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Streamline your diaper bag
Categories: Just For Moms, Baby Essentials
What's in YOUR diaper bag these days? If you're like I was when my first son was a baby, your bag is always completely stocked, with enough stuff to prepare you for an immediate evacuation. And then you drag all that stuff with you when you go to the post office or the mall, and you wonder why your back always hurts.
Plus, you're probably carrying a Special Diaper Bag, because isn't that what moms carry?
How about ditching the 40 pound duckie bag and replacing it with something cool and grown-up and light?
Look for a water-resistant nylon bag, one that can be wiped clean; a dark color will show fewer stains than a light color. Steer clear of fabric bags, which will be dirty after the first time you leave the house. Choose a bag with interior pockets, for your cell phone and keys and any other things you don't want to scramble around in the bottom of the bag to find. And think about a bag with a convertible strap, something that you can wear across your body like a messenger bag OR tuck under your arm like a tote. Pictured: Ibiza Convertible Flight Tote, from Hayden-Harnett, $198.00.
Stock the bag with plastic bags for storing dirty diapers and wet clothes (grocery bags work well, as do zip lock bags), hand wipes (or a wet wash cloth in a plastic bag), a diaper (yes, ONE!) and a change of clothes for the bambino (again, limit yourself to one--leave others in your car or the basket of the stroller), and one or two small toys. Keep your stuff to a minimum as well--are you REALLY going to read that novel while you run errands? Leave it at home. Take your wallet and keys and phone and a lipgloss and a small bottle of water.
Potty training? Carry ONE spare outfit and TWO extra pairs of underwear. I always carried an outfit that either of my kids could wear, because I had one who didn't always make it to the potty and another who didn't always get his ice cream all the way to his mouth.
Plus, you're probably carrying a Special Diaper Bag, because isn't that what moms carry?
How about ditching the 40 pound duckie bag and replacing it with something cool and grown-up and light?
Look for a water-resistant nylon bag, one that can be wiped clean; a dark color will show fewer stains than a light color. Steer clear of fabric bags, which will be dirty after the first time you leave the house. Choose a bag with interior pockets, for your cell phone and keys and any other things you don't want to scramble around in the bottom of the bag to find. And think about a bag with a convertible strap, something that you can wear across your body like a messenger bag OR tuck under your arm like a tote. Pictured: Ibiza Convertible Flight Tote, from Hayden-Harnett, $198.00.
Stock the bag with plastic bags for storing dirty diapers and wet clothes (grocery bags work well, as do zip lock bags), hand wipes (or a wet wash cloth in a plastic bag), a diaper (yes, ONE!) and a change of clothes for the bambino (again, limit yourself to one--leave others in your car or the basket of the stroller), and one or two small toys. Keep your stuff to a minimum as well--are you REALLY going to read that novel while you run errands? Leave it at home. Take your wallet and keys and phone and a lipgloss and a small bottle of water.
Potty training? Carry ONE spare outfit and TWO extra pairs of underwear. I always carried an outfit that either of my kids could wear, because I had one who didn't always make it to the potty and another who didn't always get his ice cream all the way to his mouth.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ian 8-31-2007 @ 5:21PM
It is amazing what people carry around, and it is interesting the number of bags people take when shopping at the mall. As we go out more in the car, we now keep one bag in the car, and we carry a smaller bag, with only the bare minimum. We are never too far from the car in case we really need more things. This makes for more comfortable and relaxing shopping trips.
As for bags, we are a real fan of the Skip Hop Dash (http://babyrecommend.com/diaper-bag-review-skip-hop-dash/), as it is very practical and also very modern and stylish. It does not look like a diaper bag, and comes in some cool designs.
Ian
http://babyrecommend.com/
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RL 8-31-2007 @ 9:57PM
My diaper bag for my 18 month old is a gallon Ziploc that I keep stocked with 3 diapers, a travel container of wipes, a disposable changing pad, and a mini bottle of Purell. I usually just leave it in the car, or toss it in the basket of the stroller if we're going farther afield. I carry a sippy cup and a baggie of snacks in my purse, no diaper bag needed. I have no idea what on earth most people are stuffing their gigantic diaper bags with.
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LMD 9-01-2007 @ 10:06AM
Maybe I'm just old fashioned
Maybe I'm just a cheapskate
BUT WHY ON EARTH WOULD SOMEONE SPEND $180 ON A DIAPER BAG??????
I don't care how cute it is. It's for DIAPERS. There are plenty of bags on the market in the $20 or less range that are just as cute or cuter.
Mine is similar to this one. Even Daddy is willing to carry that one. My son is 11 months old and I got it at his baby shower. It's still in great condition and will hold the necessities - 2-3 diapers, wipes, 1 change of clothes, a couple of bottles, some formula powder, and finger puffs without being overly heavy which is important to me since I have a bad back.
Sheesh. I don't think I spent $198 on my wedding dress and I had a very elegant wedding.
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LMD 9-01-2007 @ 10:08AM
Looks like my link didn't show up for which bag I carry
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-14/qid=1188655281/ref=sr_1_14/601-3557211-5346528?ie=UTF8&asin=B000LUWCR8
Oh, and sorry about the typeo on the first price (I said $180 when it should've been $198).
Reply
Anji 9-01-2007 @ 3:02PM
Excuse me, did you just suggest spending nearly two hundred dollars on a changing bag? You might have the money to throw away on that sort of thing but I can assure you the rest of us normal parents do not!
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Stephanie Scott 9-11-2007 @ 2:12PM
My diaper bag (for my ten-week old) is a pink and black Timbuk2 Messenger bag, size: XS...that's right, extra small. http://www.rei.com/product/748541. It's about the size of a medium-seized purse. I have an Eagle Creek zippered mesh bag http://www.rei.com/product/641976 that holds a couple diapers, wipes, and a couple ziploc bags...it slides down nicely into the main compartment of my bag. Then there's an interior compartment with smaller pockets for my wallet, iPod, keys, lipgloss etc.
I keep a backpack in the trunk of my car that holds extra clothes, diapers, wipes etc. I figure, I'm never so far away from my car that I can't get a change of clothes, but there's no need to haul it all through the store/mall etc.
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sally 9-14-2007 @ 4:45PM
My third baby and I was dreading carrying around another diaper bag. I searched all over for one that I could use now and later as an oversized bag and actually found one! and on SALE!!! It is a vintage fabric diaper bag with lining that can be wiped down, tons of pockets for everything from cell phones to diaper wipes. It is by a smaller designer label Offhand designs, I bought it online, on sale with free shipping at petiteposh.com and I love it! Finally something with a longer life span than just diaper days.
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