Bumble Bags Diaper Bag

Bumble Bags is known for making uber-soft carseat covers in hip fabrics, but we think their diaper bags deserve a nod, too. Their Jessica Messenger Bag is an exercise in mama functionality. It's really a 3-in-1 bag: it can be used as a shoulder bag, a backpack, or a stroller bag. It attaches to a stroller with ease, which is great for when you want easy access to your essentials without digging around in the basket underneath the stroller.

There are lots of the bells and whistles we love with this diaper bag. It comes with an attached diaper changing pad that zips off, so you can use unfold it with diaper bag attached, or remove it to fit on a standard bathroom changing station. It's easy to open and close and easy to reach all the necessities without a lot of digging.

With Bumble Bags cute new florals, there is a print to please everyone. But almost as great as their pretty fabric is how easily it cleans. The fabric wipes right up, but remains incredibly soft. The trick is that they've used special technology to weave water resistant & stain resistant protection into fabric, instead of being covered in plastic like some other diaper bags that will remain unmentioned. And we love that it doesn't look like a diaper bag, and could be repurposed after the diaper stage as a weekend tote or laptop bag.

MAMA PICKS: Best Diaper Bags

There are certain parts of motherhood that you just cannot escape. One is baggage. We all have to carry around stuff for our kids. Diapers, wipes, sippy cups, snacks, spare toys, yada yada yada. One thing that makes me happy is to have a diaper bag that helps me feel equipped and organized on the go. But, have you noticed all the choices these days? There are a lot to choose from. So, we did some investigating and narrowed the list down just a bit, broken down by categories. All the bags on this list are ones that we have held, carried around, and tested on the go with our kids! We hope that if you are in the market for a new bag, this will help. We feel pretty strongly about promoting "Responsible Consumerism". We think that some products are made better than others, and that some products will outlast the baby stages and continue to be used after your kids are older. These are the products we love! Because not only is this kinder to our budgets to get one bag that we love, but it is kinder to the earth (every purchase has a cost to the environment in how it was made, shipped, stored on shelves, etc...).

{Best All-Around}

Sweet Baby Creations

Leave it to a seasoned Mama to develop one of the best diaper bags we have ever seen. Jenna, a mom, took all the features she liked about her 6 diaper bags, and combined them into one bag that is stylish, extremely functional and a breath of fresh air for us mamas who know that when we are out at a park or other outing with our kids, we really want to be able to find what we need in our bag quickly and without having to set it on the floor to sort its entire contents - how many times have you done that? The Sweet Baby Creations "mommy bag" is "the ultimate diaper bag to keep you organized and in style".

{here is another view}

Lychee Line Madeline

Lychee Line now has a line of diaper bags and other baby products (blankets and beautiful hand made sweaters) that are perfect for the mom who does not need to carry her entire nursery with her! Actually, they feel more like a purse than a diaper bag, but offer some pretty nifty storage options that make it a great bag for mom to tote while out and about with baby. Lychee Line is known for making sleek totes, handbags, wristlets and clutches. But, with the Madeline bag, they have introduced their first diaper bag that is incognito. We love that inner and outer pockets keep smaller items stable and easy to grab and offer a spot for cell phones, lip gloss, and, um, well, pacifiers. This is definitely a bag you will use long after your baby has outgrown diapers. To read what else we love about this bag go here.

{Best Dad Bags}

Dadgear

Does your husband squirm at carrying your feminine-print diaper bag? Does he look like he's carrying a purse? For all the hubbies wanting to look manly while caring for their kids, DadGear has the perfect guy-approved diaper bags in a variety of dad-friendly styles. Not only do these diaper bags look cool, but the functional features make this a popular options with mom, too. We love their classic messenger bag.

Diaper Dude
Diaper Dude takes the cake on hip bags in cool colors. It has a sporty messenger style, but with functional pockets that take it from bag to "diaper bag". The front has three pockets: the middle is the perfect size for diapers and wipes, and we use the outside pockets for bottles and sippy cups. One of my favorite features of this bag are the stroller clips that allow it to hang from your stroller bar for easy access to the things you need.

