This model from mainland China's Fuzhou Oceanal has detachable bottle bags and front and side pockets for easy access to baby care essentials.

Utilitarian models offering ample storage and easy access to essentials come in styles that target practical, design-savvy parents.

Under efforts to stay competitive, suppliers of diaper bags in Taiwan and mainland China are releasing functional models that are fashionable and gender-neutral.

The latest designs, which come in backpack, messenger, shoulder and stroller styles, feature large compartments for clothes, shoes, sealable bags and changing pads.

They also have exterior pockets that allow easy access to diapers, feeding bottles, wet wipes, medicine, cream, lotion and other baby essentials.

Messenger-type models come with wide, cushioned shoulder straps for enhanced portability. Others have adjustable straps for attachment to strollers, offering users handsfree convenience.

While suppliers continue to manufacture feminine designs in colorful, eye-catching patterns, they are also coming up with diaper bags in masculine tones.

	This diaper bag from Taiwan's B&B Best comes with a PVC changing pad.

To offset rising material costs, makers in Taiwan will be increasing their prices of diaper bags by up to 10 percent in coming months. The island's small but stable industry, made up of only 10 companies, is focusing on improving the aesthetic appeal and functionality of models to justify higher quotes.

Sonada Luggage Co. Ltd offers diaper bags made of cotton-polyester blends, 300d polyester or polyester microfiber. The materials are coated with environment-friendly PU for breathability and water repellency.

Diaper bags from the Pierre Cardin-licensed supplier have large storage spaces, exterior pockets, and extra gussets to accommodate both baby and parent essentials. Organizer pockets can be used to hold mobile phones, pens and personal accessories.

At Ruenn Ta Enterprise Co Ltd, the best-selling diaper bags come in printed and quilted PVC sponge leather with foam padding. Models have side compartments for holding detachable two-bottle warmers made of plastic foam.

Recent designs from Ruenn Ta are made of water-resistant nylon, and have one or two wide shoulder straps, and large compartments. Additional side pockets can hold a mobile phone, keys and even a small folding umbrella.

Focusing on OBM, the company exports the majority of its diaper bags under the in-house Music and Baggy brands. Shipments go to the US, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Rectangular models from B&B Best Industrial Co. Ltd are water-repellent, collapsible, and stain- and wrinkle-resistant. Sold mostly with baby strollers, designs feature large compartments for a changing pad and extra clothes, side pockets for diapers and gussets for feeding bottles.

The company also offers diaper bags in two- or three-tone shades, embroidered with OEM labels or with the in-house B&B, Baby Bus or Bravo brands on the fold-over flap or side pockets.

To minimize overhead, B&B Best subcontracts to factories in the mainland.

Hsin Yuan Electronic Co. Ltd offers environment-friendly diaper bags with nontoxic PU coating for water resistance. Made of 420d nylon or 600d polyester, models are also azo-free. Designs that are sold with strollers often come in colors that match the carrier's seat and canopy.

These diaper bags have easy-access exterior pockets with zippers or snap closure and large compartments to hold anything from changing pads to bottles to mobile phones.

Hsin Yuan exports mainly to the US and Europe.

The latest diaper bags from the mainland are likewise designed for handsfree convenience.

Ason Bags Mfg Ltd's models have multiple outer pockets for keys, mobile phones, pens and planners, and

spoon loops for utensils. Aside from side-pocket bottle holders, they feature adjustable shoulder straps with a 13-inch drop for easy carriage. Some new releases are sold with changing pads.

Ason's diaper bags have easy-to-clean exteriors made of cotton or T/C, and lining in recycled PEVA. Appearance-enhancing leather or PVC trimming is also added.

Aside from front and side pockets for a myriad of baby care essentials, diaper bags from Fuzhou Oceanal Star Bags Co. Ltd have detachable zipped purses that function as bottle bags. They also come with foam-padded changing mats.

To make them easy to lug around, these diaper bags have padded adjustable shoulder straps and carry-all belts.

Products from Fuzhou Oceanal comply with the AJO standard.

"Daddy bags" from Buyrite International Co. Ltd are available in gender-neutral tones. Models have easy-to-clean PVC exteriors and carry-on belts that can be adjusted for hand- or shoulder-carriage.

Pinghu Haomai Industry Ltd offers models made of polyester peachskin. Featuring exterior pockets for holding feeding bottles, these diaper bags have large storage compartments and come with changing mats.

R&D at Pinghu Haomai focuses on developing daddy bags or gender-neutral models. Anson, on the other hand, is working on incorporating radio or MP3 players in future releases to provide mobile entertainment to parent and child.

To ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, makers in the mainland are implementing QC measures from the sourcing of materials to the finished products.

Buyrite sources its nylon, PVC and other materials from qualified suppliers to ensure they are nontoxic. It also secures certificates for water resistance on request.

ISO 9000-certified Ason sends samples to SGS for lead-content testing. The company also requires suppliers to present material safety data sheets on delivery.

During QC, finished products go through a needle-detecting machine to ensure that no sharp metal is left embedded in the diaper bags.