Vests

[tuna]

I don't like carrying a bag, and with a little one on the way, I figured that getting a "shoot me first vest" would help in my concealed carry, while allowing me to carry all the stuff that goes with diapers.

So, two questions:

1) What are some good vests. I like the Sig line, but I've got an LL Beans and a Cabela's local, so I'll probably go to one of them. What should I be looking for?

2) What am I supposed to carry? I'm guessing like a dozen diapers, some talc, a pad, assorted toys and pacifiers, speedloaders and sunglasses. What am I missing?

Any help in the vest would be appreciated. And I'll take any advice on what to carry for the "tunette", she'll be my first, and as you can guess, I'm a complete idiot on what is needed.


Thanks!

[Sky Pilot]

I worked as a pediatric nurse, working primarily with special needs children, and found the tactical vest absolutely the berries for all the "Stuff" when we had a field trip. Diapers in the big pocket in back, the magazine pouches in front held bottles of formula, and as far as what-all to load in yours ... fear not ... you'll find plenty to fill it with!
You'll also find that wearing this bulk with a vest is much, much more comfortable than carrying the equal mass over one shoulder with a diaper bag. It will keep your hands free for other things, and it absolutely positively breaks up any suspicious under-the-garment suggestion of carry!
Besides ... with a baby bottle in the two magazine pockets, nobody in the WORLD would even SUSPECT you're carrying!
By the way -- from an old graying granddad -- congratulations, son! Proud of you! You're in for an adventure! Grab hold, hang on, and enjoy the ride!

[pioneer461]

I have a few vests and in my neck of the woods, fit in with the community wearing any one of them. I only have one which could be considered a "shoot me first" vest, with loops, lots of pockets & zippers, and such. The others are pretty much plain, off the rack fleece vests I've found and liked in various kinds of stores. Two are "tourist vests" with Alaska and Oregon Coast embroidered on them.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/Police/police.png

[tuna]

But seriously, what would be a good starting load out for my "tactical diaper vest"? In other words, what do you carry in a diaper bag? And how much of it?

I'm pretty knowledgeable with firearms, but am a complete noob (actually, I'm not even a noob yet) with babies.

Any advice on what to carry and how much would be appreciated, for the baby stuff, I'm covered on my gun stuff.

Thanks

[pioneer461]

Oh, a real diaper bag! It's been mucho many moons since I've toted one of those around. What you put in it is.........

EVERYTHING YOU OWN. 8)

[Bill of Rights]

'Grats, Tuna, on your new http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/babykruipen.gif!

My "little one" is 19 and when she became "mine", she was 4 and already out of diapers, so I can't give you a lot of advice here. That said, I'd say it will depend on time of day and where you're going and how long you'll be gone. Before you start going places, you'll know her routine and when to expect her to need fed or when to expect her to have full britches. Pack a couple more diapers than you think you'll need and throw an extra bag in the trunk of the car as a backup until you get more comfortable. A bottle or two at first will be OK, but pack a little igloo cooler in the car as backup. (good place to throw in a beer for yourself, too: the cry of a newborn is the singularly most irritating noise in the world, and my wife likes to say that that's why God made little ones so cute; so they don't get bounced off a wall inside their first year. (I think she's teasing. I hope so, anyway.))

A couple of fuzzy toys, a pacifier or two... spares/duplicates are a GOOD thing for both these and that favorite blanket.. Buy like six of that blanket and her favorite stuffy, so that God forbid something happens to one, you can rotate and replace as needed. I'm told that losing the blankie, the binkie, or the stuffy can cause many, many sleepless nights.

I echo Sky Pilot's words to you: Hang on and enjoy the ride. :wink:

Blessings,
B

[magafike]

DON'T FORGET THE BABY WIPES!!! CAUSE WHEN THEY DO IT YOU WILL REALLY WISH YOU HAD SOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bill of Rights]

DON'T FORGET THE BABY WIPES!!! CAUSE WHEN THEY DO IT YOU WILL REALLY WISH YOU HAD SOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good point. Someone once wrote that that stuff is like a cross between toxic waste and velcro. :lol:

Blessings,
B

[tuna]

OK, I went to the East Hartford Cabelas, and was able to find a "Safari Vest" that works.

Comes down to just below jean pocket top - so it will conceal just about anything short of my 7.5" Super Blackhawk worn on the belt, IWB or OWB.

Has 14 or 16 pockets, 2 D-rings and a little snap thingy for keys or something.

Right now I've got it loaded with the following:

Handkerchief (wipe glasses or blow my nose)
6 Diapers
1 travel pack of baby wipes (16) - should I go for another pack?
1 tube of ointment
Spare onesie in the back pocket
Small Swiss Army Knife
Speedloader


Help me out moms and dads, what am I missing?

[jayspapa2002]

I am working with the grand children now but one thing at the very top of DON'TS.... never buy or use a musical binkie ( pasifier ) .. if you loose it ( and you will ) you will drive many miles trying to find one!!! Trust me on this!! LOL

[tuna]

Update on my vest - not such a good idea. After filling it with the bare essentials (6 diapers, changing pad, wipes, a + d ointment, spare speedloader, handkerchief and a swiss army knife) I felt ready for my first outing with her. Got behind the wheel of the car, and realized that this was bulkier than the bulletproof vest I wore overseas.
I've since changed my diaper stuff to an old canvas briefcase (no need for a brief case, since I wear boxers) and that seems to work well.

There is no real down side, since I've got a real good vest that my wife says looks good with the pants I own (jeans or cargos) that covers my OWB carry very nicely.