Changing Bag - Cheap or Treat?

[Kellyjdancer]

I can't decide which direction to go with a changing bag. Should I just use the free one from Boots? After all, I'm just going to be chucking clothes with baby sick and poo in there... But at the same time, I would imagine I won't also carry a handbag... so should I splurge on something I love and makes me feel good?

[Extremewife]

In my view not having a handbag is tantamount to not having a personality!! I got a big bag from asda and a nice leather (wipe clean) handbag.

Up to you really

[thecakeisalie]

The free boots bag is fine and when we had one 4 years ago with ds1 it lasted really well. However I absolutely loved my pink lining bag I had with ds2 it lasted ages and looked good for the whole time i used it. I changed to a large bag from Joules when ds2 got a bit older.

This is dc3 and I really would love a nice changing bag again but like you I'm also considering being sensible with money and just getting a cheap one. Were skint this time so I'll probably be sensible!

[OwlinaTree]

I've bought a reasonably nice one, like this

Figure if I'm carrying it for 2 years plus want to have something nice. And hubby can have boots one then if he doesn't want a 'girly' one.

[thereisnoeleventeen]

I had a traditional changing bag and hated it, a few months in I bought a nice leather one that has become one of my favorite handbags. If I'm going out without the DC's I just take out the nappies, wipes and other baby items. It's used just as much now that the DC's are older as I get passed tissues apple cores and lolly sticks when we are out and about and have drinks and snacks to store.

It felt like a bit of an extravagance but by the time DC4 is born I will have had my moneys worth from it.

[weebairn]

I never used a changing bag - just put things in a normal bag. I travelled quite light!

[EssexGirlLottie]

Can't help you with your decision but there is a whole section on here dedicated to changing bags. I was glancing at some posh leather ones but then DH decided we should have just one between us so ours has to be unisex...I might try and overturn him on that decision though!

[SaucyJack]

I bought a really nice kids' shoulder/messenger bag to use. It's a lovely lilac colour and has a kitten on it. Plus it was only seven quid from TK Maxx.

[RhubarbCrumble1]

How do you get the Boots free one? X

[greentshirt]

You join the Boots parenting club online, they send you a pack which has a voucher in. You get the bag free in store with the voucher when you buy a pack of nappies

[AlwaysDancing1234]

I'm about to get the Boots one but then I'm not really that fussed about handbags!

[vj32]

Depends what you are going to do as well - lifestyle I guess I mean.

If you get handbag/changing bag combo they end up being pretty big. I walked everywhere when DS was small and bought a big bag but it ended up just being a hassle. So then I used the boots free one. As it was only full of baby stuff I could leave it on the pushchair without worrying about it. I then had a small cross body type handbag for keys, phone and purse that stayed with me all the time. Its not always possible in cafes etc to stay near your pushchair and it was to much faf to sort through it every time.

Wouldn't be a problem if you drive most places.

At a bit before 18 months all DS' stuff went into his own little backpack as by then they end up needing food, drink, changing stuff, toys and change of clothes (if your child likes jumping in puddles!) for a day out so I didn't use a changing bag after that point.

[Amethyst35]

I wouldn't bother getting a special 'changing bag'. A rucksack will do the job nicely and is very practical.

[HelenHen]

It was the one thing I wanted to splurge on cos it was kinda for me so I bought a lovely mothercare one! It's a pain in the arse... Top doesn't even close and there's too many pockets! I've been through plenty of bags... My fave was a free one from the children's centre and I'm currently using a lovely orange laptop bag that was never used as a laptop bag but is perfect for changing. For dc2 I'm using the free boots one!

[greentshirt]

Those with leather ones, which ones have you got?

I'm thinking of getting to stokke black melange changing bag as I love the colour (the pram was my top choice for a while based purely on colour alone) even though I've got the uppababy pram. Is that weird? I have also bought a normal handbag to use with an organiser as a changing bag but already gone off that idea before baby even born!

I'm a sadly self confessed bag fiend before anyone shouts at me!

