Clueless About Diaper Bags?

So, you're baby shower bound and you've heard that diaper bags make great baby gifts--you're sold on the idea. Now that you have decided to buy the new mommy a diaper bag you need some diaper bag tips. If you're completely in the dark when it comes to the bags, let's start with the basics.

Diaper bags usually come in three basic styles:

• Hand held tote bag
• Over-the-shoulder purse style
• The backpack diaper bag

Ditch the Dull Diaper Bags

Once they have a baby, many women will be trading in their designer handbags for practical diaper bags. However, if your gal pal is a mother-to-be, it doesn't mean that she can't be stylish anymore. Modern women have a lot more options these days. Diaper bags are available in a plethora of colors and styles ranging from gorgeous toile designs adorned with fringe to hip camoflauge bags trimmed with feminie bows. If you're heading to a baby shower, bring the most chic baby gift around--a fantastic diaper bag.

What Type of Bag Should You Get?

New baby gifts can sometimes be hard to select. There are countless things out there that the new mother and baby will require. How will you ever decide? First things first, what will the new mother really need? A bunch of things, that's what. Instead of drowning in the endless possibilities, why not get her a diaper bag to cart around all of her baby supplies when she's on the go? The next order of business is to select the perfect type of diaper bag for the mother-to-be. Before selecting one take into consideration the type of person that she is. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is she basically a stay at home mom who will rarely leave the house for long periods of time or is she constantly on the go and will need to bring everything with her?
• Is she a perpetually prepared woman who is likely to pack everything she could possibly need or is she the type of woman to only pack the basics?

Get a Personality-Packed Diaper Bag

We can all agree that a diaper bag may not be the most unique gift to give at a baby shower but that doesn't mean you can't turn it into something really special. Select a pattern that illustrates the future mom's personality. Does she like basic designs? Get her a bag with a simple striped pattern. Is she a woman at the height of fashion? Look into trendy designer diaper bags like one covered with pictures of the Eiffel Tower and trimmed with a polka dot pattern and funky fringe. Once you've selected the perfect bag for the mom-to-be, why not have it monogrammed? If you know the name of the baby put his or name on it. If the name of the baby is unknown, put the new mommy's name on it (she will, after all, be the one toting the bag around). In the end, make sure that the bag you present to the mom-to-be is refelective of who she is.

Fill 'Er Up

Let's face it, baby showers don't really lend themselves to unique gifts. Basically, the point of a baby shower is to provide the mom-to-be with the necessities that she will need when her new baby arrives. That doesn't mean, however, that you can't add a little extra something to your gift. If you've opted to purchase a diaper bag for your shower gift don't just stop at the bag. The new mom may not be up to date with diaper bag tips, especially if she's a new mom, so try filling the bag with little surprises that will come in handy! Looking for suggestions?

Try the following:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Disposable bags for dirty diapers (you can buy these in tiny, convenient rolls)
• A small bottle of anti-bacterial liquid
• A small toy
• Baby bottle
• Bib and baby spoon

Go Glam

For a new mom, toting a baby around can feel anything but hip. Between the feedings and the diaper changing, it can be difficult to keep your look cool. Let’s face it, there’s just not enough time in the day to worry about what you are wearing. Then, just when you think you have settled on the right outfit, the baby spits-up and you need to change again.

Accessories are the key to helping you stay fashion-forward without putting in a lot of effort. When it come to traveling with your baby, a designer diaper bag is essential to making you feel more glamorous on-the-go. Look for a bag that features fun textures and patterns, like stripes or polka dots, which will make you stand out no matter what you are wearing. Oi Oi diaper bags are a nice choice, offering a number of options that feature playful colors and designs.

Dress to Impress

A diaper bag is an essential item for any mom. Every time you leave the house, the baby is in one arm and the diaper bag is in the other. For a bag that gets so much use, it should be treated like part of your wardrobe. What you wear is a reflection of who you are, so opt for a diaper bag that shows off your personality.

There are a number of styles to choose from, so make sure to consider the following features before deciding on the one that is right for you.

1. Size – evaluate what you will need to carry on a daily basis and select the appropriate size.
2. Color – think about the colors in your wardrobe and choose a bag that compliments what you wear.
3. Function – make sure the bag is set-up to accommodate the items you need to store in it.

Give Yourself Some Options

When you are on-the-go with your little one, you need to be prepared for anything and everything. Most of the time your diaper bag is your go-to bag for staying organized, but some occasions call for different types of baby travel bags.

For example, when you just need to run a quick errand all you need are a few key items. Instead of bringing your huge diaper bag, you can use a clutch bag to hold some diapers, wipes and a pacifier. If you are going to the beach, you want a baby beach bag that is waterproof to protect your baby essentials from getting wet. When you attend a party, a diaper bag that looks like a purse will help you blend in better, while still holding all your baby needs.

Having more than one diaper bag will keep you prepared for any occasion. After all, your diaper bag is an extension of your style and you would never have just one pair of shoes – right?

A Small Diaper Bag for Short Outings

A good item to give the future mom is a small diaper bag that she can take with her on short outings with the baby. Most diaper bags are quite large and serve a great purpose for whole day trips, but if mom just wants to go to the store or for a quick visit to the park a smaller bag will be much more feasible.

There are many different types of small diaper bags, just make sure to get one that has space for a small folding changing pad (some bags come with them) a few diapers, a bottle, a bib and pockets for lose items. Mom can also put her wallet and keys in the bag so she doesn't have to carry an additional purse if she doesn't want to be overloaded.

The last thing to consider with a small diaper bag is just ot get one that will fit the mom-to-be's style, but with so many options available that won't be much of a problem.

Make Sure Your Diaper Bag's not a Dud

One of the best baby diaper bag tips around is to make sure that the one you select is of a good quality. After all, you want that thing to last through the child's first birthday, don't you? If you're going to a baby shower, you want your new baby gift to shine so make sure you don't skimp when selecting a diaper bag for a gift. Don't overpay for a bag that isn't up to par and don't go the cheap route and pay the minimum price for a bag that is of minimum quality. A good diaper bag will usually run between $40 to $120. Your best bet is to select a durable bag that comes form a reputable company. Pay attention to consumer reviews and ratings before puchasing. And, once you have your hands on the bag, examine the material, stitching, and lining. If you're not convinced that it's a good bag, it's probably not.