How to buy a fantastic baby bag

When you’re looking for a baby bag the choices can be mind-boggling. We’ve taken the guess work out of the task by sharing 10 things to look for in a baby bag.

1. It’s lightweight

You’ll be surprised how much stuff you will need to have on hand when you’re out with your little one, and it can get heavy. Avoid a bag with heavy metal frames or embellishments, they’ll just weigh you down.

2. The exterior is hardwearing.

No doubt, that cream suede tote you’re eyeing off is divine, but it just won’t cut it for the type of endurance required from a baby bag. Look for a bag made from heavy-duty materials like canvas, leather and nylon, and then, imagine it plonked on a dirty sidewalk, busy shopping centre floor, wet lawn, or wood-chipped playground. If you can picture the bag in that environment without cringing, then you’ve got yourself a winner.

3. The interior is waterproof

Babies can be leaky, and it’s the same for the things you carry in your baby bag. Ensure any spills, leaks and breakages don’t ruin your bag by looking for one lined in waterproof PVC or nylon.

4. It’s got a couple of zippered pockets and compartments

You don’t need to go overboard with compartments and crannies within your baby bag, this can just end up being confusing. One or two exterior pockets or zippered areas are handy for fast access, and internally, the standard zippered pocket, mobile phone pocket and interior divider are the only features you really need. Then, compartmentalise your items with removable bags like Bourne Naked bag liners from $24.95, or simply use zip-lock bags.

5. It has a long strap

Keeping your hands free to attend to baby is paramount, so ensure your bag has a strap that’s long enough to be used a number of ways – over the shoulder, across the body, and slung across the back of your pram.

6. The strap is adjustable

Having the flexibility to adjust the strap means it can be adjusted to suit your height – and changed to suit your partner’s too.

7. It’s roomy

The perfect baby bag will have space for you to include the essentials, and room to throw in a bunch of extras ‘just in case’.

8. It’s not rigid

Once you get into the swing of things with baby, and as they get older, you won’t need to take so much with you. A great baby bag will have a rigid, flat bottom so you can easily find things, yet will have softer sides. This way, it’ll look great when it’s bursting at the seams, but when you’ve got less to carry, it can collapse into itself and still look stylish.

9. Your partner wouldn’t mind if his mates saw him carrying it

If your partner is around, it’s only fair to share the load – literally. When you select a baby bag, consider how he might look, and feel, when he’s carrying it. While those orange polka dots may seem cute and whimsical to you, he’ll look pretty naff carrying it. Look for a classic styled bag in a neutral hue like black, navy, taupe, or army green. Leather features add interest and an air of sophistication.

10. You love it

You know you’ve bought a great baby bag when it suits your personal style, and you’d use it regardless of whether it was chock full of nappies or not.