Wherever you go with your baby, you want to have everything you need within easy reach. Any parent or caregiver who cares for a baby knows that a good diaper bag should be stocked with diapers, snacks, wipes, a change of clothes, and other essentials for going out. A good diaper bag should have easy-to-access pockets, space for bottles (insulated storage is always a plus), and enough room for everything else you need to take with you.
Most parents will probably answer yes. A regular backpack or tote bag will do, but diaper bags are often more convenient because they have special pockets and easy-to-access compartments for bottles. A diaper bag is also designed to be easy to carry. After all, you’ll have one hand (or more!) occupied with baby; it’s smart to choose a changing bag with a simple shoulder strap, purse or backpack straps, or one that can be attached to a stroller.
A diaper bag should also have some special features that will make it easier for you to care for your baby when you are not at home. These features may include:
There are options for every taste: backpack bags, crossbody bags, high-end designer diaper bags, diaper bags that don’t look like diaper bags, and even compact diaper bags.
First, think about how you plan to use the diaper bag and how much you are willing to spend on it. This list will help you narrow down the choices on the market and choose the best diaper bag for you.
Whether you’re looking for a diaper bag that will hold all your essentials or just want to look stylish while out and about, we have options for you.
Since choosing a diaper bag is more about lifestyle than health and safety, the best diaper bag will fit your budget and taste. That said, the best people to judge the usefulness of a good diaper bag are, of course, parents themselves. We dug deep into the BabyCenter community, sifted through thousands of posts, and found the most talked about diaper bags — both good and bad. Then we dug deeper: Which basics are the most beloved? What do parents value most in diaper bags in terms of their practicality? What’s the prettiest diaper bag? Are these diaper bags pretty but hard to use?
We gathered recommendations from BabyCenter parents and compiled a list of our favorite bags that combine both form and function. Then we carefully examined each candidate, looking for the best balance of convenience, price, and appearance to find the best options for each bag style (tote, crossbody, backpack, etc.).
With a sleek, non-diaper bag design, this stylish backpack is about the same size as a typical school/college backpack, but features more useful compartments and pockets than the average backpack. The backpack’s two main zippered compartments include a diaper/wipe pocket, an insulated bottle pocket, fabric loops for baby spoons and forks, a padded laptop compartment, and two easy-to-access zippered pockets for your most frequently used essentials: one on the front of the backpack and one on the side, keeping delicate items safe from kids and unwanted prying eyes.
“I have two diapers left and my 3 year old still needs a diaper change. I love that it has two separate large pockets. I find everything fits in my Jeep diaper bag. It’s $21 on Amazon, about half the price of a cheaper “name brand” diaper bag.”
This bag does not have separate wet and dry areas, so you will need to bring a plastic bag for any dirty items.
This practical and cute diaper bag combines style and functionality. The Forma is perfect for travel, as it features two handy organizer pockets: one for bottles, drinks, or snacks, and the other is a mesh organizer that’s perfect for clothes or diapers. The Forma features padded shoulder straps, a top handle for easy carrying, and straps for attaching to a stroller. The changing table pocket also doubles as a laptop stand. But what we love most are the elastic interior pockets that help keep your gear secure while you’re on the go.
I bought the Skip Hop Forma diaper bag and it is the best diaper bag I have ever seen or used. I am so glad I spent so much money on it!
This bag is so beautiful that once you pick it up, you’ll want to keep it with you long after your little one no longer needs diapers. The design was inspired by design focus groups that studied what parents want (and don’t want) in a diaper bag. Ultimately, it stands out: stylish, durable, roomy, easy to store and use. This versatile bag can be used as a backpack, shoulder bag or tote. We especially like the little metal feet that keep the bottom of the bag clean and stable for easy access.
“I have the Freshly Picked Diaper Backpack (which comes with a long strap to use as a crossbody bag) in gray and I love it.”
The Petunia Picklebottom Boxy Diaper Backpack is an iconic model in the diaper bag market. It is multi-functional, has a large capacity, has multiple pockets for storage, can be worn in multiple ways, looks great, and is well-made, making you feel like you are carrying a designer bag that matches your outfit, rather than just a bag for everyday items. The hardware on the bag is also exquisite: thick, durable, and scratch-resistant.
