Product Spotlight: Diaper Bags

kboydbowman · April 2022

What are you considering? What have you tried? Rants/raves?

jhysmath · April 2022

We have two back packs ones already. One is an Eddie Bauer one from target. The second is some popular one from amazon I can't remember which it was, but it was cheap and I feel like any where I go with a bunch of people who have kids someone has it.

Neither are anything special. I'm not an organized mom, so I just shove things in it. I could probably use a regular back pack because I don't use any of the special pockets. I'm sure organized people would love all the dedicated pockets for things. Once I know my kids bathroom habits, I usually don't bring it with me and just grab a diaper and pack of wipes and throw them in a wet bag. We do use cloth though, so I always have a wet bag with me. I have ones that I snap on to my diaper bag handle. I also breastfeed so don't have the need of having bottles in the diaper bag.

newbabymama27 · April 2022

We’ve had this one for most of my toddler’s life.

Like @jhysmath said, I don’t think it’s anything special and there are a lot of other backpacks out there that I’m sure are good too. I just picked this one because it looks like a regular backpack, is leather-like and that’s how I like my purses plus nothing gets wet if you’re running from the car in the rain, and it’s not too girly for my husband so he’s very comfortable wearing it as well.

We briefly had the Fisher Price Avery Quilted Backpack and I found that one unnecessarily padded and bulky.

My greatest tip though: go with a backpack. There is nothing worse than a shoulder bag that is constantly slipping off your shoulder as you grab the car seat, shopping bags, etc. plus it can get pretty heavy when you have a fresh newborn and need a lot more stuff so you don’t want that digging into your one shoulder.

JRae2015 · April 2022

Agree with the backpack recommendation. I had a petunia pickle bottom one for my 1st & 2nd babies and it was excessively bulky and not comfortable to lug around. For my third, I got a regular Hershel backpack and used that as my diaper bag. I fit that stereotype of the first time mom who had a 1000 things perfectly organized in the diaper bag for every possible scenario and by kid 3 I was lucky if I had even remembered to throw diapers in the bag and put it in the car before I left. My friends who recently had their first babies went with the freshly picked backpack diaper bag and they love it (and it looks nice).

dsmith211 · April 2022

We’re getting a backpack style this time… this one specifically:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07C3SWZXK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DA73R2ANVC8N22ANXBHV

Last time we got a messenger bag style and I hated it. SIL had this one and loved it and I use a backpack style bag daily anyway so I’m sure it will work out perfectly.

jhysmath · April 2022

@dsmith211
That's the one I have that I said everyone has now lol! One thing I don't like about it, is the "stroller" snap unsnaps if you have too much weight in it. My eddie bauer one has two buckles instead and will hold on to the stroller.

lalarose22 · April 2022

I have the Freshly Picked one and love it!

mk2022x · April 2022

@lalarose22 that’s the one on my registry!

ashley35209 · April 2022

Still have my JuJuBe BFF from my son that I intend to use. I still love it so much! The amount of pockets and compartments makes me so happy. I also have the JuJuBe Be Right Back for bigger trips that I use for zoo/Disney trips, etc. I also love that they have stroller clips that make life super easy. I think I also have the paci pod and the fuel cell but with me being wfh now, I doubt I'll use my fuel cell.

trapperkeeper87 · April 2022

UO, but diaper bags are really only useful if you're out and about a lot, such as running to grandparent's house or something. I do have one (three, actually 😖), but I only ever really used the Vera Bradley shoulder bag I got second hand. However, I don't feel I get a real say here, because my daughter was born 4.5 months before covid, so my experience may not be typical. 🤷‍♀️

Oh! But if you plan to use one and you know your husband will be the one toting it most of the time, make sure he's comfortable with the method of wearing. My husband wanted one that he can wear on his back or across his body, and that works really well for him.

Might I add, also, that you should invest in some carabiner clips, both large and small. Hooking them to your purse strap or outside of a diaper bag or onto a stroller is a game changer. We hook snack cups, water cups, wet bags (get one of these even if you don't plan to cloth diaper; wet clothes happen), and other random things to them all the time.

serenity_by_van · April 2022

We’re going for the Dagne Dover backpack. I love their stuff.

laj0217 · April 2022

I told my husband to pick and add a diaper bag to the registry because I wanted him to be comfortable using it. I’m pretty sure he picked the Columbia backpack one. I’ll use whatever as long as it holds what it needs to.

