Need bag advice.....

[BitsnBearsMom]

I bought a bag that I wear over my neck/shoulder b/c I have to carry a large assortment of meds with me everywhere I go (2 epipens and a bottle of benadryl for little ds, 2 inhalers for me and a bottle of ritalin for older ds.... walking pharmacy I am!!) But when I took it to Canada's Wonderland here it was really hard on my back (everyone shoved their snacks and such into it too!!)

can someone suggest a type of bag that I can carry that won't be too uncomfortable?? I tried to fit everything into a fanny pack but it's just not big enough and I'm not comfortable letting ds (4.5yo) carry his epi's in his own fanny pack.

Was thinking of one of those single strap back packs but don't want to waste more money on bags that I won't like or will be uncomfortable.

suggestions??

 

[llp479]

I bought a small backpack. Big enough to carry my rain poncho, epi-pen, inhaler, other meds, bottle of water, wallet, etc. The key is it isn't big enough for every one else to stick their stuff into it so it doesn't become heavy! Worked great on our DC trip and I'll be doing it again this week at WDW.

I also ended up buying them for my 3dds. Now they can carry their own poncho and water bottle!

 

[all4fun]

Maybe put everything you need into a smaller bag so there's no room for anything else Then if the others want snacks and such they can just put it in their own bag!

 

[chi-mom]

I have this bag: http://www.ebags.com/ebags/slingshot_cross_body_sling/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15028 and it really saved my back on our last vacation. I used to carry a waistpack but found it got too heavy and hurt my lower back. .

 

[momtolittlered]

Not sure if this will help but I saw some kids a my DD's school with back packs but they also had handles and wheels so you didn't have to put it on your back. Reminded me of those black carry on luggage with wheels and handle.

 

[alloyd1170]

I thought I read somewhere on here that rolling backpacks were not allowed in the parks since they can cause people to trip over them. Check out ebags-I got a large waist pack that I used last time and was able to fit an autograph book, pen, snacks, video camera (mid size one), digital camera, small souvenirs, and a few other things in it. It was padded and had several pockets and two mesh sides for bottles, which I didnt use. I recently bought one of the healthy back bags off of ebay and love it. I use it as a diaper bag and can fit a lot in it (think its a medium size). It has several pockets on the inside and they say to fill those up as it helps distribute the weight. I was skeptical, but I loaded the same amount of stuff in one back, carried it, then swapped to the healthy back bag and it felt a lot lighter. They come in several types of materials and colors. I prefer the nylon since its easier to clean.

alison

 

[pezheadval]

Originally posted by chi-mom
I have this bag: http://www.ebags.com/ebags/slingshot_cross_body_sling/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15028 and it really saved my back on our last vacation. I used to carry a waistpack but found it got too heavy and hurt my lower back. .

Wow! This looks like an awesome bag. I like the cell phone holder and all of the compartments. I might need one of these!

 

[jeancbpugh]

Originally posted by BitsnBearsMom
I bought a bag that I wear over my neck/shoulder b/c I have to carry a large assortment of meds with me everywhere I go (2 epipens and a bottle of benadryl for little ds, 2 inhalers for me and a bottle of ritalin for older ds.... walking pharmacy I am!!) But when I took it to Canada's Wonderland here it was really hard on my back (everyone shoved their snacks and such into it too!!)

I carry 2 epipens and a bottle of antihistimine for DS, and my wallet, cell, and camera. I bought a largish Eddie Bauer fanny pack sold at Target. It holds everything we NEED but no extras. Let the kids carry their toys and snacks. You carry the essentials.

I agree about not letting your daughter carry the meds yet. My DS is 5 and just started kindergarten. I put the meds bag into his outer backpack pocket before school and he just leaves them there. If we go to a friend's house and he wants to carry the meds, I notice he forgets where he puts them. He is too young for the responsibility.

Did you know that you shouldn't let epis get wet? I hear it can mess up the firing mechanism. We bought a special fanny pack from a Dive shop that is waterproof. At WDW, we put the meds in a ziplock and then in the larger Eddie Bauer (nonwaterproof) backpack. And you can't leave the epis in the car in hot Florida sun.

Good luck!

 

[jeancbpugh]

I just noticed another responder on this thread carries an epipen. That makes three of us. I wonder how many DIS readers carry epis?

 

[jeancbpugh]

Originally posted by jeancbpugh
in the larger Eddie Bauer (nonwaterproof) backpack.

Yikes, I'm too tired to type. I meant larger FANNY PACK, not backpack.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Good idea's everyone... thanks

Did you know that you shouldn't let epis get wet? I hear it can mess up the firing mechanism. We bought a special fanny pack from a Dive shop that is waterproof. At WDW, we put the meds in a ziplock and then in the larger Eddie Bauer (nonwaterproof) backpack. And you can't leave the epis in the car in hot Florida sun.

Not sure how the epi's come packaged in the US but here in Canada the actual epi is in a tube that has a twist on/off lid so I don't think any water could get into it. I keep all the meds in ziplocks anyway though b/c I did have a leaky bottle of benadryl once and my whole bag smelled like bubblegum I also had our dr give me an extra script for one (plus I have an extra one to take and keep in the suitcase on top of the 2 I usually carry for him... good thing one was about to expire anyway and I'm very thankful for a good drug plan.... that's $300 Canadian worth of epi's I'll be carrying!!) in case it get's damaged from the heat.

I will go looking at our Bently here (big bag store) as we don't have a target.

Thanks again! Seems like there's lots of people that carry epi's with them in teh parks!!

PS... the Disney restaurants were extremly helpful also in making sure my ds could have nut free meals while on vacation!! WTG Disney!

 

[Bluejen]

My neighbor showed me a great bag from LLBean that is ergonomic (sp?) and very easy on the back. You throw it over your shoulder. Apparantly you can fill it with pretty heavy things but once you put it on you can't even feel the heaviness. It feels much lighter for some reason. I guess it's the way it is positioned. I will definitely be looking into one for our trip since I have a herniated disc.
Jen