Best baby bottle tote bags according to redditors

Since you've only got about 4 months left before he can wean from the formula, I think you'll be able to get away with a Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcher at home. Every morning just pour in 30 oz of water (we used jugs like these) and 15 scoops of formula (we used Similac ProAdvanced - check your measurements depending on what formula you go with). Churn. Pour into five 6 oz bottles. Pop in fridge. Serve as needed.

With daycare I actually used sandwich bags to pre-measure 5 days worth of formula on Sundays - 15 scoops per bag and toss in cupboard. Then in the mornings it was just pour water, dump baggie, churn, pour 6oz into 5 bottles, and then into this bottle bag with an ice pack and snacks in the top compartment and we were good to go.

For on the go, I'd figure one bottle for every 2 hours we'd be gone. So for 6 hours I'd grab 3 bottles and fill each with 6 oz of water. I'd then fill all three compartments of this dispenser with 3 scoops each. When kiddo needed a bottle you just pop the top, dump in, and shake/swirl bottle to mix. If your kid requires a warm bottle you can use this on the go bottle warmer. Just fill it with hot water before you leave and when it's time to serve a bottle you dump some into the lid, sit the bottle inside for a minute or two, swirl, and serve. It's a thermos so it stays hot for a while. My son would take bottles at any temp so it was easy, thankfully.

I don’t use the Dr Browns bottles but I use the Phillips Avent Naturals and four fit really well in this bag . It says it can hold six, but I’m assuming that’s six narrow bottles and not the wide ones. My LO usually eats 3 bottles at daycare, but I pack a fourth just in case.

For my daycare, they ask me to mix the formula at home. I use the Dr Browns pitcher and mix it up the night before, put it in the fridge over night and take it to daycare in the morning. They have a fridge (since mixed formula is good for 24 hours), and it works out just fine.

Double check with your daycare/provider and see what they prefer. Also- I almost spent the money on fancy bottle labels (because they were cute lol), but my daycare has specific labels they wanted me to use and give me for free. Your daycare may have some similar so it’s always good to check in with them first.

Good luck! ❤️

What if you get a small insulated bag or something of the like?

Lol, this is like the comment that never ends, but we have used the traditional changing pad 0 times. Instead we've done all of her diaper changes at home on this wipeable, portable changing pad, which we keep on our kitchen island. It's the perfect height. It's also been hugely helpful to have a cheap plastic bin with essentials (diapers, wipes, rash cream, burp cloths) there in the kitchen (or living room, etc), so we don't have to take her to her room to change her (which we have done 0 times!).

I'd skip any non wipeable changing pad covers. They poop and pee everywhere, so if you have cloth covers you'll just need to put something on top of them, or wash them a million times

https://www.amazon.com/Skip-Hop-Signature-Portable-Cushioned/dp/B01MDQN2P2

There are great tips here! Here's what I found helpful, and some feedback on what you've got so far:

1. For my second baby, I splurged and got a pump / lunch bag. It REALLY helps to have everything consolidated and is one less bag to carry. This is the one I bought, I like it so far - https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Momcozy-Multi-Function-Breastmilk-Comotomo/dp/B07VC2ZJ17/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=milk+pump+and+lunch+bag&qid=1573158530&sr=8-1. In all transparency, the lunch box on top is kind of small for me, I need more calories than what the bag can hold. I tend to use the top for snacks and breakfast and put a frozen lunch in my big bag.
   
2. Big bag for purse, lunch, laptop -- I just use my old LL Bean backpack.
   
3. I don't use a diaper bag every day but bring miscellaneous daycare items as needed.
   
4. Redundancy, redundancy, redundancy -- keep an extra set of pump parts at work in case you forget anything. On my second baby I got a second pump through my insurance. It REALLY helps to have a second pump if you can afford it. Second work laptop if your company can afford to get you one so that you can work at home. Second toothbrush to keep at your desk, plus extra make-up if you wear make-up. You get the idea...
   
5. Instead of rinsing the pump parts after pumping, just store them in a freezer bag to kill the germs. Way faster and saves company time when you pump. Rinse and wash at home or at the end of the day.
   
6. Along the lines of redundancy, keep like 10-15 extra milk storage freezer bags at work. You WILL forget bottles and it helps to have a few bags around in case you need more milk storage or if you forget your bottles.
   
   Some documents and resources from my LC:
   
   Work and pump - http://www.workandpump.com/
   Breastfeeding storage guidelines - https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage
   
   Good luck with your return to work!!

The only thing that makes these better than a regular backpack or bag is the slots for baby bottles. When those fall over, even with the lids on, they usually leak.

That said, those slots are specifically for one type/size of bottle, and those may not be ideal for your kid. Ours hates the fat short bottles and prefers the long tall ones.

Get something like this that you can stick a couple bottles and a wee freeze pack into, and then just use a regular bag.

http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Kitty-Baby-Bottle-Gift/dp/B0070YO8JI

According to Amazon, it comes with: bottles and nipples, a soother, a dual function drinking cup with removeable lid and straw, a powder puff, bib, and bottle with stackable components.