We need to get a diaper bag. We're probably just going to get a backpack that is an actual backpack, but want to know what we need to look for in it. So... Any advice as to what we want/don't want in a diaper bag? My thought was "Get a big berkeleying backpack". My wife told me I should put some more thought into it than that.
I just use a cheap zip top tote bag. More pockets like a backpack would be nice, but one big pocket is easy enough.
When they're new you'll want more than one spare outfit, but really only needs a few diapers and a pack of wipes. I just throw in a pack of each and leave them there. Store the wipes in a Ziploc so they don't dry out as fast.
Oh yea, you'll want a box of regular sandwich size Ziploc bags for dirty diapers too.
A separate pocket for drinks/snacks would help, but really isn't necessary unless you need to keep things cold.
No need to over think it
We learned the hard way that spare clothes are important.
This includes for the parents, we keep emergency change kits in both of our cars that include a change of clothes for the parents. The emergency kit also includes a couple of doggie pee pads for the back of the cars, etc.
We also have two diaper bags.
In the diaper bags we keep: diapers, wipes (two packages), diaper cream (our daughter's skin is a little sensitive), diaper bags (doggie poop bags), spare clothes, bibs/burp rags, toys, snacks and hand sanitizer.
You'll want two packages of wipes as you'll go through them like candy.
One diaper bag is a backpack style with a flip out changing pad, pretty handy for places that don't have liners for their changing tables or even changing tables.
The other has a separate changing pad that we can pull out, now that our daughter is 2, we usually just leave the larger bag in the car and take the changing pad since we change her much less often and she's able to eat what we eat (for the most part).
Basically, when the baby was younger, the diaper bag became my wife's purse and she would put her wallet in it. Now that she's older, she can slip the changing pad into her large purse.
1st kid.. We had a diaper bag with all kinds of carefully organized garbage..
3rd kid.. we had an old beat up backpack with snacks and stuff for the other kids in it as well.
Don't listen to me.. listen to Stefan.
Russ
We used an actual purpose-specific diaper bag. But this was 20 years ago, so it probably wasn't as over-designed and over-priced as I assume today's diaper bags are.
It was more or less like a fat soft-sider briefcase or messenger bag made of lined ripstop nylon. It had a shoulder strap. It had a flat bottom so it would stand up and so it fitted a supply of folded fresh diapers efficiently. It was divided in 2 main compartments, 1 for diapers and 1 for spare clothes. One outside pocket was wide and flat and came with a padded, easy-clean changing pad so you could lay the kid out anywhere in reasonable comfort and cleanliness. The other side had a couple of zippered gear pockets analogous to the small pockets on a backpack. There were a couple elastic pockets for bottles.
It was not too expensive, it was not too large, and it was not too heavy. It worked great. It was very similar to this (and might even have come from Eddie Bauer, too). So apparently they are not yet as over-designed and over-priced as I imagined.
[edit] Stefan has the load-out about right. Resist the urge (well, probably your wife's urge) to try and make it a microcosmic second house, but make sure the bases are covered: clean stuff, cleaners, something to seal the dirty stuff in, snack, drink, toy, blankie.
We have two bags, for two different types of use.
One is the diaper bag. It's for day to day use and is always in the car. It's big, but really not all that heavy. It has everything we have needed in it, including but not limited to: numerous diapers, wipes (and lots of them), changing pad, butt paste, biohazard bags, antibacterial gel, feeding cover, bottle, water bottle, multiple changes of clothes, seasonal items (mittens, hat, sunscreen, etc), bibs, kids eating utensils, snacks, silicone placemat, small entertaining toys, sunscreen, ointments/medications as required.
Is it all necessary? Absolutely not. I too was skeptical about it at first. Turns out that its overkill in much the same way as the USAF arsenal is. The 'excess' of it has saved our asses countless times. The biggest problem I have with it is knowing which 'side pouch' my wife is directing me to for finding some specific item at her request. Sure any old big bag might be fine...But compartmentalizing really does help in organizing it all. Items designed specifically as diaper bags typically do this better than the more generic ones, as many are well thought out, but not that any large bag with lots of pocketing can't also be made to work acceptably.
The other is the 'dadper' bag. It's a single strap backpack for more outdoorsy specific event usage. It's small and carries only the bare necessities of 2-3 diapers, 3-5 poops worth of wipes, a biohazard bag or two, one minimal change of clothes, a changing pad, a seasonal item or two (mittens, hat, sunscreen, etc), a water bottle, and maybe a few snacks...Oh yeah, and my micro 4/3 camera that it was originally designed around and intended for. Its limited capacity does require inventorying it before every use though.
