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Five Diaper Bag Essentials For Toddlers

LilSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:00:16 -0800

Once your child hits the toddler stage, they are off and running! Trade in the bulky diaper bag for a smaller, more sleek messenger style sack that can be slung over the shoulder so you can keep up with your youngster! Children are less interested in sitting in the stroller and more apt to soak up the world around them. But, you've still got a few items to tote so check out our slideshow for the essentials!

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Five Diaper Bag Essentials For Older Babies

LilSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:00:42 -0800

By the time your babe is six-months-old, you have getting out of the house down, but now it's time to keep the lil one occupied as you run errands! Mama's diaper bag becomes more of a snack station and toy stash. Until your tot celebrates his or her first birthday, these five essentials in our slideshow should suffice.

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Five Newborn Diaper Bag Essentials

LilSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:00:07 -0800

Your first wee one brings a whole lot of joy and bewilderment. Suddenly, getting out of the house takes an hour and you end up carting fifteen pounds of goodies for an infant that weighs half of that! When you're scrambling for the door, just toss these five items in your diaper bag and you're good to go! Check out our slideshow to see our picks for the bare bones newborn essentials.

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What Are Your Top Three Diaper Bag Must Haves For Infants?

babysugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:00:22 -0700

Diapers? Check. Wipes? Check. Bottles? Check. Now that we've confirmed the most obvious components to an infant diaper bag, I want to know what other three items you must have with you at all times when bouncing babe on your hip. My list toppers are a toy for distraction, a clean onesie and tube of diaper cream. What essentials do you stash?

Lil Find: An Un-Diaper Bag

LilSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:01:44 -0700

The purchase of a diaper bag is a truly personal decision that expectant mamas spend plenty of time agonizing over. While some fit everything but the kitchen sink, others have only enough space for the essentials. We've seen everything from flower and Winnie-the-Pooh laden designs to designer-logo ones that look just like our every day handbags. No matter what your style, finding one that both mom and dad are willing to carry that serve all of our needs is not easy.

The S. Stein Baby Case may just fit the bill. Made from sturdy canvas with either leather or suede pockets, the bags are designed to be opened and used, rather than rifled through in search of a lil one's pacifier. The snap-out waterproof lining has pockets for bottles, diapers and a change of clothes, while a separate area is specifically designed to hold a cell phone and wallet, making them easily accessible on the go. Designer Sherry Stein, who has worked at both Nike and The Gap, created the bag by piling what she considered to be essential diaper bag contents in one place and then creating a bag that would fit them all. Such a basic concept, yet brilliantly executed. Unfortunately, this ideal bag will set a mama back more than a few bucks at $395, but hopefully other designers will take notice and create similar ones on a more budget-friendly scale.

Pottery Barn Seacliff Herringbone Diaper Tote

babysugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:41 -0700

I have seen and tested more than my fair share of diaper bags, but I hadn't tried a new one since having my second babe. Double the diapers, changes of clothes and bottles and all the sudden I look like a mama off to war, which isn't a bad comparison. Before I leave the house, I have to check through three separate knapsacks to make sure I have everything I need.

Then, I realized with the new Seacliff Herringbone Diaper Tote ($149) that Pottery Barn Kids sent over for me to try out, I'd only have one bag to check. The black herringbone cotton-canvas is so stylin' that nobody suspects it holds one, let alone two tots' essentials. Large enough to pack my laptop, breast pump, some magazines and a few of my personal belongings, this may be the single carryall I've been searching for.

To see what else I love about the tote and the two things I wish it had, read more.

It's an added bonus that the black twill makes it practically stainproof. And, the leather bound canvas straps don't dig into the shoulder, even with the hefty load I carry. Zippered and snapped compartments keep items buckled in and offer organization for a harried mother.

There are two things that could make the tote a tad better - a bottle compartment and a top zipper. I could easily stash a bottle in the outside compartment, but it wouldn't be able to snap it shut. The bag also has a magnetic snap closure, which is effortless, but I like the security of my goods being contained.

Overall, this is a great diaper bag. It's hip enough to pull off as a non-diaper tote, but roomy enough to use for just that and then some.

Hate the Diaper Bag? Leave It Home!

LilSugar — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 04:00:23 -0800

There are some divine diaper bags out there, from trendy faux patent, fancy designer bags and even dad-friendly styles, but that doesn't mean you want to lug them around everyday.

Keep things light by packing the bare essentials into a diaper bag alternative, such as the Pronto ($30). It's a simple diapering kit that unfolds into a changing pad with a “pronto pillow" and pockets for all the essentials.

Not into the Pronto? Try one or two of the alternatives to go - and remember, if you are just stepping out for a second you really only need wipes, a place to lay baby down and a fresh diaper.

Junior Jetset: Tips For Traveling

babysugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:20:27 -0700

Whether by planes, trains or automobiles, traveling families have their work cut out for them. In addition to carrying all the essentials, parents must consider entertainment and comfort before jetting off to their oasis. Make for a pleasant trip and avoid any Griswoldesque disasters by heeding some pointers from a well traveled mama.

Pack an easily accessible carry-all bag that can endure 24-hours of travel. Include: diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, hand sanitizer, water, snacks and a change of clothes.
If flying, have the tot wear easily removable shoes and jackets as they have to deal with TSA just like us!

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Bring some fun along: travel versions of board games, Crayons and paper, books, a DVD player, an iTouch or iPhone, and chewy bright toys for the babes. New ones are especially helpful as they can distract the tot a while longer.
Bring a special treat or candy for a brewing storm. An M&M for good behavior can go a long way.
If bringing a car seat along for the adventure, invest in a simple apparatus to help wheel the child along. It will keep mom and dad from lugging the seat on their backs through the terminal.
Bring as little as possible. Much easier said than done, just remember a sink and some soap can handle some tough messes and make everything new again.
Carry a small first-aid kit in case of emergencies. Fill it with Tylenol, band-aids, thermometer, motion sickness pills, sunscreen and anti-itch cream.
Lastly, relax. Kids can pick up on the stress from mom and dad so sit back and enjoy the ride!

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Mommy's Lil Helper: Coolil Diaper Bag

LilSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:00:52 -0700

As a mama of two, I've toted my fair share of diaper bags. Some are rather heavy before I even load my essentials so I loved that the Heidi Mommy Bag ($109) lightens my load. Made by Adi Samuel, a young Israeli designer, the simple and chic bag offers functional elements like snaps to attach it to your stroller and a removable inside pouch so you don't have to rummage around. The Coolil bag can be worn as a backpack or shoulder bag and is ideal if you want a sack that can take you and your babe from birth to preschool.

lil Find: Embroidered Baby Linen Organizer

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:00:12 -0800

Whether you pack light with a slender bare essentials diaper kit or stick the kitchen sink in a fancy designer bag, it's crucial to have a plan for keeping baby's soiled and clean garments separate.

The Embroidered Baby Linen Organizer ($15 for a set of two) offers a smart addition to the diaper bag or a safe place to store clean and dirty frocks near the changing table. It has a mesh back for ventilation so baby's duds don't get too stinky.