Diaper bag or backpack?

[LLM]

We are headed to Disney World one month from today! It will be myself, DH, 5 year old son and will be 15 month old twins. Normally on outings I would just take the twins' diaper bag but I am wondering if it will be easier to take a backpack instead? I will be carrying baby essentials, camera, bottled water, some snacks, sunscreen, etc. Any thoughts/opinions would be great! TIA!

Lisa

 

[puffkin]

I take a square bag that only has one zipper (at the top) when in Disney. It holds a lot and can fit in the basket under the stroller. I pack everything in ziploc bags. Usually I have things seperated into individual ziplocs like, spare outfts, diapers, food, small toys, etc. I don't like backpacks because then you have to completely remove it to unzip it. This one I can just reach in. Also, going through bag check is much faster because there is only one pocket to unzip. The ziplocs really help keep things organized.

 

[amomma23]

We always take a backpack. It hangs over the stroller handles while we're walking and DH wears it when we go on rides. We don't like leaving a bag with the stroller unattended, so that works really well for us.

 

[Jrpbabe2003]

The first couple of times we used a diaper bag that goes over the shoulder and then we saw someone using a dad gear backpack. We bought one when we got home and having been using it as out diaper bag ever since. Great invention! I would say go with a backpack of any kind that holds all your stuff. https://www.dadgear.com/products/Backpack/227/Black-Retro-Stripe

 

[slzer0]

We are planning a cooler backpack combo

 

[mommyofsamson]

I always use a backpack with the baby because my it helps me even out the weight on my shoulders. Plus for us, I like how I can desperate things in it.

 

[MandiC]

I guess it depends what kind of diaper bag you have and what kind of backpack you have. I know I would have preferred a backpack but the backpacks I have had have been much more organized than a diaper bag and easier to carry

 

[ptlohmysoul]

We are headed to Disney World one month from today! It will be myself, DH, 5 year old son and will be 15 month old twins. Normally on outings I would just take the twins' diaper bag but I am wondering if it will be easier to take a backpack instead? I will be carrying baby essentials, camera, bottled water, some snacks, sunscreen, etc. Any thoughts/opinions would be great! TIA!

Lisa

We took a diaper bag that would fit under the stroller. With kids that age, I'm sure you're using the stroller. The only time to take it out was at security, getting on/off the buses, and when a diaper change was needed. Otherwise, we kept no valuables in it and left it parked with the stroller when the stroller was parked. Drinks could sit up on the stroller cup holders or under the stroller (if fully sealed). If the camera is the only valuable, I would wear it either with a wrist strap (if it's a simple camera) or in the camera bag.

 

[jack'smom]

We always take a backpack. Then I put enough diapers for the day (or until or afternoon break), a package of wipes, and a receiving blanket to change the baby on in a big ziploc bag. We store the ziploc bag in the storage basket of the stroller. That way it doesn't take up space and weight in the backpack and is easy to grab if we just need a diaper change.

 

[slzer0]

Clever!

 

[aksmith83]

We bring 2 backpacks. DH and I each wear kne into the park . One has the camera and wallets in it. The other has changes of clothes, diapers etc. once inside we put the one with diapers under the stroller and just leave it until we need t. Then we we go on rides we only grab the smaller one with the camera and wallets. It takes up much less space in the rides.

 

[VDrolet]

We just bought a Dadgear backpack for our trip! We were looking for the perfect mix of diaper bag and backpack; pretty sure we found it!

 

[VbChristy]

We are backpack people. There is a really good sized one at Target that had lots of little pockets. It's been great.

 

[LLM]

We always take a backpack. Then I put enough diapers for the day (or until or afternoon break), a package of wipes, and a receiving blanket to change the baby on in a big ziploc bag. We store the ziploc bag in the storage basket of the stroller. That way it doesn't take up space and weight in the backpack and is easy to grab if we just need a diaper change.

Very neat idea! I just may have to try this!

Lisa

 

[KerTggr]

I have a small backpack I carried at WDW even prior to baby. Now instead of my DSLR, it has diapers and extra clothes. We are also locker people as don't like carrying around our sweaters during the day and like to bring a soft sided cooler for afternoon waters. For all parks, I essentially pack a small extra diaper bag for the lockers. This is really just for backup in case of multiple blowouts. We travel with my extended family too though so easy enough to send uncle or gpa to grab stuff from the locker.

Additionally, I make "diaper pack" that I just stick in my bag. Is a quart Ziploc bag with 1 diaper and a disposable changing pad (pretty cheap on amazon if bought in bulk). I grab one of those and the wipes which are ALWAYS kept handy and I am good to go. Additionally, I use a 1.5 oz goo tube for diaper cream, but that just stays in my pocket.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

My diaper bag is a backpack. I like to be hands free whenever I can, and with a baby, I feel like it's even more important.

 

[mommyofsamson]

Additionally, I make "diaper pack" that I just stick in my bag. Is a quart Ziploc bag with 1 diaper and a disposable changing pad (pretty cheap on amazon if bought in bulk). I grab one of those and the wipes which are ALWAYS kept handy and I am good to go. Additionally, I use a 1.5 oz goo tube for diaper cream, but that just stays in my pocket.

I have a little backpack for baby boy (which is also his "leash", which I don't use) that he loves wearing. This is what it has turned into. His changing pad, an extra diaper, wipes, and even snacks sometimes! So helpful!

 

[quandrea]

My diaper bag is a backpack. I like to be hands free whenever I can, and with a baby, I feel like it's even more important.

I have twins too and this was always my approach. I also did the change go bag. Ziploc with two diapers, wipes, change bag. Grab and go. I still use the backpack both at disney and at home. Free hands with twins is essential.

 

[Lupeix]

What worked for us last year was a combo of small backpack and stroller attached cooler. We will leave things we were not much concerned about in the stroller, such as sippy cups with water, milk boxes and snacks and keep valuables with us on the rides in the backpack. I put a change of clothes in ziplock bag and left that in the stroller basket as well. What really helped was mastering diaper changes while standing, no need to carry around a changing pad or wait for the changing station.

 

[MichaelaF]

We do both.

We have two clips that hang our diaper bag onto the stroller, which I really like. So most of the time, the diaper bag stays on the stroller, unless we're going into the baby care center or there is an immediate poop situation. Otherwise, we just grab things out of there as needed.

The backpack gets carried by my husband (usually, unless he is babywearing the kid in line), and it's waterproof. That's where we keep all OUR stuff - change of clothes, wallets, etc.

That leaves the basket under the stroller available for things we need to throw under there - cheapish souveniers and the like.

We also have a big stroller hook (like a massive carabeaner) that we keep a Nalgene bottle connected to.

This whole set up means that we can fold up the stroller easily to get on and off buses (assuming there isn't anything in the basket) without taking off the Nalgene or diaper bag.