Need a large diaper bag w/ shoulder strap & top that stays closed

[helaina]

My Skip Hop is already overstuffed and the only place I've taken our newborn is to the doctor. I need a bigger bag. I'm considering a Mothership but I'm worried the bag will fly open when I toss it in the car. I've had that happen with purses in the past. How strong is the magnet closure on the mothership? What other large diaper bags are out there? I'd like something with lots of compartments, a shoulder or messenger strap, and a top that closes well (either a zipper or velcro or a strong magnet). I'd prefer something under $150 but will spend more for a great bag. I'm so tired from sleeping in two-hour increments that I'm not up for doing the research myself. I'm hoping the experts here can recommend something that I can just order online or run out and buy.

Thank you in advance,
Helaina

[Momof3Labs]

Not sure what style you prefer, but the Timbuk2 medium would meet your needs. Check out Lands End too.

Or consider leaving a bag packed with "extras" in the car and only bring, say, one outfit, two diapers, a few burp cloths, etc. inside with you.

[lmariana]

The Mothership is a great large bag! I thoroughly enjoyed using mine and never had any problems with it popping open.

I like Lori's suggestion of keeping a large back-up bag in the car and using a smaller bag with the essentials for your daily stuff. Very smart idea!

If you really want a large bag to haul it all, the Timbuk2 Medium Messenger is an awesome bag. I have one and it recently replaced my Mothership all together. There is also....
www.chelseyhenry.com (the Baby Bag)
www.timiandleslie.com (the Large Bebe Bag)
www.petuniapicklebottom.com (the Boxy Backpack)

Don't forget to check out the Baby Bags swap group for a good deal!

Mariana
Owner of HappyDayBaby
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003
www.heinzandmariana.com (personal site)

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030814/1/5/0/-5/.png[/img] ([img)

[MamaKath]

Helaina, congratulations on the new baby! You will start going more places soon, and also getting more sleep. :-)

I see you having 3 options.
1.) A bigger bag- Since you probably won't use this all the time in the longrun, I wouldn't spend a fortune on it. How about a Lands End Do it all (DIA) or Large Tote? Or one of the Kecci Shanghai Mommy Bags (co-op is going on so the price is quite nice)?

Lands End Bags-
Newest DIA- http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_52357_53689_109422_87869_5:view=-1,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_53034&sid=0078104061089165020
Large Microfiber tote (this does have zippers, though in the picture it doesn't look that way)- http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_52357_53689_100006_78453_5:view=-1,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_53034&sid=0078104061089165020
Classic DIA- http://www.landsend.com/cd/ov/prod/0,1467,2_17273_17281_53982_112924_91371_,00.html?s id=0078104061089165020&CM_MERCH=PAGE_53982
Canvas totes-
http://www.landsend.com/cd/ov/prod/0,1467,2_17273_17281_53982_110258_88705_,00.html?s id=0078104061089165020&CM_MERCH=PAGE_53982
and http://www.landsend.com/cd/ov/prod/0,1467,2_17273_17281_53982_110259_88706_,00.html?s id=0078104061089165020&CM_MERCH=PAGE_53982

Kecci- www.kecci.com

2.) Attach the SkipHop to the stroller and carry a smaller bag like the Lands End Little Tripper or Medium Tote. http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_52357_53689_89159_67606_5:view=-1,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_53034&sid=0078104061089165020
or http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,1467,1_2_52357_53689_116055_94502_5:view=-1,00.html?CM_MERCH=ALT_53689&sid=0078104061089165020

3.) Leave a bag or container in the car with all the extra "just in case stuff" and keep the contents of the SkipHop to a minimum.

HTH!