A diaper bag is one of those things that is crucial to your new “mom life”, especially if you’re on the go. This handy helper will have everything you and your baby need to make each outing as easy and pleasant as possible by keeping you prepared for anything that may happen while you’re out. Therefore, you should put more thought into what kind of diaper bag is right for you. First time moms always go for the cute or popular diaper bag without putting much thought into it, only to find themselves shopping for another diaper bag that’s more practical. To avoid some buyer’s remorse, here are some tips to look for when shopping for a diaper bag.
Style
One of the first questions you want to ask yourself is whether or not you want a backpack or a messenger style bag. While some moms prefer a backpack style to leave their hands free, others prefer the messenger bag since they can wear it as a crossbody or off the shoulder. Luckily, if you can’t decide, there are bags that come with straps that allow you to wear them both ways. Diaper bags such as the Azaria vegan diaper bag come with detachable straps so that you can wear the bag to your liking.
Compartments
The more compartments a diaper bag has, the better. Compartments are the best way to keep things organized. With the amount of necessities your baby needs on each trip, you’ll find that items will pile up. Instead of scrounging around a bag, using your diaper bag compartments will allow you to look for things quickly when you need them. There’s nothing worse than trying to find a binky in a messy, overfilled bag while your baby is crying and screaming.
Size
Sure, your baby’s diapers and blankets aren’t big yet so they should all fit easily right? That would be true if it was the only thing you were packing. However, there are a lot more things that you need to pack in your diaper bag with every trip. An extra set or two of clothing to anticipate any blowouts, a couple of binkys in case one gets dirty or your baby spits it out onto the floor, extra diapers and wipes, a couple of blankets, bottles for each feeding, formula, and the list can go on and on depending on your baby’s needs. Finding a bag that is big enough for it all is something that should be at the top of your list. Especially if you’re planning on carrying some of your own personal items as well.
USB port
If you’ve got a portable bottle warmer or any other gadgets that can be powered with a USB cable you’re going to love the convenience of having a diaper bag that comes with a USB port. Be sure to charge any gadgets the night before so that you know you’re on a full battery for the next day. If these types of diaper bags seem out of your budget, there are portable chargers that you can buy separately and pack in whichever bag you decide on.
Durability
Since you will be lugging your diaper bag around, you want to make sure that you search for one that has a long-lasting reputation. Looking up reviews and which materials were used can help you make an educated decision on it’s durability. Another detail to consider is how easy it is to clean and wipe out. Some bags can be thrown in the washer and look good as new when they come out, others should be wiped out instead such as a leather bag.
Make sure to shop around and take your time choosing the right diaper bag. And if you can’t decide between a few, add some to your baby registry so that you can have a few options.