Selecting the perfect diaper bag can be a confusing, yet mostly fun undertaking…especially for a new mom. I know this firsthand. As a new mom myself, I recently became a diaper bag owner for the first time. It took me a couple weeks of motherhood before I realized just how necessary the diaper bag is to my wardrobe.
I recently took my 2 week old baby to the doctor. This was my first outing with my new son, so of course I had no clue what I was doing. I carried along my normal handbag with lipstick, chapstick, cell phone and wallet. Of course, what I was missing was anything and everything a baby might need – diapers, wipes, pacifier, etc. I discovered this after my son pee’d on the scale and the nurse asked me if I had a diaper for him. I looked at her like “huh? I’m supposed to carry them WITH me?” At that moment I realized I officially needed a diaper bag.
I’m also a handbag designer and run a discount handbag website, so I’m well familiar with the key designers in the diaper bag arena. But now that I’m actually in the market for a diaper bag, I can see how choosing one can be difficult.
The good news…there are a lot of stylish diaper bags on the market now. Gone are the days where mom had to carry a green diaper bag with teddy bears or rubber duckies printed all over it. Designers have wised up to the fact that women are often juggling motherhood with careers and need a bag that can not only be functional, but fashionable as well.
First tip – you must have a diaper bag if you are a new mom, or at least a large bag with many compartments. I lean towards a bag made specifically for this purpose because they often come with wipeable linings, removable changing pads, bottle warmers and other handy features only a mom could appreciate.
Features & Accessories
Decide which types of diaper bag features and accessories will be important to you. Does having a removable smaller bag (matching clutch or coin purse) for quick trips to the store appeal to you? Is it important that you have an easy access place for your keys and cell phone? Do you prefer a zipper opening or a snap closure? These may sound like small knit picky things now, but once you load up that bag and are carrying it and your baby through the mall or into a restaurant, having features that work for you will become a lifesaver. Diaper bags by JP Lizzy and Fleurville among others come with many nice accessories and features.
Style
Are you a mom that will be heading to the office with your diaper bag? If so, you may want to find a sleek black or brown diaper bag – one that will fit into your professional life as well. More and more diaper bags are hybrid bags which help working mom’s transition from mommy mode to office mode without a hitch. I don’t know too many women in their 20’s and 30’s who want to carry a bag with cartoon characters all over it. Today’s moms are much more fashion-conscious! Amy Michelle Bags are great for the stylish mommy.
Price
Oh yes, price. I suppose we should keep that in mind too. The good news is, cute diaper bags can be anywhere from $30 – $500, so there’s a price point for everyone. You can buy a cute, functional diaper bag at Babies R Us for $40. If you are looking for a designer diaper bag like a JP Lizzy, Betsey Johnson or Amy Michelle, you can find fabulous ones between $100 – $150. Of course, you can go Kate Spade or Coach and spend more if you like, the choice is yours.
Bottom line…make sure you find a diaper bag that fits all of your needs. Think about how you’ll be using it and where you’ll be using it before you invest in a bag. And have fun with it! As if having a beautiful new baby wasn’t good enough, now you get to go out and buy a new fabulous bag!
