Diaper bag enthusiasts: Please help me choose!

[Judegirl]

My head is spinning...I know the criteria, but I can't find one that has it all. Geez, is this as complicated as stroller shopping??

What I want:

insulated pockets for bottles
removable and relatively cushy changing pad
removable waterproof pouch (or pouches!)
pockets for keys, phone, wallet, etc.
compartments for toiletries are good - I love compartments!

What I don't want:

a big, deep, spacious bag to root around in
anything with a cutesy pattern
designer names - Dior, Bjorn, etc.
loud colors - (black, beige, olive, green, maroon, etc. are all good)
to spend more than 40 bucks or so!

We're probably getting a Zippy 04 stroller, in case that matters. We don't care whether we get a backback or a tote - we'll probably get a big one of one and a small one of the other.

Any diaper bag experts out there??

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I thought this particular decision was going to be one of the LEAST mind-boggling ones. Yikes!

[Momof3Labs]

Well, your first three requirements are easy - all of these can be purchased separately, and are very inexpensive. In fact, Ziploc bags make the BEST waterproof pouches!!

The remaining two requirements aren't that hard to find - Lands End bags have a good reputation; I'd start there.

And if you still can't find what you want, try ordering a custom bag from someplace like www.ella-bags.com.

[ga_mom2be]

Sounds like the Eddie Bauer diaper bags found on their website will be perfect for you. I'm leaning towards them myself.

Here's the link... http://www.eddiebauer.com//Search/Controller.asp?f=m&Nty=1&N=0&Ntk=All_Search&Ntt=diaper&D=diaper&Fs=1&lp=h4&Ne=200000&s=s&referringurl=http://eddiebauer.com/eb/default.asp

I plan to get the Diaper Day Pouch for daily use and the Diaper Case Bag for all day/weekend trips.

I would get the navy blue backpack (I like to have both hands free), but dh is afraid that we'll be rooting around for stuff at the bottom of it like you mentioned.

Good luck and let me know if you find anything else you like, your wants/don't wants are similar to mine.

[pamela mom of 3]

I agree with have a look into lands end...

http://www.landsend.com

GL :)

http://pages.ivillage.com/cl-pamelamomof3

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[Judegirl]

Thanks for the suggestions...I haven't seen anything in real life, only on the web, but I have looked at both Land's End and Eddie Bauer bags. LE bags look like they don't have very many compartments - is there a lot of big, empty space in there? Also, the website doesn't indicate that the bottle sections are insulated - but then again, I didn't know I could buy separate insulator-things. Will they just fit into a regular compartment? Are they expensive?

ga_mom2be - I like the compartments of the Combi traditional (http://www.combi-intl.com/combi/1501.htm), but I can't really tell about anything else from the website. But check it out - you might like it!

Thanks again - I'll keep checking back!

:)
Jude

[Momof3Labs]

Most diaper bags do not come with insulated bottle pockets because they just don't work that well - there is no room for an ice pack, so the bottle doesn't stay cold. You need an ice pack to adequately keep a bottle cold (especially when you are dealing with breastmilk or formula, which spoil easily). When you deliver, the hospital will give you a cheapie free diaper bag from a formula company - there will be a little cooler pack in there that fits two bottles perfectly, with a little bit of room for the ice packs that they also give you. I'd highly recommend using that - you will quickly be disappointed in insulated bottle pockets, even if you are able to find them.

I'd also suggest picking a diaper bag with enough big open space - if you have a bag with all compartments, you won't be able to fit larger items in there very easily. Compartments are nice but somewhat overrated, too (this from a former compartment fan).

I have the Combi bag that you posted - it is a really nice bag, and probably has enough compartments for you. But it is a little on the big side for hauling around every day; we use it for longer outings only. But, then, Colin is breastfed so I have never hauled bottles around. If you are always hauling bottles in that little cooler, you might not find it to be too big for everyday use.

[Judegirl]

Thanks, Momof3Labs! I had no clue that the built-in insulated pockets weren't that big a deal. I figured they were a necessity! And yes, I'm concerned to about overcompartmentalizing; I'm sure I'll want to fit stuff in there I don't even know about yet.

I think I've narrowed down the big bag to a Kapoochi mini-backpack, or their satchel, or the Combi traditional. (ga_mom2be - Not crazy about the kaboochi colors, but love the description of the bag.) The LE Do-It-All seems like overkill, but I'll check the measurements just in case.

I have NO ideas for a regular, everyday bag, other than the Little Tripper, which just doesn't seem that good a fit for me. On short days I'll be gone for maybe about an hour or two, and long days will be about 15 hours or so - not a whole lot of in-between, I don't think.

And longer trips will be weekends away, so I'll start with just packing a duffel bag with supplies for those.

Still searching! Thanks again!

[justlearning]

I have a MacKenzie kids diaper backpack (I believe someone was selling their new one on the BB swap board) and it has everything you're describing. Another option would be this backpack, which has multiple compartments (I haven't seen this one IRL, though): http://www.babystyle.com/common/dProductDetail.asp?PMId=10505&SIND=1&cmCL=estyleoutlet&frm=2