Diaper bag buying guide

Opt for a bag that leaves your hands free, such as a backpack, sling, or messenger-style with a diagonal strap. (See diaper-bag types.)

Many bags can convert into a backpack style. Others are very simple "sling" styles that are great for quick trips. The McKenzie Kids Messenger Bag is actually a small sling style with a pocket for diaper wipes under the front flap. The small Mothers Minder Sling Bag has a bungee cord attached to the front to store extra stuff. The JJ Cole System Bag 180 is a roomier messenger style that comes with its own "pod" to hold a pacifier.

A bag that allows your torso to bear the brunt of the weight you're carrying is better for your neck and shoulders. With this type of bag, you won't have to balance your baby in one hand and a bag in the other. A hands-free bag will also make it easier to juggle a stroller and shopping bags while keeping up with an energetic toddler--that'll be your baby in no time--when you run errands.

You can buy a bag designed to hang on your stroller's handlebar or clips that give you the same option with other bags, but we don't recommend this because the weight might cause the stroller to tip backward.

You can buy a perfectly chic yet durable and practical carryall for $35 to $40, such as California Innovations Rounded Tote Diaper Bag ($39.99) or Trend Lab's Messenger Bag ($29.98). Or you can spend hundreds for a designer or other high-end bag from Gucci, Kate Spade, or Juicy Couture. If you're looking for something less floral or feminine, there's an entire subindustry aimed at designing diaper bags for dads. Ju-Ju-Be carries the Be Hip messenger bag in slate and timber colors, for example. Storksak carries the Jamie bag made of cowhide and big enough to fit a laptop along with the nappies. And DadGear messenger bags can be found decorated with flames and skulls, if you're so inclined. Just keep in mind that a bigger investment might not deliver a bigger return in terms of convenience or durability. And remember that a diaper bag can get dirty and worn pretty quickly.

"Try to consider what your priorities are before you go out and buy a $500 bag," says Mary Carlomagno, a mother of two, professional organizer, and author of "The Secrets of Simplicity." "Trial and error is often what works when it comes to children. I have gone through a couple of different diaper bags, and half the time all you need is a diaper and a wipe. Go to a retailer who can explain the benefits of the various diaper-bag options. Don't invest too much, because you might want to get another one."

A backpack diaper bag looks like a regular backpack but with extra pockets to hold wipes and changing pads, among other items. The Travel Baby Depot Bag (pictured), for example, gives you tons of room to stash your stuff and distributes the load on your shoulders evenly.

The messenger-style bag (sometimes also referred to as sling style) has one strap and can be carried on a shoulder or across your chest. They are often designed with dads in mind, but you can find them in almost any variation, from unisex to floral. Storksak's Jaime bag (pictured) has an adjustable shoulder strap, is big enough to hold a laptop, and has plenty of pockets, including insulated ones for bottles.

A tote-style looks like an overgrown handbag. Like other bags, some include extra pockets and space for cell phones and more. Some tote styles, such as the Ju-Ju-Be BFF bag (pictured), come with detachable straps so you can turn it into a backpack or messenger bag, or simply grab the tote handle on the top. Other tote styles look even more like large pocketbooks, such as Petunia Pickle Bottom's high-end Cosmo Carryall, made with Italian cut velvet. It has large handles, just like a fashionable purse.

Another variation, sometimes called a "stroller diaper bag," is basically a tote-style but designed with longer straps to fit on the back of a stroller's handlebars. Models are available for double strollers as well as single. Some of these stroller bags have clips. Manufacturers are adding stroller strap-on mechanisms to other styles as well, such as the OiOi hobo-style bag mentioned below. You can buy separate clips to fasten any bag to your stroller.

Consumer Reports advises against hanging anything on the handlebar of a stroller because the weight might cause the stroller to tip backward. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association agrees.

Linda Woody, communications manager for the association, says that if you plan to use a larger bag or purse, you should choose a stroller that can safely carry them in a basket, not on your stroller's handlebars. "We recommend that parents don't hang pocketbooks, diaper bags, or shopping bags over the handles of the carriage or stroller.

