There’s nothing wrong with a cute bear diaper bag or one with butterflies. I bought one of each. One of the first things a mommy-to-be buys is a diaper bag. It’s a crucial buy. You’ll stay in the house for the first 3 months but then you’ll want to get out to show off your baby to friends, get some fresh air, visit Grandma. Here are a few things to be prepared for before baby comes.

If you’re used to being out at work or just having the freedom to go see friends you’ll be dying to get out of the house. Now that my little one is running around, he feels the need to go out too. It’s healthy to go out, see friends, share baby stories. What often will keep you from going out is the thought of all the baby stuff you will have to carry. You won’t want to feel like you’re going to the airport when you’re really only going out to lunch with friends. It’s nice having a few diaper bags that take care of every situation’s needs in a compact way. If I’m just going to the grocery store, I can take my diaper tote that holds the basics: a diaper, wipes, a change of clothes, my wallet. If I go out to lunch with friends, I bring my messenger bag that holds all the above plus a few toys or books to keep my little one busy. Going to Grandma’s on a plane a few times a year tells me I’m going to need my jumbo jet of diaper bags. It’s a bag that is 24″ x 15″ x 12″. That is an awesome bag! I pack my little guy’s food, a few diapers and wipes, and tons of toys to keep him busy so the Captain can fly nonstop.

Going back to the question “Who wants a Winnie-the-Pooh diaper bag”? I do, or at least I did when my baby was still a baby. Even then, there was the day I fit back into my size 6 jeans and I just wanted to feel like a chic girl again. I wanted to carry my gorgeous brocade purse but it was too small to carry baby’s stuff and too bulky to carry that and my diaper tote. What could I do but buy an brocade diaper bag? Then there were days Daddy wanted bonding time with Junior. My man’s a guy’s guy. What could I do but buy him a more manly diaper bag? There are a lot of diaper bags for men that look like a regular backpack or messenger bag. You can even buy a vest that has pockets for bottles, pacifiers and wipes. I got him a man’s diaper bag with plenty of pockets and an over the chest strap so he could have both hands free to grab Junior in chase or put him over his shoulders. Diaper bag backpacks are nice that way.

I am so glad diaper bags come in all shapes, styles and prices. A lot of designers are experienced parents who know what you want in a diaper bag to help you express your unique style and be organized. They know you will want zippered pockets for dirty diapers, vinyl-lined side pockets for bottles that spill, pockets to hold easy-to-lose pacifiers. These little details are what matters if you want a hassle-free, mess-free day out with the family.