The first diaper bag I got was this Carter's 5 piece set.
It was going to be awesome!! I was so excited to have a big bag for long outings and small bag for shorter ones. Then I had Alex and reality sunk in. You will want everything with you at all times!! When your a new mom and your infant is in need of something you will race to the end of the earth to get it. So I found myself carrying the big one around all the time. And when your infant turns into a toddler you want a bag that is easy to sling on to shoulders and stay out of your way. You'll want to be having fun and playing with your babe, not worried about that dang bag falling off of your shoulder.
The pro's:
- I guess the cost although with how quickly I had to replace this I would argue that it didn't save me a dime.
The con's
-The "wipe case" is basically a reusable plastic sandwich bag. (The folding kind not the zip kind.)
-The bottle case isn't water proof. The first bottle I put in there leaked. And because the case wasn't spill proof it got everywhere. Leading me to my next (and truly the biggest) issue with this bag.
- it has a card board bottom. When formula spills in your bag a simple wipe down won't do. Not with the material this bag is made of anyway. I threw it in the washer and the bottom piece that shapes the bag was mush. The bag was limp and sad after that. :(.
- the last down side seems a little silly until you use a quality one. The changing pad. Sure it keeps your babe from touch the changing table but a high quality changing pad is so much softer and much easier to clean up should any thing get on it.
- the straps are just awkward.
- the pockets don't zip. So everything in them has the potential to fall out.
My next bag was a Ju-Ju-Be BFF. Let's just say I was in love! And I still am.
The pro's:
-See that handle on the top? It's ridiculously handy!!!! I think that is the number one thing I missed when I switched to a new bag. (There were other things as well but that was the first thing I notice missing.)
-The changing pad is super soft
-The whole bag washes well
-It has a shoulder strap and back pack straps so it's super versatile. Also the back pack straps are padded which is a great if you plan on wearing it for more than 5 minutes at the zoo.
- There are lots of pockets! On the inside and out side. (Also, the exterior pockets zip up so you don't have to worry about your stuff falling out. There is a small one that I used for binky's.
-It has a "parent pocket". Moms, you probably don't want to carry around your purse and your diaper bag. Trust me. Your hands are full as it is. This handy pocket is on the outside of the bag so you don't have to dig to find your wallet or lip gloss.
-The outside "bottle" pockets are insulated. So your bottles won't heat/cool as quickly.
The con's:
As you can see I went with a lighter color and it is showing the dirt/ grease even after a good wash. :( but over all this is still my favorite bag. I would just purchase it in a darker color.
When Alex was about two I hopped on the trendy wagon and invested in a Petunia Picklebottom bag. At this point I pretty much kept the bag in the car the whole time. I only carried it around when we were doing super long outings to the zoo. But I figured I could use it with our next baby when the time came and it was good price.
The pro's:
-Cute styles that stand out.
-The material of this particular bag is glazed making clean up on the outside amazingly easy. My friends have bags that are two years old and look brand new because this material rocks the house.
-it has the versatility of being a back pack and a one shoulder bag.
-It has a nicer changing pad.
-Things won't fall out of pockets as they at all in the zippered area.
-Changing pad is attached and easy to just fold out. (But can be detached when needed.
-The front flap has been upgraded to a quick close with magnets and a secure close with snaps (no more loud Velcro that some of the older bags have.
The cons-
-I like havering easy access to a zippered pocket for quick essentials. This doesn't have one.
-While having the shoulder and back pack straps is nice they aren't padded and after a few minutes of shlepping it around you will wish they were.
-There aren't quite as many pockets on the inside as the Ju-Ju-Be. There are still a fair amount but, again, I like quick access and I want to know right away where the diaper rash cream is. Because when you have a wiggly baby, a poopy diaper waiting to be thrown out, and the threat of getting peed on at any moment, you want to know where the dang rash cream is.
In conclusion, I love the Ju-Ju-Be BFF. I like the Petunia Pickle Bottom. And I think purchasing a Carter's is a waste of money. I know shelling out over 100$ on a bag seems silly. Especially when you may only have one child or are on a tight budget, but there are used bags out there that can be found for much more affordable prices. And when it comes time to move out of the diaper bag phase of your life, I've found the Ju-Ju-Be bags hold their value very well. Sell it when your done. :)
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