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11 best diaper bags in Singapore, as recommended by mums
Your guide to picking a stylish and functional diaper bag
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PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Dawn Pillay
After giving birth to my first baby last year, I was so anxious whenever I thought about bringing him out of the house. It felt like a whole production, having to pack a bag to carry all his necessities.
Having a good diaper bag helped give me peace of mind and lessen my anxiety somehow. Figuring out the best diaper bag for me and my child was a crucial first step in building my confidence for outings with my little one.
If you’re in a similar situation, preparing for your newborn baby, or simply on the lookout for a new diaper bag, here are 11 options to consider, including my current diaper bags in rotation.
In this article
Our top picks for best diaper bags
What to consider when buying a diaper bag
Best diaper bags to shop now, according to mums
Our top picks for best diaper bags
Best diaper bag tote: Jujube Super Be Diaper Bag
Most stylish diaper bag: Kate Spade Carter Large Diaper Baby Bag
Best diaper bag backpacks: Skip Hop Mainframe Wide Open Diaper Backpack and Kipling So Baby Diaper Backpack
What to consider when buying a diaper bag
Diaper bag type: Backpack or tote
With a diaper bag backpack, you can move around hands-free. As compared to a diaper bag tote, a backpack’s weight is more evenly distributed when you carry it. Look for thickened or cushioned straps so that you can carry around the backpack even more comfortably.
If you get a diaper bag backpack, check whether you can zip it all the way down. While this function can make unpacking more convenient, a loose zipper or pressure caused by digging around in the bag can cause the bag to unzip completely and have items spill out.
The main perk of a diaper bag tote is that it’s très chic. If you get overwhelmed with too many pockets, a tote bag could also work better for you.
Diaper bag features: Compartments, internal dividers, zips and more
The perfect diaper bag should have enough space to hold everything - spare changes of clothes and spare diapers for pee and poo blowouts, baby wipes, milk powder, a milk bottle, a bottle warmer, swaddles, burp cloths and more.
Besides being able to contain everything you need, it should also help you remain organised and allow you to easily grab exactly what you need.
Think: A large internal compartment that is separated by dividers, exterior side pockets for water bottles and at least one large-enough zippered compartment for your phone, keys and wallet.
Ideally, the diaper bag should also have an insulated pocket to keep items, like milk, warm or cool too; alternatively, you can throw a smaller insulated pouch into your bag.
Additionally, features like a non-buckle flap with a magnetic clasp can improve convenience by allowing you to open the bag with one hand. Other nice-to-haves would be a removable changing pad and a clip-on feature that allows the bag to be attached to strollers.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Diaper bag material and design
One of the main issues new parents have with many diaper bags is they prioritise form over function. Simply put, the design is unpleasant to look at. Some bags become too bulky to wear after everything you need is packed, others just clash with and ruin all your outfits.
Try to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality by going for a gender-neutral design both mum and dad can wear out and feel good in.
Regardless of which diaper bag you choose, ensure it is machine washable - no matter how much you spend on your bag, know that it will get dirty and gross.
The diaper bag’s exterior should be waterproof or water-resistant to withstand accidental spills. It also must be durable and sturdy, and last a couple of years.
If you choose a diaper bag with a dark-coloured or black interior lining, know that it’s much harder to pick out items, especially in low-light environments like an underground carpark.
Best diaper bags to shop now, according to mums
Ultimately, what you determine as the best diaper bag for you depends on your preferences. If it’s your first time buying a diaper bag, you could buy a cheaper diaper bag first and learn what you like or dislike. Then you can splurge on another bag later.
Not sure where to start shopping? Below are the diaper bags that I personally liked and why I liked them.
Skip Hop Mainframe Wide Open Diaper Backpack, $71.55
Original price: $117.14 (39 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: AMAZON
My go-to diaper bag from Skip Hop provides ample space for everything you’ll need for a full day out with baby. I’ve managed to fit in all the baby essentials, including my Minimonkey baby carrier, and portable breast pumps too.
