A very specific question, but any help would be appreciated.I love purses/bags/messenger carriers, so it's no surprise that I would like a fantabulous diaper bag. I do not want to become a bag lady if I can help it: carrying a huge diaper bag AND a purse. I'd love something that combines my needs and little Ron's.
Your ideas? Recommendations? Bags not to waste time on?
Much obliged!
I used a black leather purse/backpack. I loved it because I didn't have to keep hiking it on my shoulder all the time, it was hands-free. I had a huge diaper bag but I gave it up pretty quickly since all I seemed to ever need was a binkie, a bottle with some powdered formula in it, bottled water and diapers and wipes. My purse fit all that plus my wallet, hairbrush and chapstick just fine.
ReplyDeleteThat bag on the post is pretty nice, though!
http://twopeasinapoddesigns.shutterfly.com/
ReplyDeleteCheck this site out... you can create what you'd like.
Contract Trish and hopefully she'll be able to help you out!!!
I almost exclusively carry a very small diaper bag (for two kids!) and then pack a larger bag with extras, clothes, etc...stuff we don't actually need to TAKE IN.
ReplyDeleteThis works best for me because, well....a couple diapers, snacks (bottles in your case) and food or silverware is all we need in restaraunts/walmart/a get together and then we HAVE the other stuff if needed, but we don't have to have a HUGE bag (or a huge bag and purse) in, say, a restaraunt, or a cart at the store.
It's really only an issue if you plan on getting out a LOT, though. And eating out. But I would get at least one small one and then a md/large one.
We registered for this one, but it's mainly for j - he wanted something "manly" but that we could both use. http://www.target.com/Spark-Skip-Hop-Diaper-Bag/dp/B0017P8PYU/sr=1-1/qid=1229704136/ref=sr_1_1/180-2780366-9421018?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Askiphop%20diaper%20bag&page=1
ReplyDeleteI really love it because it's big but not too big.
I think I want to get something cuter and more fun, and I've found a few on etsy, I just need to actually get one. You might check there for some originals!
I love that your considering the fashion element, clearly a woman with my priorities, good luck searching and I'll get back to you in a year so that you can give me the tips!
ReplyDeleteThis is mine (in Champagne). I have a number of their purses and am a huge fan. Very durable and pretty damn cool, if you ask me. I always get compliments on my purses, so I'm assuming the same will go for the DB.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.seatbeltbags.com/diaperbag1.html
Okay, I am cheap. I just went with the black diaper bag that my hospital gave me (I knew they would be giving me a diaper bag--they do for everyone). Its durable, but now I think I may get the one that Alison mentions.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do what Jess does...have the big stuff in the car for the In Cases...
A woman after my own heart. I have had countless diaper bags in the past 6 1/2 years and I have learned a thing or two. First, think about what you really like in a bag and then imagine yourself with a lot more stuff and hands full. It really truly comes down to personal preference. For instance, I know lots of women who loved the diaper backpack, but not for me. I like something with long straps and without a flap, so that I can reach right in and grab what I need. I highly recommend vinyl. I forget the type of fabric that's often used, like those of Kate Spade bags -- they say they wash, but they really don't clean up well. I spent a fortune on a beautiful green Kate Spade bag and after 6 months it was gross and nothing would get it clean. There are a lot of good online sites where you can buy diaper bags and I find the selection is much better than at any single store you'll find. Here's a few
ReplyDeletehttp://www.littledudesanddivas.com/diaper-bags.html#top
http://www.diaperbags.com/
http://www.tuttibella.com/diaper-bags.html
Of all the bags I've had (and sadly a lot!) my favorites were by Kicker and David, Timi and Leslie, and 2 Red Hens. But there are sooo many brands out there, it's worth shopping around. One option is to get something inexpensive first to figure out what style you like and then splurge for a really fun bag once you're sure what you need/want. Good Luck. I look forward to seeing what you choose.
