First time parents often have strong feelings about the diaper bag. Some might feel like carrying one around is a rite of passage into Club Parenthood. Others might resist anything that suggests they are any different now than they were before baby came around. And baby gear companies are happy to provide numerous options for a diaper bag that fits every identity and style.
But what if you don’t even need to buy a special-purpose diaper bag in the first place?
(If you’d like to read about ALL the baby products 6,000 moms did (and didn’t) recommend over my six months of research, you can read my essentials-only baby registry checklist article here!)
This is the question I’d started asking myself after a visit with my sister recently. A mom of three, my sister just used a regular (but seriously stylish) backpack like you’d get for school or work. So what was all the hype with a ‘diaper’ bag? Could anyone just use a normal backpack? I’ve been using a backpack-style diaper bag for the last four years since it was a gift at my baby shower, but seeing her got me thinking.
(To be honest, I’ve been doing a LOT of thinking on this theme recently, as I’ve written articles like whether or not you need a diaper pail, whether or not you need a changing table, and many other diapering-related topics.)
To find the answer, I decided to poll a group of moms on social media and get some of their feedback on the issue. And honestly, the results really surprised me.
So in general, new parents don’t need to buy bags specifically branded as “diaper bags.” A whopping 93% of parents in the poll said that regular backpacks were perfectly fine, and that specially-designated diaper bags were not essential.
Why do you even need another bag once you have a baby?
If you’ve never cared for a tiny, helpless human before, it might surprise you to learn how many needs they have. And how quickly those needs become screaming balls of intensity!
Unlike a grown-up, who can wait 15 minutes to get home for a snack, babies can’t wait. Their understanding of time is “now” and “not now,” and most often their desires fall into the ‘now’ category.
So it’s essential to have some bag to carry all their need-meeting supplies on hand. Diapering, feeding, soothing, temperature control, and extra clothing are just some of the needs you’ll learn to prepare for when you have a baby. Some parents, who like being extra prepared, might also carry around medical or first aid supplies.
Diaper bags vs. backpacks
In general, anything labeled a “diaper bag” is nearly identical to other bags like backpacks. They all have pockets, zippers, and pouches, and can carry your stuff. However, diaper bags do have certain features with baby-specific uses like insulated pouches, wipes dispensers, or changing mats.
Let’s look a little closer at these common features found in many diaper bags:
- Insulated pouches, which can be useful for parents carrying around bottles of breastmilk or formula which they want to keep at the right temperature. The “right temperature” might be a hot, freshly prepared bottle, or cold, pumped breastmilk that needs to stay refrigerated.
- Attached waterproof mats are useful during diaper changes. Most attach with a clip or snap and can be detached.
- A pouch with an oval opening on the side that’s meant to be used as a wipes dispenser. You slide a pack of wipes in sideways, and can open and close the pack as necessary through the opening.
Of course, you can also buy backpacks with insulated compartments (often labelled with the term “lunch backpack”) or insulated cupholders. You can also buy stand-alone waterproof mats, sometimes for as little as $5, and store them in any other section of your bag. I honestly prefer the unattached mats though, as the attached ones can become cumbersome if you need to hoist the whole diaper bag onto the changing table, or try and detach it one-handed.
I will say that you’re unlikely to find a regular backpack with anything closely resembling a wipes dispenser, so you’ll need to get an actual diaper bag if this feature is important to you.
As for carrying style, the more traditional diaper bags are worn over a single shoulder. However, they also make backpack-style diaper bags and even tote-style diaper bags. Gone are the days when the term ‘diaper bag’ only means one thing!
Finally, there is one last thing that separates “diaper bags” from other backpacks or tote bags- the price! Because companies can add “the baby tax” onto the normal cost of producing an item, diaper bags are generally more expensive than other kinds of similar bags.
What features should your diaper bag (or DIY diaper bag) have?
Regardless of what type of bag you use, there are a few specific features that most moms recommended in the comments section of my poll. So if you’re looking to repurpose another bag as your family’s go-to diaper bag for outings, here are a few features you’ll want to look for.
Lots of pockets
The most commonly mentioned feature was that parents should get something with a lot of different pockets and pouches. Diaper bags can easily become a black hole of stuff without lots of different sized compartments to help keep you organized.
Two-shoulder carry
Many moms mentioned how exhausting and frustrating they found bags which only had one strap. They constantly slip off, they make your posture and gait uneven, and they get heavy! Crystal, one of the commenters, mentioned that single-shoulder styles are especially difficult when you have more than one child because you’re carrying more (which possibly includes a baby while holding a toddler’s hand).
Therefore, you’ll really want to find something that can be worn on both shoulders, backpack-style.
Waterproof (or easy to clean)
Just like the kids they help you care for, diaper bags can get dirty! It’s great to have a bag that can be easily wiped down or vacuumed out, especially on the inside where wipes, bottles, and goldfish crackers make the biggest messes.
Insulated sections
Many moms commented on the versatility and convenience of an insulated cupholder. Actually, insulation was the #1 reason mentioned by the 7% of respondents who preferred a diaper bag over a regular backpack. One mom, Samantha, said “The only reason I love my diaper bag vs a regular backpack is the insulated bottle pocket.”
If you’re looking to make some other bag into your family’s diaper bag, consider using something that can keep a baby’s bottle warm or a toddler’s sippy cup cool. (Heck, maybe you could sneak your Yeti full of mocha in there someday, too!) Alternatively, you could buy an additional lunchbox-style insulation chamber if you’re really worried about keeping drinks at temperature.
The bottom line
Yes, you do need to either get or repurpose a bag to be your designated diaper bag, at least until your baby is out of diapers. And you can absolutely buy any style of diaper bag you want, or put cute ones on your registry! You definitely want to find something you like and will be willing to carry around every day.
However, if you were worried about missing out on something by just getting a regular backpack or tote, you can rest easy. Because they’re so similar, and the special diaper bag features can easily be worked around, backpacks and other bags will work just as well!
I hope that helps clarify whether or not you need a diaper bag! If you’d like to check out more articles in the “do you need a…” first-time parent series, check out any of the following articles:
- The ONLY Times You Need a Bassinet [Survey Results + Alternatives]
- Survey Says: You Really Don’t Need A Baby Bouncer
- Do You Need a Baby Carrier? 500+ Moms Weigh In.
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