Posted by Sharee Gibson
on July 02, 2026
When I started The Poppy Brand, I thought I was designing a mom purse.
What I didn't realize was that I was getting a front-row seat to motherhood.
Every customer email.
Every product review.
Every DM.
Every prototype.
Every feature request.
Every conversation about what moms wished existed instead.
After five years of designing bags, seven years of carrying them myself, and thousands of conversations with moms, I've noticed a few patterns.
These are a few things I think most of the diaper bag industry is getting wrong.
1. Backpack diaper bags aren't the best option for most moms.
I know. They distribute weight really well and keep you hands free.
But I found myself taking mine off every time I needed a wipe, a snack, or my wallet.
I was overpacking just because I had the space.
And if you've tried babywearing with one, you know how uncomfortable it can be.
I wanted a bag that moved with me instead.
That's why every The Poppy Brand bag is a crossbody.
👉 Crossbody Diaper Bag vs. Backpack: Which Is Better for Moms?
2. Moms carry way more than they need to.
Somewhere along the way, "being prepared" became "bringing everything."
An extra outfit.
Three snacks.
Five toys.
Diaper cream for your kid who isn't even in diapers anymore.
The entire medicine cabinet.
I don't think motherhood gets easier because we carry more.
I think it gets easier when we carry exactly what we'll need for the outing we're actually having.
That philosophy has become one of our guiding principles:
Carry Less.
3. You shouldn't have to take your bag off every time you need something.
Think about how many times a day you reach for:
- your phone
- your wallet
- wipes
- a snack
Those moments happen dozens of times.
A well-designed bag shouldn't make you stop and take it off to get something out.
It should move with you.
That's one of the biggest reasons I chose a crossbody over a backpack.
4. If you wouldn't carry it without your kids... it was never really your bag.
One of the things that surprised me after becoming a mom was how many products seemed to be designed entirely around the baby.
I wanted to design around the woman first.
While still making sure she has everything she needs for motherhood.
That's why we often talk about the difference between a traditional diaper bag and a mom purse. The design philosophy is completely different.
👉 Read next: What Is a Purse Made for Moms?
5. The best bag helps you carry exactly what you'll need—not your whole house.
This is really what Carry Less means to me.
It doesn't mean carrying less of what matters.
It means carrying less of:
- the "just in case" items
- the clutter
- the mental load
- the pressure to do everything perfectly
Because when we carry less...
We make more room for what matters.
That idea has shaped every product we've created.
My hope for every Poppy Bag
I don't want our bags to simply hold your things.
I want them to help you move through motherhood a little more freely.
A little more confidently.
And maybe...
Feel a little more like yourself.
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