"You want to use the shopping basket underneath the stroller and make sure it is low on the back of the stroller or directly over the rear wheels," Woody says.

She says there are so many types of carriages and strollers on the market that parents should look for one that fits their needs. But she adds that many convertible strollers will often have a basket underneath where a diaper bag can easily be placed. (Convertible strollers are used with an infant car seat that can be changed to carry a child once they outgrow it.)

Hobo bags mimic the style from handbag fashionistas. The OiOi hobo diaper bag, for example, has one main internal compartment and a shoulder strap with an adjustable buckle.

Convertible bags, such as the Ju-Ju-Be BFF, come with a handle and a removable sling strap and backpack strap so you can use it in whatever mode is most convenient.

If you want wear your baby gear around your waist like a carpenter belt, you can get a fanny-pack style, like the Mia Bossi MB601 Tobey Diaper Bag.

Some sling-style bags are designed to be smaller for quick outings. Like a messenger bag, it has a strap that can cross your chest, but because it's compact it can fit snugly.

Last and least are mini bags, which are made to fit inside something else. They look like a small handbag or clutch, such as the Cross Town Clutch by Petunia Pickle Bottom or the Amy Michelle Poppy Chic Diaper Clutch.

As you're realizing by now, there are enough different types of diaper bags on the market right now to warrant their own edition of "Project Runway." Parents can choose one that looks practically professional, a mod messenger bag, a hike-worthy backpack, a small sling, such as the Mothers Minder Sling Bag, or a tiny "changing purse" such as the clutches mentioned above. Some bags hold only a few diapers and are made for quick outings; others are big enough for a four-day getaway, with zippers to let you expand the bag when you need more room.

Before you're seduced by all the choices in shape, style, fabric, and fashion, think about where you'll be bringing the bag and what will work best for you. An imported Italian leather fanny-pack style like the Mia Bossi Tobey might look chic when taking a walk to a local coffee shop, but you'll want something more substantial for a day trip, when you need to pack an extra outfit for your baby, your cell phone and wallet, and a day's worth of juice boxes or formula.

Practicality is paramount, but a diaper bag can still be a fashion accessory. If you want that silk-covered bag with great graphics and colors, just make sure the interior is nylon or microfiber so you can clean up after the wet diapers and spilled milk. Ju-Ju-Be bags, for example, are machine washable, have light-colored interiors that make it easy to see inside, and are easy to wipe clean. Plus they're treated with an antimicrobial finish. In the mood for a bag with a camouflage design, your alma mater's insignia, or even a skull and flames? It's all out there. You can also easily find something more subdued but modern, like stripes or polka dots. You'll have to look a bit harder for those old-school, sweet-and-innocent designs like butterflies or Winnie-the-Pooh, but they can be found, too.

Prices range from $15 for a low-end fabric or vinyl model to as much as $500 and up for well-appointed designer bags. Here are more specifics about what you'll find in each price range.

At $35 or less, these might skimp on quality and durability, leaving you with a zipper that won't zip or a bag that is quickly frayed and needs to be replaced. If you expect to have more kids and want diaper-bag shopping to be a one-shot deal, spending a little more (in the upper end of the $35-to-$100 range) will get you a good-quality bag that might last through several years of Sesame Street.

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. The best bags can be wiped clean inside and out because gunk tends to accumulate on all surfaces. They also have lots of Velcro or zippered pockets, which can help you stay organized.

Many of the top names in fashion have jumped into the diaper-bag business, as they have with baby clothing. So if you want to make a statement with yours, you can. Just be prepared to pay for it. The Addison Op Art Baby Bag by Coach, for example, will set you back $500. The Mia Bossi Maria Chocolate is a couture bag with distressed Italian leather that goes for $600.

You're apt to get a good-quality bag, but make sure it's the type you want and has all the features (such as durable fabric and closures and double seams) you seek. Think washable, wipeable, and waterproof. You might want to avoid a bag that requires dry cleaning.

