Changing bag - Babymel or Cath Kidston

[Bojangles33]

Trying to find a changing bag and have no idea where to start. The Babymel Cara is nice, but I really like the Cath Kidston ones too.... or should I just get a cheap one?

https://www.cathkidston.com/cath-kidston/meadowfield-birds-carry-all-nappy-bag-1024861

https://www.johnlewis.com/babymel-cara-bloom-changing-bag-grey/p3392103?sku=237258012&skwcid=2dx92700027454060345&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIocC-3uLO2gIVqhXTCh2Hew0SEAQYBCABEgKcOfDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I didn’t buy one. I couldn’t decide which one to get so decided to wait. Used the bag that came with her pram once DD arrived and I’m still using it a year on! So I’d use the pram bag / a cheap one / a big handbag at first and if you decide you want a proper one after that then worry about which one to splash out on

Any old bag will do!

I've never owned one. You just need a bag big enough for a change of clothes, nappy stuff and perhaps a bottle of milk. For me, that was a large handbag.

I just use my giant handbag- it's a Kipling tote. Didn't see the point in a separate bag tbh.

From someone who believed you could use any old bag...just make sure it has tons of compartments, nothing worse than rummaging, you can sling across body (so you are free to carry baby), can fit on your pram and has grab handles!

I had a changing bag for my first dd and used it loads for a good 2 years or more. It was better to have some with compartments for nappies and wipes and clothes. So I could have everything in I needed so just picked it up when I went out and just put my phone or purse in or whatever else I needed. Also was good to have a small changing mat in it for out and about which I also used at home if downstairs in the early days. I would say get a changing bag as I loved mine. I have just had a second baby so got a new bag as the other was well used and I wanted a backpack one to make it easy when I had a toddler and baby or was using the sling or buggy board on the park and couldn't hang the bag on the pram. I got the babymel backpack one and it's great. Although doesn't have as many compartments as my old bag. I love the babymel one put a link for.
Also my old changing bag came with straps to put on the pram so I could easily click the bag on. That would have been as easy with any old bag and you don't want to have a bag on your shoulder all the time with a baby and pram etc. My changing bags have been well worth the money.

I had the Babymel Cara in the navy stripes with my youngest. It's a really good bag and I like using it as a big hand bag sometimes now!

If you want to use a regular bag, You can get hand bag organisers which are like insert compartments from places like primark.

I got a Cath Kidston one from their outlet store- it wasn’t anything fancy, just a standard change bag with a separate change mat. I mainly got it because I loved the pattern which has little cowboys on it.

It was only €30, so I’m happy with it. I wouldn’t spend mega bucks on a change bag to be honest- I’ve had a couple of bottles leak etc so I just fired it into the washing machine. I’d have been gutted if I’d spent upwards of £60 on one!

Seriously, go for something practical. I had a babymel the first time around and it soon lost its fashionable charm. Its was fine, i could fit all I needed inside it, it looked nice. But my shoulder ached all the time and it felt clumsy on my arm whilst lugging around a baby in a babyseat.
Get a rucksack!
Hands-free, practical and you can get some really nice ones too.

Honestly, just use a rucksack/backpack. Far more practical.

We got the silver cross one that matches the pram. I love prams with all the matching accessories. I know some will say it's a waste but it was what I wanted so.