Changing bag - really necessary??

[BananaMuffin]

I'm 35 +1 and have just been looking at changing bags online. They just look like fairly normal bags to me - is the whole concept made up just to make money from the baby industry?!! I really don't know whether I'm going to need one, or whether my own larger handbags will do the job. Please let me know if I'm missing something!

[rubyslippers]

I haven't used one

A rucksack or large handbag is fine IME

[Habbibu]

Big bag fine, though one that you don't mind getting mucked up helps. travel change mat with pockets for nappies, cream and wipes are pretty hand. I use a big North Face messenger bag for ds, but we use washable nappies, so have a bit more bulk to tote around.

[Guacamole]

I don't use mine, but I have a Skip Hop changing mat, that has some compartments for nappies and wipes. They sell them on Amazon. I wouldn't be without it!

[OooeeeoooeeeoooeeEthel]

I stole my husband's record bag, even thats too big really. Now I just use one of my larger bags. Depends what you carry though, if you need to take bottles with you, you will need a bigger one.
I got it down to a couple of nappies, a change of clothes, packet of wipes and nappy sacks and put it all in a largish washbag within my own bag.

[shubiedoo]

You don't need a special bag, but inevitably baby will vomit/poo/wee on clothes, so you need one with an outside pocket!

Also, use something dad won't mind toting around, a basic backpack, that way he can go change baby while you're trying on clothes or drinking a latte :)

[AnathemaDevice]

I was given a changing bag when DS was born, I used it twice before swapping to a canvas shopping bag instead, it was easier to carry around.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

No, large handbag with nappy and wipes in is fine (maybe a change of clothes and a plastic bag if they are small).

[bessie26]

if you join the Boots baby club you can get one free - did me for the first 10months, until I decided I wanted a comfier change mat to put DD on (we kept going places with no baby change table)

but no, you don't have to buy a specific bag. but get something wipeable that DH won't mind carrying, and that has a few separate pockets/compartments for drinks/snacks/toys/nappies/spare change of clothes

[MrsJohnDeere]

No, a waste of money. Just use a big handbag.

[Dotty38]

No not necessary but a bag for baby stuff will be needed especially in early days, a ruck sac would do but it's handy to buy a bag which will fit on your pram/buggy handles. As the baby get's older you need less stuff, after about 6 months I switched to a skip hop foldaway thing which IMO is genius. I got my off ebay for 99p!

[Haliborange]

No. They're horrid (and overpriced) although I think when you have two kids and need to schlep nappies and snacks they can be good. The sections are probably helpful if your handbag is always full of ancient receipts, like mine.

I used a plastic freezer bag with a nappy, some wipes and a spare vest, which lived under the pram.

I would recommend a fold-up changing mat. Some of them have pockets for a nappy or two and would fit into a normal handbag. If your baby turns out to be one who gets poo up to its neck whenever you are out and about you may need to rethink though...

[mrsbigw]

I have managed 3 babies without a changing bag, I change nappies on my knee & have never got pooed on in the process so dont take a changing mat either. I keep the basics in my handbag, just take one or 2 nappies, a bib, a small packet of wipes & a sample size nappy cream & you wont even need an extra bag. I do keep a bag of spare baby clothes etc in the car boot though.

[Greenwing]

As Dotty38 said. Any bag with a long strap which fits over buggy handles is useful.

[katiepotatie]

I used a large handbag, as long as you have room for everything you need. DH always takes a hesian shopping bag when he's out with dc's. My sister uses a rucksack.

[defineme]

I used the courier type kangol bag that I'd used for work-just a black cord thing with a plastic lining. 9yrs later and I'm back at work with the same bag holding all my books.
Buy your pram first and then buy a bag that fits the handles. I used a change mat that came free with a baby mag.

[Meglet]

No.

A giant handbag with a long strap works well.

The clear make up bags you can get in Boots (or anywhere I expect) are handy so you can see how many nappys, wipes you have stashed away.

I only bought a change bag when we had DC2 and it got used a few times.

I always have a spare change of clothes, nappies, wipes, cartons of juice and snacks in the car though.

[Habbibu]

mrsbigw, my mum was a nursery nurse in residental care for years, always changed babies on her knee, never got pooed on. Then she tried it with my eels children. har har.

[FindingMyMojo]

I didn't bother - got the Boots one for free but frankly it's rubbish. I did buy myself a new backpack as I did lots of walking and wanted to look "smartish" and my old backpack was rubbish. Changing bags might be more relevant if you bottle feed I guess????? But if you BF all you need are nappies, wipes, muslin (which I used to change baby on most of the time) & change of clothes. Oh & water for Mum!

Habbibu I learnt that knee change from CM when DD was about 11 months old - it's brilliant. How old do you think they need to be for that?

[lynniep]

No you dont NEED one. I find mine invaluable, but I'm an 'everything but the kitchen sink' kind of gal (have a ju-ju-packabe) I wanted specific type of change back and this fits most of the criteria.

The best bet is to wait. Get your free boots bag and see how you go. Dont buy something before the birth. You might find you can manage fine with a big handbag. Or not.

It very much depends on a lot of factors you cant know yet such as if you bottlefeed/if you have a sicky baby (Ds1 was a puker - could get through a ton of changes a day) if its a pooer (DS2 pooed constantly therefore lots of changes required) how much you get about, if you sling or buggy - and needs also change over time - I switched to a rucksack style once DS2 got active because I hated the satchel style hanging off me when I ran after him.

[mrsbigw]

On the bright side Habbibu at least you know you have fantastically agile kids LOL @ the joys kids bring!

Findingmymojo the younger the baby the better they fit on your knee to change.

[japhrimel]

I'm getting one as I need a new big handbag anyway and want one with lots of pockets, so a nice changing bag fits the bill.

If you're going to be feeding bottles of formula or expressed breastmilk then the elasticated (and often insulated) pockets for bottles are good to keep them more upright. But if you can fit them in a current handbag, just buy bottle covers!

[AmelieMay]

I just use a small bog standard bag. In it I keep the lightest pack of wipes i own, two nappies, a couple of nappy bags, my purse, keys, phone, one tiny baby toy. Also for my toddler - packet of raisins, a rice cake, small book and very very small drink. Not enough for a nappy bag really!

[vmcd28]

Nah, but most prams come with one as standard. I certainly wouldn't spend extra money on one.
With my ds, I never took a handbag out, just stuffed my purse/keys/phone etc into a pocket in the changing bag.

[HabbiBOOOO]

God, I've never yet managed a knee change. DS has had to be practically pinned down to the floor on many occassions. My mum did have it down to a fine art, but I don't think it can be genetic.

[looblee]

Glad I saw this post, I was looking at these in John Lewis today wondering if I needed one. Then I saw the price £180 for a changing bag??? ahem I had to look twice, I think i'd rather use my Kath Kidson shopper and put that £180 towards a new handbag for myself...thats the justification for a new handbag by the way...