My first diaper bag was a Columbia Trekster Backpack diaper bag. LOVED IT!!! It was not too girly so my husband wouldn't mind carrying it around. It had two zip pockets on either side... one was for keys and a wallet and odds and ends and the other one was an "insulated" pocket for a baby bottle! How could you go wrong with that??? Well, it worked out great, had lots of room and a changing pad. I wish it had more pockets. Overall it was nice, but soon the insulation started to come apart and that side became really annoying. I kept it for a while but I think my husband ran over the strap with the vacuum and broke the buckle so I used that as an excuse to pitch it.
My second bag was a Vera Bradley Baby Bag. Still have it. Use it more for long car trips or use it as luggage. Its a zip bag but its pretty big. You don't want to be walking into the gym with that bag as it will knock everyone you come near over onto the ground. Great bag, just not an every day bag. More like a suitcase duffle with pockets, a zipper and a changing pad. I couldn't find a good picture of it because I think they came out with a new version, but you get the picture. Big bag. Not a good every day bag.
On my first solo trip with my oldest child, I splurged for a Diaper Bag backpack from Lands End. I wish I could post a picture of it, but of course they don't make it anymore. That really is key when it comes to traveling. I still use it on all my plane flights with my kids. I recommend having a good one that you can wear as a backpack. This one is heavy duty. Multiple sections that are closed off from one another, mesh compartments so you can see things. You will have your hands full and can't be bothering with swinging something around on your shoulder. My mom insisted that I get this one because it had lots of zippers, pockets, a changing pad. It is great. I highly recommend it. 5 years later still going strong. The front little zipper place is perfect for passport, itineraries, ID, wallet, cell phone. My little mommy section.
With the second child, I knew I was going to need an every day one that could hold two kids worth of clothes, diapers, wipes and all their stuff. And of course a place for my wallet and keys. I also wanted to get one that attached to my double stroller. I heard of the SKIP HOP diaper bags and I knew someone who had it. I decided to find one on sale so I settled on the SKIP HOP DIAPER BAG - DUO DELUXE. It had enough space and it had these really cool clips that clipped onto the handles of my Chicco Double Wide stroller (called Shuttle clips). LOVED IT. Still have it. The only thing I DON'T LIKE is the fact that it doesn't zip. Seriously? I need something that zips. Please get something that zips. It just has a flap that goes over the top and I was constantly knocking it over.
This year, I went for a super inexpensive diaper bag that zips and goes over the shoulder. It was $18 at Babies R Us and I can't wait to use it. It's called the Baby Sling Diaper Bag. I chose to downside my diaper bag with my third because I WILL NOW HAVE ONLY CHILD IN DIAPERS. I have not carried a diaper bag in almost a year. I don't need a huge bag with fancy things. My little one has been potty trained since a little over 2 years old. I haven't changed a poop in forever. It's nice. I barely even carry a purse now. I do have a change of clothes in the car for her and my older one but we are 100% in underwear which is great (well except for bedtime which I don't see her kicking for a while). With this new one, I want to downsize.... Thus, I wanted something that felt like a purse but I was able to hold two kids hands in the parking lot, carrying the diaper bag and the baby and not kill myself.
So with a diaper bag choice, I recommend the following:
- ZIPPERS ZIPPERS AND MORE ZIPPERS
- Pockets, lots of pockets
- Don't go too $$ because you will probably will get another one in your mommy lifetime - don't be too devastated if it doesn't last through all your kids
- Will need to fit clothes, wipes, pacis, bottle or two, socks, toys, books. Is it big enough????
- Try walking with your baby, the bag and pushing a stroller, if it doesn't stay on your shoulder - don't get it
- I like a little place to only put my keys, wallet and cell phone.
- Don't make it so girly that your husband huffs every time you ask him to hold it
I'll let you know how the Baby Sling bag works.
If I had to do it over again, I would probably get the Diaper Dude Sling bag. I have heard RAVING reviews of this one. Alot of my friend have it. It meets all my requirements. You can get a more girly one if you want, I would just go with black or blue. Its like a messenger bag. You can carry other things while you walk with it. Doesn't have stroller clips, but I could live. I didn't want to spend that much money on another bag so I went economy but I would hesitate to register for this one for my first kid!!!
UPDATE ON POST: 11/4/2013
Well.. I must say that I really love that Baby Sling Diaper bag. It was definitely a great purchase. Highly recommend. It had lots of pockets up front, it wasn't too deep and it fit perfectly on my small frame. I still use it from time to time. It was a wonderful newborn diaper bag for all the crap that you have to take around.
I did however, get a new one. I have always wanted a Petunia Pickle Bottom bag and I found one on super clearance. Its the Touring Tote and it's a fun bag to use. I found that I really liked the style (although I would prefer the cross-boob baby like a sling) and it had plenty of room for lots of things. It had a side pocket for cash or credit cards or a small wallet. It came with stroller clips which I really liked. If you have the funds or you can get it as a gift, I say go for it. Splurge. I got mine brand new for about $30 because it was on sale and I had some in store credit at a boutique around here. Petunia makes great bags, this one is perfect. Not HUGE amounts of room, but perfect for my one child in diapers lifestyle.