I will say that while a two-strap backpack may work fine when there is two of you, when the other can get things out of it on the fly, IMHO it will not be nearly as convenient or practical when you're on your own. You don't get to pick the time/location of needing to get into it, and it's not always going to be conducive to being able to put your kid down to get into the bag. Heck, even the smaller one strap backpack struggles in this regard at times.
We've got a specific, diaper bag disguised as a back pack. It was a gift. It has numerous compartments, some of which are insulated to keep things hot/cold. The included changing pad is nice. We keep diapers, wipes, clothes, a blanket, a bag for wet/soiled clothes, bibs, toiletries and some toys in it. The only things that really separate it from a regular backpack are the insulated compartments and matching changing pad.
Yep, the backpack is a PITA when you're by yourself and having to carry the kiddo. Handy when you're traveling in pairs though. Also leverage a stroller/shopping cart, etc whenever possible. Kids and their stuff gets heavy quickly.
I'll also say this:
Resist the urge to buy everything new. Its damned expensive and rarely is baby stuff damaged that badly. Car seats are the exception, they age out and people aren't always honest about how they are cared for and you can't reuse them if they've been in an accident. For everything else, hit the local kids resale places for things you need/want.
Get the car seat/base mounted in the car ahead of time, you don't want to be fumbling with it after the baby is born and you're working on very little sleep and lots of stress. Many places with demo units will let you try them out in the parking lot before buying.
Take advantage of any local parents who have stuff to get rid of, NextDoor/FB MarketPlace/CraigsList among others for anything specific you can't find otherwise. Don't buy clothes (unless there are specific pieces you absolutely want) or tell your friends and parents what you want them to get you, as everyone will default to clothes unless otherwise told and you'll end up with a ton pretty quickly.
New babies don't need much more than onesies and swaddles though and depending on how big the kid is you may need some sizes sooner than later. Different brands size differently as well, which is really annoying to say the least.
Also, every set of parents/kids are slightly different, so take everyone's tips in and apply as it fits. Your situation will likely be different.
We used an old messenger bag that was compartmentalized for laptops, books, etc
If this is your first, I highly suggest the Kiinde system as well. It makes capture, storage, reheating, and transport of milk much easier. Plus you don't get to watch your hormonal wife have a breakdown over spilling breast milk while trying to get it into (or reheating) Medela or Lansinoh bags.
Spend little. it will get dirty in fun and exciting ways, and you will want to throw it away an get a new one.
We used an old computer/messenger bag. The over-one-shoulder kind. The one thing we liked was a 'pocket' for changing pad/wipes/plastic bags for a quick change. The stack of diapers was kept in a different pocket. But really the main thing would be a bag that you don't have to hold in your hands. As a parent, you will never have a free hand. The plastic bags are free from grocery stores, you just have to ask for 'plastic' when they say 'paper or plastic?'
I'm not a parent, but I crazy obsess over bags and similar things.
Would it make sense to have a single large compartment and to have multi-colored mesh or clear packing cubes within? I'm imagining this would cut down on the "what compartment is this in" since you just have to remember a color (or look in the thingy). I'm seeing a primary downside being a lack of insulation (unless you throw in a lunchbox) and this lends itself more readily to a duffel bag, where a backpack makes more sense for the zero hands lifestyle.
Just some thoughts.
My wife and I had a similar discussion before our first kid, but we were on opposite sides.
What we ended up doing is using a changing mat 'diaper kit' thing from skiphop (The Pronto Changing Station seems to be its name) and putting that in a backpack with the rest of the baby supplies. When they are little, they don't need much - maybe a spare onsie in case of blowout. When they are toddler and potty training, I've found you might need a couple changes of clothes + snacks + stuff to distract them. As the potty training goes forward, you need less and less, though.
+1 on the ziploc for soiled stuff suggestion. I usually just used old grocery bags for the diapers themselves, but pee-soaked clothes are nicer in a ziploc.
I used an actual backpack. Easier. Find a travel one and it'll have little insulated cooler spots and all sorts of stuff.
We used everything from crazy expensive purpose build diaper bags to plastic grocery bags. Pretty much all of them get the job done fairly well. It's the stuff that's in it that counts.
As far as the sack, I would recommend buying whatever your wife wants. Otherwise you will hear about why you made a bad choice for months.
+1 on defer to your department of kid stuff selection, if that's you, then, well...
+1 on doggie poop bags. We use em for dirty diapers, dirty clothes, sometimes trash from snacks, sometimes for the damn leaky sippy cups. The exact same bags are sold marketed for kids, in exciting colors. So, gray for dogs, or pink for 5x the price.