My two closest friends who recently had babies liked a smallish black back-pack style bag. However, Stephanie from adventuresinbabywearing has a video post up at newbaby.com in which she demonstrates a really neat product. I can't remember the name, and don't have sound on the computer at work.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newbaby.com/mediaSearchResults.php?tag=girl%27s+night+out&media=video&category=
JP
I found it, and right now it's on sale.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lafbrand.com/bags.html
JP
It took me about 3-4 months to get down a system that I liked! It was such relief when I finally did. I had 3-4 diaper bags, but they were big and cumbersome, then i had my purse too. sometimes I'd move my wallet from my purse to my diaper bag, but if i was ever somewhere w/o Lily, I'd need my wallet and sometimes forget to move it back to my purse. It lead to many frustrating times. I don't like big bags and like to travel light so I use something like this http://www.diapeesandwipees.com/html/products.html for my diapers and just carry my purse like normal. Sometimes I don't even bring it with me especially, now that she's older and doesn't fly through diapers like crazy, I have a bin of diapers/wipes, changing pad in the car at all times and change her in the car (suv trunk area is my table) when needed. having everything in the car is fullproof idea too because you always have your car with you because of the carseat necessity.
ReplyDeleteSo in summary, we rarely have a diaper bag with us and use the car to hold everything we need and change her just before going into a store, dinner, etc so it's not really an issue out in public. After MUCH trial and error, this is the system that worked for us! LOVE IT! Good luck! HTH
Did you see mine when we were together? It is an OiOi - black and white flowers with red on the inside. I get so many compliments on the bag. http://www.oioi.com.au/index.php?s=collection&p=messenger I just went on their site and saw a few that I LOVE (mine isn't up anymore). I have a couple different ones for different needs, but that is my favorite. I use the OiOi when we'll be gone for awhile. I have the SkipHop for shorter trips and for M. I like it, but doesn't hold a lot. When we were doing bottles every 2 hours it just didn't fit our needs. Diaper bags are a hard thing-I think you need to try a few out before you figure out which one is the best for you. And, of course the baby's needs change so the bag changes with the needs!
ReplyDeleteI have no advice, only to say that I'm in the same boat - the big diaper bag we have for Baby O is WAY.TOO.MUCH. for what we need. SO um thanks for getting ideas from people! I'll be researching up too... let us know what you decide!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited but I'm still so nervous. I read back about your beta and waiting and I think you felt the same way! Tuesday cannot get here fast enough!
ReplyDeletesave your receipts and dont spend a lot of money because you won't know what you want/like until baby is here! Regretfully, i didn't follow this advice.
ReplyDeleteI loved my Kelty diaper bag/ backpack. Can't imagine using anything else. It has tons of pockets, including ones for driver's license, etc. I love that it is a backpack. I found it remarkably hard to keep a strap on my shoulder while carrying a child, esp a wiggly one. I rarely carried a purse until the kids were out of needing diaper changes on the go.
ReplyDeleteThe one the hospital gave us is like a little cooler, and I still use it for packing picnics to the pool, but I never used it as a diaper bag.
And we also have a little "daypack" from the regular section at Walmart. We got it for my dd when she was 2 or 3 and it is a little backpack that she could carry a few things in for an airplane trip. It has ended up becoming a small diaper bag - one diaper, a small box of wipes, a couple of toys and a juice cup fit in it perfectly! And it also has a small pocket on the front for my phone and keys and more. They are 7 and 4 now and I still use that one for water and snacks for museum trips, etc...
Good luck - we want to see pictures of what you pick!
With twins, I thought I'd need a huge diaper bag so we registered for one at Pottery Barn, even had it monogrammed, and guess how many times it has seen the light of day...zero. It's sad but I've never used it because it's just too big & bulky. I'm just waiting for someone with the family name to get pregnant so I can pass it along to them!!
ReplyDeleteIt is true that you will figure out pretty quickly what you actually need to have with you at all times and what you can have in the car, just in case. One of the best pieces of advice I got was to always have a packed diaper bag in the car, ready to go. Lifesaver.
