In the front pocket, we have a little bottle of hand sanitizer. I stick a travel first aid kit in one and then currently there's a pair of disposable latex gloves-to give you an idea of when during the course of the pandemic I gave birth. On the other side, there's two more compartments. Then, in one of the side compartments, I keep all the diaper essentials. In the central compartment, I keep a travel white noise machine, stacking cups, a swaddle, some Lovevery cards, and a little music player. And the inside is extremely handy for baby things. It's neutral-toned and unassuming in that Herschel backpack kind of way. We chose this bag because it doesn't look like a diaper bag. From unisex diaper bags to high-quality top handles, below are 12 of the best diaper bags to buy yourself, or gift the new mom in your life. After all, they know firsthand about the packing, unpacking, and endless schlepping that comes with newborn territory-and they're more than happy to pass on their invaluable knowledge. There's a lot to consider when picking out a diaper bag that's just right for you and your baby's needs, which is why we hit up real moms for their recommendations on styles that actually tick those boxes. If you're really lucky, said convertible diaper bag will also be sturdy enough to hold up for future babies down the line.

Bonus points if it's water-resistant and machine-washable too. Versatility is also key, as you're likely going to need a style that can function as a handbag, snack bag, milk cooler, and changing station at once.

So what makes for a standout diaper bag? Well, in addition to being roomy enough to hold an entire arsenal of baby products, it also has to have some kind of ~visual appeal~ since it's going to be around for the foreseeable future. Between the bulky messenger bags and kitschy cross-body totes that are hardly baby-friendly, the rabbit hole of unsatisfying options is enough to leave even the most determined shopper scrambling. The best diaper bags will always rank high on the list of new-parent essentials, but good luck trying to find a cute one on the internet without completely losing your mind.

Ipack chevron diaper bag