After getting a conventional diaper bag, I realized that size and practicality was more important for me. I ended up trading my huge diaper bag with 12 pockets for a more minimal and realistic everyday bag. As a result, it gave me more room and more flexibility. If you’re lost, looking through the diaper bag forrest because none of them seem quite “right” – look no further. You may be interested in the idea of diaper bag alternatives. This article may be what you’re looking for to help you make the decision!
As a first time mom, making your registry is so daunting. In my opinion, it is impossible to know what you need before you have your first baby. Society has ideas about what we “need” and it made me feel pressured to put these items on my registry because I didn’t know any better. Really though, we don’t need much and it’s okay to not want as much “stuff.” I wish I would have realized you don’t need an actual diaper bag and can find alternatives that work better for your family.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links while at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
If you haven’t already signed up with Amazon for your baby registry I highly recommend it! You get a year to return your gifts if you end up not needing them (ie. Diaper bag) and 15% off anything left on your registry! You also get a welcome basket with samples and goodies. You can use the link below to sign up.
Shop Amazon – Create an Amazon Baby Registry
Why Not use a regular diaper bag?
Many people (Mom and Dad alike) don’t like the look of diaper bags. I will say in recent years they have come out with styles that are super cute! But to me they are still too big. All the pockets take away from the space, it seems. Also, if you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you may not need all the insulated pockets and zipper compartments.
There’s also the fact that your family will soon outgrow it, as with everything else a baby seems to grow out of overnight. You may find that you don’t really need a huge diaper bag with lots of stuff by the time your baby gets to be a few months old. If you use a non-diaper, diaper bag, you can repurpose it into something else after you no longer want a diaper you. Your bag can transition with your child as they grow.
Fjallraven Kanken as a diaper bag
This is what I use and there are so many reasons I love this bag as a diaper bag! You can use any backpack as a diaper bag, but there is a reason the Kanken has become a favorite for this particular use.
Sometimes Amazon has certain colors on sale!
Access
It opens up 270º by a double zipper. So you can open it just a little or you can open it to pull back the whole front flap of the backpack. I cannot stress enough how great this is when you have to find something in a hurry while you have a little one screaming at you.
The Kanken is easily packed by laying it on its back and packing it like a suitcase. This way everything is visible at once. There is no sticking your arm down to the bottom of the bag and digging around.
We recently took this on a vacation and on a plane. It is a lifesaver when you can pack more in such a small space.
Organizing Fjallraven Kanken to be Diaper Bag Friendly
As mentioned earlier, the Kanken has less organization pockets than a conventional diaper bag. However, I think this works in our favor. We can customize our organization better with different pouches and bags. My favorite way to do this is use a tech pouch for “diaper changing equipment.”
Edit: Since the original publishing of this post, I have found an organization insert that Fjallraven actually makes!
I use the pouch to carry diapers, wipes, cream, powder, a changing pad or blanket, etc. I prefer this way because I can just grab the pouch out of the bag and I don’t have to haul a giant bag. to the restroom.
Unfortunately the tech pouch that I have is out of stock. I will link it anyway in case it comes back, because it was ~$7 and I ordered 4 like I was on a late-night-QVC-roll because I love it so much. These are other choices that are similar:
like the tech pouch, you can also use other styles of zipper bags and pouches to organize snacks, extra outfits, and toys. I really like these. They come in several sizes and colors and are water resistant.
Style and Colors
These bags come in basically any color imaginable. It is quite impressive. The only con to this is it’s so hard to decide between them all!
There are also different sizes if you feel that you may need a little more room. The classic is around 15″. You can also go smaller with the mini.
These bags are also very gender neutral so Dad won’t mind carrying it either. Although my only complaint around this is that the straps may not be big enough for a larger frame. They are adjustable for a smaller frame though.
As your little one gets older, these bags are great to transition into their own backpack that they can carry.
Kolo Juno Daypack with Organic Cotton Canvas
If you like to stick to natural materials this bag is super cool! It has the same style and layout of the Kanken. It’s made from organic cotton canvas and comes in several stylish colors. Although a bit of a splurge, its quality is worth it.
Dupe for Fjallraven Kanken
If you like the idea of the Kanken but don’t like the price tag, there is a dupe on Amazon. Here is an in depth viedo of the dfferences and the quality you may be giving up in exchange for paying half the price.
Lanikai Small Diaper Bag Crossbody and Fanny Pack
This is marketed as a diaper bag, but is minimalism at its finest. I love that this holds just the necessities and leaves your hands free. It’s a fanny pack or crossbody diaper pack and comes with a changing pad. If it’s a quick errand and you don’t need much, this is the way to go. You can also keep this pack inside your normal diaper bag and pull it out for a quick change or leave your large diaper bag in the car.
The color and print are also adorable! It also comes in pink.
Quilted Puffer Tote Bag Free People Dupe
These have had their moment around the social media community. They’re not only trendy and stylish, but they make a great diaper bag because of their big open compartment. I would still use organization pouches with this as well for more organization
4 Nature Diaper Clutch Bag
This is another small diaper bag, so that you can just pack the essentials without carrying a huge bag around. It is big enough for diapering products and extras so you can also carry around you wallet and keys. Really the only thing making it a diaper bag is the wipe opening which comes in handy for snack time on the go too.
Wet/Dry Bag as Diaper Bag
This is an alternative to a diaper bag that I like to take advantage of. I like to use a dry bag to keep baby’s item separate, and put them either in the car or in a larger bag that I’m bringing for the family. Wet/dry bags are also great for beach vacations, as they will keep baby’s diapers and extra clothes dry and away from the sand!
Car Organizer
Once baby gets a little older, you don’t necessarily have to carry a lot for them. It’s convenient to have diapering products in the car so you don’t have to carry them around. I have one of these in the trunk of my car so I can stash extra outfits, diapers, wipes, toys and snacks so I don’t have to pack them everytime I leave the house.
They can easily be moved from car to car if you decide to take another vehicle. Alternatively you can get one for each vehicle that has a car seat. Dry bags are great to use in combination for extra storage.
What Can You Use Instead of a diaper bag?
Really, you can turn anything into a diaper bag! Depending on your needs, how old your child(ren) are, if you are nursing/pumping or not will determine how large of a bag you need. You can transform an old purse or backpack. Or you can add baby’s stuff to your own personal purse or bag to save on lugging around bags, it’s really up to you!