If I were to get pregnant again, I'd make sure to get one that is designed to hang on the stroller, such as this one:
http://www.petuniapicklebottom.com/collections/original/boxybackpacks/
We have the simple Columbia backpack diaper bag. Got it at BRU. We love it, though it isn't cutsey or fancy. It holds cloth diapers, bottles, flannel wipes, an extra outfit, and has a place for my wallet and keys.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely like you with the bags thing! I will probably want to have several different ones, though! :)
ReplyDeleteI snatched a Vera bag on clearance a while back. For me, it would work. I like big bags & I think the fact that it can be thrown in the washing machine or squished in a stroller, etc etc would be an advantage.
I definitely think a smaller, more "portable" bag is a great idea. With just the small stuff. My mom has always said to have an extra set of clothes, so I liked the idea of stashing more items in the car during a shopping trip or dinner.
Can't wait to see what you pick!
Another thing to think about is a lot of the bigger diaper bags can not fit comfortably in the under carriage of the stroller. You may be able to cram it under there, but it's a pain when you're at a checkout and trying to get to your wallet or keys.
ReplyDeleteSmaller the better (if at all) and use your car as a giant diaper bag!!
I had Vera Bradley diaper bags. Cloth outside, sortve vinyl ish inside and they can be thrown in the washing machine and dryer and come out great. I got a smaller one that looked more like a purse for shorter trips and the bigger one for when I had to take a change of clothes and the whole shebang for longer trips. You can always get a cosmetic bag for your wallet, and some lip gloss and gum, most diaper bags have pockets for cell phones and the like. You will find yourself paring down what YOU need for room for the baby in whatever bag you choose, but I loved the Vera Bradley ones.
ReplyDeleteI bought a cool and really pricey bag with my first baby and i ended up returning it as I used the bag they gave me at the hospital. Now I just stick what I need in my own purse. Heh. Poor 3rd kid gets nothing special.
ReplyDeleteI like Petunia Picklebottom personally.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.petuniapicklebottom.com/
So, we have a Kate Spade outlet near us and I got a SUPER cute one. I love it. It's got everything I need and it looks cute, which I also love. I put my wallet in it to avoid bag-ladydom.
ReplyDeleteHow yuppie am I? sheesh. :-)
I say go with what looks good fashion-wise and what feels good comfort-wise. This is a big decision! I like petunia picklebottoms as well, but they are really expensive...
ReplyDeletewww.petuniapicklebottom.com
ReplyDeleteThese are the cutest most functional diaper bags/purses on the planet! Great designs and colors and all of them are convertible so you can wear as a messenger bag or a back pack. So cute!!!
I love this thread - I'm currently looking at all of the suggestions!
ReplyDeleteFor work we reviewed a couple and the general feeling was the petunia picklebottom ones looked good but didn't last under solid use.
I'm looking at the Skip Hop Dash - its really important to me that it can be attached to the stroller rather than just shoved underneath!
I have a Baby Kaed City Mom
ReplyDeletehttp://www.babykaed.com/collection/babybags.php
It is a smaller bag, but still has lots of room and comes with everything you need. The best feature is an external cellphone pocket. Most bags have internal cell phone pockets and they are hard to get to. The front pockets are perfect for kids' snacks and the side bottle pockets hold bottles, sippies and adult water battles. Everything is really convenient to get to. There is a cosmetics bag that I uses to hold my wallet and other things.
I just ordered myself a diaper bag from Rowdy Products. I got the Boardwalk Bowler. The coolest thing about Rowdy is that they have a detachable "mom purse" so you can have your stuff easily accessible when you are with the baby and just take your stuff whn you are without the baby.
http://shop.rowdyproducts.com/category.sc?categoryId=2
Be sure to search the web for coupon codes before ordering either one. I think http://www.coolmompicks.com or http://www.mommieswithstyle.com have codes for both of these brands.
Also, get something durable/washable. If it is leather, make sure it is lined. Spills will happen.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've found that cheap bags don't last. you don't need to spend $200, but don't be afraid to spend about $100.
I also agree that having a separate bag in the car, like a tote bag with some extra things you might need, but probably won't is a good idea to be both prepared but not overloaded.
Make sure the handles can hang on a stroller.
Some common features to look for are a key clip, changing pad, wet bag, cosmetics case, wipes case, cell phone pocket.
