Many women don’t want to carry around a bag that screams baby, but need some place to keep all of baby’s necessities close at hand. Essentially, a diaper bag holds the baby’s stuff, but the mom is wearing it. You need something that will fit all the things a baby will need and your stuff as well. I have seen women carrying around 2 bags, but I have to ask, why? The only time I think this is appropriate is if the bag is to be left with a care provider. Why would you want to carry around 2 bags plus a kid? It doesn’t make sense. Find a bag that you like that will fit your stuff and baby’s. You will have to downsize some of the things you carry for yourself, but there are many sacrfices when baby comes along.
I didn’t go crazy when I had Amber. I was frugal to some extent and didn’t see the virtue of shelling out the big bucks for an expensive anything, but especially for a diaper bag. Then again my purses were purchased inexpensively, too. I learned the error of my ways when I recieved my first Coach purse. I quickly gave away all my cheap purses and, now my closet is filled with Coach bags. Even though I was not willing to spend over $50 for a diaper bag, I did want function and some style. I found the perfect bag at GAP. It could be either a backpack, for longer walking trips with your child, or a messenger style bag, for easy access. I still have that bag and though it is a little beat up from it’s constant use it is good enough to keep in the car filled for emergencies when the time comes that I don’t need to carry everything except the kitchen sink with us on an outing.
Like I said things changed when I recieved my first Coach bag, so it was natural that when Sam arrived I wanted to try the more expensive bags. I first wanted a Coach diaper bag. This would prove to be disappointing. The straps were not long enough to go over your shoulder when the bag was filled. When filled it felt like a stuffed sausage and it didn’t fit in the stroller basket. The bag would be put up in the closet waiting for extra special occasions, like a wedding or a St. Louis Catherdal baptistism. First rule even if the bag is the prettiest you have ever seen, make sure to try it out in the store. I am not talking about putting all your stuff in it, but really examine the bag. Think about the things you will need to carry for your child. Make sure it will not be hard to carry when full or if it has room for your items. Also, will it fit on or in your stroller? Diaper bags get heavy, especially if you are carrying around your child. It will be nice to give your back a break and hang it from the handle of the stroller or in the basket.
My search began for a nice bag that filled my needs and wants. I found Skip Hop. This is a great everyday bag and at a cost of about $60 it is not too bad price wise. Skip Hop has stroller straps, so you don’t have to worry if you have handles instead of the bar. There are tons of pockets and even a special half pocket for your stuff. My favorite features were the pen holder inside one of the outside front pockets. This is where I carried my pens, of course, and my chapstick, one thing that must be accessible at all times. The bag, also, has a handy strap above the back pocket for easy handling without the shoulder strap. The bag is sturdy and comes in colors and prints. I used the Dash when Sam was an infant. It was just big enough for all his stuff, but not so big that it looked like I was carrying around my house. I haven’t tried the Duo, but considered it when I was looking for something a little smaller now that Sam is a toddler and only requires half of his possesions to be with him when we leave the house. I am not fond of how long the bag is, but I am short and don’t like bags that constantly hit my hip. The straps do adjust, I just prefer the Dash.
When I wanted to branch out and find something with a little more design, I started looking at the Petunia Pickle Bottom bags. I had seen them everywhere and liked the designs. One big problem was the fabric. Diaper bags are flung and put down just about anywhere and I hate to walk around with a dirty bag. Sure the intricate design might hide the dirt, but I would know that it was there and it would bug me. Then I found Timi and Leslie. They were similar to Petunia Pickle Bottom but they are laminated. That might sound strange, but really you get a beautiful bag that you can wipe clean. I think it is genius. The best part of this bag was the extra little wallet that it comes with. You can store your things and simply remove it for a quick trip, without changing to an entirely different purse. Timi and Leslie bags have enough pockets to be organize, but not as many as Skip Hop. I would have like the shoulder strap to be a little wider, but that was a small problem that I got use to.
Now, I have moved on to the Timi and Leslie tote diaper bag. I got the black and white toile pattern. A pattern I would have never considered before, but now I don’t have to fear any major cleaning to keep the bag looking like new. The tote is set up a little more like a Skip Hop bag and it doesn’t come with the larger bag’s extra wallet. I like that I don’t have to remove the straps in order to hook it to my stroller. Also, the shoulder straps are long enough to be comfortable. It is a great bag that is just the right size for all the things a toddler might need.
Timi and Leslie or Skip Hop might be out of your price range, but have no fear because I saw something today that made my heart pitter patter. Skip Hop has a new line of diaper bags selling at Target for the reasonable price of $29.99. There are not as many colors or patterns, but I am sure you can find something that you don’t mind hanging off your shoulder. Even if it is a basic black. Spark, the line at Target, seems to have all the things that Skip Hop offers in it’s more expensive bags: the stroller straps, many pockets, changing pads and special parent pocket. The bag is shaped like the Duo, which disappoints me, but I would be more willing to shell out $29.99 to try out the bag than $60. Another great item that Target is selling, made by the Skip Hop people, is the changing wallet. I have seen many versions of this, but I like that it has a strap to hang from an existing purse. This looks like a great thing to keep in the car or have on hand for quick trips.
There are so many choices for diaper bags these days that no one should be stuck with Winnie the Pooh jumping all over their bag. You may be carrying your baby’s stuff, but it doesn’t have to look like you are.
Child Style 