Thank you, Lily Jade, for sponsoring this post. I was provided this bag for review purposes, but all opinions are my own.
Oh, diaper bags. What a dilemma. Does anyone else relate? When I was pregnant, my husband actually asked me why I was so obsessed over picking one out. Seriously? This bag was going to be my go-to for the next couple years! I had to pick a good one!
I did not pick a good one. Over the past sixteen months (give or take), I have gone through – are you ready? – SIX diaper bags. Six. They all did not work out for various reasons. It was like Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears. This one is too bulky. This one doesn’t fit everything. This one couldn’t keep up.
To save you some time, and some serious cash, I am going to fill you in on how to choose the best diaper bag, so that when you pick your first one, you’re not replacing it within weeks. Here are the things to look for:
- Enough Space. Babies need A LOT of stuff, especially starting out. Diapers, wipes, an extra set of clothes just in case, extra pacifiers, toys, bottles, formula or breastmilk, burp cloths, blankets, etc. You just don’t want to catch yourself unprepared.
- Organization. (Pockets!!) When you find a dress with pockets, it’s like gold, right? Same with a diaper bag – with many pockets. As you wrangle a baby, the last thing you want to do is be digging through your whole bag to find something. Or worse – dumping it all out. Good bags have easy access to what you need.
- Style. Your diaper bag essentially becomes your purse (unless you have extra arms with which to carry one of those, too). It was important to me to find a bag that matched my style, so that even when I was without my little one, I still felt comfortable carrying it.
- Versatility. My first bag was a legit over-the-shoulder diaper bag, and while it had pockets galore, and I even liked the style, eventually I grew tired of slinging that heavy thing over my shoulder, and trying to keep it balanced while I did other things. I ended up switching to a backpack to go hands-free.
- Something that Lasts. And then I found out that the backpack I bought wasn’t made to be a diaper bag. It broke within a month. The next one broke in weeks. To be honest, I got them both for their style, but stylish backpacks aren’t really made to carry all your supplies. I also didn’t want to buy a durable book bag and look like I just got out of class. Am I crazy?
- Easy to Clean. Oh the things that can get on or in your diaper bag. The last thing I wanted to be worried about was a poop stain in a beautiful bag.
- Something to Wear Beyond Baby. This is a bonus, and somewhat goes along with style, but how many points would you give a bag that you can use before and after baby? It’s the same reasoning I had for wanting to purchase clothes I could wear even when I wasn’t pregnant, instead of investing in lots of maternity clothes I wouldn’t be able to wear very long after giving birth.
- A Decent Price Point. It’s hard to figure. You could shell out a crazy amount for a designer purse, but you probably will lack some of the features listed above, even for all you could spend. You also could do what I did, and spend all your money buying bag after bag that doesn’t work for you.
Or you can buy one bag that does all of the above. When I came across Lily Jade, it seemed too good to be true. A beautiful bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag? And yet still has tons of pockets and organization? And it transitions from a shoulder bag to a cross body to a backpack? Stop. It.
My review of the Shaylee bag, after living with it for a couple weeks? I’m pretty sure a more perfect bag does not exist. The designer, Meggan Wood, a mom herself, thought of everything that you wouldn’t think of until you are actually in the moment. Like an organizer insert that you can load with supplies and take out when you just need a purse. A bright interior that makes finding items a snap. Tons of interior and exterior pockets, even without the insert.
And the bags are just pretty. I mean, how many diaper bags can you honestly say you would carry as a purse? (Again, this one is called the Shaylee, and the color is Brandy.)
My last note about Lily Jade is about more than the bag. The owners have such a heart for moms – especially adoptive mommas. You can see it in their social media. They’re a real family that found a need and filled it. And that hits my heart more than just the pretty bag.
So when it comes to choosing diaper bags, use the tips above. To save yourself even more trouble, just order a Lily Jade bag. I guarantee you will love it, and you won’t have to buy six of them…unless you want to.
Want to see how I packed it? Visit my Instagram today 🙂
What do you look for in a diaper bag or purse? What helps you the most? Which Lily Jade bag would you pick?
This bag is so cute so stylish, yet versatile. I am sure lot of baby and mommy stuff fits in this roomy bag.
