10 Pretty Functional Diaper Bags

So you’re gonna be a mama! Being a mom isn’t all mom jeans and frumpy diaper bags. Here are 10 pretty functional diaper bags to add to your registry.

10 pretty functional diaper bags

Hey, friend. If you are here I’m guessing you are a new mama. Welcome to my blog where I share all about my life as a mom and try to help other mamas find their footing. One of the most important purchases you’ll make as a mom is in a diaper bag. In the beginning, you may be a little hesitant to venture out with your little one. That is totally normal. I promise that getting out is very important. In fact, you can read all about how I stay sane as a stay-ay-home mom.

In this post, I’m going to share 10 pretty functional diaper bags. Getting a great diaper bag is so important because being prepared when you are out will ensure you can get your errands and playdates done with minimal stress. Diaper bags don’t have to be frumpy. These days there are lots of cute options. As with everything on this blog, I only link to things I own, I love, or want to own. I’ll be sharing some diaper bags I adore that are owned by other mommies I know. I always do my best to recommend only the better products. Congratulations on your new baby! Let’s dig in, shall we?

LuliBebe Monaco Vegan Leather Diaper Bag

This premium luxury diaper bag comes with adjustable straps to use as it as a shoulder bag or you can wear it as a backpack. I really love that option. Believe me, you will too once you have more than one child! It also comes with stroller straps and a diaper changing pad. Complete with 9 pockets, this bag has plenty of room for large items as well. It has a quilted outside pocket that is great for keeping quick things at hand. This diaper bag comes in four shades – tan, black, blush and light grey. It’s also made of cruelty-free, vegan leather.

COST ON AMAZON: $159

Skip Hop Linx Luxury Quilted Vegan Leather Bag

Skip Hop bags make some of my favorite diaper bags. I really think they have a bag for every mother! This particular bag is one of my favorites. The gold metal accents make the bag look very expensive and the quilted vegan leather really makes it fashionable. This trendy diaper bag comes with stroller attachments as well. Working mamas will love this bag becomes you can even fit a laptop in it! It has two bottle pockets and a changing pad. If you are looking for a good quality mid-range bag this is a great one.

COST ON AMAZON: $79

3-1 Backpack Diaper Bag with Travel Bassinet

If you are trying to keep your cost down on a diaper bag, this one is my favorite. This really came in handy, but especially when we were traveling. There were occasions when bathrooms didn’t have a changing station or where there was no convenient place to change your baby. Enter the 3-1 diaper bag. This bag is pretty large measuring at almost 17″ long. It has stroller straps and a front pocket with 3 bottle pockets. Inside it has 4 inside pockets. This was really helpful for the mamas who are constantly on the go. It comes in black and a charcoal grey and has a wipe pocket on the side for easy access.

COST ON AMAZON: $39.99

Itsy Ritzy Large Capacity Diaper Bag

This is a really adorable, functional bag. This diaper bag comes in a large variety of colors: blush, black herringbone, black & white, handsome heather grey, coffee and cream, black with gold, and vanilla latte. Honestly the vanilla latte and the coffee and cream are my favorites. Really lovely. This diaper bag has a whopping 17 pockets. If you are like me and want everything to have a place in your diaper bag, I think you will really like this bag. One nice thing about this diaper bag is that the it has rubber feet on the bottom so when you set your diaper bag on the floor it doesn’t get dirty. Why don’t more diaper bags have that? Once I had two kids, this bag provided plenty of room for both my toddlers things, my newborn’s stuff and my own essentials. Its one of the largest ones at 18″. Comes with an easy “parent pocket” for your stuff as well as a changing mat and stroller straps. Backpack is made of faux leather for easy wiping. Itsy Ritzy has a lot of accessories they sell a la carte so you can customize your bag a bit more. I’ll include them below.

Itsy Ritzy Tweed Diaper Bag

Like the Itsy Ritzy this is diaper bag is also a large capacity diaper bag with plenty of room. I really loved this bag but saw only discovered it once my youngest was growing out of the diaper stage. I love Itsy Ritzy bags because they look stylish. This one looks like a Chanel suit! This lovely diaper bag is an elegant black and white tweed with gold hardware. They also have grey and black version in vegan leather if tweed isn’t your thing. This bag also has 19 pockets both internal and external. Itsy Ritzy bags come with rubber feet on the bottom to keep your bag clean as well as a changing pad. You can purchase a pacifier holder and accessories separately.

