What Kind of Diaper Bag Should You Buy?

by Kim Neyer | More from this Blogger

22 Oct 2010 09:33 PM

I was shopping for diaper bags again, today. I already have two, but I'm pretty sure I have an addiction to diaper bag shopping. Lucky for my wallet, I don't buy every one on the shelf, but if I had unlimited funds, I could really have a good time.

One thing I am always looking for in a diaper bag is how compatible it might be with the way I diaper. I use cloth, so I need extra space for clean and dirty diapers. I carry around a very cute waterproof wet bag made by Planet Wise. It features a handy snap strap on one corner which allows me to hang it on the back of a door or snap it around the strap of my diaper bag. It would be nice to be able to fit it inside my bag if I wanted to, though. I like the diaper bags that feature a separate plastic pocket for soiled items; they serve as an extra barrier between soiled items and things like snap cups, clean clothes and other items that need to stay clean.

I already own a small diaper bag which is just the perfect size for day trips. I love this bag because it can function as my purse when I'm grocery shopping or just running errands. The inside is one big pocket, which means I can fit bulky items.

My other bag is the one I am looking to replace. For one, it is black. I bought it so that my husband had something he could take with him and not feel embarrassed. I fully expected to buy another one for myself, only I never did! The shape of the bag does not lend itself to a very efficient way of packing and organizing things. It is short, fat, and does not stand up very well. Because it is a fat bag, it bounces on your hip while carrying it, instead of conforming to your body. When it sags, it is hard to fill the bottom and space is essentially wasted. It does not have a lot of pockets, so things tend to get buried at the bottom and are hard to find. My least favorite aspect of the bag is that the changing pad on the side secures with velcro, so if you pull it out and lay it on a carpeted floor, the sticky side of the velcro has a tendency to latch onto the carpet and really snags when you lift it up again, especially after a toddler has had his weight on it.

I think the perfect diaper bag is one that you enjoy carrying around, one that fits both your personality and your lifestyle, and the one that meets your storage needs. Before buying a diaper bag, you should sit down and make a list of everything you want to carry in it, then you will have a better idea of what size and style you need.

Related Articles:

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Stocking Up On Diapers Ahead Of Time?

Shopping for Diaper Bags

How Will You Diaper Your Baby?

Learn more about Kim Neyer

Kim is a freelance writer, photographer and stay at home mom to her one-year-old son, Micah. She has been married to her husband, Eric, since 2006.

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