In my opinion, it’s the best large diaper bag out there. You’ll appreciate the structured bag frame that opens wide, making it easy to pack all the things you need.
Perfect for organising different items like your diapers, wipes, baby bottles, hot water flasks and more, the bag has different pockets and compartments, and also features a hardy polyester fabric that’s durable and easy to wash.
Best of all, it comes with a machine-washable cushioned diaper changing pad and built-in stroller straps that allow you to easily clip it onto your stroller for added convenience.
Kate Spade Carter Large Diaper Baby Bag, $325.60
PHOTO: KATE SPADE
For the stylish mamas, this Kate Spade diaper bag hits the sweet spot between looking good while staying oh-so-functional. This is the most stylish diaper bag you can get, in my opinion.
It has ample pockets for keeping your things organised, including five interior pockets and two side pockets for your baby bottles, and also comes with a changing pad. Crafted with durable nylon, the bag offers three different carry styles from crossbody to shoulder and top handle.
One of my mummy friends shared that she likes how this bag transitions seamlessly from a diaper bag to a bag for work or going out with her girlfriends.
Parker Baby Diaper Backpack, $145.65
PHOTO: AMAZON
For my next diaper bag, I’m definitely getting this one just for the useful insulated pockets to help keep my baby’s milk warm. If you’re looking for the best diaper bag with insulated pockets, this is it.
It’s especially great if you’re planning to prepare a bottle of milk or baby food before you leave home, but want to keep it warm without having to lug the additional weight of your bottle warmer along.
Apart from that, this sizable bag comes with a host of features such as mesh pocket organisers, a wipe-clean waterproof changing pad, stroller straps, a padded laptop pocket, and a mummy pocket for your lip balm, keys, wallet and more.
Herschel Supply Co. Retreat Tote, $110
Original price: $129.90 (15 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: HERSCHEL
Sleek with a nice slim profile that fits the essentials, you can’t go wrong with the Herschel bag that can be repurposed for work after baby has grown up a little.
It’s on the smaller side, which some of us might appreciate more than the usual bulkier diaper bags. That being said, it still fits the essentials you’ll need when you head out with baby. It also comes with a handy changing mat for on-the-go diaper changes, and a nifty front compartment for easy access to your everyday items.
If you’re into eco-friendly products, this bag is made with sustainable materials, namely their EcoSystem 600D fabric and a tonal stripe liner crafted from 100% recycled post-consumer water bottles.
Lululemon New Parent Backpack 17L, $328
PHOTO: LULULEMON
If ‘buy one get one free’ is a concept that appeals to you, you might want to snap up this versatile backpack diaper bag by Lululemon. This backpack diaper bag was intentionally designed with a removable pouch that can be worn as a cross-body bag, essentially giving you two bags in one.
It has stroller straps, side pockets for bottles, a changing pad, and the usual pockets for efficient organisation of baby items.
The all-black diaper bag backpack also works great for dads looking for something just a tad more gender-neutral when bringing baby out and about.
Gucci Printed Diaper Bag, $2,950
PHOTO: GUCCI
For those looking to treat yourselves to a gorgeous bit of luxury, don’t skip over the Gucci Ophidia Printed Diaper Bag. Admittedly, this one is a bit of a splurge and more for mummy than baby.
Unlike the usual diaper bags, this diaper bag does not have a load of pockets. But it does have side pockets for bottles and the spacious interior has a slot pocket for diapers, nappy cream and wipes, with plenty of room for other necessities.
The bag is crafted in Italy with a calf leather trim and features the GG Supreme monogram pattern. You’ll get to change your baby’s diapers on an equally luxe matching diaper changing pad that comes with the bag.
Jujube Super Be Diaper Bag, $79
Original price: $99 (20 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: JUJUBE
Jujube has been a popular diaper bag brand among savvy parents for many years now, so we definitely can’t leave this off the list.
Famous for being ultra lightweight and thoughtfully designed with water-resistant, stain-repelling and machine-washable material, the bag’s inner lining features an antimicrobial treatment that helps resist bacteria, mould, and mildew.
