But chances are you'll be happier with one that's specifically designed for baby gear. You'll need compartments to keep things organized, and that's what many diaper bags have to offer that generic carry-alls don't.
Diaper bags have come a long way from the traditional rectangular, pastel-colored bags adorned with Pooh and other characters (although these diaper bags are still an option). In the past few years, there's been an explosion of styles, colors, designs, and functions. Manufacturers recognize that today's parents are active and that Dad, who may be taking on a bigger parenting role, may want his own bag. The trend is to unisex family diaper bags that both parents can use, ones that can be handed from Mom to Dad without embarrassment.
Many of the newest diaper bags are designed to double as an adult backpack or a satchel for your laptop. Bags aimed at dads come in guy-friendly, rugged fabrics, such as camouflage and faux suede. Other diaper bags are designed purely for moms' sense of style. They look like a purse--you'd never know there were diapers and bottles inside--and feature fun details such as pompom trim; classy colors including raspberry, lilac, olive, and black; and floral or mod prints.
Features such as "parent" pockets for your iPod, wallet, cell phone, and day planner; insulated bottle pockets and compartments for baby wipes; and lightly padded shoulder straps are now standard so you don't have to carry two or three bags. Ditto for a large, wipe-clean, detachable changing pad.
Shopping Secrets
Consider how you'll use your diaper bag. There are many styles available: backpack, messenger, and tote are three of the most popular. To decide which is right for you, think about how you'll be using your bag. Do you expect to be a heavy packer, prepared for anything, with extra diapers, changes of clothes, and favorite toys? Do you bottle feed? Will your spouse be the one who carries it? Do you need a diaper bag that blends in, so you feel comfortable carrying the same bag from work to day care? Will you be using your diaper bag on lots of day trips? Do you consider a diaper bag an accessory, like a chic pair of pumps? And perhaps most important, what's your budget? The answers to these questions can help you decide how roomy your bag needs to be, the number and types of compartments you should look for, the style that's likely to work best for your lifestyle, and aesthetic decisions, such as color and type of fabric.
'Test drive' models in the store. You'll be carrying your bag for a while, perhaps more than two years if you carry it until your baby is potty-trained. So, even if you buy online, it's a good idea to go to a store to try on some bags for size, look, and feel. Load up the bags with baby stuff you bring from home. Consider where you'd put diapers, a change of clothes for your baby, wipes, the changing pad, an insulated lunch bag, your keys and wallet, and whatever else you typically carry with you. Bring the baby bottles you use (or plan to use) to make sure the bottle holders on contender diaper bags accommodate that size and type of bottle. Try unfolding the changing pad with one hand; you may be holding your baby in the other. It should be easy to use. Functionality is key--so is comfort.
Don't think bigger is necessarily better. You want a good-size diaper bag, yes. As your baby grows, bigger diapers take up more diaper bag space. But you don't want one that's so roomy that you're constantly losing things in its caverns or bumping into people. A weekender or deep hobo-style diaper bag, for example, may be too big for your everyday needs unless you have more than one child's things to carry with you. And even if you don't have a lot of stuff, there's a tendency to fill the void. Before you know it, a large diaper bag can easily outweigh your baby.
Look for extra compartments. Babies are a demanding lot. Trying to find a pacifier, for example, when your baby starts howling can feel like an emergency. Internal and external zippered pockets, toy loops, key clips, and bungee cords offer speedy access to pacifiers, toys, baby wipes, and your keys. Everything should be within easy reach. You want to be able to grab and keep going, without having to break stride or put your baby down to find what you need.
If the diaper bag you select--or that's given to you--doesn't have compartments, compartmentalize it yourself by placing similar items in small plastic Ziploc bags or see-through cosmetic bags. "Put toys in one bag, your baby's pacifier in another, and designate another just for baby wipes," says Elizabeth Hagen, a mother of five and a professional organizer from Sioux Falls, S.D. If your diaper bag has a zippered side pocket, designate that area as a home for your keys and cell phone. Then, to find these important items faster, get into the habit of putting them away right after you use them. "Taking that split second to put things where they belong saves you time and frustration later," Hagen says.
Watch for sales. Since diaper bags have become as trendy as purses, brands, styles, and fabrics constantly make their debut on the market. To make room for new inventory, retailers often offer sales to move the perfectly good bags that didn't get snatched up. That's especially true on high-design bags that make a style statement or cater to the seasons. We scanned the Internet and found diaper bags up to 50 percent off their original prices. The Internet offers an efficient way to window shop and compare prices.
What's Available
Major brands, in alphabetical order, include: Amy Michelle (www.amymichellebags.com), Baby Einstein (www.babyeinstein.com; available at retailers and e-tailers such as www.target.com), Baby Sherpa (www.babysherpa.com), Bumble Bags (www.bumblebags.com), Caden Lane Baby (www.cadenlaneco.com), Dad Gear (www.dadgear.com), Daisy Gear (www.daisygear.com), Diaper Dude (www.diaperdude.com), Eddie Bauer (www.eddiebauer.com), Fleurville (www.fleurville.com), Kate Spade (www.katespade.com), Lands' End (www.landsend.com), OiOi (www.oioi.com.au), O Yikes! (www.oyikes.com), Petunia Pickle Bottom (www.petuniapicklebottom.com), Reese Li (www.reeseli.com), Skip Hop (www.skiphop.com), Timi & Leslie (www.timiandleslie.com), and 2 Red Hens (www.2redhens.com).
Fabrics and patterns run the gamut from classic Pooh to sophisticated solids, florals, geometrics, checks, plaids, and stripes in rugged nylon and microfiber as well as dry-clean-only rayon/silk. Designs include backpacks, tote-style bags that could pass for briefcases, deep hobo bags, handbags with shoulder straps, fanny packs that resemble tool belts, ultra-hip urban slings, and messenger bags. Some diaper bags are made to attach to the back of the stroller, and can easily make the transition from stroller to shoulder. Diaper bags range from $12.99 for a low-end fabric or vinyl model to $350 or more for well-appointed designer bags.
Recommendations
Opt for a bag that leaves your hands free, such as a backpack or messenger-style diaper bag with a diagonal strap. That way, you won't have to balance your baby in one hand and a bag in the other. A hands-free bag also makes it easier to keep up with an energetic toddler (your baby, in no time). And it's healthier for your neck and shoulders, too, when your torso bears the brunt of the weight you're carrying. Loading up one shoulder can lead to neck and back strain. Be careful of overloading your diaper bag. Don't place any bags on stroller handlebars; it may cause the stroller to tip.
If value is what you're after, midpriced models (in the $35 to $100 range) offer the best mix of sound construction and generous storage. Low-end models (in the $20 to $35 range) skimp on quality and durability, leaving you with a bag that may tear, fray, or get stained or sticky and soon have to be replaced. If you expect to have more than one child, spending a little more will get you a good-quality bag that will last through several siblings.
Designer diaper bags are a class unto themselves. If you want a certain look or designer label, you'll pay for it. You're apt to get a good-quality bag, too. But make sure it's made of a roadworthy fabric and has all the features you're looking for.
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WHAT NOT TO BUY |
