Please recommend a diaper bag

[sherry7]

Hello all. I debated on whether to post this on the Family board or Budget board, but since I don't want to spend a small fortune I'll ask you ladies here.

Our baby girl is due at the end of May, but like all expectant mothers, I want to go ahead and have everything ready a little ahead of time. My DS is in college, so obviously I haven't done the "baby thing" for awhile...so I'm pretty out of touch on different products.

I'm having a lot of trouble deciding on a diaper bag. I do want something fairly large, but not cumbersome. I suppose I'll be carrying the typical stuff...bottles and some powdered formula (I can only breastfeed until I go back to work), changing pad, disposable diapers, extra clothes, hat, blanket, small pack of wipes, pacifiers, a small toy, rash cream, baby food, burp cloth, etc. Oh, and plus some of my stuff so I don't have to carry a separate purse...wallet, keys, cell phone, digital camera, and a few small personal items.

I'll only be a stay-at-home mom for the first 6 months or so. After that, I'll be going back to work full-time, and the baby will be going to daycare during the day.

I want a stylish diaper bag that is comfortable to carry, but with plenty of compartments to organize. DH won't complain about carrying something "girly", so that's not a concern. I would like to keep the purchase to under $50-$60, but if I'm totally crazy about the bag I might consider spending slightly more.

I've heard lots of things about the Vera Bradley baby bag, and I see that they have some retired patterns right now for $65...but it doesn't look like it has insulated bottle pockets (not sure if that would be a problem or not). I was also looking at the eBags brand Bundle Baby Bag, which sells for around $40. (I've bought some eBags brand stuff in the past, and the quality is outstanding.)

Any advice or opinions for me? Which diaper bag do you have and love (or hate)? And why?

Thanks for your help.

 

[gabriellyn]

Not exactly stylish, but the price is right and the features are fab - try Lands' End or L.L. Bean. I personally LOVE L.E.'s stuff - LASTS FOREVER and they have an outstanding return policy. Good luck and congratulations!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I had a diaper bag similar to the "diaper dude" bags, and I loved it. Since it went across my shoulder, all I had to do to get something out of it was just swing it around... not put it on a nasty floor or countertop. This was awesome because I'd had a Vera Bradley tote before that, what a pain in the butt that was. I'm thinking of buying the diaper dude bag because I can't find one like the one I had that I liked.

 

[moniot]

I had to get in on this thread. I don't have any great suggestions. My DD picked one out for me for Christmas this year.

I just wanted to thank you for making my day. I have been feeling totally out of the baby loop since my kids are 15 and 16. Starting over was a little scary at first but we are all really excited now.

Good luck on finding the perfect bag!

 

[belle41379]

We got a Carter's bag a few years ago from BRU. It is black leather/sued type material on the outside, and the inside has lined areas so it is easy to clean. It has all the "normal" pockets inside and outside, an adjustable strap, diaper pad and dirty clothes bag included. The best feature is that it has special clips where you can strap it onto any stroller. This leaves the basket free for other things. It was around $40, if I remember right. We LOVE it.

 

[labdogs42]

I had the LL Bean diaper bag and I loved it. I have given the Land's End bags as gifts and they have always been well received. The LL Bean bag was an awesome Disney bag, too!

 

[hannahsmom7]

I have the Vera Bradley Oh Baby Bag that I got on clearance for like $50 on their website, black microfiber. I LOVE it. It does not have a bottle/sippy cup pocket at all though, which is the one thing I'm not crazy over. I also really like my Skip Hop Dash, still looked brand new after 4 years. I only got the VB b/c the Dash just wasn't quite big enough for 2 kids. I think the Skip Hop quality is excellent though, and they do have other models you may want to check out.

 

[sailors_wfe]

Not exactly budget, but I had a hard time finding a diaper bag that I liked... went into the Coach outlet near us one day just walking around and the sales lady asked if we had seen the coach diaper bags. I LOVE this bag... it was regular price of $310; we got it for less then $200 wouldn't you know it a week later it was around $110 but this bag has been worth the money.. it's large enough to cary everything I need for a day out with DD, but not too big to be a pain in the a**. It has perfect compartments for diapers; 4-6 bottles; one of the hard wipes cases (the travel size ones) my cell phone and my wallet; even comes with a changing pad.
I've only seen this bag at the outlets though... I looked online and they didnt have anythign like it on the Coach website.. so unless you're near an outlet store this might not help you out too much.

BTW.. this was my first coach bag ever

 

[Colinsmom]

The Skip Hop bags - especially the messenger one, I think it is the Dash. Good organization, very durable, washes up in the washing machine - I try other, prettier bags and keep on coming back to these (yes, I have a few of them).

 

[Sadiebird]

I went through about 5 different diaper bags until I finally settled on the LL Bean Touring Travel Bag. My son is four and I still use it when I travel!

 

[malibuconlee]

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3125387

This is the one we currently have. I like that it is a backpack. It also has a cooler pouch for when you want to keep a bottle of milk cool.

The first one I bought was a Carters and cute. But I HATED it!! It had a magnetic close not a zipper. Just wanted to throw that out there. Of course at the time I was in a smaller town and didn't have as many options as I now have.

 

[stacie_d]

We have two from Lands End. They have held up fantastic. In fact, the little one is now our disney travel bag. It is small enough to not be cumbersome, and holds everything our family of 4 needs. We've been using it for almost 4 years now.

 

[delmar411]

my 2 favorites are Lands End ones and the Skip Hop. I don't know the model of the Skip Hop we have but it holds a ton and it attaches to the stroller or can go over your shoulder. We've got a 'guy friendly' green camo pattern which is nice (hides dirt well too) but they make lots of different patterns.

www.skiphop.com
found ours it's the duo deluxe

http://www.landsend.com/pp/DoItAllDiaperBag~109422_-1.html

 

[clh2]

Another vote for Lands End!

 

[julirina]

I LOVE my land's end bag -- after struggling with a diaper bag I hated for the first 8 mos, I broke down and bought the LE one and I am thrilled! My favorite feature is the way it opens -- I forget what they call it but it opens WIDE like the old black doctor's bags. I never lose things in the bottom anymore!

 

[lakoda]

Congrats!

We have this one:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2748983

It has lots of compartments, an insulated pocket, the special straps that allow it to snap onto a stroller, and the carry strap is very adjustable - it can be carried on your shoulder or across your body like a messenger bag. We waited for good coupons and ended up paying $35 with tax. I've really enjoyed it! The first one we bought was way too big but this one has been perfect. It shows out of stock online but my BRU carries it in store, which is great b/c you can really check it out. Make sure you are signed up to receive their coupons!

 

[summerrluvv]

Ju Ju Be bags are very stylish and durable. LOVE them! Especially the magnetic pockets, etc. They have some really great features. I have the Packabe, Be Light and a Be Quick. Someone on this board recommended them a while back.

 

[fakereadhed]

This is not budget, but I am a purse lover and didn't want to carry something that looked like a diaper bag. I got a Petunia Pickle Bottom bag on ebay(somewhat cheaper) and I didn't regret it. Loved the built in removable changing pad and pockets. You can lay your baby on it and have diapers and wipes at your fingertips.