Choosing a Diaper Bag
with
Kathy Moore
Having the right gear when you leave the house with your baby in tow is essential. Learn how to choose the best diaper bag for you.
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Transcript: Choosing a Diaper Bag
Hi I am Kathy Moore for About.com Parenting. Leaving your home with a baby in tow does not need to be a complicated or difficult experience, but having a good diaper bag is essential. This program will help evaluate the many features of diaper bags to help choose the best one for your needs.Diaper Bag Options
When shopping for a diaper bag, you will quickly discover a wide assortment of prices and options. Before beginning your search, think of where you will be traveling with your baby most often, such as the grocery store, shopping mall or back and forth from a childcare provider. This will help determine the scope of your packing needs.Diaper Bag Essentials
Essential elements of any good diaper bag are a diaper changing mat, a pocket for diapers and diaper wipes, and a large enough compartment to hold other essentials, such as a spare outfit, a few small toys and feeding supplies.Diaper Bag Categories
Diaper bags fall into three basic style categories, messenger bags, backpacks and tote style. Regardless of the style, make sure the shoulder straps are comfortable and stay put.Diaper Bag Features
Bags can offer features such as bottle holders, cell phone holders and an array of clips and pockets for just about everything. I especially like having a few zippered pockets. For awhile, I condensed the items from my purse into a wallet and a few other essentials and just housed them in the zippered pouch of the diaper bag. This allowed me to carry around one less item.I have also found having a diaper bag that can stand up by itself is important. This feature allows you to set the bag down and search for something all while holding onto your child.
Diaper Bag Size and Fabric
Selecting the size and fabric of a diaper bag is similar to that of picking a new purse. After all, you will be using it daily and really need to like it. I sought out waterproof or water resistant material. I knew my diaper bag would be set down on a wide variety of surfaces and exposed to every sort of weather possible, so durability and clean ability are important to me.Diaper Bag Styles
I also chose a style that my husband would not feel odd carrying. If you find a very stylish bag, it might be better to have two bags, one for each of you.Whatever style of diaper bag you choose, remember to pack just a bit more than you think you will need. Then, as the days and weeks go on, you will discover what you and your baby need to make that trip away from home a happy one.
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