Need Diaper Bag Suggestions Please

[lisajo]

All the different types of diaper bags available now makes choosing which one so overwhelming, especially when you're pregnant. My baby is due in May, and I'm trying to figure out which diaper bag to get.

I would be so grateful if all you Moms out there could tell me what type/brand of diaper bag you have used and like best.

I keep thinking that when I see one I like, I'll know... but I've looked at so many and haven't found any that I really like yet.
JCPenney's had a denim bag with a couple Pooh Bear appliques that I kind-of liked, but I just can't decide, so I'm still looking.

Suggestions appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Lisa

[parkersmama]

I've used all the ones from Lands' End (little tripper, backpack, and do-it-all) and liked them all for different uses. I particularly like that they don't look like a diaper bag. My dh uses them and doesn't have to feel silly carrying around a "girly" looking bag. I think that important factors in choosing a bag are the number, shape, and size of the interior and exterior pockets. Think about what you'll be carrying and how you'll be using the bag (are you an "everything but the kitchen sink" type? is it mostly for mall trips or will you be taking extended walks,etc?). I think basing a diaper bag on functionality first and looks second is the best idea. Also, most moms end up with a few diaper bags over time to suit different situations. Often, a larger bag is needed in the beginning as small babies require lots of stuff (toys, diapers, wipes, bottles?, changes of clothes, etc). As the baby gets older and the mom gets wiser, usually not as much stuff is needed when out and about. HTH!

[ginalc]

I don't like walking around with anything remotely Pooh-ish. I went with the Land's End Little Tripper, the Do-It-All, and the Diaper Back Pack. I use them all, and here's how:

1. I use the Little Tripper as my purse. It's sturdy, holds a ton of everything you'll need all day, and then some. My 2 year old dumped her juice in the inside pocket and my cell phone and such were completely dry in the outside pocket when I finally noticed the juice the next day. I've used it daily for 2.5 years and it still look new. It cleans up easily and wears like steel!
2. The Do-It-All stays packed with diapers, snacks, clothes that I don't like as much as extras, and a full container of wipes, along with books and games, etc. in the van. I know it's there, ready for me to use when I need it!
3. The Back Pack is my newest addition. With a new baby, I needed a better way to manage things for 2 little ones. I like Land's End bags because they look cool, have large, sturdy changing pads, and just don't scream "I am a new mother!". Even my husband doesn't mind carrying them around.
4. I have tried to use the bags they offer free at the hospital, but I really them. They tear easily, and for some reason, I just don't want to carry something like that around. I think the dark circles under my eyes and the weight I'm still carrying around my hips is enough to remind me that having little ones has changed my life forever!!!

Land's End has some diaper bags on clearance right now if you are interested.

[Momof3Labs]

Personally, I would suggest one of the following options for now:

1. Don't buy a diaper bag yet. Use the hospital bag at the beginning, then when you know how much you carry (and whether your baby is a spitter, which doubles the amount of stuff you have to carry), what type of bottles you use, and so on, find and buy a nice diaper bag.

2. Buy an inexpensive diaper bag for now. Then go for a nicer one once you know what you like/need. This is what I did, and I didn't feel bad ditching my $10 diaper bag after 3 months for a bag that suited me better.

Personally, I just didn't feel qualified to pick out a good diaper bag for myself until I had been a mom for a couple of months. Going this route saved me a lot of money on bags that I wouldn't have liked. Diaper bags are expensive!!

Hope this helps!

[stillplayswithbarbies]

Or you could do what I did and buy every bag that is mentioned here. (at least the ones that are great deals and/or on sale)

Then sit down on the couch surrounded by all your bags and try to figure out which one to use for your first outing.

Oh and it helps if hubby is not in the house during this process and you get all the bags back in the closet before he comes home. :) (actually he was very good about it and I let him choose which bag we should take today. He selected the Emmaljunga backpack. He doesn't know I have a Gymboree bag on the way and another Lands End one in my shopping cart there)

...Karen
Jake age 12
Logan Elizabeth 3/25/03

[Tiare]

I just received my Eddie Bauer diaper bag and I (and husband) love the look of it. It is black microfiber with tons of space, pockets, changing pads and a great size shoulder strap - it is stylish yet functional, IMHO.

[JP4]

I have 4 kids and love the Land's End Do-It-All. I load it with everything I could possibly need and then leave it packed in my car. It is great for all day trips, anything unexpected, or restocking my little bag when away from home. I then use one of the little hospital freebies for quick trips such as mall, church, restaurant or short visit. This has just enough for an hour or two (a couple of diapers and wipes, sweater, extra outfit, pacifier and toys). This has worked great for me.

[Jen841]

Old Navy has some cute canvas bags on sale for $20. I bought my "girlie" bag there today over lunch. The bag my husband will carry will be a Eddie Bauer black back pack. I was told by friends that it is important to have a back pack and a unisex bag that my husband will carry. I searched hard to find a non-logo bag.

e-bags.com had some nice Samsonite options we considered.

[dogmom]

I used a cheap diaper bag ($5) I got at TJMAX for my first few outings with my son until I could figure out what I wanted. Right now I used two. I have my old Eagle Creek backpack/sling bag that I used before my baby for long outings. (You can get them at Eastern Mountain Sports or REI) I just add a changing pad and plastic bags. I love there bags and had two before I got pregnant. They do have a diaper bag, but it wasn't that much different from the ones I had. I've have one bag of there's that I used for ten years just about everyday and it's as good as the first day I bought it.

The one I use on a day to day basis is this silly no name bag I picked up from Target. It's one of those bags that has a single backpack type strap that you can wear one shoulder or across your chest. It has a center compartment and two outside ones, plus there is a cell phone holder on the strap. Which I find useful because if my DH calls me when I'm out it's easy to get to. It's black and doesn't at all look like a diaper bag. It also meet the other critera I realized was important. The ability to bend over and not have the diaper bag swing around and hit you in the face! I've seen them since at the Target's in my area.

I'm thinking about getting a Do it All Deluxe from Lands End to take a trip with. I guess what I'm trying to say is it became apparent soon after my son's birth that I'm going to need different bags at different times at different ages. I'm sure the Lands End won't be the last one I buy. \

Jeanne
Mom of Harvey
1/16/03

[Rachels]

I've had several different ones. The Land's End ones are good, although the Do It All is just more bag than I need now. I found that I carried a lot more stuff around when my baby was newborn than I do now. At this point, I'm using the Healthy Back Bag and I absolutely LOVE it. It holds a ton without feeling like I'm schlepping a suitcase along with me. But my experience is that diaper bags are like strollers-- you need more than one.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02