Diaper Bags

when my oldest daughter reached this age i just tossed a few diapers and small thing of wipes in my purse (i did get a bigger purse but what girl doesnt love an excuse to get a new purse!) this way i didnt have to carry 2 bags (purse and diaperbag) and i didnt have to switch my purse over

I have a regular size backpack purse that I've used quite a bit because I can still through in wet wipes and a few toys to keep him occupied if we are at dinner. So I suggest a backpack purse.....it's easy in the grocery store and everywhere else!!! Good luck!

two words, skip hop. the best diaper bag ever. i have been using a diaper bag for five years now and this is the only one i ever loved. its a skip hop duo deluxe.perfect size and just the right amount of pockets. i keep my wallet and key etc in the diaper bag also. bonus, it has a clip system that attaches your bag to the stroller handles or even the grocery buggy. skiphop.com or diaperbags.com both offer them, but diaperbags.com has free shipping a lot of the time. also stylish enough to carry without feeling like your carrying a diaper bag.

I HATE big diaper bags! I used to carry this fold-out diaper changing pad that you could stick a diaper, a wipes holder in and that was all I ever needed, too. Sometimes I could even put an outfit inside if I laid it flat and folded it with the pad. It had a velcro tab and fit in my purse. Safety First made it-but I'm sure you could find one anywhere.

Hi I'm new to this group!! I actually sell for Bella Donna Couture and we have a whole baby line including our Metro (diaper bag) but our Classic is big enough also to hold diapers and etc.... We offer fabric handbags that you design yourself with over 50 fabric choices and rbbon choices you will have a hanbag all of your own!! We are less expensive than Vera and no 2 bags are alike :-) www.belladonnacouture.com and click on D. Langdon if intersted in ordering. ( I don't like to post my home info on the web)

Hi J.,
I have had a lot of success with a backpack. It will fit the minimal essentials and your wallet, cup, wipes, etc. Also, it is out of the way while you are trying to get around b/c it is tucked neatly on your back and you still have 2 hands! I just got a cool one by Nine West that can be used as a backpack or a purse---so a bit more trendy than just a backpack! Good Luck!
I don't think I used a "true" diaper bag past those first few months:)

henrybrownbags.com. there bags are great! they have a baby line. that i love. they also have an hb2 line that i think you would love. they can monogram the bags there for you. they also have a studio here in town. 829 national ave.

i would jsut like to say that i have a bera diaper bag that my mom got me and it was a waste of $$$. it is roomy with lots of pockets...which is nice, but the cloth with wearing off the straps and is faded because i have to wash it...really don't have the time or $ to dry clean it every time something spills on it. since your son is older now...what about one of those nylon, draw string nap sacks that every one is selling. i'm sure they have them at walmart. i saw some cute elmo & cookie monster one at the dollar general store.

You should check out the Yahoo group called babybags. The moms on there buy/sell and talk about diaper bags. It is a lot of fun and very addicting. They have tried just about every diaper bag between all of the members and have great advice.

I would highly recommend the Vera Bradley diaper bag. It is very light weight and big enough to travel with or to use on a daily basis.

It is a little pricey...$90.00. You can also throw it in the washer and dryer when you need to.

Good Luck :)
They also have smaller bags that I use on shorter trips that are cheaper!

I had a smaller diaper bag at one point that I found just couldn't hold all of my stuff because it was TOO organized. There were too many pockets and none of them big enough to hold it all. I ended up buying a larger sized purse, which has been the style lately, anyway. Also, we have a changing pad from a baby shower that folds up and has pockets for diapers and a small case of wipes. That always goes in whatever bag I happen to be carrying. My purse holds everything else, and though it can get heavy sometimes, it's perfect for what I need on a daily basis. We have a regular Eddie Bauer diaper bag that we got at a baby shower that worked for the first few months, but now we just use it for my son's travel bag. Hope that helps!

Check out www.fiberexpressions.com for a bag that just holds diapers and wipes that you can throw into a purse or tote bag.

Hi, I actually have one of those large rectangular shaped purses that you could easily put a book and other items in. I use this as a purse on one side and on the other side I put one diaper, small travle wipes. I can also fit a bottle, small container for snacks and a toy or two. Hope this helps.

try the skip-hop pronto changer. It's basically a changing pad, with room for a few diapers, wipes, and space for your keys, etc. Great for when your out for a few errands. Also, my husband doesn't mind it either.

I bought a medium-sized purse instead of a diaper bag for taking with me on short trips. It holds wipes, a couple of diapers and a small snack. I like it for several reasons. First of all, because it is small I can't overstock it and so it is nice and light. It is easy to keep filled and ready by the door so I can grab it if we decide to do something spur of the moment, and also, it is a lot more stylish than a diaper bag! For the longer trips that require more supplies I do still use a regular diaper bag. I haven't outgrown it yet because I have one in diapers and one who is potty training, so there is always a need for plenty of extra clothes! Sorry I don't have advice on specific brands for you. I find that like any bag, it's kind of a personal thing and what works for one might not be another's cup of tea. :-)

M.

For a "small" diaper bag, I always used those backpack purses. They are perfect for holding 2 or 3 diapers, travel wipes and a change of clothes. Instead of carrying my wallet, I'd put my ID, cards and money in the little zipper pouch on the outside.

As for a traveling one, if I had too, I'd bring 2 bags with me. One would be packed with diapers and wipes and the other one would have clothes, bottles and finger foods in it

Once my oldest daughter reached that magical age where I didn't have to carry quite so many things for her, but still needed something bigger than a regular purse, I started shopping for larger purses at TJ Maxx. I found some amazing buys there, and never paid more than $40. I would get compliments every time I was out and about, which always cracked me up when I was out w/my girlfriends, who all had their Kate Spade (or whatever other big brand name) bag with them, and I was the one who had strangers walking up to me to tell me how awesome my bag was! For some reason, TJ Maxx seems to carry a lot of bags that are larger than your average purse, and just the right size for when you need a smaller "diaper" bag. As long as it has interior pockets for diapers, etc. why not?!

Another good option, although not quite as cost-conscious, is to check out boutiques such as Choo-Choo's (Wyoming Ave. in Wyoming) or Fancy This (Edwards Ave. in Hyde Park). Both carry unique baby items, and I have seen both large and smaller bags at these stores.

J.,
I haven't gone through a lot of diaper bags to tell you to stay away from any but I have a Vera Bradley backpack purse and I love it because it is big enough for my wallet, etc.. as well as diapers and wipes. In fact it would hold a lot more but if your son doesn't need anymore than that when you go out, I would recommend it. I don't know what your price range is for a new diaper bag but I know that Vera Bradley now has a LARGE BACKPACK and it is even larger than the one I have. I am looking at purchasing the larger size. I like it to because it goes on your back and both hands are FREE!!! Good luck!