Diaper bag buying guide

A baby on board requires bundle of gear. You have to be armed and prepared to whip out the perfect solution to any baby emergency at any given moment. A change of clothes for inevitable poo-splosions. A mess-free snack for an unexpected traffic jam. A brilliant new toy for a public meltdown of catastrophic proportions.

Needless to say, storage capacity is key. But with so many other factors to consider, and even more choices to sift through, selecting the perfect diaper bag can be a bit overwhelming.

Here’s a few tips for picking just the right bag for your needs, and a list of our faves available at Two Blue Peas:

For the type who has one of everything in her mommy arsenal:
A tote diaper bag typically has the largest capacity, the most interior pockets, and often comes with a boatload of matching accessories. Our favorite is the Alex designer diaper bag by Caden Lane. It has two straps that can be worn on your shoulder or carried in one hand, multiple pockets, clasps, and loops to secure essentials, and a slew of accessories including a changing pad, a zippered sack for dirty duds and diapers, and a removable bottle holder.

For the urban warrior mommy:
A messenger diaper bag offers good storage capacity with the added bonus of hands-free carrying. With one wider, adjustable-length strap, a messenger diaper bag can be thrown over your shoulder, freeing up your hands for baby, keys, coffee, an umbrella, or sometimes all of the above. The Mocha Mint Clara Shoulder Bag by JP Lizzy is one stylish diaper bag that does it all. It’s sleek, sporty, and has plenty of interior and exterior pockets, plus a coordinating changing pad.

For the pulled-together mom with perfect style:
Just because you want a bag to be stylish doesn’t mean it has to lack in features. There are many bags available in modern prints with more purse-like designs to keep diapers totally in disguise. For countless reasons, Dwellbaby makes the best designer diaper bag for today’s hip mama. The Chocolate Dots Diaper Tote is roomy, has clean lines and a playful dot print, and stroller straps to affix your bag when wandering the aisles at Neiman’s. A coordinating insulated bottle bag, extra travel changing pad, and travel cases in various sizes can also be purchased to keep the look styled to a T.

For quick outings with baby in tow:
A functional, but fuss-free diaper clutch is ideal for quick trips to the store, walks to the park, or lunch with the ladies. Smaller capacity, yes. But we’ve found a lovely little one that packs a big punch. The Chamelia Clutch by JP Lizzy has an exterior zippered pocket, individual holders for cash, credit cards, cell phone, and lipstick, and a convenient wristlet strap for hands-free carrying. All of this in a compact 8 x 12 clutch that looks anything but babyish.

For the mister mom:
A messenger diaper bag is a good choice for the dads too. But even better is the backpack diaper bag. With two straps that fit snugly over both shoulders, the backpack diaper bag frees up hands completely for the safest baby carrying. The Marshall diaper bag backpack by Caden Lane has a water-resistant lining, wipeable microfiber exterior, durable magnetic closure, and adjustable straps to keep up with even the sportiest, most active dad.