Diaper Bag

[v-girl]

Look on Cookie magazine's website. They just had an article about cool diaper bags.

JULIE - CHECK THIS SITE OUT! It has some cute high end bags. Some of these bags I would use LOL! http://www.mommieswithstyle.com/cate...er-bags-totes/

This is the BEST comprehensive website with high end bags

http://www.diaperbags.com/

also Nordstrom

http://shop.nordstrom.com/SR?KeyWord...=KeywordSearch

and Kate Spade though $$$

http://www.katespade.com/sm-all-baby...p-2450627.html

and check out this blog for ideas too she's a professional stylist

http://onechicmama.blogspot.com/

[Chrisada]

When DS1 was a baby I made a Ralph Lauren bag into a diaper bag. Later I got an OiOi bag http://www.overstock.com/Baby/OiOi-P...i_sku=11229374
For DS2 I made a Louis Vuitton bag called the Neverfull ( a gift) into a diaper bag. Unless you are planning on carrying bottles around everywhere, I don't really think you need an official diaper bag. I actually just keep the diapers and wipes in a Ziploc bag inside of my bigger bag.

[Flynn]

I'm a Skip Hop girl too.

They are reasonably priced, practical ( I HATE digging for stuff) and I like how they attach to most strollers so you can keep the basket below free for shopping!

[v-girl]

I like how they attach to most strollers so you can keep the basket below free for shopping!

My favorite feature. Though both of my strollers are Chicco with the umbrella stroller handles so the free hospital bag works fine on them.

[Vishenka69]

Now I like too many of them. At this point matching the stroller is the most difficult part. It also seems that many of the prettier ones aren't very washable/wipable on the outside. Thanks for giving me something to obsess about.

What feature of your bag did you like/find most useful? What feature do you wish it had?

[DCJenn]

I used the very utilitarian Land's End backpack because we were in the city (and also had to negotiate Russia) but I have to say having a light colored interior lining makes it SO much easier when you're trying to find stuff. (because you're never trying to find something when things are going well- it's usually involving a body fluid and a public area)

and it has it's own pouch to store the nasties (soiled clothes, etc- your or babe's or both) until you can get home and fumigate.

I went for function over beauty and it was also great because Rick could use it and look perfectly fine.

Jenn

[Chrisada]

I loved this bag too bec. is looks like a stylish purse.

http://www.duematernity.com/stsakemdibac.html

Now I like too many of them. At this point matching the stroller is the most difficult part. It also seems that many of the prettier ones aren't very washable/wipable on the outside. Thanks for giving me something to obsess about.

What feature of your bag did you like/find most useful? What feature do you wish it had?

Pockets, but not too many where you can't stuff a ton inside, OUTSIDE pockets I used the most! I liked the Skip Hop because of the outside pockets, one for my stuff (wallet, keys, etc) and one for the kids immediate need stuff (paci, wipes, etc).

Let us know what you pick, I'm dying to know!

[PrincessFiona]

Julie

Ummm. Forget about a diaper bag. Seriously, if you're willing to drop $200, buy yourself a beautiful, leather Dooney and Bourke or go for the Prada. I used my diaper bags for all of about 10 minutes and ended up going with my regular purse. It was too cumbersome to carry so much around. The Dooney and Bourke that I have has plenty of room for a couple of diapers, packet of wipes and a $2 changing pad plus my wallet, etc. Treat yourself. The diaper bag won't be with you long, but you'll be able to enjoy the purse for much longer.

If you need something for your baby buggy, just go with something cheap and black to match.

Actually, no. I insist on buying you a Care Bears or Winnie the Pooh Diaper bag and sending some socks and sandals along for the baby too! LOL



Kris

[SuzySunshine]

I 2nd the pockets - inside and outside. Bags with no pockets end up being a jumbled mess IMO. Of course I also think if you found the right bag you could buy little bags to go inside of it for organization.

[Vishenka69]

I loved this bag too bec. is looks like a stylish purse.

http://www.duematernity.com/stsakemdibac.html

Ooh, I like this one.

Kris, D&B is more than $200 and are pretty heavy, and Prada is $1000, so neither one is happening. I don't know if I'd want to keep using a purse that used to have dirty diapers and spilled milk/food in it. Generally bags don't last me more than a couple of years if I use them daily, so even if the diaper bag will be only used for 2 years or so, it makes sense to get one. The thought of putting a dirty anything into one of my bags is making me very uncomfortable. I guess I'll grow out of it once I'll be covered in spit up on daily basis.

If anyone is interested Kate Spade is having an extra 25% off their sale right now that there are 4 or 5 diaper bags on the sale page. I just don't want something so obvious. At this point everyone knows what a KS diaper bag looks likes.

And I know that a backpack is a very practical solution but I haven't carried one since high school. My wardrobe isn't backpack friendly and I'm hoping to keep it that way.

I'll definitely keep you posted on what I get.

[PrincessFiona]

Honestly, Julie, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a diaper bag. Buy something inexpensive and then get a nice purse for yourself. (I got my D&B for $116 at the Nordstrom's outlet, btw...and it would be a good size for a diaper bag).

It isn't worth the money. It just needs to transport diapers and maybe bottles/pacifiers. I always brought little scented baggies with me to tie the diapers up into and threw them away. I rarely carried a dirty diaper with me ever.

This is one of those purchases where I would say go for cheap and spend the extra money that you save on bedding, a trip to the spa for you or something else that you need for the baby.

Kris

[DCJenn]

Truly- it's probably the most expendable item of all items people buy. In fact, I can't tell you how many people I know ended up not using their pretty ones because they're just schlepping stuff around.

goldfish crumbs are goldfish crumbs- and spilled formula/milk/juice will stain anyway. (and formula smells to high heaven, FYI)

It's really tempting to load those suckers up when you first start going out w/ the baby but eventually you'll figure out what you need. In DC I always took snacks (often for me), a water bottle for me, a bottle for him, diapers, something to change him on (the backpack had a changing pad), wipes (carried in a baggie- those plastic carrying cases just break) and a change of clothes. and my wallet and my cell phone. I mean it's not like I wasn't more than a few blocks away from a store anyway. They can get REALLY heavy so be mindful of the fact that you'll somehow be transporting baby AND the bag. and I also carried baggies for dirty diapers and the myriad of other things that you need baggies for.

Jenn

[Chrisada]

Honestly, I never ever had anything like a dirty diaper in my bag! There is always a trash can around and I have those tiny plastic bags made for diapers.You'll see some people freak when you have to throw a dirty diaper away at their house, so I wrap them up in the bags I have. Like Kris and I said, you really don't need a diaper bag. Nothing dirty ever goes into mine. The only baby stuff I need are diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, and a few toys and eventually Cheerios in a container or plastic bag.

And here is the trick: Once they are about 1 1/2, you put a toddler backpack on them and let them carry their own stuff. DS1 is 2 1/2 and has had a backpack for a year. He loves it, I love it. But... I also understand that it's almost a rite of passage for a first-time mom to have an actual diaper bag. I certainly went through a few.