Is this really my only Changing Bag option? aibu to be really annoyed about it?

[spad]

Soon to have three under three.

Following all the mn advice I now have everything I should need for being out and about in my Changing Bag, currently a Mommymoo one from John Lewis.

Obviously I am not carrying about what I will need for our newborn but even with what I need for our ten month old and two and a half year old I end up taking more than one bag when I am going out and about. Not too tricky when we visit someone's house because I can leave one bag in the car. But not exactly practical and far more likely that I will leave something behind.

Without spending a fortune the only thing I can think of to solve this problem is a lightweight hand luggage flight bag. So far the best I have seen is the lightweight over should style from Matalan. We used this before for swimming.

Anyone any better ideas? An actual suitcase seems a bit excessive!

[Earthbound]

What about a backpack?

[m0therofdragons]

I had a pink lining twin bag. You can get them on ebay. I was very strict on what I packed and also had a fat face canvas bag which was good for days out.

[Blarblarblar]

Hershel back pack. Comfy and hands free. Plus they look quite nice.

[PattiODoors]

Would a back pack be more practical (sling on yer shoulders and TA DAH two hands free, yay)

Do bear in mind I have noooooo idea what a mommymoo bag looks like

[bobajob]

Can you cut down on what you are taking out? Older two surely only need a couple of nappies each (or change of pants/leggings if oldest is potty trained) and a packet of wipes, small cup each. Spare baby grow for the 10 month old.

[MrsDermotOLeary]

Is there really so much stuff? I used to pack spare clothes (1 set per child), nappies, wipes, snacks & drinks. Maybe a bottle for 10 month old if out during a feed time. I had a small bag with the spare clothes in hanging from buggy handle (too light to tip it) and the rest in a change bag.

[spad]

A mommymoo bag just looks like a big black canvas bag, it does have some inside pockets but it is not particularly fancy. I refuse to spend a million pounds on a changing bag.

I will go and look up your recommendations. An actual suitcase just seems ridiculous and the hands free backpack option is tempting.

Any other ideas? This is really helpful!

[MrsDermotOLeary]

I'm assuming you'll be using a buggy for the younger two. Could you store spare clothes & nappies underneath?

[spad]

There does seem to be so much stuff!

I have it all divided into various soap bags.

One for nappies, with wipes.
One for emergency situations, anti bacterial hand wash, plasters, tissues.
One for snacks.
One for clothes.
Drinks, this one is very bulky!
A couple of small toys.
My purse, phone.

[WheresMeJumperOhNo]

Can your 2.5 year old have their essentials in their own backpack? Not suggesting they must carry it everywhere! But a child's backpack is easy to carry on pushchair handles or keep in the puschair basket.

[AuditAngel]

I used to have a Samsonite Sammies nappy bag, I'll try to find a link.

[lambsie]

Backpack and one on the pram.

[spad]

Yeah, I put lots of the soap bags underneath the buggy when we are in town, but I also have to squeeze the shopping in there. Not much room left by the time you've bought milk and bread.

And also, it means more sorting out and remembering to put back. I would much prefer something that was just always altogether. Following mn advice I have been making a big effort to sort everything out the evening before, and never going to bed without cleaning the whole kitchen.

[lentilpot]

Could your 2.5 year old carry their own stuff in a little rucksack? One of the skip hop ones with reins might help you with 3 under 3?

[auntyentropy]

We used to have a smallish cheap black backpack for the 2 DC with various which held a nappy changing kit in the bottom, a change of clothes for each of them, muslin, books, sippy cup, snacks, formula and bottle. Plus a purse, book and bottle of water for me. I don't see why you'd need anything huge for that lot. The nice thing about a black bag is that DH could wear it without feeling a bit of a tit - so many changing bags signal "look I am a girly bag for girly things done by girly women" which is fine if you're a lone or lesbian mum I guess but less good if you live in a household where both sexes do childcare.

[GloGirl]

I loved my Pacapod for 2 under 2 although it was heavy.

One removable pod for nappies, mat, wipes and cream. One removable 'snack pod'. It turns into a rucksack for the elder one if you're running out of space. I used it for milk bottle etc.

One large central pouch for changes of clothes and muslin and spare bottles

One zip pouch for my phone, tissues and purse.

One side pouch for small toy cars and books etc.

[bobajob]

Is your oldest in nappies?

Maybe you are taking too many spare clothes - think about what you actually need.
And snacks - how much do you actually need? A small pot with a couple of rice cakes should be fine.
Why are drinks so bulky?

I wouldn't bother with toys either. Or maybe something small you can clip to the buggy.

When my youngest was born I used to look after my nephew so would have a newborn, 18 month old and 3yo and everything fitted easily in one normal size changing bag. Presumably you're only going out for a few hours at a time?

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

Do you find you use all that stuff?
For my 19 month old I just put a drink, a nappy, a small pack of wipes and a nappy bag in my handbag.

[RoganJosh]

Why is 'drinks' so bulky? Isn't this just one sippy cup?

How bulky is the clothes one? Could it be very thin leggings and tshirt that take up hardly any room?

I've had three very small ones and a normal changing bag (with lots of pockets) was fine.

I think you need to trim down what you're taking out with you.

[AuditAngel]

penguin changing bag. It has loops that can go over a bar handle opr buggy handles. It lasted me for 2 babies and was still in a decent state when sent yo the charity shop in a clear out.

[RonaldMcDonald]

I had 3 in 3. I happily got away with a changing bag.
I had nappies wipes bags
I didn't have plasters anti bacterial etc
Leggings/tshirt/sleep suit/cardi
Raisins water sunscreen hats

I was amazed at some of the stuff carted around by people
Less is more. What is the worst that can happen?

[RoganJosh]

Also, are you making sure that tje wipes is a 1/3 full pack, not a full one?

[Fauxlivia]

Argos do a really light flight bag

www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/1455142/searchTerm/flight+bag.htm

I have tried to link but dont know if it will work. Bag is about £15 and comes in a few colours. Bought grey one for my mum to take on holiday and it was very roomy.

[lylasmam2012]

I have just a 2.5 year old and when I go out I just put her stuff in my handbag! Drink, pants, change of clothes and wipes.

[Betsyblue]

What about a Kipling bag? They're not the most stylish but they're incredibly light and can fit in absolutely loads.

That said, do you really need that much stuff? I take stuff for my 19 month old in my normal handbag- nappy, wipes, snack and drink. When he was still on milk it was a bottle and some formula too if I wasn't BF then, so I still didn't need a massive bag.