Your baby is going to need a ton of stuff after he’s born. Every time you leave the house it will feel like a major undertaking with all things you’ll need to take.
Before long, your diaper bag will be an invaluable lifeline to your sanity. You’ll have all the essentials your baby will need in there.
But choosing a diaper bag isn’t going to be easy. It’s a bit like purse shopping, which as we all know, can take forever. You need to examine every little feature before you finally make a decision.
When you’re searching for the best diaper bags, be prepared to spend some time going over your choices to ensure you get the one that best suits your needs.
1.Best Backpack – Bag Nation Backpack
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- Best Large Bag – Utopia Alley ALLCAMP
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- Best Convertible – Ju-Ju-Be Convertible
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- Best For Breastfeeding – HaloVa Backpack
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- Best Unisex – Wallaroo Backpack
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- Most Stylish Bag – Petunia Pickle Bottom
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- Best Luxury – Kate Spade NY Blake
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- Best Stand Alone Bag – Skip Hop Forma
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- Perfect Size – Ju-Ju-Be Coastal
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- Best For Twins – Skip Hop Duo Double
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Key Diaper Bag Features
If this is your first baby, there are likely some things you haven’t considered when it comes to selecting a diaper bag. And there might be other factors that you are already well aware of and that you’re unwilling to compromise on. Knowing what you want in a diaper bag will make your selection process much easier.
Here are some of the things I considered when buying my diaper bag.
Style – Trying to find a bag that won’t scream to the rest of the world that you’re a mom can be a challenge. We may be moms, but that doesn’t mean we automatically have to embrace looking frumpy or unstylish. I wanted a bag that reflected my own personal style because as a new mom you begin to lose your identity a bit (source). It was important to me to remind myself of the person I was before I became a mom.
Cost: Some diaper bags are outrageously expensive. But keep in mind — more expensive doesn’t always mean better. And, at the end of the day, it’s just a diaper bag. It’s not worth the price of making a car payment. But on the other hand, I wouldn’t buy the cheapest bag you can find, unless you’re totally in love with it, because it might not last as long as you need it to. You should consider buying a middle-of-the-road bag that has both quality and affordability.
Material: Do you want something soft, or a diaper bag that’s a bit more durable than that? Are you looking for something that will be easy to clean? If you are, you may want to stay away from certain types of material that will be harder to clean when something inevitably gets spilled on it (source). Because, believe me, at some point, something is going to leak into or onto your bag.
Compartments: A variety of compartments, both big and small, is one of the single most important features in a diaper bag. You need small compartments for things like pacifiers, toys, and teething rings that will get lost in the bag’s big compartments. And you want more than one compartment to keep things like clean bottles away from dirty clothes and soiled cloth diapers. Compartments help you stay organized.
Easy to lug around: Ideally, your diaper bag will have the kind of straps that will make it easier for you to carry around — whether it’s handle straps or a big strap you can put up on your shoulder. If you feel uncomfortable while lugging it around, you should look for a different one. You’re going to be spending a lot of time carrying this thing, so you might as well be comfortable with it.
Size: Some moms like a big diaper bag that can fit everything they’ll ever need. Other moms like things a bit on the smaller side so they don’t have to add a few more pounds to what they’re carrying every time they leave the house. I personally liked larger diaper bags, especially for vacations, weekend getaways or day trips.
Color: That bright pink diaper bag with the crazy pattern might be eye-catching, but you need to think about your wardrobe before you make any rash color choices. If the diaper bag clashes with most of your outfits, you shouldn’t get it. You might want to look for one that has more of a neutral color that will go better with most of your clothes.
How it closes: Do you want a zipper top or a snap top, or a diaper bag with drawstrings? If you go with a zipper top, you can have difficulty getting it to zip up when you’ve got everything in there. But a zipper top also means you won’t have things falling out of your diaper bag. I can’t count the number of times my diaper bag tipped over in my car while I was driving and spilled everything onto the floor because I didn’t go with a zipper top.
If you want a waterproof lining: I wholeheartedly believe a waterproof lining is a staple in a diaper bag. Your baby is going to wet through clothes that need to be stored in your bag until you get home. Plus, bottles often leak, and if you don’t have waterproof linings, they’ll leak all over everything else in that bag.
Best Backpack – Bag Nation Backpack
This bag has all your bases covered. It comes with stroller straps, a changing pad, and a sundry bag. Made out of twill polyester, this bag offers durability and it’s water-resistant, which will be nice in case of rain or spills
It also has a whopping 14 multi-sized pockets, which will make it easy to organize. You’ll be able to keep your baby’s dirty cloth diapers well away from his clean bottles with this many compartments.
An insulated pocket in this bag will hold multiple bottles at once.
When you’re carrying it, you’ll be sheltered somewhat from the weight by the padded shoulder straps.
Best Large Bag – Utopia Alley ALLCAMP
This polyester diaper bag comes with a changing pad, and it has 19 pockets both on the inside and outside of the bag. It has a zipper closure for the one main compartment. You can put bottles in the two side pockets.
A larger exterior pocket is great for putting wet items in, and it keeps them away from the clean, dry things in the interior part of the bag.
It also comes with straps that hook onto the stroller, and it has shoulder straps that are padded. The material is easy to spot clean if it gets dirty.