Our list of always-inside contents:
-some cash
-diapers/wipes
-sunscreen
-change of clothes for youngest
-pacifier
-baby Tylenol or similar
-dog bags
-small toys or crayons or book
-couple bandaids
With a brand new kid you might need to lug around a breast pump and a couple blankets, think about that before you buy.
Cargo shorts.
As the female responding here... hopefully she will be nice enough not to stick you with something pink and flowery. A backpack isn't a bad idea. Most of them do have places for water bottles but probably not enough for actual bottles to take to daycare and you really don't want to just dump them in the bottom of a backpack. That's where the actual diaper bags come in better because they will have multiple spots for bottles. You also want a changing pad.
As for what to pack IN them... I'm impressed with the lists here. Personally I just stuffed a couple of plastic grocery bags to reuse them for diapers. 8 to 10 diapers. 2-3 changes of clothes depending on the child's age. bibs. wipes. Motrin or tylenol. Extra pacifiers. blanket. several toys. clothe diapers for spitups. Bottles with just powdered formula and bottled water.
There's always something you don't have and something you have too much of....
My wife buys all our new nieces and nephews a nice big gender neutral Lands End or LL Bean canvas bag embroidered with the kids name. For the first couple of years it's the diaper bag and by the time school starts it's the overnight bag. As the kids get pre-teen age they have been using them for their technology and snacks and such for road trips.
The two oldest took theirs to college. One is using it for gym clothes and the other has it in the car full of winter blankets and spare gloves and such. Obviously they are almost 20 years old and beat up, but they don't owe anyone anything at this point.
Backpack. Wife bought one off Amazon for $30~ to replace our diaper bag. It's the only way to go, has 4 main zippered pockets, the side access to wipes is exactly what you need when dealing with children. It's very similar to this one. Backpack. It's also way more convenient to be able to put it over your shoulders vs carrying a diaper bag.
I have 3 kids, the oldest is 16, the youngest is almost 11. We used a backpack-style diaper bag for them that had a padded mat slipped into the back. I think its a JanSport, looks like a regular, black backpack, but has a bunch of storage. We didn't want a diaper bag that "looked like a diaper bag" and it was very convenient. I still use the bag for day hikes, skiing, and quick overnights.
we used a regular ole diaper bag when she was an infant, we have a backpack style bag now that we use when needed. It is one of those backpacks specifically designed/marketed as a diaper bag alternative. The backpack style bag is nice if you are walking around for a few hours doing something with the family and want to keep your hands free. But to be honest, just get a regular adult sized backpack, with however many pockets and compartments you think you'll need . This kid specific one isnt that great, it fits kinda weird and is too small.
I have a camelback backpack that I kind of use for everything else non kid related that has a bunch of pockets and is easily twice as large.
We use a backpack style diaper bag. I don't find it inconvenient to use when alone with the kiddo, and don't see how a bag requiring use of hands to carry would be any more convenient.
A change of clothes in the bag for the kiddo has saved our bacon many times.
dculberson said:...and don't see how a bag requiring use of hands to carry would be any more convenient.
Sure you can use the hand holds to carry your diaper bag when it's more convenient for short distances, but that far from "requiring" you to do so when it has a shoulder strap too...And often stroller straps as well, so you don't have to carry it the whole time you're oot-and-aboot at an all day activity. By virtue of being top opening and side hanging, it is are entirely accessible at all times without taking any part of it off. Wipes still always sit on top though, for fast and immeciate access. They're also reconfigurable in how you wear it, to be the most convenient at the time. Worn same shoulder they can be simply slipped on and off with minimal effort even when your hands are full, and cross-shoulder only need one arm total to operate...And again, strap it to the stroller when you'll be going any significant distance. When worn cross-shoulder, they can also be easily repositioned directly in front of you for even better access or directly behind you to be even more 'out of the way'. Put into automotive terms:
Diaper bag = minivan
Diaper backpack = 3-row CUV
Diaper backpacks look less like a diaper bag and will carry you farther off the beaten path when the need arises, but that's about where their functional advantages end in my opinion. It's not that the 'CUV' is bad at what it does, and it has worked perfectly well for many (many) people, it's just that the 'minivan' does the things that are most important to me better. That's why we went with the minivan (figuratively and literally) + Wrangler (aka 'dadper' bag) combination diaper carrying solution. Admittedly, I might reconsider the 3-row CUV (both figuratively and literally) once our youngest is a few years older and the infant/toddler stage has mostly passed...Although, at that point it's not really being used as a 'diaper' bag anymore either.
My only requirement is one or two external pockets and enough cargo capacity for half a dozen diapers, two bags of wipes and a spare change or three of clothes, including shoes.
I tried the backpack thing and it just didn't work. Extra towels are always a good idea too. One or two in the car and one rolled up in the bottom of the diaper bag.
You'll need to log in to post.
