What is your favorite diaper bag?

[flash15]

I'm expecting our 1st baby in Feb. and am working on that huge list of "necessities" for my registry & for the baby.

I've read the BB book & would definitely like a bag that doesn't really look like a diaper bag, but holds everything that you need.

So, what is your favorite bag & where did you get it? I looked at some of the previous posts and have seen brands like Kecci & others that I've never heard about or seen.

Thanks so much for your help!

[hudsonam]

Well, I'm still on the hunt for a diaper bag (due in December), but I can tell you what I've seen here, and what I think. :)

Some favorites here:

Skip Hop Duo
Baby Sherpa (what I'm currently looking at - both full size and the Short Haul)
Kecci Shanghai (new colors coming in November! Don't do the Adventure Bag. I just got it and it's very difficult to get into and get stuff out of)
Petunia Pickle Bottom (similar to Kecci Shanghai, but triple the cost)
Whimsical Wears - custom bags; very nice
Ella Bags - custom also
I'm Still Me
Chester (www.chesterhandbags.com - check out the sale page!)
Loom Marsupial
Warm Biscuit
Combi Urban Sling
Timbuk2 (not actually a diaper bag, but can be used as one)

Check out www.brownson5th.com for a good selection of the more pricey bags that are well-liked here.

Hope that helps! :-)

[flash15]

Wow - what a list! Thanks - I'm sure it'll help!

I was looking at the Baby Sherpa too. But, I don't know. For me, I think spending more than $100 is a little much! There's too much other stuff to get!

Good luck to you & thanks again!

Meg

[hudsonam]

You should be able to find the Baby Sherpa for under $100, I think. I believe it's around $89 for the large one, and $80 for the slightly smaller one. I didn't want to spend that much either, but I'm thinking I might splurge. It has so many nice features.

Some more I didn't mention are:

Timi and Leslie
Reece Li
Bumble Bags
Fleurville - how could I forget this one!! Everyone's favorite is the Mothership and/or the Alpha 7! Spendy though.

Check out ebay, and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/babybags/ which you can join to buy gently used bags, and sometimes new ones, from all the bag addicts out there. ;-)

There are so many!! :-) Good luck!

[flash15]

I just went to Ebay & you can get the baby sherpas there, but they are about the same price as what's on the website. But, there might have been some w/o s&h. I really like the baby sherpa, because it seems to hold so much & be functional.

I'll check out those other bags too.

Thanks! Meg

[bubbaray]

Well, if I had to pick only 1 it would be my Skip Hop. My Ameribag tote is a close 2nd though. And really, who can pick only 1 diaper bag -- that's like having only 1 pair of shoes, LOL!

BTW, you can get the Skip Hop online at various places -- including Target.com. I got my Ameribag tote from ebags.com, but last I checked, they were currently sold out.

Good luck!

Melissa
Mom to Maya http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/binky.gif & Dog Mom to Bubba http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif

http://www.babysfirstsite.org/newtickers/ticker/11089.birthday.png

[sarasmom]

Here is another vote for the skip hop. I have several bags, but I usually end up using the Skip hop. Just the right size with lots of pockets.
SARA'S MOM

[heatherlynn]

I love the Skip Hop. I just got mine and it is fantastic. If I could only have one, this would be it. I really overpack, but this bag holds a lot without looking stuffed. I paid $40 no tax at Mimi Maternity for the mushroom color on clearance. I wasn't crazy about the color at first (I wanted red), but it's easy to find things since it's light colored and it's really not a bad color at all - a nice, neutral tan.

H-
Heather
dd 3/98
ds 8/04

[essnce629]

I actually love my Lands End Large Tote...for all-day outings (zoo, etc) and travelling ONLY. The organization on it is great and it fits everything imaginable. It is made of three completely separate zippered compartments and has 9 mesh pockets to keep everything organized. I use one compartment for all my "mommy" stuff, one for food items and toys, and one for diapering items and extra clothes. For shorter trips a smaller bag is needed. You'll definately need a small bag for short errands and a large bag for longer outings.

