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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

112 replies

spad · 14/06/2015 09:29

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!

OP posts:
Handsoffmysweets · 14/06/2015 13:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request

spad · 14/06/2015 14:27

What is excessive out of this list?

2 nappies for newborn
2 nappies for nearly one year old

Baby grow for newborn
Baby grow for one year old
Shorts, t shirt, pants for 2.5 year old

anti bacterial handwash (don't ever want to be in the 'child covered in dog poo incident again)
two plasters

cereal bars and a couple of bananas

purse
phone
keys

small fire engine toy, rattle

Thank you for all of the recommendations of different bags, I am going to look at them now, but I honestly don't think I am carrying too much for being out and about for a day?

OP posts:
spad · 14/06/2015 14:29

Oh yeah, and a drink for each of them.

OP posts:
DJThreeDog · 14/06/2015 14:32

I had two year old twins in nappies and a newborn. We didn't have a car. I managed with a large handbag - although DS3 was breastfed whereas the twins were bottled.

Why are you taking a whole new set of clothes for your two year old? Does your ten month old really need a change of clothing?

anyoldnameforathread · 14/06/2015 14:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DJThreeDog · 14/06/2015 14:34

And take a buggy and sling it all underneath!

anyoldnameforathread · 14/06/2015 14:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheseSoles · 14/06/2015 14:37

My 3 were a bit older (4,1 and baby at peak big bag stage)

Don't take a snack and drinks unless they will actually need one. If they might need one take the smallest snacks available - eg, ricecakes and raisins plus one sports bottle top drink to share.
If you'll be out all day use an extra bag so you can have more snacks, drinks suncream etc.

It does get a lot easier when oldest (and eventually middle) start to reliably not need spare clothes!

I had double buggy though so just slung everything underneath.

Artandco · 14/06/2015 14:40

From above I would only take babygrow for newborn ( incase newborn Poo explosion) , nothing for 1 year old, just leggings for 2 year old incase he wets. They are emergency clothes, eldest is fine without pants just for journey home, and tshirt change not needed.

Worse case both small ones can just be in nappy and wrapped in blanket/muslin cloth if clothes dirty.

Artandco · 14/06/2015 14:42

Oh and I always just take one bottle of water to share if only going out a few hours. If everyone is fed and had large drink before leaving, they can't need that much food and drink in 2-3 hrs

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 14/06/2015 14:42

I can't see why that wouldn't fit in a large normal bag OP?

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 14/06/2015 14:43

Although I haven't taken a change of clothes for mine since she was a newborn and prone to leakage!

slithytove · 14/06/2015 15:15

I have 2 and take out in the boots changing bag

2 nappies for big one, 4 for little one
Pack wipes, roll nappy sacks, changing mat
Tiny thing of sudocrem, tiny thing of hand wash cleaning gel
Suncream
Bag of snacks bribes
Spare shorts for toddler, spare onesie for baby

They both have a cup holder on the pram, and I have a "bits" holder attached to the handles for my stuff.

Can't see what else is a necessity? Add another 4 nappies and a onesie for new baby, there is space for that. If going somewhere longer or in the car, keep a bigger bag in the car.

Nappies, wipes, food, drinks, clothes; all can be bought when out in case of emergency.

bobajob · 14/06/2015 15:21

I wouldn't take bananas and cereal bars - just cereal bars is enough for a snack.
Wouldn't bother with toys or a t-shirt for the 2 year old either.

But I also don't see why your stuff wouldn't fit in an ordinary changing bag?

Mine currently has:
phone, keys, purse
a sports bottle and a sip cup
a small bottle of diet coke
pair of crocs (4yo)
packet of wipes
4 nappies
2 pairs of pants
1 babygrow
packet of tissues
2 dummies
2 cereal bars
glasses case
bottle of suncream

and it's not overly full. I'm sure your stuff will all fit in one bag.

bobajob · 14/06/2015 15:23

Oh, and a little changing mat.

I have a Babymel bag btw, maybe they are particularly roomy? My cousin has a similar one and has a 2 and 1 year old and a baby.

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 14/06/2015 15:31

I have three (not quite as young as yours, but one baby) and I have to pack for us all.

I use a Cath Kidston boxy day bag. I'm no CK fanatic, but it fits everything in, is tough, and it's not bulky. It stands up when I plonk it down and it out-performs all the changing bags I've ever wasted my money on.

wizzywig · 14/06/2015 15:32

just get a big bag for life

BlueBananas · 14/06/2015 15:34

*What is excessive out of this list?

2 nappies for newborn
2 nappies for nearly one year old

Baby grow for newborn
Baby grow for one year old
Shorts, t shirt, pants for 2.5 year old

anti bacterial handwash (don't ever want to be in the 'child covered in dog poo incident again)
two plasters

cereal bars and a couple of bananas

purse
phone
keys

small fire engine toy, rattle*

The snacks - if it's a meal time then taking food is normal, but children don't need to eat every second of the day
The anti-bac & plasters - just can't see why you'd ever need these
The outfit for 2 year old - as above, can't think of any scenario where they would need an outfit change half way through the day

Higgle · 14/06/2015 15:34

I gave up on changing bags at 1 year, just used to keep oddments in my handbag then.

BlueBananas · 14/06/2015 15:34

Oh bold fail

bobajob · 14/06/2015 15:37

I've definitely needed outfit changes for a newly potty trained 2 year old BlueBananas! Think you've been quite lucky to have never had wet pants while out and about - there are plenty in their first year of school who still need spare pants and trousers in their bag Grin

auntyentropy · 14/06/2015 15:40

I'd keep the plasters - you might only need them once in a blue moon but they take up roughly zero space. I had to borrow some from a mate with toddlers recently when my 12 year old had an incident in a playground Hmm.

And a recently toilet trained 2 year old definitely needs a spare pair of trousers and pants....just in case.

But bananas are too easily squashed. I used to take a little plastic box filled with oat cakes and some dried apricots.

Regardless, all of that will fit in a decent sized backpack.

Glitteryfrog · 14/06/2015 15:45

Do you generally go out with the car?
If have the essentials in a bag with you.
Other stuff - change of clothes etc in a bag in the car. If you need them you can go back and get them - realistically how far away from your car are you really?

cheminotte · 14/06/2015 15:52

How will the 2.5 year old be getting about? I would recommend a little ruck-sack for him to wear. He can then carry a drink and his own spare clothes. Both mine had rucksacks for their 2nd birthday and have carried their own little bags ever since.

flossyfloo · 14/06/2015 16:03

I don't think there's anything excessive about what you're taking out with you OP but I can't see why it won't all fit in a large messenger type bag?

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