COST ON AMAZON: $185

Wren White Vegan Leather Diaper Bag with Charging Port

My days as a stay-at-home mom have always been so busy. I had no idea they even made bags like this until my friend bought this one. Wow. This diaper bag is white vegan leather with cognac (dark tan) accents. This combo really gives this bag a sophisticated look. For the mama on the go you can fit a laptop in this bag and best of all, it has charging ports! I wish I had this for all the times we were traveling with little ones. That would have been so helpful! The interior of this bag is very roomy. Has insulated pockets on the inside and non insulated bottle pockets on the outside. Includes shoulder strap and stroller straps.

COST ON AMAZON: $149

Hafmall Water Proof Multifunction Diaper Bag

This sweet pink and navy diaper bag is waterproof and is a both stylish and economical choice. This large capacity bag is very spacious and features a wide mouth opening. It has a back opening for quick reach and can be attached to a stroller. On the side you have tissue and wipe holder. You can carry by the handles or wear it is a backpack.

COST ON AMAZON: $30

Itsy Ritzy Crossbody Diaper Bag

I’ve included this diaper bag for the minimalist mama. This is for the mama that doesn’t want to carry a full diaper bag. I had a good friend from California that never wanted to carry a bulky diaper bag. Instead she used this bag which is basically a crossbody purse except it has a separate area to stash a few diapers and some wipes. In the front is a separate compartment for your things. This is also once you child gets older into the toddler years. You will find you don’t need all the baby stuff. Just diapers and wipes when you head out. This cute purse comes in blush, black, tweed, and taupe.

COST ON AMAZON: $75

Miger Leopard Backpack Diaper Bag

If you are an animal print lover, I think you’ll love this leopard print and black diaper bag. This is an inexpensive diaper bag This diaper bag is very light weight, only about a pound compared to the 2 lb weight of other bags. One thing that is nice about this bag is that it is machine washable which is why the bag is on the thin side. If you are looking for something more rugged, you may want to pick one of the more expensive bags. This bag has a bottle pockets on the front pouch and adjustable straps.

COST ON AMAZON: $30

I hope I’ve given you some ideas about some of the cute bags out there. Before you go, be sure to download my free Baby Registry Checklist to help get you started with all the things you need before baby arrives.

10 Things You Don’t Need On Your Baby Registry

As a new parent, we never truly know what to expect. We aren’t always sure what our little one will need. Here are 10 things you don’t need on your baby registry.

10 Things You Don't Need On Your Baby Registry
Photo courtesy of Unsplash

This post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through one of the links I provide, I may receive a small percentage at no cost to you.

I can still recall the excitement of starting my baby registry! I was thrilled to start planning as soon as I found out we were having a baby. But as a new parent, I had no idea what I actually needed. Babies need so much and stores our out to sell you as much as possible. But there are definitely things babies don’t need. At least, you don’t need to actually put them on your baby registry. So today, I’m sharing 10 things you don’t need on your baby registry.

Some of these things sound like a good idea. But honestly, you might find yourself doing without them. Some of them aren’t practical, while others just don’t get used very often. Regardless, if you’re looking to trim down your registry, these are probably things you won’t miss.

10 Things You Don’t Need On Your Baby Registry

Wipe Warmer

I admit, I had one of these. I used to for nearly the entire time my first son was in diapers. But let me tell you that these things aren’t worth it. First, you have to buy the warmer and the pads that go inside. These pads act almost like a sponge. You keep it saturated with water to keep the wipes from drying out. The result is supposed to be a nice warm wipe for your baby’s tushy. It’s a nice idea.

In Real Life:

  • It’s cold before it reaches your baby’s sweet rump
  • The expensive pads need to be changed often
  • You have to constantly add water to keep them from drying out
  • Your child isn’t used to cold wipes when you are out of the house
  • It can get mildew or mold

Baby Towels

I remember building my baby registry and adding several sets of towels. Yes, they are very soft and so it makes us feel to good to protect baby’s skin, right? After all, babies have sensitive skin. I used them fairly religiously for the first month or so. But as time progressed, I ended up using what was at hand and convenient. The caveat is that I still recommend getting baby wash cloths. That matters if you are worried about baby’s skin. But the bath towels really make no difference.

In Real Life

  • You’ll end up using regular towels that are nearby
  • They outgrow the towels very quickly
  • Most are very thin and not very absorbent

Bottle Drying Rack

The bottle drying rack, a place to hang dry all the nipples, couplings, and bottles. It seems like a great idea and it is. But can I just be honest? I rarely used mine. First, more often than not, I ended up putting my bottles and accessories in the dishwasher. The dishwasher basket below was way more helpful. The dishwasher is easy! Furthermore, it washes the bottles with scalding hot water ensuring the bottles get well cleaned. I just the bottles and accessories in the top shelf. Even when I hand washed, the rack was rarely used.

