[lionbird]

Ok, so for you ladies that already have children..talk to me about diaper bags. What do you like about yours, why do you like it, what do you wish it had etc...

This seems like an important purchase since I am going to use it so much. I have no idea what I should be looking for..so I am coming to you for help!

Thanks

[Michelle Smiles]

I agree - I've been trying to decide what kind to get (big, small, cute, plain bag, many pockets, not so many pockets).

[shoegirl06]

We have 3!!! My DH has a "manly" one, I bought one for the daycare and mine is a fun, flashy leopard print that I can use as a bag for work when I'm finished using it (providing there's not a great deal of spit-up stains!). All of them came with spaces for bottles (with padding to keep things hot/cold), secret hiding spots to increase space and a changing pad.

Good luck and have fun choosing one!!

[WesieMom]

My latest obsession is the tote bags from LLbean. I absolutely love them and they come in all sizes and I have a extra large, large and small ones. And they all have Sophia embroidered on them. I am using them to carryon when we go for pick up and then will be using the small and medium one (just ordered it) (shhh, don't tell hubby) for diaper bags.

Hugs

[Tina021994]

I got a larger diaper bag with all of the compartments and changing pad etc... and I have used it once. For my shower someone gave me a small diaper bag and it has been all I use. I keep it in the car at all times with diapers, wipes, travel size powder, lotion and the little trash bags you put the dirty diapers in. Now that my son is older I also keep small snacks and a juice box in it and so when we want to go I just grap the baby and his sippy cup and go everything else is in the car. If you are going to be going to daycare and need a larger bag I would get one that was a nylon material, they just stay cleaner.
Tina

[KKR213]

My sister bought me a Vera Bradley diaper bag and I love it. It is very roomy...can fit a whole extra outfit, hat, jacket, blanket, bib, burp cloth and has pockets inside for diapers and such. There is a small outside pocket on the front and two bottle holders on the ends. And you can get it in a pretty pattern as opposed to a cutesy Winnie the Pooh or such.


I also bought a smaller Messenger bag type for quick trips and hated it. You have to throw the flap back to get stuff out and while holding a baby that can be a pain.

[MNStarr]

My biggest advice is get two instead of just one. We have a large one for if we are going to be gone for a while that we can pack an extra outfit, bottles, diapers, and all that stuff. It works really nice and seems to hold quite a bit. However sometimes if I am out running errands it seems like such a pain to take and carry the whole big bag so that is where having just a small one for one bottle, one toy, and one diaper is nice. Also on the smal one look for ones where you can clip your keys and cell phone to make it easier. As far as what style is best I suggest trying to open it and find what you need with one hand. Because thats how its going to be.

[chriscinger]

I bought a large diaper bag, but really only used it when traveling for the weekend, etc. So I then purchased a smaller one that I used all the time. I wouldn't go too cutesy, since you will probably be using it for 2-3 years. I kept it stocked with (depending on my son's age at the time) 2-3 disposable diapers, a travel-size container of baby wipes, a bottle or a sippy cup, a small container of snacks, a pacifier, a bib, and a plastic bag to dispose of used diapers. It all fit, and I appreciated not having to lug around a large bag.

[newnan]

I second the Vera Bradley bags..I have had one as my makeup bag for years now, and it has held up so well, and I love all the compartments, so I know I will buy a Vera Bradley for a diaper bag...a little pricey, but so worth it, they last forever....

[aniles]

I third the Vera Bradley bags! I ran out and bought one as soon as I scheduled our visit trip. It's beautiful, very roomy and comes with a nice little changing pad. It zips up and has several outside pockets, which I really like. It's washable, and i just love it!!

[shellysarita]

Did you know that you can get a free one from the formula companies? Both Enfamil and Similac offer them with their new mommy packs. You can get one even if you don't give birth in a hospital - the company will mail it directly to your home. Enfamil wants you to choose their formula before they will send it, but Similac aims to please adoptive mommies. The Enfamil one is a bit larger, but the Similac one also includes a small cooler with two ice packs.


Love, Shelly

[Mariais5]

I was all into designer diaper bags before bringing Bryce home. While they are gorgeous, and I get compliments on them all of the time, I'd much rather have a plastic one now! They get so much wear... I'd look for one with a lot of separate compartments. Also, a matching changing pad is a must have if you're out a lot.

[whereintheworld]

I don' really have one. I use my backpack if we are going to be gone for any length of time and a medium size (12x12) guate woven purse most of the time. When he was little, I just carried an extra diaper and wipe in the pocket of my mayawrap when he was smaller...sometimes with a toy clipped to the ring. I have neck and shoulder issues, and find that if I have a bigger bag, it just gets filled up and I wind up in pain.

[CashCrew]

When my son was born I couldn't find the perfect diaper bag that "fit" him (and me), so I went to the fabric store and bought fabric and made my own! Then I started making them for friends and it actually turned into a 2 year business (then my son hit the TWO stage and I didn't have time) that was great!! I've done so much research in what makes a good diaper bag and still haven't found a perfect one! lol Just make sure you know what type of bottles you will be using and that they will fit in the pockets. So many people use Avent or other "wide mouth" bottles and many pockets are designed for the taller slimmer bottles.

[gdbe]

Defintiely one small and one larger for longer days out.

The problem I had this time around was with two older kids (age 9 & 12) I don't want to take a diaper bag everytime I have to drive them to school (while hubby is home). I also tend to get their items thrown at me to hold, such as gameboys, ipods, etc. I found a very nice fashionable one by poesis with a snap out clutch which I can use when I am by myself or running out the dr to drive the older ones to school. I can also use it after the diaper bag stage. It is made of fabric though, so not sure if it will hold up quite as well as the other more plasticized ones.

Gail