The first child is always special for the parents, and everyone is excited to welcome him in the family. Purchasing the essentials for the new born is a very fun part of the experience. This is the reason that baby products market is flourishing! Diaper bags are perhaps the most important purchase that a mom will make when preparing for her new baby's arrival. The Diaper Bag should be trendy enough to carry with you and should be functional enough to meet your needs. What are some of the things that you need to look for when purchasing a diaper bag to keep it from becoming overwhelming?

1. Keep in mind that you are shopping for yourself, not the baby! Even though it is tempting to get something that will match your new nursery or the baby's things, remember that you are the one carrying the bag. If it is something that you will not feel proud holding, you won't use it when you should, so make sure the bag reflects your style and personality, rather than the baby's!

2. When I chose my first diaper bag, I wanted to pick something that my husband would also carry. This was a bad idea! He's carried it from the table to the bathroom four or five times when one of my daughters needed a diaper change, or he would carry it out of church when I had too many things to carry. He never wore it as a diaper bag, but carried it as a man would if he were holding a woman's purse outside of a bathroom for her. That diaper bag didn't last long, as I soon realized choosing it based on his opinion was much like choosing a shirt he would like to also wear. The diaper bag needed to represent MY style. We eventually chose another (small) diaper bag for him that he would feel comfortable taking if he was out with the girls for longer than a few hours.

3. Decide what your organization style is. Do you like lots of pockets so you have a place for everything, or would you prefer to have more open space in the bag so you can fit more items? Is it important to you that you have insulated bottle holders and a separate compartment for a pacifier? Each of these decisions are a matter of individual preference, so think about what you would prefer. Ask a couple of friends that you feel like have the same level of organization as you. They are one of your best resources!

4. A unique and trendy look can be very important to a new mother, especially if you are feeling like you're no longer the person you knew only a few months ago. A monogrammed or personalized bag with your initials or the baby's name on it is a way that you can feel attractive and chic.

5. Think long term. Your diaper bag can be an investment, as they are well made and fashionable enough to last you a long time! Once your child is out of diapers, you can use the bag as a laptop bag, or an overnight bag for your son or daughter to take on overnighters.

6. Consider how you will want to carry the bag. A backpack style allows you to have your hands free more often, but a tote bag makes it easy to reach in and grab things quickly. Many bags have the option to hook them over your stroller, which means you don't always have that weight on your back. Think about how you tend to carry things, and take this into consideration.

7. What kind of closure do you like? Options range from zippers, magnetic snaps (either inside the bag or a flap over the top), button closures, and ribbon closures. Each has negatives and positives. Decide if it's more important to you that your things don't spill out (if you'll be tossing the bag in the car) or if more room is important to you.

8. A custom bag is a fantastic option if you can't make a decision or find the exact ideal bag for you. They are often less expensive than a designer diaper bag, and will reflect your desires and needs exactly. You can combine the fabric that you love with the type of closure and number of pockets you know you would prefer. On our website, you can easily choose to have a custom bag made!

9. Decide what size of bag you need. Are you looking for something for quick trips out of the house, or would you prefer to keep everything you need with you for a whole day out (or are you like me, an over packer in general, so you need a huge bag even for quick outings!)? Check out our diaper bag packing list for ideas of what you might need to bring.

10. Finally, (and this one is critical to me) consider who made the bag you are buying. It is easy to find a $30 bag at Walmart or Target that you may have to replace quickly because it is either poorly made or does not have the elements that are important in a diaper bag. Each of our handmade diaper bags are designed or made by moms who know what you are looking for in a diaper bag. You can always be sure that our bags will be well made by someone who has considered your unique needs as a new mommy.

Have a great time shopping for your new diaper bag! Let us know if you have any questions or we can help you make any decisions!