Changing bag for cloth nappy user

[ARV1981]

I plan on using cloth nappies, and was wondering about changing bags...

My husband will want us just to get one, so it can't be too girly (which is fine by me: I'm not a girly-girl.)

I don't want something too heavy or bulky either.

Does it even have to be a "changing bag" - can't we just get an ordinary bag?

What do other cloth nappy users use???

[MrsAnxiety1]

We went for one on sale in M&S that they don't seem to stock anymore ... It's a messenger bag style one with LOTS of pockets as I gather that's the most important thing... I'm still expecting so haven't used it yet, but it seems to have enough space for the bulkier nappies (terry and preforms/AIO) as well as the dirties bags, foods, toys, my purse etc. I think any large messenger bag would do tbh, as long as it can fit a fair amount in hth!

[RandomMess]

I used a messenger style bag as well. In fact for a long time one of the free navy huggies ones I seem to remember but I guess you don't get them anymore!

Once they weren't newborns I used to pack to clean cloth nappies and a couple of disposables. For the dirty cloth nappies I used £1 draw string wash bags. I also used to use a disposable nappy overnight once they were sleeping through because mine were incredible heavy wetters!

[BikeRunSki]

I did pretty much exactly what RandomMess did. I used a North Face courier bag. They are made out of waterproof fabric anyway. The night time/holiday/ emergency disposables I used were bamboo Bambo brand, although I could only get them on line.

[LostMySocks]

Any bag that you like will do. You just need a nice waterproof bag for the wet/dirty nappies.

[LostMySocks]

Should also have added that I ised cloth out an about if I thought I'd have up to 2 changes. Any more I used disposables as the bag got quite heavy. I always used disposables if I had DS in the sling for a day out on public transport on my own as it cut the weight and bulk I was carrying

[formerlyofLadysmith]

Any bag that you like will do. You just need a nice waterproof bag for the wet/dirty nappies.

Yes, this. I don't get the whole "changing bag" thing. Maybe it is more useful if you are bottle feeding & need insulated pockets & stuff? But I have never had a "changing bag", I've used bags I already own, not always the same one as different days have different needs!

[ARV1981]

Phew! It all seems so bewildering - the "changing bag" thing. I just don't really get it!

I'm pleased I'm not about to make a huge mistake just buying an ordinary bag and some waterproof bags (I got two free with some cloth nappies I bought but I think I may need more - but they're not expensive!).

Thank you, ladies, you've helped me solve a problem, which sounds like a small one but I seem to be hyping up everything and panicking that I'm going to be a terrible mother if I get the wrong thing now... sounds completely daft I know. I'm just getting in a bit of a state over stuff that I know I won't care about once baby's here. Silly me....

[formerlyofLadysmith]

Don't worry, ARV (your username always makes me think of Avro planes btw, I've noticed it in a couple of threads), it is bewildering with your first. I remember making endless lists compiled from books/internet about what we should have, not that we bought most of it. How many weeks are you?

[ARV1981]

I had to Google Avro planes...! It's my initials, I couldn't think of anything more imaginative when I signed up.

I'm 28 weeks on Monday, so still a little way to go!

Now stressing about which travel changing mat I need... I don't think I'll need one with side pockets though, will I? - as the cloth nappies are so much bulkier than the disposable ones... thinking I should just get the £3.99 one in mothercare as it's just a mat and cheap.

Arrrgggghhhh, why do they make so much bloody stuff for babies? Rational me is saying I don't need half the stuff I'm being bombarded with, but emotional, pregnant me is thinking that I need it aaaaaallllll to be a good mum (which is clearly bullshit).

[LostMySocks]

Sign up for the boots parenting club. You get a free change bag with a decent size change mat. You also get 10 points per pound spent. Cheap is the way to go as you can also use them as a makeshift groundsheet if you need to sit on the floor (picnic, quick feed etc) and you don't get uncomfortable lumpy pockets. You can always buy a more expensive one later once the baby is here if you feel it would work for you

[doobeedee]

I just use a normal rucksack. Easy to use with a sling too.