I’ve been on a quest, since having my baby. A quest of epic proportions. The quest… for the perfect diaper bag! As a cloth diapering, formula feeding, baby wearing, on-the-go mama – I needed a comfortable, backpack-style bag with plenty of room for bottles (preferably insulated pockets) and big fluffy diapers and all the trappings of daily infant care. Seemed like a simple enough ask, right?

Not so much, friends!

My initial research yielded the Jujube BFF as being the best bet. Super roomy, stylish, machine-washable, even convertible from backpack to satchel for added functionality… on paper, it was everything I wanted. Plus, they’re relatively easy to find, feel, and try-on in a store, which makes it a lot easier to commit to than something I can’t “try before I buy.” So I added it to my registry, received it as a shower gift from a generous friend, and packed it up with great relish and excitement.

Initially, I loved it. So many pockets! Such easy to clean surfaces! Such wide, supportive shoulder straps (connected by latches which makes it so easy to swivel on and off the shoulder to reach into for quick grabs)! Nice, light contrasting fabric interior which prevents the “black hole” phenomenon in many bags! Convenient top-carry handle! Matching, cushioned diaper changing pad included! Handy, mom-friendly features like a key fob and sunglasses pouch!

But I just couldn’t seem to get my “essential” supplies packed in it in a convenient way. And it was kind of heavy, when packed. So heavy, it tipped my stroller forward if I took Maeve out of the carseat while it was hanging from the stroller hooks. Not great, Bob!

So I re-packed it.

And wore it on a few outings.

And re-packed it again.

And after a few months of rigorous daily use, I took a good, hard look at the reality of things. The BFF was not my BFF. We just didn’t get along. I needed a lighter-weight, differently-oriented bag that could handle my baggage, but still had all the pockets, the comfortable straps, the convertible practicality and stylish function that I desired and required.

My biggest complaints?
1. The weight when packed.
2. When the pockets were filled, the interior of the bag was rendered quite narrow.
3. My beloved Comotomo baby bottles were too wide for the exterior insulated bottle?pockets.

Don’t get me wrong. The Jujube is a fantastic bag, with loads of fantastic features. But for the kind of load I carry, (bulky cloth diapers, multiple bottles, formula container, wipes, bibs/burp cloths, make-up, wallet, keys, sunglasses, cellphone, teethers/toys, extra outfit, wetbag, snacks, and more) it just wasn’t working out.

It’s not you, BFF. It’s me. We’re less BFFs, and more like, frenemies. You’re so cool and popular and well-dressed, but at the end of the day, we just don’t really get along.

I think, once Maeve is a little older, and we’re not carrying so much of her food load around (in terms of bottles), you might be a better match for me. But right now, it’s just not meant to be.

So I headed back on the old internet-research trail, tracking for the perfect bag. Stay tuned for my next review!