

shopiemaria21 · June 2021

I personally like the Brand - Leogreen diaper bag as it's a multifunction bag that has carry all your items in one bag.

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