{Best Hip Mama Bags}

Storksak Emily
There is nothing like finding a diaper bag that you love. I mean, this is pretty much every mom's "essential accessory" when she is out and about with baby. I don't know about you, but I have always felt that it is just a tad deflating when you have actually gone to the trouble to shower, dress yourself in real clothes (not sweats or exercise clothing), brush your teeth, and dress up your face to get "out" looking like a bit more like your pre-baby self AND then you walk out the door with something slung over your shoulder that immediately shouts to the world: "I am a MOM!" We think the Emily Sak is so cute that you will use it as a purse long after the baby graduates from diapers. This bag is a splurge, but we'll rationalize it as "responsible consumerism"! You can find the Emily Bag at Storksak's website here (they have tons of other diaper bags too).

Nest Mercer

Nest does the UN-diaper bag: sleek, hip bags that will have even your non-mommy friends asking "where'd you get that?" No one would guess that tucked in the glossy, glamourous exterior are nooks and crannies for diapers, bottles, and even a changing station.

We got the pleasure of trying out Nest's Mercer bag, a glossy patent-leather satchel with suede details. This is not your mother's diaper bag. In fact, it looks like a high-end purse. I could decide which I liked more: the shiny leather exterior or the tiffany-blue satin lining. It was all so pretty. I think this diaper bag is the most glam bag for baby stuff that we've ever seen, and for all it's rock-star umph, it's actually really practical. Function meets fashion. It's a splurge, but for mamas who want to look hot, the Mercer is your bag!

{Best Functional Bags}

Loom Bandicoot
Up-and-coming baby gear company Loom is expertly designing functional diaper bags with all the bells and whistles, at a price you will love. Their bags are specifically designed to meet the needs of a mom's busy life without sacrificing style. Our favorite combo!

We had the pleasure of trying the bandicoot bag, which is a chameleon-like bag that moves from messenger to backpack with ease. This bag has a nook and cranny for every item. It seems like a smaller diaper bag, and yet we were able to fit all of our items in with ease due to the ingenious design. The bag also comes with a removeable clutch that attaches to the outside of the diaper bag. I loved this, because I could use it for my "purse" items without having them get lost in the bottom of the bag, and then detach it later and use it as a clutch.

GoGaga
Is the weight of your diaper bag dragging you down? GoGaga's Slide Diaper Bag may be the most ergonmoic diaper bag we have ever tried. The secret is the unique strap that expands to distribute the weight across your shoulder and back much like a baby sling. This bag has it all: a roomy size, a husband-friendly design, lots of pockets, and it converts to a laptop bag later. We are gaga for it.

{Best Non-Diaper Bags}

Aster + Sage
Sometimes the best diaper bag is not a diaper bage at all! 

Aster + Sage has some of the cutest bags we've seen. The recycled fabrics in their current product line are polyesters made from reclaimed fabric scraps and soda bottles. We love that these products are green and made by a mama! In addition to their messenger bags, they also offer all sorts of wristlets that will be the perfect thing to toss in your phone and credit card when you need to dash into the store quickly with baby on your hip!

Love Mert
Love Mert products are eco-fabulous onn-off and limited edition bags and clutches that are made with recycled and vintage materials. The Vida Sling Bag seems like the best choice of the traditional Love Mert line for a diaper bag, with its triple interior pockets and roomy interior. It is made of hand dyed hemp, dyed in small batches with low impact dyes, and a panel of collaged vintage and recycled fabrics and trims is unique to each bag. [Shown is Peacock and lined with various printed vintage fabrics.]

Love Mert also has a line of clutches and clutchlettes that are the perfect accessory for date nights, weddings and any other baby-free events you may get to attend (and be free of toting diapers, wipes and the random thomas the train engines that follow you around on a daily basis!).

