Moms need bags — lots of ’em. We need different bags for different purposes. After all, who else is going to carry around our kids’ bottles, passies, jackets, sippy cups, and string cheese? Not our husbands – that’s for sure! Meet the Boken Everyday Diaper Bag. Maybe you have a designer diaper bag for when you want to dress it up a bit. I love them too – they’re so pretty; but at the end of the day, I need a highly functional bag that I don’t have to worry about destroying. And preferably, one my husband can carry too without looking like a fool. I use my Boken diaper bag just about every day. My favorite thing is that I can carry it like a purse – or switch to backpack mode. Backpack mode is super handy when I’m out and about with my umbrella stroller, for example, which doesn’t have a ton of storage. In fact, I can strap it to the back of any stroller. And let’s not forget babywearing — when you’re wearing your babe, you really need a backpack-style bag, otherwise your bag will constantly fall off your shoulder.

The bag itself is lightweight (13 oz.) and easily wipes clean when I inevitably spill stuff in it. It’s got outer mesh pockets for bottles and such, lots of storage pockets (so you NEVER have to guess where your phone is), and it comes with a large diaper pad for easy changing on the go. The only downside is that the nylon is a bit crinkly and doesn’t look super refined or polished, so this is not a bag for people who are looking for a formal or crisp look. Nope, this one’s for everyday moms in yoga pants. Read more about the Boken Diaper Bag here. *This bag was provided to me as a free sample. Car Seats, Fwd Facing Play Gyms & Mats With Amazon’s Baby Registry, you can add items from Earth’s biggest selection, get free 90-day returns on most items, and manage your registry on any device whenever—and wherever—you want. Start a Baby RegistryYou don’t need a ton of gear to start feeding solids, but a few key items will make the endeavor much easier: bibs, bowls, and spoons.

Good spoons are key to successful feeding. Spoons with little spoon-heads are perfect [I just said spoon-head, heh heh]. You may want to try a few different ones to experiment, but here are some parent favorites: If you’re doing finger foods (can we please NOT call it baby-led weaning? It’s annoying, that’s all), you may not need any infant spoons yet (they can’t spoon-feed themselves until later). But, it’s not a bad idea to have a few on hand. Start with a stack of simple plastic bowls. My favorites are the Munchkin Stackable Bowls. Don’t even think about anything breakable, since bowl-tossing will be your baby’s favorite sport for the next 12 months or so (yes, I just got nailed in the eye the other day, WTH?). I like the suction bowls for this very problem. They really do work! (No, I don’t work for Munchkin, I just like their stuff). And yes, they are BPA-free. Feeding babies is MESSY, y’all. There’s no getting around it. Some parents opt for shirtless feeding [the BABY, not you, Mom], which will save on laundry, but may require a bath or wipe-down afterward.

Personally, I find the dressing/undressing part to be way more work than just throwing on a bib, but whatevs. Bibs will prevent (reduce?) stains on your baby’s clothes. They come in different shapes and sizes; some bibs simply go around the neck and protect the top of the shirt, while others have sleeves and can be “worn” for more protection. balr backpackI recommend you get some of both, depending on what’s on the menu that day {i.e., some foods are messier than others}. mcm backpack iofferAlice loves to finger paint her body [and the dog] with hummus, so I’m pretty much screwed on those days.backpack radio apb Wearable bibs offer more protection, especially around the shoulders and sleeves.tf2 backpack ios

If your child eats, you should get the ezpz Happy Mat ($25 and worth every penny). It’s a placemat and plate in one that suctions to the table: a true game changer for parents. The mat has three compartments for all of the food groups that they won’t eat (kidding!) ogio girl's soho laptop backpack The Happy Mat is made of 100% silicone, BPA & PVC free, and contains no phthalates.  psychonauts backpack pcThis mat is very durable, super easy to clean (dishwasher safe) and easy to store and travel with. *Explore the whole collection – including a bowl, snack bowl, mini mat, and play mat. Bibs, bowls, and spoons are three items you’ll almost definitely need.Summer Series Part 2: Updated March 2016 A follow-up to Part 1: Best Baby & Kids Sunscreens Heading to the pool or beach this summer?

You’ll probably need some swim diapers so your kid doesn’t shut the pool down with a doodie (thank you, Caddyshack). Swim diapers are special because they don’t contain water crystals (sodium polyacrylate) like their regular ‘sposie counterparts and therefore, do not absorb liquid. If they did, they’d puff up immediately (like a normal diaper) once they hit the water and lose their “containment” power. Yes, my friends, the sole purpose of a swim diaper is to contain poop and prevent the spread of all the nastiness that comes with it. Contrary to what you might assume, its job is not to contain pee.* * While your baby is wearing a swim diaper, you may get peed on. You can always stick in a cloth insert (or “doubler“) to use while in transit to the pool – or better yet, just wait until RIGHT before you’re ready to swim to change her. You can do whatever you please at the beach, but some pools have special rules about kiddos in diapers. Again, the main concern of pool operators is preventing the spread of illness and disease** from poop accidents.

For example, pools on cruise ships completely prohibit children in diapers (of any kind). The pool at our swim school requires a double-up system: a reusable diaper OVER a disposable diaper, whereas our neighborhood pool allows either. ** A single poop accident can shut a pool down for hours or even days. I’m guessing that shutting down a pool would be one of the more embarrassing things that could happen in life. ** Always keep babies and children with diarrhea OUT of the pool completely. There are two kinds of swim diapers: disposable and reusable. The key to any swim diaper is that they FIT SNUGLY to prevent an embarrassing poop accident; and honestly, cloth swim diapers (reusable) that are adjustable tend to fit better than their ‘sposie counterparts. The two big disposable swim diaper brands are Pampers Splashers and Huggies Little Swimmers. They are pretty much the same, so just pick whichever one is cheaper. Disposable diapers start at 16 lbs (size 3-4).

