The Definitive Guide to Diaper Bags

If you're the gal who heads out the door with lip balm in one pocket and a credit card in the other, a streamlined diaper bag is for you. These tiny totes have enough room for the essentials but won't overwhelm you with bells and whistles a just-the-basics mom like you won't use. They hold a couple of diapers, a small travel pack of wipes, and one or two other small items like a bottle or cup of snacks for an older sibling. Models such as the Strolling Tote and Ju Ju Be Small bag are manageable, inexpensive, and fit easily into the bottom of a stroller or even inside a large purse. They're perfect for no-fuss parents.

The less-is-more crowd is making sling bags popular too. Combi, Little Company, and JJ Cole each make a product that resembles a slimmed-down messenger bag or skinny backpack which drapes across your chest and shoulder, leaving your hands free. The back strap contains mini-compartments for all the basics. This is a great option for parents who need both arms free to push a stroller and hold hands with a toddler or who desire a hip alternative to a bulky diaper bag. The sling is modern and cool, so fathers won't mind wearing it, and—unlike the bags decorated with baby bears or pastel stripes—most people won't even know what it is!