Nappies out & about: Changing Bag advice needed!

[Smittals]

Hello - hoping all this massed experience can help settle a domestic between two first time parents! DH thinks that we need TWO changing bags, as having one changing bag to carry bottles and clean stuff is gross because where do you put the dirty nappies? I said that most bags have a dirty section so bag'em up securely and bung them in, plus surely you'd bag and bin where possible - don't quite know how this fits with my reuseables master plan though . So what are you all using? No change bags reviews on Mumsnet as far as I can see - can we start one? I know we'll need some kind of bag but they seem very expensive for what they are so a bit of practical advice would be great!

I tend to get rid of the dirty nappy as soon as possible and have never yet had to carry one around in my bag so i think you're right Smittals.

FWIW I never bothered with a separate bottle bag, just invested in chunky handbags that could fit the bottle and powder dispenser in, as well as one of the basic roll fold nappy changer things you can get in John Lewis (do you know what I mean)

all you need is a changing bag (i like my little company bag as its roomy enough for a days worth of washables) and a drawstring water[roof bag to pop the dirty ones in, and keep that under the buggy.

Oh lordy me where to start!! I have a 2 1/4 year old DS and am on my 4th change bag..... As long as there are plenty of compartments then you should be fine. Know where you're DH is coming from though, so perhaps 2 would be sensible at first.

First one was one from John Lewis, which was fine until it fell apart - but in hindsight didn't have enough space/compartments anyway! By the time it died we were still at the bottle stage (gives you an indication of its longevity!) and we were on disposables so bag and binning the dirty ones where possible. Always had the bottles in a separate compartment so they were separate.

Then moved on the the avent backpack, which was fantastic up until my DS didn't need 6 changes of clothes, bottles, beakers, dummies, baby food jars etc when it got a bit big for a 2 hour outing - this is a great first bag as the bottom section zips open and has a velcro-ed in change mat, with space for clean and dirty nappies, wipes, bags, creams etc etc! And loads of space inside for bits and pieces, plus an insulated bottle holder and a front section that holds 4 small jars of baby food - I have to say if I could only buy 1 bag and especially with using washables would buy this one.

So moved on to an adapted vanity case of my own for compactness (is that a word? whatever), similar to the baby bjorn clamshells (but not as nice!) which was great and as it had 2 sides then the clean and dirty stuff was separate.

Then swapped to washables, and boy do you need more space! Was considering moving back to the avent one, then found a baby bjorn for £5 at an NCT sale. This is great, but they are costly and TBH not sure if there would be enough space for a newborn on washables. At least I only have to take a couple of washables with me most of the time now! If going out for a whole day then I tend to take his nursery dirty bag with me (tots bots dirty bag) as it holds the dirty washables and keeps them separate.
Would suggest that you get a couple of terrys (of folded up t shirts) and take them with you as this will give you an idea of capacity - dispoables are really slimline and most of the bags are designed with them in mind rather than washables.

Incidentally, if you are looking for washables and are in the East Surrey area let me know as I know the Lollipop adviser well and can put you in contact!

Good luck!

I just used a normal bag with a few nappies and wipes and a towel in case I had to change ds anywhere other than a changing station. Always disposed of the dirty nappies asap, but I guess you could carry nappy bags around with you and sort out when you get home??

I've never used a changing bag - just chosen a bag that I like that's big enough for the stage I'm at. I have different ones for different seasons and moods. Have a red leather one at the moment and have my eye on a tweed one in Top Shop.

I use reusables and it's OK. You bag soiled nappy and bung it under tha pram or in the car. Also I cheat and only take one cloth spare nappy in my bag and 2 disposibles (disps have been there for weeks but I'm not brave enough to only take one spare!).

Only down side to this is that if dh is taking children out he has to trasfer stuff to ds' bob the builder back pack, but that's OK!

you definitely don't need 2 change bags!

IME, a good rucksack is better (and cheaper) than a purpose made change bag. I have had 2 of them - a toys R us one and an Avent one and both have fallen to pieces.

If you can get an normal rucksack with a separate compartment then you can put dirty nappies in there but, if you are disposables, you would just bung them in the bin wherever you change the baby.

With reusables, you can flush the poo away and just put the nappy in a nappy sack and put it in the bag.

I also had a bottle holder which keopt the bottle separate from everything else.

a backpack with a least two compartments, but better 2 large ones than 6 smal ones IFSWIM. I use big section for food, clothes, book, toy, shopping etc. Middle section for nappies, with a waterproof bag for dirties( I'm useing cloth nmnappies too). small section is for my stuff, handbaggy stuff really.
Mine cost 10 quid down the market. Its been great, fits under the pushchair or if useing teh stroller I carry it.

I started off with a 'proper' (cheap from Tchebo) change bag but soon got sick of it as it always seemed to be in the way and a real pain to carry when I wasn't using the pram. During the summer I got a cheap Body Glove rucksack from Woolies (on special offer £7.99) and took the wet bag and change mat from the old bag and put it in the rucksack. My vote is for a rucksack so much easier to have stuff on your back especially if you then go and fill the pram with shopping and when transporting DS in his car seat etc etc. I use washables and when out I just use an old plastic bag to keep them in (the dirty ones)- and then put them in a seperate pocket on the bag. I still keep a few disposables in my bag 'just in case' but I'm going to have to use them soon as DS will soon have grown out of them!!

Thanks very much for all the advice, think we'll look for a normal bag with a few compartments plus a separate dirty bag and see how we get on. Had a visit from the 'nappy lady' at this week's antenatal class which was, um, educational (and confusing! Especially with DH muttering not quite softly enough 'but what's this bit for? Why is it pink?? What's the point of that bit??? Bloody stupid things' etc etc.) However, the info leaflets she had also suggested a separate dirty bag so at least he got something out of it!

this is about my 10th changing bag and the best one ever ever ever \link{https://www.mamatoto.co.uk/PRD_ProductDetail.aspx?cid=106&pid=1831}

comes complete with changing mat, insulated bottle holder, and a couple of zip up pouches which detach. Plus lots of zipped compartments for wet/dirty stuff... and 4 elasticated holders for drinks/bottles inside. brilliant brilliant i love it.

i now even use it as a gym bag too - perfect!

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