Any recommendations for a truly large bag?

[bisous]

I'm due in July with number 2 (we think its a girl) and I have one DS, age 3, who happens to be a diabetic. Right now I have a really large denim tote because even though my DS is older, we have to tote around a lot of his diabetes supplies which can be bulky and I like to be prepared. I've been looking with interest at the Skip Hop Dash but I'm not sure if it is really quite big. Is the Fleurville MS bigger? I used to have the Alpha 7 and it was perfect for my pre-diabetic toddler but not quite big enough for my newborn needs.

Hope this makes sense.

TIA,

Jen

[MamaKath]

Mothership might work. The older version does not have an adjustable strap though. With 2 kids I found I needed my hands free more and a bag needed to have the adjustable strap so I could change how I carried it, or be a backpack. I have a child with asthma and needed to carry a nebulizer and car adaptor with me everywhere for awhile. I used an older Land's End Do It All for that. It was big enough for 2 kids minimal supplies, plus the equipment.

The Lands End Triple Compartment Backpack is a big bag, might work well for you. www.landsend.com http://www.landsend.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?store=le&action=newSearch&search=diaper+bag&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0&sid=6707123875857189080

Baby Sherpa is big and has a seperate thermal compartment for food/medical supplies. It comes in two sizes too. www.babysherpa.com http://www.ebags.com/kids_baby/diaper_backpacks/baby_sherpa/category_search/index.cfm?Ne=300&N=4001+20037574+300615

The Baby Bjorn backpack has come out with great colors. BuyBuyBaby had a bunch of color combos, though they only show this one on their site. http://www.buybuybaby.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?uid=BF8FB25C-C39C-49EA-8E57-980D1F30657F-43433146&MainCatID=2&catID=44&sl=0&productID=185159
Bumble Bags Jessica bag is pretty big and comes in great colors. BuyBuy Baby also carries those.

GR8X bags are pretty big too. http://www.specialtybaby.com/grbatrde.html

Another one that might work really well is the Fanci-Free diaper bag. It has 3 compartments to it, so it can be each child's gear can be in its own section. http://www.ebags.com/fanci_free/brand_search/index.cfm?Ns=BRANDSTORE_ORDER_EBAGS|1||MODELNAME|0&N=300641

Lexie Barnes bags might work and are a bit more glam than some of the functional ones like the LE bags.
http://www.ebags.com/lexie_barnes/diaper_bags/category_search/index.cfm?N=20037450

Skip Hop makes the Double Duo which is huge! If you are planning a sbs stroller, it might be worth it though. Loom makes a few great bags, depends on how much you need to hold. JuJuBE Be all and Packabe might also work. Jen at ExpressiveTOys carries these and is fantastic to work with. http://www.expressivetoys.com/diaperbags.html

Those are the "big bags" that I can think of. Not sure what you will be carrying as far as toddler supplies, or newborn supplies (cloth vs sposies, bottle vs bf) but thought this might help you start out with some comparisons to the MS.

HTH~

[suzhatch1]

The SH Dash is about the same size actually as the Alpha 7. You probably can get a little bit more into the SH Dash because of the exterior pockets, but not a ton more. Sounds like you might be happier w/something a bit bigger.

The Mothership is bigger than the Dash & is considered one of the larger size diaper bags. Great organization, but it does not have an adj shoulder strap which is a drawback for some people. Some of the older vinyl covered styles make the bag a bit heavy. They have newer versions made in a laminated fabric material that is still wipeable & easy to clean, but lighter weight.

Lexie Barnes Superstar is hands down my favorite large size bag. It can hold a TON! It's got superior organization, tons of pockets & is super easy to carry. Very light weight laminated fabric, adj shoulder strap w/a nice shoulder pad, stretchy exterior bottle pockets that accomodate almost every size bottle/sippy imaginable, light bright interior so everything is easy to find. Even when it's not packed full, it still looks great.

HTH!
Suz :)

[DAKnits]

I love BIG, BIG bags had have had MANY --- my absolute favorite is the Posh Baby Ultimate Backpack which also has a messenger strap if you want to carry it that way. I have had a LOT of bags, and this is the most organized, lightweight, comfy big bag I've tried, and they have so many beautiful prints as well, which is an added plus. The fabric can be wiped clean.

I fit more in that bag than seems possible. I'd be happy to post a list of what I fit in there if you'd like. I have the Lands End Tripple Compartment backpack, and used, but no longer have, the Ju Ju be Packabe, the Baby Sherpa, the Mothership, and MANY more, so if you have any questions about any bag, please feel free to ask. With all I've tried, the Posh Baby is the best one I've used.

Here's a link: http://www.poshbaby.com/posh_bags.html

Edited to add: I have the Skip Hop Dash and it's definitely not a big bag -- I don't think you'd fit what you need.

[bisous]

Thanks for the replies, guys! Looking at all of the options, I think what I am really looking for is some kind of large messenger type bag instead of a sportier tote or backpack. I just really didn't llike or use the backpack feature of the Alpha7. I really liked the Lexie Barnes, JujuBE and the Posh Baby bags. Now, off to convince DH I need a new bag!