Let’s face it.  We aren’t all made of money.  Most of us are not able to buy Day-Of-The-Week diaper bags, or have one to match every pair of shoes (we still fit in post-partum).  No, we are often forced to settle on two, maybe three, diaper bags for our tenure at motherhood (ok, three for each kid :)).  As such, it is important that when we do choose a diaper bag, it is well-made, will last, and is stylish.  To wit, I have made a list of six diaper bag designers that may help narrow your search.

OiOi

Originating in Australia, but now a world-wide brand, OiOi baby bags are first stylish, next practical, and above all quality.  Always keeping up with the trends, these bags come in the most current prints and fabrics.  Most bags come with several accessories, such as a changing pad, pvc wipes case, and an insulated bottle holder.  You wouldn’t be disappointed with a one of these on your shoulder.

Skip*Hop

This New York company offers products for mommy and baby that reflect the knowledge of someone who’s been there too.  Skip Hop diaper bags include ample storage compartments, designated for every essential item one would carry on an outing with baby.  Check out the nice feature that allows for easy conversion from a shoulder bag to a stroller bag.  That one just might have you sold.

Petunia Pickle Bottom

This designer is all about unique, bold, and detailed diaper bags - she might say chic would best describe them.  Petunia Pickle Bottom puts  a high priority on fashion.  We’re talking brocades, hand-woven tweeds, plush velvets, and detailed embroidery that defines her signature look.  If you hate to leave fashion at the doorstep of motherhood, one of these diaper bags may allow for both.

Fleurville

If your out for a hip, modern look, Fleurville diaper bags may be an ideal choice.  Forget plain colors or babyish designs, these bags represent the optimism and energy of the young moms of today.  Always a leader in environmental concerns, Fleurville became one of the first companies to offer PVC-free products, and has since expanded into green fabrics and responsible manufacturing processes.  With a bag from Fleurville, you can feel good about your look, and feel good about your purchase.

Mia Bossi

If you’d rather not look like you’re carrying a diaper bag at all, Mia Bossi has you covered.  Some of their tag lines are “diapers in disguise” and “where function meets fabulous”, and I must say they do not disappoint.  You can carry one of their leather diaper bags to the most elite social gathering.  No one would know that inside you have luxury caressing formula, baby wipes, and a set of Pampers Cruisers.

Diaper Dude

This one’s for the guys.  No self-respecting father wants to throw his wife’s pink floral diaper bag over his shoulder for a trip to the park.  He’s likely to throw everything in a gym bag, without removing the three-day old sweat socks.  Well guys, Diaper Dude has your back.  Shoulder, Backpack or Messenger Bags, in man-friendly prints (including camo), with accessories only a guy would appreciate.  Moms, get him one of these, and he might actually take the baby for an afternoon - Holla!

For useful information when you’re looking for a baby swing or baby monitor check out the advice given at FromBabytoToddler.com.

If you have ever used a diaper bag for any length of time, you will no doubt acquire a wide area of stains, smells, food particles, and other gunk which you may no longer be able to identify.  No, you’re not a bad mom.  But you are the mother of a small child, and they tend to cause interesting things to happen to the diaper bag you were once so proud of.  So when you finally recover from the shock of what it has become and decide to do something about it, the question arises:  How did I clean this thing?

Here we will give you a few tips, which may or may not work (hey, just being honest) to assist you in restoring you diaper bag to sanitary use.  You don’t need to try every one of these things in order to get your bag clean, but what may work for one may not work for another, so don’t give up if the first suggestion fails.

Cleaning your Diaper Bag

I am going to split this up into two sections.  The first deals with the glorious work of cleaning that mess.  The second section with discuss deodorizing, because we all know it needs it.

Vacuum

The first order of business is to get all of the crumbs out (and if you haven’t removed all of the baby items, now would be a good time).  I prefer to use a hand-held vacuum or a shop vac to suck up all of the crumbles and small food particles.  If you don’t have access to one of those, just hold the diaper bag upside down over the trash, shake violently, and then wipe the out the rest with a damp cloth.

Turn Inside Out

After you wipe down the outside, turn the diaper bag inside out if at all possible.  I know this may be difficult with some diaper bags, but it is the only real way to get at all of the nooks and crevices inside the bag.

Soap and Water

The first thing we want to try is plan old soap and water.  Place a small amount of dish detergent on a damp cloth or sponge.  Scour every inch of the diaper bag until you can no longer see any stains.  Then, grab another damp cloth and rinse the bag free of soap residue.

White Vinegar

If that doesn’t work or if you just want to be sure, wet a washcloth with plain white vinegar and wash the bag down with it.  The vinegar will clean and disinfect, as well as cover some of the smell.

Sterilization Solution

Another option is to use the sterilization solution that you use on your milk bottles.  It is safe enough to use on the containers your child uses to drink from, so it should be safe enough to clean your diaper bag with.  You will want to use this solution After the soap and water.

Dealing with the Smell

Alright, now that you have a clean diaper bag, how about making it smell good.  Often after much use, a diaper bag will become a odorous mixture of sour milk, dirty diapers, cheddar fish or fruit loops - not of baby shampoo.  So, in order to freshen it up, we must employ some strong weapons.