The Petunia Pickle Bottom Rectangular Backpack has so many pockets to store all sorts of things! I love wearing it as a backpack, and it easily attaches to my stroller for easy travel.
“I’ve had the Boxy backpack for a few months now and I love it. It still looks brand new and I can’t put it down. I like to wear it on my back, but my husband always wears it over his shoulder with the long strap.”
There is no insulated pocket for a bottle. Also, the backpack straps are not padded, so they are not very comfortable.
This sleek backpack showcases Burberry’s signature attention to detail, with Burberry’s signature polished hardware and textured leather trim. It’s stylish enough to pass for a cute backpack on its own, but the Watson backpack has details that are sure to wow parents: a removable changing pad, six interior pockets, and drawstring side pockets for secure storage. The bag’s lining is adorned with Burberry’s signature check, making it even more difficult to hide items.
This backpack is larger in size and the outer pockets are fastened with drawstrings, making them difficult to open with one hand.
Diaper bags can be heavy, and your shoulders and back can ache from caring for a baby, so this lightweight bag is a blessing: It weighs about half as much as a loaf of bread. The Be Light folds down to the size of a deck of cards, so it can be stuffed into larger luggage when traveling or used as a duffel bag after changing baby. The zipper at the top of the Be Light keeps everything organized, and as always, we love the JuJuBe bag, the large, heavy zipper pull is easy to see and grab, making it easy to access even with one hand. Our favorite detail: The entire bag is machine washable.
The Be Light can’t stand on its own, so if you want to operate it with one hand, you’ll have to lay it flat. I also wish the bag had an external pocket for your phone/keys/wallet.
This very roomy bag has plenty of pockets to help you organize big events like theme parks or beach getaways. If you prefer to have everything you need in one bag, it has 17 independent compartments, enough to meet your needs. There’s also a spacious center compartment to keep all your belongings organized during busy times and organize them later. You can wear it as a tote, attach it to your stroller with the included clip, or wear it over your shoulder with the shoulder strap.
The unique shape of this bag is what made us include it on our list. The top of the bag has a half-moon zipper with a large opening that shows the bottom of the bag. The bottom and sides of the bag are sturdy and won’t fall over when you’re looking for things. The bag has six pockets on the outside, including a zippered pocket for your wallet/keys/phone, and six pockets on the inside, including a laptop compartment and a zippered security pocket. Come and see this bag! Gorgeous!
I bought the Fawn model (original size), it is very roomy and I love it! It didn’t look like a diaper bag, but more like a regular trendy bag, so I went with it.
The design of this bag is quite simple, without any additional features like a changing table or isolated pockets. Also, some parents find it heavy even before they put baby stuff in it.
Even the most budget-conscious won’t complain about this affordable backpack, which has hipster styling and features that parents will love, like side pockets that are just the right size for napkins and zippers at the front and back: now there’s really nowhere to hide that fussy pacifier! The shoulder straps are padded and adjustable, so everyone in the family can carry it comfortably.
“I love my gray Eddie Bauer diaper backpack. It has lots of pockets and the straps are adjustable.”
We love bags with dirt-resistant bottoms, and the Boss backpack has one unique, cool solution: rubber feet inspired by the textured soles of moccasins. Not only does it raise the bottom of the bag off dirty floors and surfaces, but it also keeps the entire bag securely where you put it, allowing you to rummage through it without fear of it tipping over. The storage space inside the bag is also well thought out, especially the pockets on the sides of the bag: one is elastic but open for easy access, and the other zips up to keep your essentials secure.
What you put in your diaper bag is up to you, but in general, the following checklist will help you make sure you’ve packed everything you need before you head out the door with your newborn:
You don’t think about how a new baby will fit into your life until you start shopping for the necessary items. So here are a few things you might want to consider when choosing the right diaper bag for you.
[AAP] 2022. American Academy of Pediatrics. “How to Buy a Safe Stroller.” https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/How-to-Buy-a-Safe-Stroller.aspx [Accessed October 2022]
Jenn Bonicelli and Megan Hertzfeldt are the authors of You Can Have Two: The Essential Guide to Preparing for Twins and co-founders of the parenting website Two Came True.