My detailed review of the ultimate backpack diaper bag, the Ju Ju Be BFF, and why I think it’s the very best diaper bag for new moms who want to stay organized on-the-go.
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I Love The Ju Ju Be BFF Backpack Diaper Bag
Are you looking for the ultimate backpack diaper bag? I’m here to help. Actually, I’m here to be ridiculously passionate about my favorite diaper bag and I will try to convince you that it might be the right diaper bag for you too. Why? Because I’ve purchased several diaper bags in the process of finding what works for me. It’s been quite a journey! A fairly expensive journey involving all the drama that comes with wanting to feel prepared and feeling more or less prepared depending on the bag I had with me at the time. I needed a diaper bag that would help me out. Is your diaper bag helping you? If it isn’t making life easier for you when you’re out with your baby, then it’s time to try something new.
I bought the Ju Ju Be BFF backpack diaper bag after doing lots of research, watching several very long YouTube reviews, and waiting for a good sale. I found mine at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in 2016.
Wear The BFF Multiple Ways
I started out with a messenger style diaper bag. It worked well for short errands, but it actually caused me back and shoulder pain when I carried it for long periods. I knew I wanted a backpack style diaper bag the first time I took a flight alone with my baby. The messenger style diaper bag was in my way and dragging me down.
You can wear the JuJuBe BFF backpack diaper bag either way. It comes with an attachable and removable adjustable messenger strap. If you want to, you can carry it as a tote, so it’s a versatile bag. It also comes with removable memory foam shoulder straps, which I always use because I always wear mine as a backpack. Moms love backpack diaper bags because they suddenly get their hands back!
A Ridiculously Organized Backpack Diaper Bag
I’m all about designated pockets. The BFF has ruined me for all other diaper bags because it has so many useful pockets. Inside the bag you’ll find four gusseted pockets, three zippered pockets, and lots of wide open space. There are two exterior bottle pockets lined with 3M Thinsulate to keep your bottles warm or cold. When I asked customer service about the Ju Ju Be BFF backpack diaper bag, they informed me that this feature can help beverages stay hot or cold for a few hours, and even longer if you add a heat or ice pack to the pocket!
The front of the bag features a “mommy pocket” with a sunglasses pocket, a stretchy key fob (a must-have and one of my favorite features!) and space for the stuff you’d usually carry in your purse pre-baby. There’s also a quick reach lined cell phone pocket so you always know exactly where to find your phone. It’s easy for me to get flustered when I can’t find my keys on my phone. I can always easily find both of these crucial items when I’m carrying the BFF.
In general, things don’t get lost in this bag. JuJuBe lines their diaper bags with light fabric so you’re not just sending your stuff into a black hole. You can actually see what’s inside.
Last but not least, there’s a back pocket that contains a memory foam changing pad. Everything has a designated place. I never feel like I’m digging around the bag looking for anything. That is life changing. It just makes leaving the house simpler.
Is The JuJuBe BFF Stylish?
The BFF is cute, but I’ll confess that there are prettier backpack diaper bags out there. I can’t sacrifice function for style when it comes to my diaper bag. In my dream world, the most functional diaper bag would also be the prettiest one, but the BFF still looks pretty good.
With this diaper bag, you can select prints that will definitely look more like you’re carrying a baby bag, or you can go with classic black, which is my favorite. I compromised and bought a print (I carry “The Navigator”) because the bag was significantly discounted. But I love the bag so much that I don’t even care that it obviously says “diaper bag.” Regardless of which color you choose, you get genuine gold hardware if you buy a print that is part of the Legacy Collection.
Does the BFF Stay Organized?
This backpack diaper bag is designed to hold up to several kinds of messes. The fabric is coated with Teflon to help repel stains and the bag is machine washable. The inside fabric is treated with Agion, which inhibits microbial growth and extends the life of the product! How amazing is that? There are also crumb drains, so you can just shake out the bag if snack crackers seem to have exploded everywhere. The BFF is also machine washable. You just have to allow it to air dry.
All of these features help the bag to hold up to heavy use. I use mine everyday and a year later, it still looks pretty good. The gold hardware is scratched in places and a pen exploded in one of the interior pockets, but it definitely doesn’t look dingy or worn out. I’ve also never had a problem with the zipper.
Traveling with the BFF
The Ju Ju Be BFF backpack diaper bag is a perfect diaper bag for traveling with a baby. Once I began carrying it, the airport became much less stressful. I love being hands-free as I walked through the concourse. I love having a spacious, organized bag in flight, so I’m not rifling through looking for the snack container.
Features I Love in A Good Backpack Diaper Bag
I thought I loved the BFF simply because it was a backpack style diaper bag. But then I tried carrying another backpack diaper bag for a week and that bag stressed me out. I sorely missed having designated pockets for everything. I missed the stretchy key fob that allows me to lock and unlock my front door without having to set my toddler down. I took for granted the memory foam changing mat. I realized the sippy cup I’d filled with milk was not going to stay cold for long without Thinsulate pockets.
Final Thoughts
I know that when it comes to diaper bags, some people are minimalists and some are maximalists. I’ve known women who grab a few diapers and wipes, stuff them in their purse, and run out the door. A wise friend of mine told me that she keeps her diaper bag packed and ready to go at all times, separate from the handbag she takes with her to work. That way she always has what she needs when she’s out with her baby and she can really compartmentalize the two different bags for their two very different functions. There are many different approaches that work for different moms!
Do you carry a backpack diaper bag? Have you tried multiple styles? What are you willing to spend on a diaper bag?
My name is Kate and I live in a California beach town with my husband & baby girl. At High Low Baby, I review baby products at high and low price points.
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