It also has oodles of pockets so you can easily organise everything for baby and yourself and head out worry-free. The bag comes in many patterns, such as this Harry Potter Herbology plants pattern and Hello Kitty floral print - so you’re sure to find something you’d like.
Longchamp Le Pliage Original L Tote Bag, $190.85
PHOTO: LONGCHAMP
You really, can’t go wrong with the Longchamp Le Pliage Original L Tote bag, a classic bag that many mommies have turned to for their staple diaper bag when bringing baby out.
It’s lightweight, durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean, but what makes it a winner is how it’s good to use with or without baby.
The large bag accommodates everything you’ll need, and you can easily purchase bag inserts for your Longchamp bag if you’re looking to keep your stuff nicely organised within. The bag comes in many colours, including this striking burgundy red.
Kipling So Baby Backpack, $146.30
Original price: $209 (30 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTOS: KIPLING
Kipling has been around for many years, and it’s little wonder why, with how lightweight, functional and high-quality their bags are.
The Kipling So Baby Backpack is a good choice with at least eight different compartments to keep your things neatly organised.
The signature crinkle nylon fabric is water-resistant and easy to maintain, with sturdy hardware that’s been reinforced so you don’t have to worry about the bag breaking apart with heavy use.
Nike Convertible Changing Bag, $135
Original price: $225 (40 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: NIKE
There’s a bag to suit every mama’s (and dada’s) tastes, and this 25L convertible changing bag from Nike is the proof in the pudding. This is the best sporty diaper bag for parents who are always on the move.
The Nike Convertible Changing Bag comes with all the pockets you’ll need, along with a separate insulated pouch to keep your baby’s milk and food warm, and a smaller circular pouch perfect for your little one’s pacifiers.
Made of recycled polyester, it’s easy to clean, but most of all, we like how it can truly be adapted for other uses. The gender-neutral design and dark colour means it’s easy to pair it with most outfits. Bring it along on hikes, when you hit the gym and more.
The bottle holder pockets are perfect for your protein shaker bottle and water bottle, the insulated pouch for your prepped meals, and the ‘pacifier pouch’ for your Airpods too. It even has a laptop compartment - basically hitting every need you could possibly think of.
It’s currently sold out on the Nike website but you can still get it from JD Sports Singapore.
The Paper Bunny Puffer Shopper, $65
Original price: $85 (24 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: THE PAPER BUNNY
For a quick few hours out, I’ll grab my The Paper Bunny Puffer Shopper that’s both cute and functional - and perfect for puffer bag fans.
This popular bag comes in a fun variety of colours and features two zippered compartments on the front and back for small items, two inner pockets (perfectly sized for diapers and baby wipes), and a roomy main compartment.
Not only are you able to keep your essentials nicely organised, but it also doubles as a great work bag that can comfortably fit your laptop and other daily essentials.
All prices and deals are accurate at time of publication
FAQs: Best diaper bags
What is the best diaper bag in Singapore?
Some of the best diaper bags in Singapore that we’ve featured in this list are from brands such as Skip Hop, Lululemon and Kipling.
Are diaper bags necessary?
While you can use a regular backpack to hold your baby’s items, a diaper bag can be useful as it has more compartments for improved organisation and tend to be more durable. Overall, it can make going out with an infant more convenient.
If you’ve decided to buy a diaper bag, ask yourself these following questions before making a purchase:
Do you prefer a diaper bag backpack or diaper bag totebag?
How many compartments and interior dividers does the bag have?
Is there an insulated pocket to keep bottles warm?
Does the bag have easy-to-access side pockets?
What material is the bag made of? Is it easy to clean the bag?
Can the diaper bag be attached to a stroller?
Are luxury diaper bags worth the cost?
Typically, you pay for what you get when you buy a diaper bag when you buy specialised baby equipment. However, budget-friendly options can be as functional and useful.
This story was adapted from The Singapore Women’s Weekly.
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