***Latia
Conner 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif One year and counting!
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9870.gif

[turtledove]

I love my Whimsical Wears bag! Kim is the greatest to work with and you can completely customize the bag. Also, depending on the fabrics you pick, it is unlikely you will run into someone with the exact same bag (if you care about that sort of thing). I like to be a little different!

[robmab719]

My vote would be Fleurville Mothership or Kecci Shanghai. Both are great bags and hold plenty for a newborn.

[Chelsey333]

I love my black cord Fleurville alpha 7. It is almost perfect for me. I love the look of it and how functional it is. My next favorite would be the Skip hop or Mothership.

[urbanmama]

My favorite bag is my Fleurville Alpha 7. Second choice would be my Skip Hop.

[Rikkele]

My favorite is also my Fleurville Alpha 7. I got it for <$100 through a babybags coop. Also LOVE the Mothership for travel. Skip Hop has gotten no use so far but that is b/c DD hates to be in the stroller. Good luck, there are so many great bags!

[jamsmu]

ITA. The LE Do-it-all large bag is great for travel. Wouldn't go overnight without it. BUT you definitely need a tote as well. When DS was new, we used to haul the DIA everywhere, but we've learned that it was just way too big the mall.

[shamrock]

Definately get a Skip Hop. I love mine. It is a fantastic stroller bag and good for short outings. I found mine on ebay.

[priscilla73]

My Alpha 7 has been my favorite of all the bags I've had. Although it's floppy, it conforms well to me while wearing it. And I can stuff a ton of stuff in it without it getting too bulky.

[kijip]

My favorite is my Skip Hop!

[audys]

I'm a backpack lover - I LOVE my Chester backpack.

For travel, I also like my Lands End diaper backpack. My Skiphop is great for errands.

Audrey, mother to Graham

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050210/3/15/1/+10/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[soexcited]

I like Petunia Pickle Bottom and Posh Baby because I like backpacks that I can put on without having to worry about them.

[icunurse]

I am still loving my Alpha 7. It is *so* organized with its pockets and just the right size to fit everything you need for a day out.
Traci
~Connor's Mom~
http://lilypie.com/baby1/050204/1/0/1/-6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[supercalifragilous]

My all-time fave is Kecci. I don't have an Alpha 7 to compare it with but I think they're very similar (can be worn as bp or messenger). I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Kecci! :D

But then again here I am lusting after Timi & Leslie (can't wait for the next co-op!) and One Cool Chick bags (ditto)!!! :P

[iriebride]

As a first time mom, it's hard to know what you'll need in a diaper bag until you start "test-driving" them.

When I was pregnant, I bought the Combi Urban Sling. At first I thought it was too big. As I started using it, it turned out to be just right. I actually really love it and still using it now that DS is almost 16 mos. I love the messenger style since it's easy access to everything without having to take it off my shoulder or back.

For longer outings or day trips, we use the Eddie Bauer backpack. DH likes to carry this around, although he just started using my Combi.

For dressy occasions, I have the classic Kate Spade diaper medium diaper tote. The bottle holders are a little snug for Avent bottles, but perfect for straw sippy cups. I wish it had more pockets inside to organize stuff.

For daycare, I use the black hospital diaper tote compliments from Similac.

Now that DS is older, I don't have to take much. For quick outings, I either use a non-diaper bag which is actually my travel purse when I trekked Europe and Mexico. It's by Eagle Creek. Or, I use a small diaper tote from Kenneth Cole Reaction that I picked up for $15 at T.J. Maxx when I was pregnant.

I'm now really looking into getting a Alpha 7 or Kecci or one of these types of cool diaper bags. Black is getting boring! You really should check out the yahoo diaper bag board. These girls are so into these bags! I might get sucked into the craze soon.

Good luck,
Joyce
Zerick 7-3-03