In Real Life

  • You use things that are more convenient like a drying mat or dishwasher
  • It becomes a fixed fixture on your counter and looks like a bunch of clutter
  • It doesn’t really lessen the time it takes to drip dry

Walker

Okay, I know I’m gonna ruffle some feathers here. Now before I go any further, let me tell you I’m pro-walker. There are a lot of people who will tell you they are unsafe. I’m not one of them and I won’t get into that here. My son has a clubfoot and was in boots and bar for the first year of his life. We put him in the walker a lot to strengthen his legs. It has really helped him catch up on his walking. However, this post is about what you don’t NEED. I’m going to tell you right now, your baby doesn’t need a walker. Children didn’t use them for centuries and it’s a totally modern invention.

In Real Life

  • All children learn to walk organically by crawling and pulling themselves up to stand
  • Children can have accidents if mommy uses it as a babysitter
  • They’re bulky and take up a lot of room
  • Your child may hate it!

Infant Shoes

It’s true. I recall buying a few pairs with my first son. After all, those tiny little shoes are just so adorable! But in real life, they don’t serve much purpose.

While we are at it, you actually don’t need to put any clothes on your baby registry. First, stores turn over clothing stock very quickly. I found it became unavailable on a registry before my shower approached. The second reason is because people actually buy you clothes without having to ask. It’s true. Ask women to shop for a baby shower and they can’t resist clothes. They won’t buy the ones on your registry anyway. They’ll buy the cute clothes they personally see, so don’t worry about putting it on your registry.

In Real Life

  • Your child will likely prefer being barefoot until they are close to walking (usually around one).
  • They’ll be in socks and constantly skip the shoes

A Changing Table

Don’t misunderstand me. You absolutely need a place to change your baby. But when I was pregnant, I assumed I needed a changing table. You don’t. You just need a surface to change your baby and that lots of places can be utilized for that. I ended up just using a dresser. I simply put the changing pad on top. When we were done with the diaper stage, it just became a dresser again.

In Real Life

  • You’ll use a bed, sofa and any other soft surface at hand. You don’t need a whole extra piece of furniture.
  • You can use a standard dresser and just put the changing pad on top

Baby Bath Products

Yes, your baby will need his or her own bath stuff. But let me be strait with you. Here is something I never knew until I became a mom. Your baby’s skin will react to all kinds of products! I don’t care if it is specially formulated for babies or if it says hypo-allergenic on the label. The truth of it is your baby’s skin will be unpredictable to fragrance, dyes, and other irritants.

In Real Life

  • You will likely have to do a lot of testing, trying, and searching for the right products. Don’t worry about necessarily adding it your registry.
  • Your best bet will be Free and Clear detergents. Skip Dreft.

Baby Bedding Sets

When I was pregnant with my first son, I was shocked to learn that there were actual bedding sets with quilts, pillows, bumpers, etc. All of those things pose a SIDS risk to your baby. You should keep the crib free from excess bedding and stuffed animals. So don’t worry about the costly baby beddings sets.

In Real Life

  • All you need is a fitted crib sheet and waterproof mattress cover.
  • Opt for a wearable blanket or sleep sack instead

Baby Hats

As you’ve probably seen in stores, they sell little infant hats to help your little one regulate their body temperature. There are lots of ways to keep your baby warm and a hat isn’t super necessary. But here is the thing, all hospitals send you home with one and frankly, I never found that I really needed anything more than that. In fact, both my boys hated having it on. They preferred being kept warm in other ways like swaddles and long sleeves.

In Real Life

  • The hospital will give you one
  • Your baby likely won’t care for it

Crib Mobile

Ask any of your moms and grandmothers and they will swear by a mobile. It’s true that babies love mobiles. It gives them something to focus on and babble to in the crib, which in turn helps them goo-goo their way to dreamland. But mobiles are becoming less popular due to the strangulation risk they pose. At least, that’s how I felt, when my oldest son managed to pull his down. I never put it back up and neither of my sons seemed to miss it.

In Real Life

  • You can use other safe things to help your baby sleep like black out curtains and white noise makers.
  • They can be dangerous if they aren’t secure.

That’s It

Here is my last disclaimer. You’re the mama. These are just my opinions. No one should judge you if you end up buying these things and find them helpful. Every mama is different and you’ll find the things that help you on your mom journey. I hope you have a happy and safe pregnancy. Good luck, mama!