babywiik · April 2022

My daughter is 17 months now and we mostly use the diaper bag when we go to church or to visit friends. Grandma keeps a stash of diapers and wipes at her house and so far we've never had to change clothes away from home. Definitely get a backpack. I had one that was very unstructured and it fell off my shoulders all the time and i could never find anything. Then we got a cheap on that had more structure to it and we've been happy with it. It's still a mess but at least the top stays open so I have light to see what I'm looking for.

jhysmath · April 2022

@trapperkeeper87 my first was born 2 years prior to covid. My second was born 2 months into it. I feel like I used their diaper bags the same amount, which was almost never. Though we do live in a rural area with nothing to do. I can see their use when you live somewhere and you're always out and about.

blanket_girl · April 2022

Anyone ever get this one? I usually don’t buy things this expensive but I do like that it’s a backpack and seems to have a lot of good reviews and features. It seems like a good idea that it has the changing station built in, but as a FTM, what do I know? 🤷🏼‍♀️

newbabymama27 · April 2022

@blanket_girl to me personally, the attached changing pad is actually a con. There will be times where you need to put it on an awkward chair or bench and you may not have room for the backpack. Also, will the backpack actually stay upright while you do the change? Or will it only stand upright if it’s super packed and heavy? Kids move around and try to escape like crazy so they could easily pull your whole backpack down too. Otherwise it looks like a nice backpack! Just my two cents

lalarose22 · April 2022

@serenity_by_van I'm trying to convince myself I don't *need* the dagne dover one because I already have one, but I reallllly want it now that I'll need to be packing for two little ones! It looks so nice and big.. and sooo pretty!!

serenity_by_van · April 2022

@lalarose22 I love the simplicity of the design! But it’s also one that I think my husband can carry without feeling like he’s toting around one of my bags, lol.

pangolindrome · April 2022

https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Summit-Rush-Backpack-Diaper/dp/B07BR4GXWZ
My in-laws got us this one for my hubbs' bday. It looks really nice and I like how it is laid out.

blanket_girl · April 2022

@newbabymama27 those are all great points and things I definitely wouldn’t have thought of!! I’ll have to do a little more research 🧐

mk2022x · April 2022

Just got this on an Instagram ad and I’m intrigued - thoughts on this?

https://queenya.com/products/infinitydiaperbag

The fact it expands into a changing station intrigues me but I have no idea if that will be a useful feature or not.

mamamoomoo12 · April 2022

I have had a Fawn Design bag for years... It's traditionally a diaper bag but i have used it as a work backpack. It is huge inside has lots of pockets and I will definitely be using it as a diaper bag now.

1stbabydue0912 · April 2022

I was gifted the Itzy Ritzy Boss Quilted Diaper backpack in blush today. I am very grateful. I wanted it a lot. I like the backpack style so I can have my hands free to carry baby and whatever else I need to carry. It has insulated side pockets and tons of pockets inside and comes with a changing mat. It’s super cute and I’m excited to pack it and use it when I take baby to grandparents and family dinners in the fall.

melyrae · April 2022

Any guidance on “diaper bag accessories” for a FTM? Im getting a backpack bag and figured that’s all you need. I keep seeing pouches, bottle coolers, pacifier carriers, extra changing mats, wipe containers, etc. Extra money grab? Or some of them convenient to have?

babywiik · April 2022

@melyrae I like having an individual pouch for a few diapers, wipes and diaper cream. Just so I'm not searching for those essentials when it's time for a change. The paci carrier...depends on how much of a germaphobe you are/want to be. I've never used them but I'm also of the mindset that everything in the diaper bag is clean and if it would get some germs, it'll probably help build baby's immune system🤷‍♀️😅 I'd just pack the actual wet wipe package. The containers may be nice but you have to remember to refill them and if they stay in too long, some of those containers will dry out wet wipes. Changing mat might be nice if your in public but I've just used paper towel in a pinch. Bottle cooler is needed if you're bringing prepared bottles with. We did formula if we were going somewhere so didn't need them. Water and formula was separate until mealtime.

jhysmath · April 2022

@melyrae the only extra I used was a wet bag. We used primarily because we use cloth diapers, but they're also good to hold clothes that are dirty or wet.