I have a wallaboo (http://www.hippychick.com/index.cfm/children/Products.Details/product_id/588/subject/wallaboo_changing_bags).
ReplyDeleteClearly this is a hot topic, so I must add my 2 cents. I haven't road tested it yet, but I got a Fleurville bag at their warehouse sale. They're stylish, come in many different shapes and sizes, and clean up easily. I ended up going with the sling tote. Great size/shape, places for mom and baby stuff and doesn't look too much like a diaper bag. If the thought of spending $150 on a diaper bag doesn't appeal, try their seconds. They're really just about the same.
ReplyDeleteThe bag in your picture! I can't imagine living now without my SKIP HOP DUO DOUBLE! those pockets double as cup/sippy holders and it isn't too gigantic and will clip on any single or double stroller or a shopping basket.
ReplyDeleteI want to know this too!! I'm all about being a "hip" mom and not having one of those overstuffed, too cutesy bags!
ReplyDeleteI bought one like this a while ago, but I cannot vouch for how it works yet since I don't have the baby yet...
http://www.adoptshoppe.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=622
I recently ordered this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ebags.com/trista_baby/lotus_blossom_tote_bcm/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=112796
and am very excited about getting to use it in a few months. It is cute, eco-conscious, and made in USA!
I like this one: http://mymomshops.blogspot.com/2008/09/black-and-white-and-red-all-over.html
ReplyDeleteMy diaper bag is by Timi and Leslie (google it). I love it and get so many compliments on it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
We have the one pictured - the Skip Hop Duo double in the uptown stripe - and I'm embarrassed to admit that it never has been able to hold all of the stuff we needed for the twins. Now that there is a third I've taken to using additional reusable shopping bags for the things we need. This was the largest bag that I could find and afford, though, and I'm not sure how it would work for just one kid, especially a low-maintenance one!
ReplyDeleteI have a Kate Spade bag (got it on eBay!) and it's probably just the right size - except that I carry my purse in addition. But, a lot of times, I just shove my purse in the top of the diaper bag, and carry on. I would like a little longer strap, because it doesn't hang off my should very well. So, I recommend an outing to try out all the bags. Carry about 10 pounds of stuff to drop in to the bag and see if it's still comfortable. Be sure you like the pattern, because you'll be using the thing for 2 years and more.
ReplyDeleteI love bags too. We got too. A MotherLode for large events, and a SkipHop for every day. Both we love.
ReplyDeletePer at least several of the first commenters, I prefer a moderate-sized handbag to a diaper bag. I've got an Overland Designs bag and while they don't appear to make the one I've got anymore, either the Taos or the Auburn, in this year's collection, would be close. I can stash one or 2 diapers, a sippy cup (earlier a bottle), a bag of goldfish crackers (again, not when newborn -- at least, not for baby!), and some wipes in the center and keep most of my stuff in the outside spaces. Works for us and I do have a larger bag to stuff with clothing, etc., but rarely use it.
ReplyDeleteOooooh ... I LOVE me a good bag too, JJ. I couldn't find a decent nappy (diaper) bag anywhere, finally my sister got me one from Sydney. It has a big blue star on it, it's SO not a proper nappy bag but I love it.
ReplyDeleteMy only advice is you get one that has a large strap to put over the stroller. XOX
are you ok? you haven't posted in a while, and i'm worried about you...
ReplyDeletei couldn't live without my fleurville. i have the sling tote, a little smaller than the mothership and the lexie on your blog, but the perfect size for me. i use it as my purse even if i'm out alone, it has all the pockets you'll ever need, can hold all the snacks, drinks, toys you'll need as ron grows, and is basically absolutely perfect. plus the wide variety of colors and patterns.
ReplyDeletei got mine after my sister went through three other pricey bags before declaring it her winner.
I got this bag first to go with my buggy
ReplyDeletehttp://www.peppermint.co.uk/bugaboo-bee-changing-bag-in-khaki-13422-0.html
...but it was too big so I then got this one for Xmas
http://www.funkymoose.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=45_173
It's much more of a handbag and converts to a normal handbag when you're done with baby changing. I love it but i do know it's super expensive.