Thats it! 10 things you don’t need on your baby registry.

Don’t forget to check out my Baby Registry Checklist. I’ve even included a FREE printable checklist to help get you started. Also, don’t forget to PIN this post for later and subscribe to my blog before leaving.

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Baby Registry Checklist

It’s hard to know just what what to buy before baby gets here. So I’ve made it easy with a FREE downloadable Baby Registry Checklist.

Baby Registry Checklist

This post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through one of the links I provide, I may receive a small percentage at no cost to you. Your support helps offset the costs incurred with this blog. See my full disclosure policy for more details.

Hey there girlfriend! Congratulations on getting prego! Having a baby can be very exciting, but it’s also overwhelming. It’s hard to know exactly when and how to get started.

Well, I have done a lot of the hard work for you. As a mama of two, I’m sharing easy baby registry checklist to help get you started. There are lots of things I could add to this list, but I kept it to the main essentials that you need.

When To Start Planning

Having a baby is expensive and it takes lots of preparation. My best advice is not to wait until the end. As a mommy of two preterm babies, you just never know when your baby will get here. My advice is to do a little every week. As you may already know, you feel so terrible in your first trimester so you may not feel well enough to start prepping for baby. In your last trimester, you will be very uncomfortable with every passing week. You probably won’t feel like setting up a nursery in the last month or two. Therefore, my advice is to do most of the work in your second trimester when you feel relatively good.

Tips

  • Ask close family to go in together on big gifts or compile gift cards
  • Consider buying unisex colored items for future children
  • Don’t add too many clothes to your registry. You won’t have to twist anyone’s arm to buy you lots of cute clothes, even if it’s not on the registry.
  • You may omit breastfeeding items if you are exclusively formula feeding. However, you may want to consider keeping bottle feeding items on your registry even if you’re breastfeeding. Pumping allows daddy and other family members to relieve you from nursing.
  • Don’t be afraid to register at as many stores as you want. Most stores offer a completion discount shortly after your shower date passes.
  • Your registry should include everything you need for the first year.
baby registry checklist

Where to Shop

Babies R Us, used to be the go-to place for baby registries. But with that gone, you may need to spread your registry over several stores. My favorites include:

Baby Registry Checklist

Feeding

  • Kid’s Utensils
  • Sippy Cups
  • Bottles
  • Sterilizer
  • Bottle Warmer
  • Breast Pump
  • Milk Storage Bags
  • Pacifiers
  • Nursing Pillow
  • Nursing pads
  • Plates
  • High Chair
  • Travel Highchair
  • Burp Cloths
  • Bibs
  • Bottle Drying Rack

Sleeping

  • White Noise Maker
  • Swaddles
  • Receiving Blankets
  • Stroller / Baby Blankets
  • Pack & Play / Play pen or Travel Crib
  • Baby monitor
  • Crib Mobile

Bedding

  • Bassinet
  • Fitted Crib Sheets (3)
  • Crib
  • Crib Mattress
  • Water proof Mattress cover

Other Nursery Items

  • Diaper pail
  • Diaper pail bags
  • Nightlight
  • Changing Table
  • Basket for Nursery Items
  • Changing pad
  • Nursery Rocking Chair or Glider
  • Changing pad covers (2-3)

Out of the House

  • Stroller
  • Car seat
  • Car mirror
  • Diaper bag
  • Car seat cover
  • Baby carrier

Bath, Health & Hygiene

  • Bath tub (with Newborn Insert)
  • Washcloths
  • Hooded Bath Towels
  • Bath Toys
  • Baby Toiletries
  • Faucet / Spout Cover
  • Bath Mat
  • Grooming Kit (nail clipper, file, brush, etc)
  • Medicine Dropper
  • Thermometer
  • Humidifer
  • Baby Vapo Rub
  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Desitin or other Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream
  • Infants Tylenol

Other

  • Teethers
  • Plush toys
  • Activity Gym
  • Swing
  • Jumper
  • Walker
  • Books
  • Rattles
  • Bouncer

Clothes (in every size)

  • Bodysuits (Onesis) (10-15)
  • Socks (7-10)
  • Newborn hats (2-3)
  • Sleep & Play (10)
  • Sweaters / Jackets (2-3)
  • Dressy Outfits (1-2)
  • Soft pants (10-15)

I hope you have a wonderful and safe pregnancy! In the comments below, I’d love to hear if you’re expecting a boy or a girl and what you are most excited about. Congratulations!