Look for wide, padded, adjustable straps that won't dig into your shoulders. Try to buy a bag that has well-reinforced, finished seams. You want the seams to hold up to use and washing, and not fray. Stress points on the bag should be reinforced with a rivet or zigzag stitching. Look for good-quality hardware: heavy-duty plastic or metal zippers with sturdy closures. Zippers with large teeth and tabs that are large enough to make them easy to grab are superior. Finally, zippers, rather than magnetic closures, can help ensure your stuff won't fall out if your diaper bag tips over or a frustrated toddler kicks it. A flap that closes over the bag, rather than an open-type tote with just a zipper, will have a better chance of keeping your contents dry.

Most bags come with a rectangular changing pad that folds up, fits in the bag, and can be wiped clean. Many pads fit into a designated pocket--a plus, since isolating the pad can prevent it from contaminating the rest of the bag, and make it easier to find. Some pads are cushier than others, but you can always buy one separately. A few models come with a pad attached to the side or, like the Petunia Pickle Bottom Society Satchel (pictured), into a zippered bottom compartment, and can be used as self-contained changing stations.

The handles of a tote-style bag should be short enough so that the bag doesn't drag on the ground when you carry it like a briefcase, but long enough so that it can be slung over a shoulder, such as the Sally Spicer diaper bag.

Some bags now come with a variety of handles; a short "grab handle" or "lug handle" and backpack straps as well, such as the B.F.F. bag from Ju-Ju-Be (pictured). Wide or well-padded straps are more comfortable. A backpack, messenger, or sling-style diaper bag keeps your hands and arms free. A backpack's shoulder straps should be adjustable for proper fit. A few even come with a sternum strap, which connects the shoulder straps at the upper chest and can help distribute the weight more evenly.

There are hundreds of choices in fabrics, from modern brocades to glazed, coated canvas. While the outside designs can be dazzling, make sure you choose something durable. A moisture-resistant nylon or microfiber bag will be more practical; you'll want a diaper bag that can be wiped clean, inside and out. Beware of vinyl bags if you live in a cold climate. They can crack when the temperature dips.

Some manufacturers continue to offer "baby colors"--pastels and light-colored prints. But dark shades are less likely to show dirt or stains. For the interior however, a light- or bright color, like the one in the Eddie Bauer Davenport Diaper bag (pictured) in silver, can make it easier to see what's inside.

Easy-to-access zippered interior and exterior compartments, which can function as a wallet and storage for things you constantly need, such as baby wipes, pacifiers, and your cell phone, are a convenient plus.

Clear vinyl, fabric, or mesh pockets inside can hold diapers, wipes, sanitizer, and more. An insulated cooler section is great for traveling with your little one's formula or food. Bottle pockets are handy, but make sure your brand of baby bottle and your water bottle fit. Pockets are important because you always want to keep bottles and food separate from dirty diapers.

Check out how much the bag weighs when empty; a diaper bag that weighs 3 pounds before you pack it will quickly become a heavy load once you add diapers and more. It might make most sense to have more than one bag, perhaps a more spacious one for long trips and a more compact one for quick jaunts.

Friends since graduate school, cofounders Amy and Michelle have been designing elegant and fashionable diaper bags since 2004. Available at specialty stores and on the company’s website. www.amymichelle.com
 

BOB (short for Beast of Burden) started out in 1994 making trailers for bikes. Today, the company still makes trailers as well as strollers, and carrying bags and accessories for both. Company website lists retailers by location. www.bobgear.com
 

Founded in 2002, Baby Sherpa is a designer and manufacturer of gear-carrying solutions aimed at active families. The popular diaper backpacks come in three styles: Original, Short-Haul, and Alpha. Available at Babies "R" Us and online at www.babysherpa.com.
 

Since 1986, California Innovations has been producing soft-sided insulated products. Available online at Babies R Us and in stores through the Columbia Sportswear company. www.californiainnovations.com
 

Founded in 2003 by two new fathers, Dad Gear is dedicated to bags for dads, from messenger-style to courier-style, backpacks, and even vests and jackets. Available at specialty stores and the company’s website. www.dadgear.com
 

The outerwear experts even have a diaper bag. Available at a wide variety of stores and several online sites, such as Amazon.
 