[Strokethefurrywall]

Errr, I'm a bit of a weird one with changing bags because I like bags generally so spent more money on them than was realistically necessary.

I didn't really spend any money on maternity stuff for myself with DS1 so decided to splurge on a Kate Spade Nappy Bag which is leather and very vibrant and bright. Loved it, used it for ages, it looked like a handbag, just had some handy little pockes and pacifier holders etc.

Then I bought a Pacapod when I was back in London for a visit when DS was about 9 months, found it really handy for flights - DS1 is 2 1/2 now so I haven't used a nappy bag for about a year (live on small island, drive everywhere, easy to run to the shops when I've forgotten something) but I'm due DS2 in a few weeks and my Pacapod is all prepped and ready for use again as I don't feel like I got good use out of it the first time round!

In fairness, my current handbag is a large Michael Kors leather shopper which would do exactly the same job as an regular nappy bag (i.e. hold nappies, clothes, bottles etc) but I'll find any excuse to buy a new one.

[LastOneDancing]

DH got me this gorgeous babymel bag for Christmas. I can't wait to use it!

I've also got a free one coming from vertbaudet which is a bit more gender neutral incase DH feels a bit funny with a floral one.

I do like a nice bag.

[Kellyjdancer]

Thanks everyone.

I do like a nice handbag. I think I'll probably just use the free one at the start and if I see something I love, treat myself.

When I found out I was pregnant, I bought a really nice handbag as I knew I wouldn't be buying any clothes for the better part of a year. I'm really glad I did. It just perks me up a bit and makes me feel a bit trendy. I guess I should give myself the same permission with a changing bag if one tickles my fancy.

[Catsize]

I bought a nice one in the sale but only used it for a couple of months. They are more useful if formula feeding I guess because of the equipment that goes with that. Otherwise, a babygro, a few wipes and a couple of nappies can be put in a larger handbag.

[neversleepagain]

I am using the free Boots one and am very glad I didn't spend money on one with bells and whistles. I have twins and it is big enough to put what you need inside.

[CaipirinhasAllRound]

I debated this for ages and in the end bought myself one for about £65. My big handbag is too 'worky' for me to want to use when I'm on mat leave and I figured as I'll be using it almost everyday for the foreseeable future I should get one I'll like using.
I did look at the messenger type ones thinking of DH using it, but decided they reminded me too much of laptop bags

[Thurlow]

I had a proper changing bag, a nice one that was bought for me, and I did like it. It was wipe clean (like you say, less worrying if poo or food leaks everywhere), had handy sections for bottles etc, and with the typical big, wide strap it sat very comfortably over the pushchair. Like you say, I used it as a handbag rather than having a separate one. IMO change bags are easier especially if anyone else is going to have the baby - DP could just take the change bag, not have to rummage through my handbag to find what he wanted to take out.

Having said all that, when I went back to work 9 months later I treated myself to a large Nica handbag that I realised would clearly have done the job just as well.

I'd buy a nice changing bag but only if you like it as a bag as well, not just because it's a changing bag.

[curiousgeorgie]

I got a fairly nice one (well, 2) because I figured I'd be carrying it all the time.

One was a skip hop for practicality, lots of pockets for long days out, and the other was a Pink Lining one for day to day use.

Having a baby is hard, it's nice to have a treat

[hubbahubster]

I was bought one of those CK changing bags – I think I've used it about twice. I slung all DS's stuff into a CK drawstring bag (about £4.99), which has a waterproof lining, and put that into my normal handbag.

At the moment I have an Orla Kiely handbag which is big enough to take one of those clever changing mats with pockets that rolls up. Wish I'd had that from the start with DS, as you'd be surprised how many cafes etc with highchairs don't actually have baby changing facilities. Many times I've had to change DS on the floor of a loo with a muslin underneath him…

[AJay28]

I got a pink lining bag in their sale - was around £34. Haven't used it yet but I am looking forward to using it as a changing bag and my main one. Hubby has a cheap black satchel bag for the occasions he is out with baby on his own.