I breastfeed so never needed bottles, my kids refused pacis. The wipe packs I just used the ones from the store they all open and close nicely these days.

newbabymama27 · April 2022

@melyrae i really liked the changing pad that came with my backpack because it was a little padded and easy to wipe if any poop got on it but you can just buy a separate one and it’s cheap. I also liked having the diaper genie portable diaper pail which is this tiny plastic thing with little diaper genie bags for when you’re out and don’t have a place to toss the diaper. I did like paci containers mainly because they’re bulkier than the actual pacifier so they’re easier to find in the bag 😅 I also agree with @babywiik and wouldn’t bother moving wipes to a separate container. Just toss a pack in there and you’re good to go! Oh and always have a change of clothes for your baby AND at least a top for you in case you’re in the line of fire of any bodily fluids.

dsmith211 · April 2022

@melyrae the only accessories I had that I actually thought were useful were changing pad (if your bag doesn’t already come with one) and a wet bag to keep dirty clothes in the event we needed to change. Everything else seemed to be a waste. We had one of the wipe containers and the wipes always just dried out, so I’d definitely skip that. We also got some of the to-go disposable diaper bags in case we were somewhere we couldn’t throw a diaper away easily.

Most bags already have lots of pockets and opportunities to organize so you probably wouldn’t need much in the way of organizing unless you want to take that even further.

melyrae · April 2022

you are all so helpful !!!! Thanks for the thoughts

maple1422 · April 2022

@melyrae I also just used the wipes in their original pkg. (I eventually switched to the ones with the plastic closures because the ones with just a sticker over the opening tended to fail and then the wipes would dry out. Usually just lint or random dust/dirt would get into the edges of the sticker and it wouldn't stick well anymore.)

I'm an on-the-go type of person. DH likes to stay home, but we tend to be the friends that drive a couple hours to see the other friends rather than being the hosting friends. The diaper bag will stay stocked and will probably go into the car with us on every ride. You never know when you'll find an extra 2 hours for a Target run.

DS's diaper bag was a zip top organizing tote from thirty one, and it did everything we needed it to. Diaps, wipes, boudreaux's butt paste, baby powder, snacks for mom, change of clothes for DS, baggies for soiled clothes or diapers (tiny roll of pup bags works great and contains the smell, so you don't have to make your friends' kitchens smell bad when you gotta toss one at their house), receiving blanket, pacifier, bottle and portioned formula container. This time around I'm planning to get a diaper bag with insulated pouches for breastmilk bottles, if we can swing it. *fx for better luck with breastfeeding this round*

Really digging this RUVALINO diaper bag backpack. One of the moms at a birthday part we went to this month had it and gave me the tour. I'm a fan. Hers was black, and I like the navy color, but we have a white dog, so I'm thinking the gray (almost has a crosshatch pattern) is going to be the way to go.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PJY4DS7?ref=br_huc_title_link&th=1

dsmith211 · April 2022

@leannechristina this is the diaper bag we’re getting! My SIL had the same one and she said she loved it. I’m pretty excited to have something more functional bc I hated what I had last time.

trapperkeeper87 · April 2022

Regarding wipes in a separate container vs. a full package, I went a combined route. I used the sample packs from registry gift bags and put that "full" package (usually about 10 wipes) into the plastic case, but leaving them in the original package. That kept the wipes moist and prevented them from being opened by something knocking them in the bag. You can also buy tiny travel packs for about $1 at places like Target and buybuyBaby to refill. We didn't go through them very quickly, so this worked really well for us and was more cost effective than using an entire package.

jhysmath · April 2022

@leannechristina and @dsmith211 found one of those common diaper bags I have in the wild today

foreveronyourside · April 2022

Probably unpopular but this tote is my diaper bag. Strong handles, durable as hell, and good sized. Stiff to have structure but can be overstuffed. Love this.

maple1422 · April 2022

@jhysmath I was looking at the eddie bauer one at target too! They are similar in style, but I didn't check the price on the Eddie Bauer one yet. At this point, we could go either way.
@foreveronyourside it's way cute too - love that! I'm a sucker for straight-up leather. Such a timeless look!

babez_mom · April 2022

What's the major difference between diaper bags and just a regular old back pack or oversized purse/bag? I just finished a workout and looking at my gym bag and thinking "I'm sure diapers, a me pack of clothes, etc. Can all fit!" Lol what am I missing?

trapperkeeper87 · April 2022

@babez_mom The only real differences would be easy to wipe clean, an included changing pad, a bottle slot that keeps bottles at the right temperature, and small things like that. Many moms forego a diaper bag altogether and use a purse, but many moms also like having two separate things: one for baby, one they can grab and go and be an adult with. Personal preference, really.

babez_mom · April 2022

@traperkeeper87 good to know! Just gives me some more options to find something I like!

Want a personalized experience?

Product Spotlight: Diaper Bags

Re: Product Spotlight: Diaper Bags

Choose Another Board

Search Boards