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What is a Diaper Bag?
As any new mother can attest, a diaper bag is one of the most important "baby" items in her arsenal. Since babies are unpredictable and require quite a bit of care, parents have to carry any number of baby items with them whenever they venture out of their homes. Thankfully, a diaper bag is designed to hold all the essentials and more.
It used to be the case that these totes all came in the same basic model: a large plastic shoulder bag with one large, central inside pocket and several smaller pockets on the outside. They were usually covered in childish designs and weren't considered very attractive. Fortunately, times have changed and the diaper bag now comes in several different varieties. From a solid color backpack to a corduroy messenger bag, there are styles to suit all tastes.
Of course, the most important items to be carried in a diaper bag are diapers. In fact, most are big enough to hold at least a dozen of the thickest diapers on the market. In addition to diapers, the bag has space to carry baby wipes, diaper cream, diaper rash ointment, baby powder and any other item you need to keep your child clean, dry and comfortable.
One of the other large pockets on a typical bag is big enough to carry several changes of clothes. A baby blanket should also be packed in the bag, along with bibs, burp cloths, wash cloths and anything else your baby uses on a daily basis. One of the smaller pockets should be able to hold several pacifiers, while another can hold some of your baby's food and snacks. The bag also has several cylindrical shaped pockets perfect for holding baby bottles. If your baby is eating solid foods, bowls and plastic utensils should be packed as well.
A diaper bag will usually come with a changing pad too. Don't forget toys and books, as you'll want to keep your baby occupied and amused. Some people have blankets, toys and pacifiers that never leave the bag. This ensures that parents won't have to hunt around for them every time they need to pack up to go out.
No matter what type of diaper bag you choose to hold your baby's necessary items, just be sure to choose one that's safe, comfortable to carry, and large enough for all the essentials.
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![Baby wipes.]()
By: Haris RaufBaby wipes. -
![Baby powder is often carried in a diaper bag.]()
By: Graça VictoriaBaby powder is often carried in a diaper bag. -
![Some diaper bags are made of corduroy.]()
By: Kitch BainSome diaper bags are made of corduroy. -
![Diapers are the most important items to be carried in a diaper bag.]()
By: PakhnyushchyyDiapers are the most important items to be carried in a diaper bag. -
![A diaper bag can be used to hold baby toys and books.]()
By: dechevmA diaper bag can be used to hold baby toys and books. -
![Most diaper bags are big enough to hold at least a dozen of the largest diapers on the market.]()
By: asephMost diaper bags are big enough to hold at least a dozen of the largest diapers on the market. -
![A diaper bag may have special pockets to hold diaper rash ointment.]()
By: MitarartA diaper bag may have special pockets to hold diaper rash ointment.
Discussion Comments
My husband is as involved in the care of our kids as I am. When I was shopping for a diaper bag for our daughter, he made it very clear that he did not want to be carrying around something that was pink and feminine.
I found a Fleurville diaper bag that ended up being the perfect solution. It was trendy and very functional but was also something that he felt comfortable using. Since I am very thankful for all the help he gives me, I wanted to find something that we both felt good about using.
@runner101 - Though it is not quite a Coach diaper bag, another way to make an already cute diaper bag even cuter (and easier to find in a crowd of diaper bags at places like those bouncy places where everyone is putting their diaper bags into a cubby) is to have the bag monogrammed.
It usually is not more than a $10-$20 to have them monogrammed and you can choose from pretty much any color you can think of.
But more than stylish and fashionable any diaper bag that will last a long time and has many useful pockets is the bag I will be buying!
I have seen some ugly diaper bags in my time and I am all for some stylish diaper bags but I couldn't believe it when my friend's baby's diaper bag was a Coach diaper bag.
I can't even bring myself to spend the money on a Coach purse as they run from the $100's up for just a purse. I can't imagine what that diaper bag cost. Probably as much as some of the celebrity's diaper bags!
Not that there is anything wrong with stylish diaper bags but I just didn't know that Coach or other designer diaper bags existed!
All new mothers should make sure to find a diaper bag that is not only comfortable but fashionable as well. I remember when I was hunting for a diaper bag, how surprised I was at how ugly a lot of them were. I know my baby would like bright colors and animals, but I really didn't want to be carrying something like that around all day.
Luckily, a lot of designers have realized that women may have issues with carrying unattractive bags around and have started to produce more fashion friendly pieces. I love the messenger style bags because they fit in with any outfit and come in a variety of neutral colors.
For those interested in a diaper bag, you can buy some now that are not only functional but environmentally friendly and safe.
A lot of people have been concerned about the materials used in diaper bags that feel like plastic because they are believed to be PVC, which can release harmful toxins that could be passed on to children.
Eco-diaper bags are made to be 100% non-toxic materials and are made using environmentally friendly technology. The materials are natural so you don't have to worry about your child getting sick. You can find these bags easily online and in some upmarket baby supply stores.
@Latte31 - I agree and I really like the fashionable diaper bags that are made of quilted cloth with multiple patterns. Vera Bradley has a lot of trendy diaper bags with a variety of colorful designs similar to what she has in her other bags.
I just think that the most important thing is that the diaper bag be comfortable. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a good one. In fact, I had many diaper bags and I even got one free from signing up with Similac, the baby formula company, before I had my baby.
It was great because they would send me coupons on formula and they sent me a daddy diaper bag which was small squared diaper bag that had some formula and a bunch of coupons. It was made of vinyl and that made it easy to clean. Cloth diaper bags are cool diaper bags, but they are harder to clean.
I remember when my children were babies; I used to carry around a large diaper bag. I would put everything possible that I would need for my children.
I think that the changing pad was one of the best inventions because sometimes I would have to go to the public restroom in order to change my child's diaper, and I did not want my child laying down on the bathroom’s changer.
This extra layer of material made me feel more comfortable when I had to put my children down in order to change them. I would also have ointment cream along with a big box of baby wipes.
I had a standard rectangular diaper bag and a squared diaper bag when taking little trips. I know now there are so many variations, but I think that the best diaper bags are the backpack diaper bags because it frees your arms and you don’t have to worry about pulling up the straps when they start to fall down.
I also think that it distributes your weight more evenly so that you don’t get shoulder pain from large baby diaper bags that are too heavy.
very useful.
Good article...
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