Citrus Rind

A great option for adding some freshness is the use the rind of citrus fruit, such as a lemon or lime.  Simply cut open the fruit and remove the meat.  Now, rub the inside of the rind around floor of the diaper bag.  It will end up smelling like you just mopped it, a welcome scent indeed.

An Apple

Apparently, an apple a day can keep the smell away.  For some reason, unknown to me, when an apple is cut open, it tends to absorb smells.  Cut an apple in half and place it inside the diaper bag for a day or two.  When you remove it, you should have a much better smelling bag.

Baking Soda

Most of use have used baking soda to deal with smells in the refrigerator.  You can also use it to help with the diaper bag issue.  Take a sock and fill it with backing soda.  Tie off the end and leave it in the diaper bag for a week or so.  It should take care of the oder issue.

Coffee Grounds

Same thing for coffee grounds, except that your diaper bag will smell like a latte.  Just make sure the grounds aren’t used - that could make it worse

Dryer Sheet

As a final option, throw in a dryer sheet.  It may not do as well as some of the other options at absorbing the oder, but it will add a nice smell.

Some Other Options

Dryel

If your diaper bag is cloth, you might try using a Dryel cleaning kit.  This will basically dry clean your diaper bag in your home dryer, a great option that tends to work beautifully.  But Do Not Do This If There Is Any Plastic On The Bag.  If you do, you will ruin it.

Febreeze

You can use Febreeze to take care of the smell, but only on the outside.  Some infants may be allergic to the chemicals in it, so do not spray it inside the diaper bag.

Buy a New One

If it is just too bad to clean, you might want to just toss it and buy a new one.

Whether you’re a new mom or returning for another round, you quickly become dependent on greatness that is - the diaper bag.  Functional yet fashionable, your diaper bag keeps you mobile while providing a bit of style that used to be served by your many purses.  But all too many moms come to fear and even resent their greatest accessory, becoming more frustrated and frazzled with each outing.  Mostly, this is due to uncertainty about what should or should not be in the bag or where it might be if it is in there.

And so we attempt to remedy some of that confusion with a few helpful tips on how to pack the perfect diaper bag.

The Essentials

First, let’s cover the essentials.  These are items that should be in your diaper bag no matter what stage your child is in (ok, if your kid is 14, you can go ahead and stop carrying the diaper bag and dust off your purses again).  

1.  Extra Clothes:  If your kid is 4 months or 4 years, you will likely need an extra change of clothes on one of your trips out sooner or later.  You may look in the diaper bag and think, “Oh, I can just leave the extra clothes out this time.”  But of course, that will inevitably be the day he spits up all over himself in the middle of your other child’s ballet recital.  Don’t leave out the clothes.

2.  Mom Pouch:  This is a little zippered bag in which you put all of your stuff, which would otherwise be lost in the chaos.  It keeps your things together, dry, and accessible.  You will soon know it by feeling, and when you are struggling to find your keys while you are hanging onto a fussy baby, it will be your best friend.

3.  Diaper Bag Toy:  What?  You didn’t see that in Babies R Us?  Well, this is simply a toy that interests your child which ALWAYS stays in the diaper bag.  That way it is fresh and new when you are out and about.  Something to calm your child who is bored with all of their other toys at home.  Trust me - it has returned my sanity on many an occasion.

Potty Stage

Now comes the part where we have to pick and choose.  

If your child is potty trained, you might consider carrying a pull up or maybe a pair of plastic pants just in case they have an accident.  This is not in lieu of the extra clothes I mentioned earlier.  Just an added precaution.

If your child is still in diapers, make sure you have more diapers than you think you will need and enough wipes to stop up a toilet (don’t actually do it, just have that many).  You might also want to have a foldable changing pad.  If they are messy and you have to change them in the back seat, even the most skilled diaper ninja could have trouble. 

Feeding Habits

If your baby is on the bottle (not that kind), have a bottle for every two to three hours you expect to be out, and then one more because who estimates time correctly.  Pre-fill the bottles with water and measure out your formula in advance.  That way, you only have to mix and you’re ready to go.

If you are breast feeding, make sure you have breast pads and some kind of cover-up in case you have to feed your child in an open area.

If your kid has progressed to solid foods, congratulations you’re work as a mom is done.  Kidding, just try to have a sippy cup (preferably aluminum) in case you’re child gets thirsty in the car.

And always have a snack of some sort.  You only have to sit through a church service with a toddler and no snack to know what I mean.  Bring.The.Snack!

Extras

Some extras you might include are:

Gas Drops:  Some mother’s swear by this

Sunscreen:  If the weather is nice and you’ll be outside

Hat:  If the weather is either too hot or too cold for your child’s bare noggin.

Packing

Finally, we come to actually packing the bag.  The basic rule is to put the stuff you use least in pockets or on the very bottom.  Put the items used most at the very top or easily accessible.  And keep everything you hold dear in the mom pouch.  Don’t forget the mom pouch!