I'm [5] months pregnant and on the hunt for a stylish (and budget friendly) diaper bag. Any recommendations? —Katherine M.


First off, congratulations! You're about to embark on the most magical journey of your life. This journey can also get really expensive, really fast, so you're right to want a diaper bag that's affordable.

Now there seem to be two schools of thought among moms when it comes to diaper bags: Those who say a diaper bag is essential and those who say any ol' bag can double as a diaper bag. I started out with a traditional diaper bag, then moved on to a regular handbag for carrying all my little one's supplies and gear. I liked the idea of having a "real" diaper bag for those early months - it's sort of a rite of passage, and it functioned really well. Plus, once I knew what I needed in a bag, I could easily pick out a regular bag that would do the job equally well.