The reason for this is because it’s really hard to contain the loose stools of young babies who haven’t started solid foods yet. I do not recommend anyone bring a baby less than six months old into a public swimming pool for this reason (speaking from [bad] experience…). Disposables come in diaper sizes 3-6 (Pampers) and S, M, L (Huggies). For smaller babies, you’ll have to use reusable swim diapers (see below). Pros: Easy to remove by tearing the sides, and soiled diapers can be tossed in the garbage without a second thought. Cons: Don’t always contain poop very well, don’t come in smaller sizes, can cause rashes and chafing, can be very saggy. If you don’t swim a lot, disposable swim diapers are the most economical way to go. Always bring extras with you in case your little one needs a change (they always do!). For added protection with ‘sposies, I highly recommend adding an extra layer by using a reusable “waterproof pant” over your disposable swim diaper.

About $5, they are cheap, durable, and easy to clean and reuse. Gerber makes them, as does Dappi. These are practically impossible to find in stores. Reusable swim diapers seem to be preferred by most parents and pool operators — especially by frequent swimmers. These diapers generally fit better* because they don’t stretch out and sag. * Remember, you want the diaper to be fairly tight to contain stuff, so be sure not to order them too big because they won’t do their job as well. That said, you don’t want them so tight that they cause redness around the thighs. Reusable swim diapers are more economical if you’re a frequent swimmer, as two or three should get you through the summer, three or four if you swim a lot. Remember, you’ll need to buy at least two to change your baby after a numero dos. I always bring two extras with me just in case there are TWO poopages to deal with because INEVITABLY, the day you take your baby swimming, she’ll have two back-to-back poops, right?

The swim diapers that snap (or velcro) on the side are MUCH easier to change. I really dislike the pull-on style swim diapers because they make changing #2’s really hard. Not to get graphic, but pulling a wet, poopy diaper down your child’s legs and through their feet makes a HUGE, disgusting mess. This is why regular diapers have tabs on the sides. If you take nothing else away from this article, I recommend you steer clear of the pull-up style swim diapers (the reason I don’t love Finis or Honest Co.). The cost for reusables varies, from $8 to $25, averaging somewhere in the teens. You may have noticed that some children’s swimsuits have a reinforced swim diaper-like bottom, but I wouldn’t rely on this alone. I prefer to use a snug-fitting reusable swim diaper under a lined swimsuit for added protection (and for easier changing). The big downside to reusables is that you’ll have to wash them well after a #2 (this is par for the course for cloth diapering moms; the rest of you may find it a little icky).

To wash a poopy swim diaper, simply flush the solids down the potty, then (at home!) rinse the diaper with a diaper sprayer or in the sink or potty, then wash in the machine as instructed. Be sure to bring some disposable diaper sacks or a wet bag along to contain the mess until you get home because pools and public restrooms do NOT want people washing poopy diapers in their sink. This is where disposables have an advantage. Cute, cheap and easy to find. They don’t fit as snugly as others on the list because they can’t be cinched or tightened. They make two kinds: one that snaps on the side and one that pulls up like underwear. Please opt for the ones with snaps. All in all, this is a cute, economical diaper that’s also very comfortable. It performs reasonably well, but note this brand is quite bulky under your child’s swimsuit. Alva Baby Washable Swim Diaper — 2 pack ~ $14 for 2, ECONOMY PICK Love, love, love the Alva Baby 2-pack. Because, yes, you will need at least two of them anyway.

These diapers are a great value ($14 for 2!) and perform well. Full disclosure: this is a Chinese company selling Chinese-made products — and all of that 😉 These diapers have a variety of snap positions (I prefer snaps over velcro because they don’t snag in the wash) and perform pretty darn well. The interior has mesh for easy clean up and the exteior is a polyester laminate. Fits babies starting at 10lbs (with snaps on smallest setting) up to a 2 year old. If you’re looking for a diaper for a 2+ year old, look elsewhere; these are not meant for older toddlers and preschoolers. Bummis Swimmi Cloth Diaper ~ $15 A favorite among cloth diapering moms, this reusable swim diaper has Velcro (sorry, “hook and loop”) closures on the sides, which allow for total adjustability (read: as tight as possible). They start at 9 pounds, so they can be used for (almost) the smallest of babes. The inside of the diaper is made of polyester mesh for easy cleaning, and has a coated nylon layer sandwiched inside that contains the mess. W

e are big fans of the Swimmi! AMP Swim Diaper ~ $16 A lesser-known but amazing swim diaper from Canada is the AMP. The beauty of this diaper is that it’s also highly adjustable, with multiple rows of snaps that allow it to fit snugly at the thigh and in the back, which is exactly what you want. Ships easily to Canada or the U.S. Available at (very) select stores in the US and online at their store. AppleCheeks Washable Swim Diaper ~ $20 — Another mom favorite, the AppleCheeks swim diaper has two layers of 100% Canadian-milled mesh that permit water to move through the diaper while still containing solids. This diaper has two rows of snaps to choose from, so use them on the tighter setting if at all possible. The AppleCheeks diaper is a bit thinner than the Bummis Swimmi, but otherwise a nicely designed swim diaper that lasts forever. The snaps don’t snag on other clothing in the washing machine, like the Velcro on the Bummis, which is why I prefer it. T