And, get a load of this - Love Mert's fabulous creator was so inspired by you mamas out there that she custom made the first diaper bag in her line to feature here, on Mama Manifesto! She made the "Baby Bag" with hand dyed hemp, vintage fabric and vintage trim. The changing pad that comes inside of the bag is made out of a yoga mat materials and covered in a washable organic cotton! This bag would retail for $165, and can be purchased by contacting Melissa through the Love Mert site!  

DwellStudio

This "Charlotte Weekender" bag is a great example of the DwellStudio's sumptious products. It's intended purpose is to be packed with sweet little one's belongings as they head off to Grandma's house, but we think that many mamas could tote this on their own getaways. It is a large bag perfect for a "weekend" away for children or adults. We love this print, the detachable shoulder strap, the luggage tag, and the easy to wipe clean interior (good bye crumbs)!

AbbyRoo
AbbyRoo makes a cotton shoulder bag that has pockets every mother dreams about! The side of the bag zips open to reveal a mesh compartment for every item you and your kids could need. This bag could be used for multiple purposes: handbag, travel bag, book bag, beach bag, diaper bag, market bag - who knows? We think this is the perfect airplane carry-on, since you could easily organize toys, wipes, and snacks in the pockets. And for everyday use, you will never lose your keys, bandaids, diapers, lotion, snacks, juice box, toys, band-aids, or diaper cream again!

Sweet Baby Creations Mommy Diaper Bag

Leave it to a seasoned Mama to develop one of the best diaper bags we have ever seen.  Jenna, a mom, took all the features she liked about her 6 diaper bags, and combined them into one bag that is stylish, extremely functional and a breath of fresh air for us mamas who know that when we are out at a park or other outing with our kids, we really want to be able to find what we need in our bag (that is why it is in there, right?) quickly and without having to set it on the floor to sort its entire contents (how many times have you done that?).  The Sweet Baby Creations "mommy bag" is "the ultimate diaper bag to keep you organized and in style".

This is Jenna's description: "With a total of 7 pockets you’re sure to have a place for everything! Perfectly holds the Diaper Clutch and Nursing Cover plus whatever else your little ones may need! The interior pockets have 2 large pockets on one side and 3 pockets on the opposite side. And of course my favorite “mommy pockets” on the outside where you will always find my phone, gum and lip gloss!"

 
And when you don’t need a diaper bag anymore, it’s the perfect large purse, beach bag, book bag for students, or craft tote for those ladies craft nights.

Check this out:

{this is what the interior of the bag looks like}

{here is another view}

The interior of the bag  has 5 interior compartments sewn into the bag which makes for the perfect place to stash diapers, wipes, sippy cups for kids and bottle of water for mom.  You can also see the key ring hook on the edge of the bag that keeps your keys from falling into the bottom of the bag.  The middle of the bag is free for your wallet or whatever else you need to pack for your outing.  I was even able to fit lunch for my kids and me in this middle section when we headed to play group.

{The outside of the bag has two additional pockets for cellphones or other necessities.}

{The cute fabric options offer lots of choices - vintage inspired, modern, funky or floral}

We love that this is hand-made by a fellow mama.  Visit the "inspired by Jenna" etsy store to see her other amazing creations, and shop for this bag!  

We happen to love her diaper clutch creation almost as much as the diaper bag itself!  It is the perfect size to hold 2-3 diapers and a travel pack of wipes.  Stash that in your Mommy Bag and you will be set.  Or, take it with you on the go in your purse (when you do not want to carry the whole shebang).  I did a happy dance when I dropped my son at his Sunday School Nursery Class with just the diaper clutch.  Oh, the joy of being lightly loaded.

The only feedback we have for this diaper bag making pioneer, is to ask if she would please start working on developing a better stroller for the mamas of the world.  She has definitely perfected the bag!

The Rock Star Diaper Bag

It's really no wonder that celebs like Heidi Klum and Tori Spelling choose a diaper bag from Nest's chic collection. Nest does the UN-diaper bag: sleek, hip bags that will have even your non-mommy friends asking "where'd you get that?" No one would guess that tucked in the glossy, glamourous exterior are nooks and crannies for diapers, bottles, and even a changing station.

