BABY CHANGING BAG - do I need one?

[Holymoly321]

Hi all, this may sound incredibly naive - but as I've still got at least 4 weeks to go till baby arrives, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing anything! I know that I'll need a baby changing bag, but how big should it be? The thing is, I've seen an absolutely gorgeous red leather baby changing bag on reddirect.co.uk - it's £140, but comes with thermal bottle warmer and two changing mats - which is obviously a huge chunk of change, but it's my birthday very soon (hope I'm not in labour on my birthday!), so I'm thinking of getting my DH to buy it for me. Is this a foolish idea? Should I just get a black nylon baby changing backpack from mothercare? Advice appreciated!

Is this it smiling? here

Changing bags are not essential - any old bag with a changing mat would be fine. I used a normal rucksack.

HOWEVER, life isn't all about what we need or what is practical. If you really like it and can afford the little red number - go for it!

It looks gorgeous and looks like you could get some use out of it afterwards - if its not been ruined by then

a Tesco bag serves the purpose

supose it depends how much money you have

no one would think twice if posh and becks had one!!!!

I couldnt as we would have to go without food for two weeks lol

but if you are loaded and have the cash there.............why not?

Be the equivilent of me having a £19.99 one I supose

Never bothered with a changing bag. When DS was small I just used a nylon rucksack and now I don't need to carry so much I just put a nappy, wipes and a bib in my large handbag which is much more stylish than a changing bag.

I have 4 children from 11 years to 19 months and am proud to say I've never owned a baby bag. Returned from holiday today with my one and only Prada bag full of wipes nappies and milk. Then went to a party taking a largish but cool bag from East.

In my opinion baby bags are the first sign of decline into a world a little less stylish. There are lots of lovely big bags including rucksacks out there so I'd say look for what fits your lifestyle.

You can get a great changing bag on Ebay very cheap compared to Mothercare etc. I had a black Avent rucksack changing bag. I felt much more relax and prepared when I went out for the day with my baby when I took my changing bag. It's are real hassle when you forget to take change of clothes or nappies. I found it very useful for the first year. It didn't even looked like a changing bag. They are great if you are bottlefeeding and want to find everything quickly. They come with a bottle warmer compartment, changing mat and lots of different pockets for baby things. They not essential as you could use any other rucksack, but they are nice to have if you have the money and can't be bothered to spend ages looking for dummies and other bits on the bottom of bags.

Well, bag ladies, I think I've made up my mind to go for a nice big (but reasonably priced) handbag for me, and a cheap rucksack for when I'm out and about with DH so that he won't feel too bad carrying it himself. THe red leather baby bag was nice, but having seen it in close up (John Lewis stock them - thankyou Merlot), I;ve decided that it's not really the one for me - the handles do look a bit short and I want something soft and floppy (IFYWIM!!). I really don't want to become just 'mummy' once baby is born, I still want to have some semblance of style (again, I may be being a bit naive here!!) and I'm sorry but I really can't stand those black nylon babychanging rucksacks - just not me. So I'm going to give it a go with a big slouchy handbag, some large make-up style bags for wet stuff etc, and see how that goes. If it comes to it, I'll bite the bullet and buy a changing bag, but hopefully I won't need to! Many thanks to everyone for their advice and tips though! This FTM much appreciates it!

I bought a fab pink bag from Jasper Conran (debenhams) Cost £75 and looks fab. Easily fits in couple of nappies, wipes & sacks. I BF so didnt have to carry milk
Made me feel like "yummy mummy" rather than pack horse.
baby bags may have a time i.e. all day, but for a few hours, just try to slip it into your handbag