Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 02:14 pm
Congratulations on becoming a new mom! As you prepare for the arrival of your little one, one essential item you will need is a diaper bag. A lot of sites will list a diaper bag as optional baby registry checklists, but unless you have another bag you plan on using for on the go, a diaper bag is a must!
This bag will be your lifeline for the first few years of your child’s life, and it’s essential to find one that suits your needs. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. This guide will go through everything you’ll need to consider when choosing the right bag for you! We’ll then review the 10 best diaper bags for you to consider.
Let’s get started!
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What to Look for in the Perfect Diaper Bag
Size and Space
The first thing to consider when buying a diaper bag is the size and space. It should be big enough to hold all the essential items for your baby, such as diapers, wipes, changing pad, extra clothes, and snacks. However, you also don’t want a bag that’s too large that you end up carrying unnecessary items. There is definitely a sweet spot and for each person it’s different.
Durability
A diaper bag is an investment, and you’ll want to make sure it lasts through multiple uses. Look for a bag that’s made from sturdy, durable material, such as nylon or canvas, which can withstand daily wear and tear. Also, make sure that the bag has strong zippers, handles, and straps. The price is often a big indicator when it comes to the materials it is made out of so make sure you read several reviews.
Organization
Keeping things organized is crucial when you have a baby. Look for a diaper bag with compartments and pockets that make it easy to access what you need. For example, a bag with a dedicated pocket for wipes, diapers, and bottles will help you stay organized. In my opinion, the more pockets there are the easier it is to keep things organized as you designate a spot in your diaper bag for each of your essentials. The key will be teaching your partner where everything goes!
Comfort
You’ll be carrying your diaper bag everywhere you go, so it’s essential to find one that’s comfortable to carry. Look for a bag with adjustable straps, padded shoulder straps, or even a cross-body strap that distributes the weight evenly across your body.
Style
While the function is the most important factor to consider when buying a diaper bag, there’s no reason you can’t find a bag that’s both functional and stylish. Choose a bag that fits your personal style, whether it’s a classic tote, a backpack, or a messenger bag. This bag pretty much replaced my purse, so choose one that you want to carry with you every day. Just because it’s called a “diaper bag” does not mean it can’t be cute!
Easy to Clean
With a baby, messes are inevitable. Choose a bag that’s easy to wipe clean or toss in the washing machine. Look for a bag with a waterproof or water-resistant lining that makes it easy to clean up spills and stains.
Extras
Some diaper bags come with extra features that can make your life easier, such as a built-in changing pad or insulated bottle pockets. While these extras are not necessary, they can be convenient and save you time and hassle when you’re on the go.
Other Questions to Consider When Choosing a Diaper Bag
What type of pack are you: a minimalist or overpacker?
Diaper bags come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There is a huge push for the “mini diaper bags” right now when are cute and just hold the necessities, but that may not be enough room for you. It’s hard to know which you tend to lean towards if this is your first baby, but choose the bag that you think fits you best. I started with a very middle size diaper bag for my first and ended up upgrading to a larger one later. It is totally up to you!
What is your budget?
Gone are the days of the diaper bags our moms used to carry. Because style and fashion are becoming more and more of a factor in diaper bags (while still remaining functional of course) the price tag as definitely gone with it. Now not to say you must spend a ridiculous amount of money to have a great diaper bag! There are plenty of awesome budget friendly options out there. But it is definitely something to consider when choose the right bag for you.
Reasons you may want an inexpensive diaper bag:
- You are on a tight budget
- You aren’t sure exactly what style fits you best
- You aren’t looking for an investment to use for multiple kids and are leaving it open to change your bag in the future
Reasons you may want to invest more in your diaper bag:
- You want something that is going to last you years and through multiple kids
- You know your style and know the bag will fit you for years (there are so many timeless options available!)
- You have the money available or have allocated a portion of your budget to this purchase
Top 10 Diaper Bags
With over 32,000 positive reviews on Amazon, the Ruvalino is a great diaper bag for any mom! It is a medium size backpack bag with several different zipper compartment to help organize all the essentials. The lower price tag makes it very budget friendly and with 11 different color options you are sure to find one that fits your personal style! As a starter bag or someone who isn’t quite sure what they are looking for yet, this is a great diaper bag option!
The Freshly Picked bag looks more like a cute backpack purse but still has all the great organization of a diaper bag. It’s vegan leather is easily cleaned (by hand) and comes in 18 different cute colors and styles. It is a convertible style meaning it can be worn as a backpack, carried like a purse, or even adjusted to fit crossbody. While it definitely is on the higher end of pricing, its easy of use and durability make it worth the splurge.
I used this Parker Baby Co diaper bag for my first baby and loved it! It is mid range for cost, very durable, and I loved that I could just throw it in the washing machine whenever it got dirty. It has insulated pockets on both sides for bottles (it will only smaller bottles) and a built in diaper changing mat for on the go. I will say that I upgraded to a larger diaper bag when carrying supplies for more than one child, but for my first baby it was the perfect size! I would definitely recommend this bag for any first time mom!
The Petunia Pickle Bottom Meta Backpack is another great option if you are looking for a stylish, yet functional bag. It boast a hidden felt lined back pocket for easy access to your cell phone, two interior mesh pockets, and padded back straps. This is a high quality diaper bag that is on the small side, but great for minimalistic stylish moms!
A large bag in Petunia Pickle Bottom’s collection, the 2-in-1 Provisions bag is perfect for the pumping mom! It has a hidden compartment designed to carry and keep organized all your breast pump parts. Even without using it for pumping, this bag has so much room and plenty of pockets to stay neatly organized.
The quilted pattern of the Skip Hop diaper bag is light weight and very comfortable to carry. It comes with matching packing cubes to help aid in organization and is plenty spacious to fit the supplies needed for multiple kids. This is a great medium, budget friendly option for moms on the go.
The Fawn Design diaper bag is a sleek leather backpack that comes in four different colors. Its rounded top zipper allows for a large, wide opening into the bag and tons of space to fit all the necessity. This bag is great if you don’t want to mess with tons of different compartments. It comes with a few cases to help organize items such as bottles and stroller straps for easy travel.
The Derjunstar diaper bag has a unique feature of a built in bassinet that most bags do not have. I was gifted this for my baby shower and found it very helpful for travel during the first few months. The pull out bassinet can also be used as an easy, clean changing station and the front pocket easily stores several bottles. You will definitely need a safe, firm surface to utilize the bassinet, but for a family on the go this bag is definitely one to look into.
Lily Jane Anna
The full leather Anna style bag from Lily Jane has plenty of storage in both the interior and exterior pockets and comes in several beautiful colors. The bag has an interior divider to easily organizer all your gear, especially if you are packing for more than one child. It is definitely is on the pricier end of the diaper bags we have on this list, but if you are someone who wants a bag that is going to last it is worth the investment.
Lily Jane – Meggan
The Meggan is one of the largest bags offered by Lily Jane. It includes the amazing Diaper Bag Organizer unique to their brand that make keeping your bag tidy so easy! This real leather bag can be carried or worn several ways and is definitely top of the list when it comes to style.
Well there you have it! Those are our top choices for the best diaper bags on the market right now. I hope you found one that both fits your needs and your personal style. Remember mama, you don’t have to sacrifice style for functionality! Let me know which you liked in the comments below!
And remember, you’ve got this Mama!