We got the pleasure of trying out Nest's Mercer bag, a glossy patent-leather satchel with suede details. This is not your mother's diaper bag. In fact, it looks like a high-end purse. I could decide which I liked more: the shiny leather exterior or the tiffany-blue satin lining. It was all so pretty. So very, very pretty that it felt almost sacriligious throwing raisins and wipes into the bag. This bag was nicer than most purses I've owned. And pricier.

But boy, did it turn heads. And I loved the fact that I fit the contents of my purse in it as well, and didn't need to negotiate the purse/diaper bag shoulder war. Just one bag . . . what a concept! Perhaps I can justify the price. Just think of the money I'll save on purses. Right?

Some great features of this bag:

• A fabric strip across the top keeps the bag from spilling over
• 2 interior bottle holders and 2 divided pockets to store toys, books, or extra clothing
• Waterproof interior lining can be zipped out to wipe down
• Separate, zippered diaper compartment at the bottom of the bag includes extra large changing pad, diaper and wipes pockets
• Hard bottom with gold toned feet keep the bag upright
• Removable, adjustable long strap for stroller

I think this diaper bag is the most glam bag for baby stuff that we've ever seen, and for all it's rock-star umph, it's actually really practical. Function meets fashion. It's a splurge, but for mamas who want to look hot, the Mercer is your bag!

The Sleek Diaper Bag/Purse That's Easy on Your Shoulder

Do you ever feel like you are carrying around a bowling ball in your diaper bag?  Do you ever get frustrated with your diaper bag because as you maneuver crowded spaces, it is constantly bumping into people and display shelves?  Do you ever want to carry a diaper bag that holds the essentials, but still looks like a purse?

I am happy to say that it exists!  Lychee Line now has a line of diaper bags and other baby products (blankets and beautiful hand made sweaters) that are perfect for the mom who does not need to carry her entire nursery with her!  Actually, they feel more like a purse than a diaper bag, but offer some pretty nifty storage options that make it a great bag for mom to tote while out and about with baby!

Lychee Line is known for making sleek totes, handbags, wristlets and clutches.  But, with the Madeline bag, they have introduced their first diaper bag that is incognito.

 

{this is the Madeline bag in Key Lime}

{here is the removable divider, and a view of the fresh fabric that lines the Key Lime bag}

{the back of the key lime bag, notice the two side pockets offering handy storage}

• each bag is handmade with high quality custom faux leather 
• the bags are lined and accented with vibrant fabric (you can even order a super soft blanket trimmed with the same fabric) 
• two straps allow you to tote the bag like a purse, not slung over your shoulder or body...it just feels sexy!
• bags come with a removable bag divider - a brilliant way to set up compartments for diapers and wipes, or to remove the compartment for one space 
• inner and outer pockets keep smaller items stable and easy to grab and offer a spot for cell phones, lip gloss, and, um, well, pacifiers 
• there is a clip-on key chain just inside the bag (gone are the days of digging through my bag while shouting my kids names so that they are not mowed down by speedy drivers in the parking lot) allowing you to find your keys quickly 
• it has protective metal studs on the bottom (I like to call this "my flair") 
• it also has a stretchy pocket on the outside that holds a bottle (water bottle, baby bottle, sippy cup, or coffee cup)
• it comes in chocolate, black licorice, key lime, green apple, blueberry, and raspberry
  
• one of the things we love the most about this bag is that after the baby stage is long gone, this will still be a bag that you will want to tote!  We call that "responsible consumerism".

You can find this lovely article at Lychee Line's website here.

