What features do you look for in a diaper bag? | ExpatWoman.com
 

What features do you look for in a diaper bag?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 14:43

I'm shopping around for diaper bags but I'm not exactly sure what features I should be looking for. A few things I know that I need in the bag for sure will be that it has to be simple and NOT look like a handbag since DH will carry it sometimes so nothing too girly and also it should have a long strap so that I can hang it off the pram handle if I decide to.

What else? I was eyeing the Petunia Pickle ones at Pottery Barn Kids but I'm wondering if they are worth the 900dhs pricetag.

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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 19:59
Easy to clean and wipe down, enough pockets, opens wide enough when you need to have a scratch around, has outside pockets for easy access to water and snacks, clips/hangs easily on to buggy...and is reasonably fashionable! I love, love, love my Storksak and would buy another one in a heartbeat! I may just do that, get DD a new one (she does not need all the pockets and compartments) and hand this one down to baby nr. 2 :D
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 17:20
my friend swears by the bag she bought from Mothercare 4yrs ago for her 1st baby..still using it for her 2nd one now. I think it came ready with all the items needed initially.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 17:05
I used to alternate between the diaper bag city hospital gives you and big handbags that would let me stuff everything i needed from emergency stuff to diapers to toys to shopping... eveyrhitng really... but then my husband bought me a Juicy Couture baby bag - I'm in love ! It has pockets galore and they are big - so the many outside pockets in the front and back can house my keys , phone, wallet, wet wipes and diapers (i use the one with the zip for diapers and wetwipes. the sides for water and juice bottles the inside pockets for clothes and toys( i have a 2 month old and 23 month old ) so toys very important to keep one occupied while the other requires attention and i still have the center of the actual bag free for a jersey or whatever I went into the one in moe a week ago and they are having a sale - with diaper bags from 520 aed with most expensive non sale being 1300 ( the exact one being 1100aed in bloomingdales dubai mall when u actually go to the store ) Heres a link to this and some other designer bags http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/handbags/handbags/baby-bags?id=22257
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 16:24
I second Bumble Bee. I got mine there and love it. They have a great range and quite a few have straps that will attach to the buggy .... when it is full of stuff it gets pretty heavy! They have quite a few in neutral colours, so perfect for your DH!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 13:11
Im looking at a Pink Lining Yummy Mummy one but 75quid for a material one or pay a bit more for a really nice leather one? Anyone tried and tested a Yummy Mummy? My sister had a fabric Yummy Mummy one, it was lovely :D.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 11:11
I have one from mother care and it's fab machine washable to which is a must for me.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 09:44
I bought a very plain and simple messenger style bag from Babyshop. It is grey, so Dad-friendly, insulated and has plenty of pockets, wipe-clean insides and came with an insulated bottle holder and fold-up changing mat. Cost me 115 aed if i recall. After all the baby expense, the changing bag was just not an area i felt like splashing out on!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 09:26
Have a look at Bumble Bee in the Dubai Mall (across from the cinema). They have a great range. We bought the larger of the Skip Hop bags and love it. Lots of pockets, dad friendly to carry, and an insulated compartment for snacks.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 22:38
Im looking at a Pink Lining Yummy Mummy one but 75quid for a material one or pay a bit more for a really nice leather one? Anyone tried and tested a Yummy Mummy?
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 22:00
I figured I wanted something both DH and I could use then I thought, stuff that, I want a nice bag and he can just go get himself a man-bag! My nappy bag doubles as my handbag, whereas when he's out with them by himself all he wants to carry is the essentials, so he has a canvas over-the-body bag and I'm on my third nappy bag :D. I'm eyeing up a Cath Kidston at the moment... but ideally I'd like one of those and also a taupe Storksak Emily for posh occasions. ETA: Have a look at Petite Planet online - their leather ones are nice :). <em>edited by DubaiCat on 16/01/2012</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 21:30
Wipe clean or washable! Easy in the beginning when you can use ziplock bags or nappy sacks for dirty clothes but as the children get older you cart round more "stuff". My bags always seem to be full of bits of food (raisins, mainly) and sand (from shell collecting on the beach) and I've also had drinks leak in bags (only when I've had juice - never with plain water!). Don't belive the hype about spill-proof cups! Use ziplock bags where possible - change of clothes, snacks, medicines, snacks, books/toys - it saves a lot of rummaging around as the thing you want is always at the bottom. I've got a SkipHop Duo bag this time round (got if from Just Kidding) http://www.skiphop.com/product/20000.html really pleased with it (and it's survived the washing machine!).
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 16:37
BTW Kiwispiers you are an absolutely blessing on the Pregnancy, Babies & Toddlers threads. You are full of lots of excellent and sound advice and I always enjoy reading your threads. Thanks for helping all of us first-timers:) awww thank you CG, you made me feel all warm and fuzzy :) :) :), I found the forums so helpful when I was pregnant/had a newborn. You accumulate so much knowledge in such a short time it seems like a waste if you don't share it. Make sure you post your experiences/insights for the next batch of new mums a year from now!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 16:28
Thanks for the advice, I'll have a look at the ones at Mamas and Papas as I haven't checked out theirs yet. BTW Kiwispiers you are an absolutely blessing on the Pregnancy, Babies & Toddlers threads. You are full of lots of excellent and sound advice and I always enjoy reading your threads. Thanks for helping all of us first-timers:)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 16:24
Not much to add to what kiwi said except to say that I do find the structure/number of pockets on the inside quite useful. Make sure the pockets are large enough to fit the kinds of things you want to put in there. I typically want it to hold a few spare bottles, formula cartons, chothes change, diapers and wipes as well as things for myself like wallet and keys. The bottle holders they give you tend to be useless. We just got another one from Avent which goes into the bag (and tomee tipee have them too). The brands I like are -Storksak (about 500-1000 depending on the style you choose) available at Blush and Bloom online. As well as Serena and Lily (which you'd have to order online). I liked Timi and Leslie which a friend bought for me online but I find that the finish is not as good as I'd hoped and one leak from the bottle has destroyed the bottle holder as well as a portion of the bag inside - so not great quality.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 15:23
I actually use a little vanity case/bag from Boots (in the UK - not sure if they'd have them in DUbai)... which has a zip around 3 sides so opens flat and has 2 large clear pockets on either side along with a bit of space in the middle. It's great and more compact than a normal change bag - I have nappies and wipes in one side, then "emergency" stuff on the other (first aid kid, calpol, change of clothes, change mat, etc...) and enough space inside for my purse and phone.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 15:17
They tend to be all the same, some have chiller bottle compartments which are prob handy if you bottle feed but I've never used it. Basically you want to be able to fit 2-4 nappies, change mat, water bottle (for you) water bottle (for your baby) (they usually have pockets at each end for this) wipes, change of clothes, nursing cover, baby food and some toys. I find its easiest to put this stuff into separate ziplock bags so the structure of my nappy bag doesn't matter too much. A small exterior pocket so you can easily access your wallet and phone is handy. Open pockets in the front are good so you can grab wipes quickly when need be :). I bought a very plain one from mama's and papas and it has been good, looks just like a messenger bag so DS doesn't look too odd carrying it.
 
 

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