To ask for advice re changing bags?

[Marghe87]

Hello,

I am starting to browse changing bags and was hoping to get some advice before I purchase anything. I'd like to get something practical but also nice to wear and not over £60 ish.
I have been looking at the Babymel and Pacapod backpacks but any suggestion would be very welcome.

Thanks!

Buy yourself a nice large handbag, cross body bag, or rucsac you really like. You then just put baby stuff inside a drawstring bag and lob it in. Much better value and better looking than a change bag

I used a backpack for my second child, and I found it sooooo much easier than the cross body bag I had with my first. I would highly recommend a backpack style bag.

Use a normal bag and buy a folding changing mat. 10p carrier bags are perfect for putting things inside in your bag and when they get grimy recycle.

I second the suggestion of a backpack style, it’s really convenient.

I’ve always just used a normal backpack. Changing bags are a rip off.

You don’t need to pay a premium for a changing bag. Any bag you like will do as long as you can fit everything you need in it.

Anything, asking as it stands up on its own. The most useful thing

Backpacks are the way forward. You can get some great ones that aren’t any more expensive that a normal rucksack and are better because they open up wide and have insulted bottle holders, wipe flaps and easier access. You can’t just buy a good normal backpack too!

Gosh it's been years! what's important is a changing mat and a waterproof compartment (more than one) for dirty clothes/muslins/etc plus one for snacks. A bottle compartment. Space for nappies, wipes, change of clothes, muslins and maybe a blanket. Plus the aforementioned food/bottle/dirty clothes compartments. But a regular roomy bag or rucksack and several large zip lock bags would also suffice.

Agree with a rucsac style. I'm on my 3rd attempt: the one that came with my pram was too small, the cross body one I bought was good but bloody hassle if trying to carry car seat and the changing bag. Finally bought a rucsac one and it's so much easier

I have a Cath Kidston one which I have used for both of my boys. Is is navy blue with polkadots and I love it. Loads of room, pockets and a fold out changing mat.

Definitely go with a backpack style. I bought the matching over shoulder bag to match our pram, and it constantly fell off my shoulder. It drove me crazy and I ended up buying a pacapod backpack.

Backpack with a couple of pockets and is unisex so husband happily wears it. The one I have has pocket big enough for couple large baby bottles and a large inside pocket for all my things so don’t need handbag. I have 2 small drawstring bag which I use to keep change of clothes and nappy stuff together. I bought expensive changing bags with first children and this has been far easier. I have a carabiner clip to attach to pushchair when needed.

I got a rucksack one off amazon for £15/20. Plenty of compartments can fit loads in and so much more practical than the 'changing bag' cross body thing I had with my first

I used Birth Bag for their pre-packed labour/birth bag and use the rucksack it all came in as a changing bag. I think it was about £50 with all the little bits and bobs they put in, I found them on Instagram. Its a lovely rucksack and would continue using it if I didn't need a changing bag.

Get yourself a backpack, a lightweight stylish one that you like.
I bought a £100+ changing bag and it was a total waste of money. It's too bulky and I now no longer use it!

I'm now looking for a backpack that I can use as a changing bag and as a bag after I no longer need a changing bag

I got one from Amazon as I decided a Babymel was too much for one baby.

www.amazon.co.uk/Lekebaby-Nappy-Changing-Backpack-Arrow/dp/B07B7H6L9T/ref=zg_bs_60244031_7?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&refRID=A3GQWZETPTXRWXF53736

I have tried to use a normal backpack and a shoulder bag but I just found the front section so useful for keeping pots of food and spoons and sippy cups upright.

I just got the bababing Lucia & it’s fab. It was £60, lightweight vegan leather. Looks like a nice handbag, has lots of internal pockets, plus an insulated pocket, insulated bottle holder & padded changing mat. Plus buggy clips! I got a jem & bea with my first & it was the biggest waste of money. Looked nice but so heavy even when empty & very impractical!

You live & learn!

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/bababing-lucia-changing-bag-black-e6130.html

Forgot to add it can be worn as a backpack as well as a shoulder bag!

Iv got a gigil backpack. It's lovely but the main zip has been crap since day one -
Don't know why I haven't contacted them to be honest. Lots to
Compartments and a changing mat, it's nice looking too.

Someone gave me their old pacapod for my first child. I used it for a few months then switched to a normal rucksack. Unless you need the insulated inner bag (I guess you can use a much cheaper alternative for this and shove it in a rucksack anyway?) I don't see why they are meant to be better.
Get one that's washable or wipe able though.

Another option is to get an expensive one but second hand, it its washable and wipe able it will be fine and you can pick up a bargain in Facebook

Backpacks pissed me right off as mine didn't have enough pockets and I couldn't get anything out with one hand...I'll post the link to the one I got, it was great.

I think changing bags are more useful if you’re bottle feeding- I didn’t need a bottle holder/thermal pocket, just a changing mat, wipes and spare babygrow. I got a zip pouch/wash bag type bag to make a nappy change kit, then just put that in whatever bag I was using.

This one:

www.amazon.co.uk/Skip-Hop-Signature-Changing-Chevron/dp/B00J4J2AQK?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Agree re all the backpack suggestions. Ours was plain black which was great, v neutral and it was interchangeable for me/Dh to use. I regular backpack is fine too, but I liked the proper changing bag version because it comes with things like waterproof compartments and insulated compartments etc which is very useful. The portable changing mat that came with it wasn't great, but we also had a small bag (sort of the kind you get for your passport, but obviously bigger) with a portable mat that could fit a few nappies and a packet of wipes from Cath Kidston which was great - it fit in the backpack but we could whip it out just for a quick trip to the bathroom or when we didn't need the whole bag.