The Coolest Daddy Diaper Bag

Does your husband squirm at carrying your feminine-print diaper bag? Does he look like he's carrying a purse? For all the hubbies wanting to look manly while caring for their kids, DadGear has the perfect guy-approved diaper bags in a variety of dad-friendly styles. Not only do these diaper bags look cool, but the functional features make this a popular options with mom, too. We love their classic messenger bag. Features include:

• quick-access wipes window under the front panel with a built-in refillable wipes container


• integrated stroller hangers that attach to any style of stroller


• two large pockets on the interior for diapers and food


• two bottle pockets that are accessible from either inside or outside the bag


• a changing pad (included) in a separate pocket to eliminate cross contamination


• two tall, skinny pockets for creams or lotions on either side of the wipes window

They even have designs featuring your hubby's favorite sports teams, or diaper-savvy backpacks. Check out DadGear's website to see all the hipster designs for your rock-star, hands-on dad!

The Non-Frumpy Diaper Bag by Storksak.

There is nothing like finding a diaper bag that you love. I mean, this is pretty much every moms "essential accessory" when she is out and about with baby. I don't know about you, but I have always felt that it is just a tad deflating when you have actually gone to the trouble to shower, dress yourself in real clothes (not sweats or exercise clothing), brush your teeth, and dress up your face to get "out" looking like a bit more like your pre-baby self AND then you walk out the door with something slung over your shoulder that immediately shouts to the world:

"I am a MOM! I am carrying so much stuff in this bag! I will change poopy diapers today! Anyone need a snack, because you know I must have them in this thing!"

Well, I have stumbled upon a diaper bag that does not scream "I am a frumpy mom" to the world. It looks like a purse, but it has all the functional options of a diaper bag. May I introduce you to ... Storksak's Emily Bag.

Here is what I love about this bag:

• it has multiple pockets to stash all that stuff (two in the front, 6 on the inside)
• it has its own diaper changing mat that fits neatly inside one of the interior pockets
• it has a wipe clean interior lining (goodbye cheerio crumbs!)
• it has two insulated pockets on the sides of the bag that hold a bottle or small sippy cup, keeping contents cool or warm for up to 4 hours!
• the shoulder strap is adjustable
• it has a detachable makeup bag on the inside, or you can use it to quickly run into a store with your phone and credit card inside
• the pewter and bronze colors are so very glamorous!
• I also LOVE that this bag will still be in use long after the baby has outgrown diapers. I am all for "responsible consumerism"! I think that if we purchase products that will last us longer we will be kinder to our own budgets and to the earth (everything we buy has a cost to our environment!). This is a diaper bag that will last through the baby stage (because it is well made), and will still be in use as a purse long after the diaper stage!

There is a reason why the Ellen show chose this bag to give away to their audience of moms, and there is a reason why Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie tote this bag around town...

...because it still feels like a purse, but still allows you to have all of baby's necessities at your fingertips!

You can find the Emily Bag at Storksak's website here (they have tons of other diaper bags too) or at a Niemen Marcus near you.

Loom Diaper Bags

What's the best kept secret in smart diaper bags? We've found it. Up-and-coming baby gear company Loom is expertly designing functional diaper bags with all the bells and whistles, at a price you will love. Their designer, Johanna Leestma LaFleur, started as an artist, and her sense for color is evident in the perfectly-hued fabrics and accessories. Their bags are specifically designed to meet the needs of a mom's busy life without sacrificing style. Our favorite combo!

We had the pleasure of trying the bandicoot bag, which is a chameleon-like bag that moves from messenger to backpack with ease. This bag has a nook and cranny for every item. It seems like a smaller diaper bag, and yet we were able to fit all of our items in with ease due to the ingenious design. The bag also comes with a removeable clutch that attaches to the outside of the diaper bag. I loved this, because I could use it for my "purse" items without having them get lost in the bottom of the bag, and then detach it later and use it as a clutch. Some of our other favorite features:

• Adjustable backpack straps with a hidden stow pouch
• Water resistant fabric
• 2 large quick-access exterior pouches for bottles, cell phone, or sunglassses
• Stain resistant changing pad
• Large internal pocket
• Magnetic closure

The bandicoot is as fabulous as it is functional. We can't wait to see what Loom comes up with next.