It definitely does! I’m glad I can use it even after I need it to be a diaper bag 🙂
Love how versatile this bag is. It’s also very stylish and adorable!!
Thanks! I love it! 🙂
I hated picking out diaper bags. They were never big enough for me. I swear I carried two bags around with me for so long. This one looks so handy because it is versatile. That’s not something I had when I was dealing with diapers. Plus it’s SUPER CUTE and doesn’t scream, “I’m a diaper bag!”
This was everything I was looking for in a diaper bag when I first started looking, but I didn’t get it – and now six diaper bags later, I wish I’d gone with my gut! They have a bigger size called the Meggan – it’s made for twins, but with all the things you need for a newborn, I probably would use it just for one 🙂 And I LOVE the versatility – so handy!
It’s like you’re reading my mind! I’ve been carrying the same diaper bag for a little over two years and it’s slowly starting to fall apart. I have been torn on getting another tote or choosing a backpack – I love that it does both. I’m going to have to check these out ASAP. Thanks for sharing!
I’m impressed that it’s worked well for 2 years! That’s a good quality bag! This one works so well, and looks good to boot. I highly recommend it!
That’s awesome! I love that it converts into a backpack (which, as you know, is what I’m looking for!). This one is extra-cute too… I need to add it to my list! xo
I am all about backpacks as diaper bags! Hands-free all the way! I am loving this bag, and how it can be over the shoulder for everyday wear.
Picking out a diaper bag is so hard! I tried to spend mid-range so that I could let it go if it didn’t work out… that was the only way to finally be able to decide on one to start with! Love these Lily Jade ones, which I unfortunately never encountered before pregnant (which, you kind of need the bag when the baby is born, but you hardly know what kind of bag you need until he’s been around for a while anyway!). The converting to a backpack thing is brilliant. I wanted something that looked like a nice handbag, but the hands-free option turns out to be totally necessary.
I did the same thing – went for the mid-range one, but it was the over-the-shoulder one that ended up completely wearing me out. It’s so true – you don’t really know what you need until you’re there! Love the Lily Jade bag because I feel like they thought of everything. It’s both functional and beautiful!
I started with Lilly Jade bag (the Meggan) and was really disappointed about it, especially because I started out so excited about it for all the reasons you list above. Unfortunately, the zipper broke in less than 2 weeks and the magnetic snaps that hold the insert in place were not non-functional so the insert was always slouching and/or turning sideways or upside down. I can understand the zipper being an issue for that one particular bag, but wanted to ask if you have had any issues with the insert not staying in place? I will say that I received excellent customer service from them on both my order and my return.
I’m sorry to hear that! I do have trouble with my insert staying in place. I think it’s because I overload it – I have to remember to stick to the basics! It’s probably not meant to hold diapers, wipes, snacks, my essentials AND three books, a planner, pens, etc! Ha ha, but that’s just me 🙂 Their customer service is pretty great! I think it’s because they’re an independently owned business.
Do u have any recommendations for a diaper bag for two kids? I will have a 2 year old and a new born in cloth diapers.
Ooh, I have not been there yet! With Lily Jade’s line, the Meggan is the one they say is great for more than one child. There are lots of great others out there. I recommend a backpack, to keep you hands-free!
Does the bag get too heavy? And I’m just getting ready for my first and I’m debating between the Shaylee or a bigger bag like Madeline or Meggan. Any suggestions there? I want something that holds everything but doesn’t break my back when I carry all my stuff.
It gets heavy depending on the amount of stuff I put in 🙂 I wouldn’t overstuff it! If you have one baby, with a few diapers, some wipes, a couple bottles, a change of clothes, and your wallet, phone and keys, you should be good. But if you have more than one kiddo, I’ve heard the Meggan is a great option!
Thanks for such a great review! I fell in love with Lily Jade bags while researching for our first, due in 2 months! How does the leather hold up to daily wear and tear, stains etc? And is there any way of hanging the bag from the stroller? Using stroller hooks or something?
Gila! I’m so sorry I missed this. I’ll send you a message, but basically – it’s been a year, and the bag is doing GREAT!