Diaper bag recommendations for 2 in diapers and lots of stuff

[kcmorgmom]

I am expecting my 2nd in May, and my girls will be 20 months apart. My oldest has severe food allergies and cannot eat food not prepared at home, so I carry Epi-Pens, Benadryl, food, and sippies for her everywhere. I will be nursing again, so I shouldn't need lots of space for bottles, formula, etc. I currently carry a Vera Bradley baby bag, which has worked well, but I was hoping for something different and possibly not so large. I think the quilting on the VB just bulks it up. I like that it is washable and is a shoulder carry, but I am thinking with two, I might like one that could also be carried messenger style. I have seen a lot of people like Ju-Ju-Be, Lexie Barnes, and Fleurville, but I have yet to see any of them IRL, so I would appreciate recommendations. I tend to like prints, rather than a solid microfiber or something, but am open to anything.

Oh, and this may be asking for too much, but I would love a small bag that could be kept in the diaper bag for when we go to church and the girls will go to separate rooms and each need their own stuff. I was thinking I could just take out the smaller one (even like a nylon srawstring bag), add a couple of diapers and change of clothes, and leave it for the younger one. Anyone know of anything like that? Or what do you do when you have to split up your kids?Thanks for your help!

Kristy

[heatherlynn]

Also, take a look at the OiOi bags. I love my hobo! I carry a lot and this bag has been working at really well for me. Good luck!

H-
Heather
dd 3/98
ds 8/04
dd 11/05

[MamaKath]

Knowing your bag now is a VB makes me think some of my suggestions will be too sporty but here goes...

Baby Sherpa backpack (I have a kid with food allergies and the older she and then #2 have gotten the seperate cooler area has been a heaven sent feature)
Timbuk2 messenger bag (You can either customize one or add other things inside to organize such as a snack bag for food, diaper case for dipes and wipes, etc)
Fanci-Free (Larger bag but great organization and compartments that make it ideal for more than one)
Fleurville Sling Tote (really nice bag! Well organized, great prints, etc. The new ones don't feel so wierd to me, I mean the plastic is different than on the old ones. Did not work well for me in toting extra food for #1 and clothing/diapering needs for #2.)


As for a seperate bag for each child inside you have lots of options. Lots of places make these dipes and wipes totes, here is one example...
http://www.fanci-free.com/marketplace/category/6.asp
http://www.fanci-free.com/marketplace/images/productphotos/acc_diepers.gif
Also Fleurville has the Escape Pod. You can easily find a similar bag at your local Walmart for less than 10$ in the cosmetic department. They often have clear ones that are perfect for that purpose, especially since you can see what is in each at a glance...
http://www.fleurville.com/products/escape_pod.html
http://www.fleurville.com/_media/escape_pod/_pink_stripe.jpg
http://www.fleurville.com/_media/escape_pod/ep_diagram.jpg
Another cheap option is to hit the craft store for a canvas tiny tote or drawstring bag and decorate it for each child. We did this for my ds and found it was great as it had his name (so the nursery workers knew which kid it was for) and was machine washable in case something spilled in it or on it. The cost was less than $5 and well worth it. You can find nylon drawstring bags also in the camping section of a sporting goods store.

HTH~