Best Convertible – Ju-Ju-Be Convertible
Are you at the point in life where your diaper bag is full of snacks? Whether you’re supplying an entire playgroup or just making sure both you and your baby can get through a long day, this diaper backpack is a great choice for carrying food.
Two insulate pockets can keep bottles warm or cold, but you’ll also be able to put in cut up fruits and veggies or juice. You’ve got plenty of room pockets and padded compartments to help keep your essentials away from any food items, especially phones or tablets you don’t want spills getting on.
Our favorite part, however, is the unique crumb drains. Even if crumbs get inside the back, you’ll be able to shake them out easily from the bottom. No more trying to clean nooks and crannies with a cloth.
This backpack can also be converted into a messenger bag with the included strap.
Best For Breastfeeding – HaloVa Backpack
Breastfeeding is no easy task and moms need all the help they can get. This is especially true when you’re trying to pump on-the-go or from work. Luckily, this diaper bag has everything you need to safely store bottles and breastmilk.
The front compartment features a multi-layer insulation material and three separate bottle pockets. Another compartment was designed specifically for holding wet items. Side pockets and multiple interior pockets also allow you to carry anything and everything you need.
Best of all, the entire bag is made of a waterproof Oxford fabric. If a little milk or water gets onto the bag, wipe it away easily.
Moms will also love the beautiful, sleek design and all of the 16 color options. We’re especially fond of the soft pink and mint green styles. You can carry this bag as a purse with the included handles or as a backpack.
Best Unisex – Wallaroo Backpack
This diaper bag comes with a diaper changing pad and stroller straps. It also comes with a wet bag so you can toss any soiled cloth diapers or wet clothes in and it will protect the other contents of the bag.
Made of water-resistant polyester nylon, this bag gives you easy access to all your items with a number of handy outside pockets. It also has a cell phone pocket on the outside.
If you need to get some work done and you have extra space in the diaper bag, it also will hold tablets and laptops. There are two water bottle holders on the side.
Most Stylish Bag – Petunia Pickle Bottom
Moms who love to feel stylish and fashionable will appreciate the sleek modern lines and shiny accents of this bag. You’ll feel great carrying it wherever you go, including to the office or more formal events.
The top half of the bag features a spacious compartment with one interior pocket. The bottom section is actually an insulated compartment for storing bottles or food. You also get two exterior pockets, an insulated pocket and a general front-zippered pocket.
For a modern, yet classy look, the colors are black and white with some pretty unique accents. We love the leather trims and zipper pulls with copper-colored hardware. It’s a great combination with the white and black.
Best of all, these stylish materials are easy to clean. The main bulk of the bag is made from special glazed cotton canvas. To clean it, all you have to do is wipe it down with a rag.
Best Luxury – Kate Spade NY Blake
This bag is made of nylon, and it comes in three colors. It has gold-tone accent hardware on the bag, and its interior is water resistant polyester. So if things leak into this bag, you’ll be able to easily wipe them up with a damp cloth.
It comes with a good-sized changing pad, which measures 16 inches by 27 inches.
Just as many other bags have, this one has two outside pockets which will work well for holding bottles. It has four inside pockets which provide plenty of room for all your baby’s stuff.
Best Stand Alone Bag – Skip Hop Forma
If you’re constantly packing and unpacking your diaper bag, this is a great option for you. Not only is it spacious, but the special standing feature allows the bag to stand on its own. You’ll be able to put things in and take things out without the entire thing collapsing on you.
This is a great feature for moms who want to stay organized without adding extra stress. The numerous pockets and compartments will also help.
The front compartment includes two multi-purpose cubes for storing items, such as bottles, baby wipes, food, or some of your mom essentials. One is insulated and one features a mesh panel. The interior of the bag is also spacious and features elasticized interior pockets.
If you like to take your stroller out a lot, it’ll also attach easily. Just use the included stroller straps alongside the cushioned shoulder straps. You’ll have everything you need within reach while keeping the bag secure.
Perfect Size – Ju-Ju-Be Coastal
Moms who travel will love this dual purpose carry on and diaper bag. It’s even been designed specifically with air travel in mind, so you know it’ll fit where it’s supposed to. Because it’s so large, it holds everything both you and your baby need.
Choose from 17 different storage compartments, including a mommy pocket, a sunglass holder, and key fob stretch cord. All are convenient for moms; you won’t have to worry about fumbling for your essentials every again. Mesh and insulated pockets keep bottles at the right temperature and easy to grab.
The entire bag is treated with a special Teflon coating so stains won’t stick. It’s also resistant to mold, bacteria, and mildew. If you do need to wash the bag, simply throw it in the washing machine.
Whether you travel a lot or travel a little, this bag will get you where you need to go.
Best For Twins – Skip Hop Duo Double
This classy looking bag has a removable shoulder strap that can hook onto the back of a double stroller, which will give your tired arms a much-needed break. It’s made out of polyester, which is a material that can take a beating.
With 16 pockets, you’ll be able to stay on top of the essential needs for two babies with a little bit of planning and organization. It has two outside pockets to make baby bottles easy to access when you most need them without tearing apart the contents of the rest of the bag in a frantic search for them.
Your can either carry it as a messenger bag or as a tote bag. The main compartment has a zipper closure, while the other sections use magnetic closures.