The Diaper Bags of My Life
Every mother on the planet has had a diaper bag. It could be a tote, satchel, messenger bag, backpack, clutch, or fanny pouch. No matter the label, it is still a diaper bag. The stages of parenthood can be defined by what is slung over the shoulder of a mother. Moms carry a lot to get through, be it heavy emotions or fruit snacks.
My First Diaper Bag
My close friends gave me my very first diaper bag at my baby shower. It was black, white, and glossy. The interior was turquoise and the exterior was so pretty. I could wipe away spills easily, and liquid stains or baby goop did not stand a chance against this practical and fashion-forward diaper bag.
It was perfect, especially for me as a new mom. It gave me everything I didn’t know I absolutely needed. The shoulder strap was the perfect width where it hit on my twenty-something shoulder. The strap was also long enough to go around my stroller’s handle. I could toss that diaper bag anywhere and it would still look pristine. There were a few times that the bag weighed so much it toppled the stroller backward, but luckily none of my children were ever harmed due to my over-ambitious packing.
I Had So Much Stuff
I carried diapers, wipes, rash ointment, band-aids, sippy cups, soiled diapers (that I would forget for days to toss), toddler snacks, extra baby clothes, back-up formula (that always ultimately expired), teething rings, burp cloths, rattles, a stuffed animal or two, children’s Tylenol, and probably more.. And that was just my baby’s stuff. That diaper bag also held my wallet, my cell, an extra charger, a book I would never get a chance to read during the day, headache medicine, allergy pills, tampons, tissues, keys, plus back-up parts for my breast pump or sometimes I would just jam in the whole pump.
My original diaper bag probably weighed a good ten pounds, I swear. One time at the airport I put it on the luggage scale out of sheer curiosity. It registered between 12-13 pounds! I would sling it over my left shoulder and often cradle a kid with my right arm for balance.
Having a good diaper bag was important because it was like my suit of armor. Being a new mom was scary and having to actually leave the comforts of home while in charge of another living being made me nervous. However, having a bag (given to me by loved ones) that held pretty much everything I would ever need to survive the zombie apocalypse helped a lot.
My Toddler Tote
There is a three-year gap between my youngest daughter and eldest son, and thanks to my little man basically earning a bachelor’s degree in potty training at age two, I was able to go a year sans diapers. This meant a year of not needing an official diaper bag.
My son basically came out of the womb a toddler and potty trained extremely early. This happened despite every person on the planet telling me that he would be much harder in comparison to my girls. The planet was wrong! It took three days of barely any accidents before he had going #1 and #2 mastered better than most grown men.
Enter the toddler tote. During this time period, I usually went between a small open-sized canvas bag or an Under Armour sports gear duffel. My toddler tote was still full, but lighter and easier to stash behind the driver’s seat. Instead of diapers, it held some of my stuff plus a few snacks, toys, and crayons.
Do I Really Need All of This Stuff?
Like my mother’s pantry, sometimes my toddler tote was well stocked. And like my own pantry, sometimes it was not and I got burned in public. Forgetting to put extra snacks or coloring pages in the tote for church or a school meeting meant I spent more time wrangling a child. However, the toddler tote proved I was progressing in motherhood. It showed I had some faith in myself. I no longer needed a back-up sippy cup or three burp rags. Also, if my kiddos had to wait twenty minutes for a drink or snack, he or she would survive.
The toddler bag is currently retired because my husband and I had a fourth baby a little over two years ago. Obviously the universe is getting back at me now too because my youngest has very little interest in using the toilet. “Nope” and “Nooooooooooooooo” are his favorite responses whenever his dad or I mention him trying to potty like a big boy.
My Final Diaper Bag
My current (and final) diaper bag is actually a backpack cooler. Laugh away, but switching to this format makes things so much simpler. I loved my first diaper bag and used it faithfully for three of my babies, but it just did not have the longevity to handle a fourth. Some days, I wonder if I have the shelf life required to handle four children, so I really can’t blame my first diaper bag for ripping an inseam and getting a huge hole in its corner.
The backpack cooler keeps sippy cup drinks well, cooler. It is also sturdier than a traditional backpack with edged piping and a more rectangular shape. I love wearing it like a college student and my almost forty-year-old spine also appreciates it. Over the years, I have actually chilled quite a bit as a mom. I still pack plenty of diapers and wipes, but the extra clothes are pretty basic. I gave up on burp cloths because my breastfeeding cover-up or coat usually doubled just fine as a spit-up rag. Snacks are still a priority, but they do not take precedence over my sunglasses.
Back to a Regular Purse
Time goes too fast and I know I will be back to a simple purse too soon. The day I hang up the diaper bag for good will be freeing, yet also filled with melancholy. Changing diapers is not my favorite activity, but I love blowing raspberries on my son’s tiny tummy. I adore the giggles and lap cuddles. I like being the go-to for boxed raisins and band-aids. There is a lot more wrapped up in a diaper bag than just soggy cheerios and forgotten receipts.
Moms carry a lot in their diaper bags to provide for their children. But all of that gear is nothing compared to the love in our hearts. (Oh, and no matter how old my children get, I plan to always carry baby wipes. Those things are a lifesaver for me and the kids!)