Monday, March 15, 2010

It's In the Bag

I have a confession to make: I didn't use my diaper bag past Will's third month.

I just didn't like it from a functional perspective. It was cute and I got tons of compliments on it, but it was too small, not enough pockets, no room for Will's essentials, let alone adding anything for me. After awhile, I just stopped carrying it and now, all of Will's necessities fit into a small rolling backpack that we take with us. There is no room for anything else in that bag, however, and I don't want to be packing two bags come July.

I would really like to have a diaper bag this time around that is big enough to hold what Emma and Will are going to need, plus my wallet, keys, cell phone, and maybe even a water bottle. I want pockets, perhaps even a separate changing pad/wipe holder, and it would be great if it was roomy, but I don't want it to be huge. Ideally, I would also like it to be somewhat stylish. If I found one that wasn't too "diaperbagish," I would ditch my purse and have an all-in-one for everything.

This is what I have found that I like best so far, but it's spendy and I haven't seen one in person, so I don't know if it will live up to the hype. I have always found my dear blogfriends to be so wise when it comes to knowing what the best truly is. I am willing to spend a bit extra for the "perfect" bag, and I also am good at finding internet deals.

So, tell me, what's your bag, baby?

12 comments:

Rebecca said...

I can't stand diaper bags...we have one from Pottery Barn, but it stays in my car for emergencies (we have rarely used it). This is what I use (http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=34747&vid=1&pid=720288) and it's wonderful...I can empty all of the zip-loc bags out (which house diapers, wipes, sippies, and snacks) and use it as a regular bag when I'm not with the kids. Seriously though...how often does that happen!?!

Anonymous said...

With 2 in diapers, I just went to using a big tote bag I bought on etsy in a print I liked. Here's an example of something similar, but mine has a couple inside pouches and one outside pouch for MY stuff (wallet, phone, etc) and a key fob. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40755815&ref=cat2_list_7
I stopped carrying a purse because the kids kept my hands full and I didn't want one more thing. When one of them is out of diapers, I'll downsize probably but I do like having extra space to throw stuff (extra snacks, a coloring book, change of clothes, etc) when needed.

Anonymous said...

We have 2 bags. One is a Skip Hop bag from Target. It's our day-to-day bag and I LOOOOOOOVE it. It's got pockets galore, and holds dipers, wipes, toys, bibs, burp cloths, bottles, sippys, my wallet, etc. etc. It sort of looks like this one but mine must have discontinued in the last year. For what it's worth, my BFF just got a slightly different styled Skip Hop bag from diapers.com and she loves hers too. They just seem to be so functional! Everything is right where you need it and the bag has a bit of "stiffness" to it (not the right word) so it stands up without slouching over while you're digging in it.

We also got a bigger bag from Cab.ela's that we use as a diaper bag. It's this one but ours is way way cuter, it's orange, pink, and blue! I freaking love that bag! It holds everything but the kitchen sink. We usually send it for overnight trips to grandma's but it really does work well for around town use too.

Anyway, all that said, I'm completely satisfied with our bags and I think even with a second kid right now I'd continue to use both of them!

Allison said...

I have the skip hop duo deluxe and it has worked for the most part for holding all the stuff we need for both kids and my purse contents. I like all the compartments. If i had had more to spend i would have gotten the duo double deluxe because I like how it is longer, instead of taller.

I often do just use a tote bag of sorts though for the both of them or keep a bag in the car and shove two diapers and wipes into my own purse. depends on the outing.

Jen said...

I bought myself a cute and completely unusable bag for Jillian. I ended up using DH's man bag with tons of pockets and a skulls and crossbones design more than my own. These days I just throw a couple diapers and pack of wipes into a larger hobo style bag, but I'll probably have to revert to something larger when #2 arrives.

HereWeGoAJen said...

I use the diaper bag that we got for free at the hospital, so we are sponsored by baby formula. It's pretty small, but everything we need fits. But I mostly don't carry a diaper bag at all, unless we are going to be out for the whole day.

Nicky said...

I LOVE my Skip Hop Duo Deluxe. It's a good size and shape, has pockets in all the right places. When LL was tiny, I also appreciated the magnetic closures because you could open and close it silently without waking the baby. I use the small inside zipper compartment for my wallet and stuff, and then I don't carry a purse. If you go to skiphop.com they are a bunch of fabric options that are hard to find in stores. You can also find them for cheaper on amazon.

When LL was first born, his stuff filled it up, but that was mostly because we use cloth diapers, which are bulky, and I carried a lot of them with me when he was an infant. Now that he's 18 months old, the bag has a LOT of spare room in it. I think that it would be plenty big for two kids, even during the newborn months, now that I know how not to overpack.

Tracy said...

Oh man...I wish you'd posted this a week ago. I just sold my Skip Hop Duo Double on Ebay and LOVED it! I just found we didn't really use it much anymore. I keep diapers in the car, so just carry a small bag with us when we're on the go. It's easier with two kiddos in tow. I did love that bag though...

Mazzy said...

I am an admitted purse whore. I decided it was worth it for me to spend a little bit of money on my diaper bag since I wouldn't be carrying around one of my beloved purses once the peanut was born. I splurged on a Petunia Pickle Bottom boxy backpack is a gorgeous fabric and it has been one of the best baby purchases I've ever made. I carry it everywhere and it holds everything and the fact that it can be worn with 2 straps as a backpack is the most awesome thing EVER. The front part also rolls out to become a changing pad and I can't tell you how many times I had to use it in situations where places didn't have changing stations or I was at a friend's house without children and didn't have anywhere else to change her. I get compliments on it everywhere I go, too. Nordstrom's sells them for a pretty penny ($120ish), but I googled them and found mine on a random website on clearance for $85. PPB themselves also have a semi annual clearance of their own and if you sign up for their emails, they notify you of their big sales.

Good luck finding what you want!

Michele said...

I hate purses so I needed something that I didnt consider hideous and that would hold everything I'd need for twins... And it does. It's a JJ Cole Mode bag in green and brown ("cocoa tree". It came with a changing pad, and I store diapers, travel formula, disposable nipples, wipes, a spare onesie/sleeper per baby, 2 burp cloth diapers, 2 bibs, a bag that has A&D, Triple Paste, and antibiotic ointment in it, my wallet, my keys, my cell phone, and usually a bottle of water for mommy. http://jjcolecollections.com/mode-tote-bag#

Michele said...

I hate purses so I needed something that I didnt consider hideous and that would hold everything I'd need for twins... And it does. It's a JJ Cole Mode bag in green and brown ("cocoa tree". It came with a changing pad, and I store diapers, travel formula, disposable nipples, wipes, a spare onesie/sleeper per baby, 2 burp cloth diapers, 2 bibs, a bag that has A&D, Triple Paste, and antibiotic ointment in it, my wallet, my keys, my cell phone, and usually a bottle of water for mommy. http://jjcolecollections.com/mode-tote-bag#

Amber said...

I thought about getting a JJ Cole bag, but I got the Petunia Picklebottom bag instead (the boxy backpack). Of course, I've only been using it for 6 weeks, but I love it! It seems to be working for what I need.