A young company based in Utah, J.J. Cole Collections changed the bunting market with its innovative BundleMe product. Available at Target, Babies "R" Us, and other retailers, and on the company’s website. www.jjcolecollections.com
 

Started by two people who felt that “no one had successfully acted on the idea that fashion and function aren't mutually exclusive, and no one else had delved into the deep realm of microbes and anti-stick coatings.” Ju Ju Be claims to make “smart bags by smart people.” Available at retailers such as Nordstrom, and online at www.shopjujube.com.
 

These handmade, high-end diaper bags are made from high-quality Italian leathers and fabrics, and can be used as a purse, a computer case, or a carryall. Available on a variety of online stores and its website. www.miabossi.com
 

Established in England in 2002 and the USA in 2003, OiOi began as an Australian company more than a decade ago. Its diaper bags are known for their quality, beautiful designs, vibrant colors, and functional styles. Available at specialty stores and the company’s website. www.oioibabybags.com
 

This Utah-based company develops products “for the love of little ones,” which includes front baby carrier system, travel, and shoulder bags, along with accessories. Available at specialty retailers and on its website. www.okkatots.com
 

Designing stylish baby accessories, Petunia Pickle Bottom was founded in 2000. Available at Nordstrom, Pottery Barn Kids, Neiman Marcus, and other high-end department stores, and at the company’s website. www.petunia.com
 

Sally Spicer makes a wide variety of bags, from clutches and cosmetic bags to baby messenger and baby tote bags. Available on the company’s website and at  eBags, Zappos, Walmart , and Amazon. www.sallyspicerbags.com
 

In 2003, inspired by their needs as new parents, Ellen and Michael Diamant founded Skip Hop and introduced the stroller bag called the Duo. Today, they also make diaper bags in several styles. Available on the company’s website, Nordstrom, Babies “R” Us, and Target. www.skiphop.com
 

Established by the British design duo Melanie Marshall and Suzi Bergman, Storksak began offering its brand of “fashionable and functional” diaper bags and accessories in the U.S. in 2006. Available on the company’s website and specialty stores. www.storksak.com
 

Trend Lab LLC is a privately held Minnesota-based company founded in 2001 on the belief that new parents wanted trend-conscious nursery décor. Their line includes bedding, diaper bags, baby gifts, and even pet products. Available wherever juvenile products are sold.  www.trend-lab.com
 

The diaper bag should be your "nursery on the go," says Mary Carlomagno, a mother of two, professional organizer, and author of "The Secrets of Simplicity." So it's worth giving some thought to how it is going to fit with your family's lifestyle. "Will you keep the bag on your stroller most of the time, or are you a driving mom who takes your kid to day care? Where will your bag live? Will you carry it on a stroller, will it spend a lot of time on your shoulder, or will you most often be tossing it into the car?"

You'll be carrying your bag for a year or more--perhaps even after your child is potty trained, since it's useful for any gear. So it's a good idea to try on some bags for size, look, and feel, even if you ultimately decide to shop online. Bring some of baby's stuff from home, plus some of the necessities from your own bag, and load up the bags you like at the store. The diaper bag should be easy to use, but comfort is vital, too. Check out how much the bag weighs when empty--the supplies you'll be carrying weigh plenty so there's no point in adding to the load with a heavy bag.

You'll want a good-sized diaper bag. As your baby grows, her bigger diapers and bottles will take up space. But you don't want one so cavernous that you're constantly losing things in it, or bumping it into people. A deep hobo-style diaper bag, for example, might be too big for everyday use with one kid (though possibly perfect if you have twins). And even if you don't really need much stuff, there's a tendency to fill the void. Try not to wind up with a diaper bag that weighs more than your baby and ruins your posture.

Efficiency is the key here. When you need to clean spit-up from your shoulder and find a clean diaper, all at the same time, being able to easily put your hands on those items is a lifesaver. Loops inside or out to clip your keys or your baby's toys on are handy, too. You want to grab and keep going, without having to break stride every 5 minutes to find what you need.

"If you have the changing pad in the pocket, and you keep a wipe and a diaper there, you can just grab and go," Carlomagno says. "Too many pockets can give you too many choices. Keep the bag packed the way it is easiest for you to grab, because half the time you are grabbing it with a kid in your hand."