Being a new mom is hard. Not only are you tackling a whole new set of skills and responsibilities as well as learning everything as you go, but who knew having a baby required so much stuff? Even just a short trip to the store or a brief outing entails packing a full diaper bag of baby essentials. To top it off, most of it falls into the category of things you only “might” need. That means you often wind up carrying around items you don’t even use.
If you’re a parent that prefers to travel light, you’ll probably whittle down that packing list to the absolute minimum and look for a smaller diaper bag to accommodate your needs. Alternatively, if you’re a mom that likes to veer on the side of caution and pack everything you can think of, you’ll understandably need a diaper bag with plenty of space and pockets!
With so many options, how do you choose the best baby backpack diaper bag for you?
Backpack for Baby Stuff: Essential Requirements
There are many diaper bag styles, each with their own pros and cons. In terms of practicality, the diaper bag backpack is hands down one of the most functional and easy to use.
Some new parents love the design of a backpack so much that they just buy a regular backpack and use a backpack organizer to convert it to their needs. At JuJuBe, we designed the perfect backpack diaper bag to fill this need because we know how great this style can be to keep you going everyday.
When you’re checking things off your new baby checklist and shopping to find the best baby backpack diaper bag, keep in mind the following factors to help you find the right one!
The Right Price
Prices range from high end to low end. The important thing to weigh when assessing cost is the various level of quality. For example, less expensive bags might be perfectly functional but look a lot less stylish than their more expensive counterparts. If you don’t really care what your bag looks like, you can go for a less expensive option.
On the flip side, if you invest slightly more into a diaper bag, you might find something that is both more stylish and of higher quality material. This is important to consider if you value fashion or know that you need a more durable bag for everyday use. A bag that is higher quality will be sturdier and can stand up to consistent usage.
The Right Size
Choosing the right backpack diaper bag for you and your baby also entails finding the right size. This relates back to your needs as a parent. If you feel more secure packing everything you think you might possibly need, you’ll necessarily require a larger bag with more pockets, zippers and compartments.
If you prefer to only pack bare-bones essentials, you can opt for a smaller bag. The goal is to find a backpack diaper bag that fits that sweet spot between useful and practical. If your bag is so big that it becomes more of a burden than a help to carry, you may need to consider downsizing.
The Right Features
Every diaper bag backpack is different, but the best of the best come with lots of handy bonus features. Some top features may include:
- Detachable shoulder straps
- Stroller straps
- A foldable changing mat
- Multiple zippered pockets
- Extra clips for holding things like keys and pacifiers
- Insulated compartments to keep things warm or cool
- Easy to clean or machine washable material
Some of these features are the standard components of a backpack - such as shoulder straps - that make backpacks so convenient and comfortable. This is why so many parents prefer backpacks for their everyday diaper bag. Other features listed above are unique components to look out for in quality diaper backpacks and will improve your organization and use even further. Multiple exterior and interior pockets will help so all of your essentials have a dedicated compartment. Water resistant or machine washable material will make it so you can clean your bag no problem. You’ll be able to easily connect your diaper bag to your stroller with functional stroller straps. Look for some of these features when you’re shopping for backpack diaper bags and you’ll be set for any situation!
The Right Materials
Although it’s tempting to buy that diaper bag made of corduroy that looks so cool and stylish, is it really smart? The reality is that messes are the norm with babies, not the exception.
You should look for a bag for baby stuff that’s made of sturdy stock, with easy to clean material that will hold up to spills and abuse. At JuJuBe, we’ve created machine washable bags that are also stylish, in multiple patterns and materials. With these you won’t have to worry about compromising style for function and can always stay on the go in style.
Consider More Than One Bag
A lot of new parents opt for two bags instead of one, and use them interchangeably, depending on need and the length of the trip. A smaller backpack diaper bag can work great for a brief day trip somewhere, such as one from our Mini Backpack collections. On the other hand, a larger bag is one of the must have items for traveling with baby on longer trips, like a weekend away with the family.
A larger bag can also be ideal if you have more than one child and need to pack items for both. JuJuBe’s B.F.F. Diaper Bag has multiple exterior and interior pockets, but is also designed with quality shoulder straps to be comfortable to carry all day long. Consider all of your unique needs and weigh the value of different features, then choose a bag based on how well it can meet those needs.
If you take the time to find a well-built, well-designed backpack diaper bag, when properly cared for it can withstand the test of time and be used for all your baby essentials well into the toddler stages. Now that’s a bag worth buying!
Found your perfect backpack and ready to learn the next step? Check out our guide for how to organize a backpack diaper bag!
