So I’ve been looking and most of them are either ugly, or really big and bulky. Do I need one really? Can I use a purse instead? What exactly goes in there outside of diapers? Are all those pockets necessary? Do you mommies use yours on a daily basis?
I have my eye on a lovely, good sized Cole Haan*(!) purse - on sale at Nordstrom - and I was thinking if I throw a changing pad, a wipes case and a few diapers in it, I might get away with it… And I get a new purse in the process haha
*and if I win the lottery between now and June, this will become a Marc Jacobs hee hee
I think new mothers need one, esp if you are bottle feeding. I used to bottle feed, I had following in my diaper bag. You will know as you go what you need, our son used to throw up a lot do we used to keep his extra change of clothes and other supplies in the car(apart from the ones in the diaper bag)
1) change pad
2) diapers/wipes
3) couple of extra bodysuits, an extra recieveing blanket(esp if I would be out for more than 1-2 hours)
4) bottles, formula dispenser, water for formula
5) we always had a thermometer,a small tylenol(this was us most ppl don't carry it around).
This was first 5-6 months, once the kid start on solid food then thing get more stable and of you are just going out for couple of hours, just throw in the change pad, wipes(in a ziploc) and his feeding stuff in your purse and you are good to go.
When wqe used to go out at night we always have a night suit for him because that way I could just clean him, change him in his night suit and get him ready for sleeping. He is mashallah 3 now and if we know we will be staying somewhere for long I take his night suit and change him around his bedtime and put him to bed(if we are at someone's house)
We do a lot of international travel and since we strated travelling with my son I started making a checklist of everything I need for diaper bag(hard learned lesson)
It depends on if u want one or not.....I have a 1 year old and have not used a diaper bag ever. I just use my purse and put in things I need like a diaper, wipes, vaselsine, sippy cup and some snacks. Also I try to avoid going out where I would have to change his diaper in a public place and so far so good...no poopy diapers in public place :)
I used a diaper bag and it was always filled to the brim. I used one of the conventional ones. Though for parties etc. I had a custom made one with my daughter's name on it. That said there are many diaper bags now that look like purses and have the"non-conventional" look. You can use a big purse instead with a few zippers and compartments. You want to find that bib quickly when baby is in a bad mood, so for me at least compartments/ pockects are a must.
As for what goes in there, everyone is difefrent but for me, there were:
diapers (a lot so I won't be out ever)
wipes
vaseline or diaper rash cream
binkies/ pacifiers and their holdres
2-3 change of clothes including socks
diaper disposal bags
a diaper changing mat (some diaper bags have built in ones)
baby food (when baby is old enough)
toys (when baby is old enough)
bottles and milk
Secondly,IMO you do need a diaper bag and yeah mostly they are not something that would look very nice…but I have always used one for my 9 mo old daughter…I keep diapers,wipes,changing pads,1-2 sets of clothes,bottles,washcloths,formula container,and small sized petroleum jelly,hand sanitizer etc etc..if I am going to be out for a while a small blanket also goes in there…so its kinda always full…
The pockets and compartments do come in handy to keep everything organized and accessible readily…
if you can find a stylish handbag which can serve the same purpose then why not…but you will need a diaper bag for sure…
there are lots of nice bags out there, you will surely find one taht you like. I would not want to stain my nice bags with baby formula or tylenol. I did use my nice LVs/guccis/MJ few times but I didn't carry bottles in that, I used dr. browns which are very good botles but can leak easily.
You don’t need a bag specifically labeled diaper bag, but you need a decent-sized bag for baby things. A large purse could do. But you need to keep more than just diapers and wipes. As others said, a nursing top, bottles and formula and water, 1-2 changes of clothes (oh, the diaper leaking and spitting up phase!), a washcloth or two, a bib or two, food for older babies, a toy or two for slightly older babies, pacifier, thermometer, infant tylenol, teething ring, a thin blanket for light cover, and/or a thicker blanket, hats, gloves for colder weather,etc.
oh and of course bows to play dressup :halo:
I’m surprised you’re not finding a good selection. I think there are lots of nice ones that don’t look obviously like diaper bags. Check out Eddie Bauer’s collection. I think it’s pretty nice. JJ Cole has a huge variety too but those can be superpricey (anywhere from $50-$400).
Just a thought - a guy friend of mine mentioned that most ladies buy the bags to suit their style and are usually ultra feminine. Since he's an active parent, he hated toting around the girlie purse-bags. So they bought two - she got the pricy pretty bag, and he got a second functional bag that he uses when he goes out alone with their kid.
I have heard of women using big handbags to replace a traditional diaper bag and I tried to use one but I found it to be a big hassle because I like to change handbags every now and then (for everyday or going out) and had to transfer all baby stuff plus my things to a new bag each time which is time consuming so I just used the diaper bag.
We have this diaper bag(my hubby is the one who usually carries it so it’s quite appropriate, NO Pooh bear or other cheesy designs on it..LOL)
I got a messenger style bag from Ju Ju Be and i spent quite a bit of money for it. Unfortunately i havent used it too much. When my daughter was younger, i did take it everywhere with me. But now that she is older, i usually just throw some wipes, a couple of diapers and a change of clothes in my big fancy looking purse and we are all set. I also breastfed so thats probably why i didnt need to pack a lot of things like bottles and milk etc.
i got a simple messanger bag from mother care not a big size one 2 keep baby things which can be simply hanged on baby's stroller or keep it underneath the stroller no tensn of carrying the bag on ur shoulder n the mother can always hold her matching bag :)
aaahh, you ladies rock! thanks so much for the insight and suggestions on what to pack!
so i saw the cole haan purse yesterday and it was too small, i think, plus the leather was bleh, so thats out. i’ll definitely check out the eddie bauer bags.
CA, thanks! that diaper dude bag is the one i’m getting for my husband in the camo print hehe- he doesn’t want to carry something girly either. and good point on bag changing- hrm… i guess what i’m looking for in a purse then, if i get a purse, is something structured with a cross body strap, not the size of a laptop bag, with plenty of pockets for finding things quickly. this might be a trial and error process methinks.
Ira, i’m hoping to breastfeed too, oh, and speaking of which, i’ll need the bag to be able to fit a nursing poncho if i’m successful at it iA. so theres that too.
Check out Oioi Diaper Bags. They are actually really nice. http://www.oioi.com.au/ I purchased my bag online … and yeah, if you plan on going out with your baby, you WILL need a bag. If you don’t mind the occasional baby vomit or other gooey stuff on a designer handbag, then you can go that route if you want.
Don’t forget to sign up for your free bag on the nestle website too.
Normally if you buy a stroller or a baby pram, that have the matching baby diaper bag included or you can order a matching one, thats what I got as most of the time its hanging on the stroller, so it should MATCH THAT ....I dont carry it on my shoulders unless I have to go inside to someone's home without the stroller.
I would stay away from leather, you really need a good practical bag, one for more stylish use and other one for dad/everyday use, we got our messanger from ouioui and we actually washed it couple of times.
that diaper dude bag is the one i’m getting for my husband in the camo print hehe- he doesn’t want to carry something girly either. and good point on bag changing- hrm… i guess what i’m looking for in a purse then, if i get a purse, is something structured with a cross body strap, not the size of a laptop bag, with plenty of pockets for finding things quickly. this might be a trial and error process methinks.