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I have had a ton of experience with diaper bags. I’ve been a nanny for over 8 years and have carried everything from hand-me-down duffels to what was (in my opinion) the holy grail of all diaper bags: Petunia Pickle Bottom. Parents all have something different they want out of their diaper bag. Different babies need different things. Well, I’ve taken care of six kiddos (and counting), so I think I have a pretty good idea of the best features all around. Now that my husband and I are starting our own family, I wanted to share my thoughts for other first time parents on the best baby products out there.

Very roomy with lots of extra pockets for keeping things organized

The first thing I’ll be reviewing is the Oioi diaper bag in the pattern Monaco. As I mentioned previously, Petunia Pickle Bottom was my HG diaper bag. It’s HUGE and roomy, has tons of pockets, and is made very sturdy. So, any bag that I review has to come up against that.

Pretty pattern!

When I first received my Oioi diaper bag, I was immediately excited to see how big and roomy it was. Box #1 was DEFINITELY checked off. You need a huge diaper bag with tons of room because, after about month 3, things start getting really crowded. Diapers and bottles get bigger, extra changes of clothes take up more room and toys start sneaking in. A large diaper bag is absolutely essential.

Handy hooks for hanging on your stroller!

Once I opened my bag up, I was able to check out all of the goodies inside. The first thing I noticed was the bottle warmer. I like that it’s lined cloth and not solid plastic because if I’m not carrying a bottle, it’s not going to take up a bunch of space. The warmer will keep milk hot for up to 2 hours, which is a decent amount of time for a warmer that doesn’t need to be plugged in to anything.

Bottle warmer that is impossible to lose due to the handy hook it clips onto!

The next thing I noticed was the stroller hooks. See those two metal clasps that are hooked together to make a short handle on your diaper bag? You can actually use those to hook onto your stroller for easy carrying! One of the most challenging things in having a large diaper bag is carrying it with a stroller, because it often will not fit in the basket underneath. That problem is absolutely solved!

Bottle warmer inside

The bag also came with your standard wipes container. I have a few of these lying around, but it definitely doesn’t hurt to have another. This works like pretty much every other wipes container. It’s solid plastic and it does its job, though. J I can say the same thing about the plastic zip-pouch included. It’s a perfect spot to stash your baby’s paci, tissues, hand sanitizer, diaper cream, etc. All these little things tend to get lost in a big diaper bag. How many times have you been elbow-deep into your bag, cursing under your breath because you can’t find the pacifier? With this little bag inside your bag, that’s not an issue.

Wipes travel container and clear zippered pouch

Perhaps the biggest issue of all of these, though, is the included changing pad. Ideally, a changing pad should be padded, but not so fluffy that it can’t by folded and tucked away. It should be big, both vertically and horizontally, but not so big that I can’t handle it in one hand while I’m toting a poopy kid to the bathroom changing stall. Unfortunately, this is where my PPB bags failed me. Their changing pad, while unique in the way it rolls up and zips together, isn’t the greatest thing I’ve ever used. There’s no padding to it, so it can’t be comfortable for a baby to lay on. It’s not very wide, either. And the fold-out sides just never stay flat, which makes changing a diaper and holding them down at the same time VERY frustrating. Plus, as your baby grows, there’s no convenient way to place them on the pad. With their head hitting the extra diapers and wipes? Or with that compartment underneath, where it’s in constant danger of getting swiped by dirty diaper refuse? No good option there.

Changing pad rolls up to save space

Luckily, the Oioi changing pad suits ALL of my needs. As you can see from the picture, it rolls up and velcros shut quite easily. But, when rolled out, it lays flat. It is both wide AND long, which is great for fitting growing babies. It’s cushioned just enough to be comfortable. There isn’t excessive seams or pockets in which germs could hide. Since it is all one basic piece, it actually is very convenient to disinfect with a wipe all in one go. I was very impressed with this!

The changing pad is comfortable padded and quite roomy

Overall, my impression of the Oioi diaper bag was very favorable. It is a very sturdily built bag with lots of space and enough extras to make any picky mama happy! I would highly recommend a Oioi diaper bag as a shower gift or for your own use. Check out all of the Oioi diaper bags here. Want to connect with Oioi? Check them out on Facebook or Twitter!

Oioi changing pad on the left vs. previously beloved Petunia Pickle bottom pad on right. Notice how the PPB REFUSES to stay flat (sides keep folding back up) and the zippered attached wipe/diaper container is inconvenient during changing. Not to mention no padding and all the extra seams hide germs. I like the basic Oioi pad more.

Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review. Nevertheless, all opinions expressed remain my own.