Changing bags - when did you downsize?

[feelingsicknow]

My LO is 13 months old now and I've realised that I probably don't need to be lugging around the mahoosive changing bag that we used for him since birth. It's a Tiba and Marl bag and whilst lovely, it weighs a lot and I think I'm carrying around a load of stuff that we don't need now. The early days were always a panic in case these was some item we might need but now he's older I'm curious to know:

What basics do other people carry around for eg a day out? Obviously nappies and nappy cream, a change of clothes and some snacks. Anything else?

Plasters and antspectic wipes. Disposable bibs.

I take what you've listed, and a muslin as we don't use bibs! Muslins cover the majority of her body so we prefer them to bibs!

I always liked having a big bag to carry all mine and DH's stuff in on a day out! I still had a big bag for ages but I had a two year age gap. So I had all the baby stuff and the million changes of clothes for eldest when he was potty training.

I didn't really get rid of it until I stopped using the pram and I couldn't put it in the shopping basket anymore.

I switched to a rucksack from Cath Kidston when she started walking, needed two hands so a rucksack worked way better! It also clips to the buggy the same way the old bag did too. We have a separate lunch box so just have change of clothes, nappies, wipes, bum cream now. I love finding our old baby bag in the cupboard, I loved packing it before we went out, lovely memories!

Use DS's small nursery rucksack now he is 1. I sometimes take my handbag for my things too

I also have a rucksack, I find it much easier than a bag, especially if I need to fold the pram and hold on to a escapee toddler, or if we are at the park I can leave the pram in sight and put the rucksack on whilst I follow him around.

My LO is two now, I only take out nappies, wipes, snacks a change of clothes and usually a couple of small toys to keep him entertained.

I switched to my own bags after about 2 months of lugging about a giant changing bag! Pre potty training I took 2 nappies and a dummy in my bag, now usually just a McDonalds toy or one of the small thomas books to keep him entertained. We are always within distance of a toilet so I just wash his hands or face there if he gets dirty. My SIL cant understand how we do a 7 hour flight with his tiny nursery bag between us, she can't cope without her full giant rucksack of baby gear!

I still carry a massive changing bag (or a rucksack) around and my youngest is 5 . I have 5 dc though and 4 are disabled so they still need mountains of stuff. I bring a change of clothes for the youngest 2, dc3's inhaler, energy bars for dc2, reins for dc5, baby wipes, wet bag and flannels for dc4, couple of books and fidget toys for dc5. Then my usual phone, keys, purse and a pen that would normally go in my handbag.

Obviously nappies and nappy cream, a change of clothes and some snacks. This from the start with a newborn actually. No snacks until later obviously, wipes, a bottle of water as I was breastfeeding.

Water, snacks, nappies, wipes, toy car and a book, a dummy, spare clothes, calpol. I've always bought the same stuff I think apart from water snacks when I BFing and she wasn't eating. The good ol days...

Thanks all. I think I can definitely declutter and swap down to the smaller bag which came with the pram - but you are right re hands-free rucksack for when he starts walking. I'll commandeer my DH's for that!

To be honest, I didn’t really cut down until my toddler was potty trained. And then I had another baby so the lugging continues. It is lovely when in just 1:1 with my 3 year old as I can take a normal bag. It is still useful to be able to take a snack, change of clothes and wipes but you can give them a little rucksack.

But, although I have the changing bag/ I’d say it is less filled than it was with baby no.1. I’ve realised that if I’m just popping to the shop, it’s fine to have 1-2 nappies in the bag. Before, i never left the house unless the changing bag was stuffed.

I’ve always carried the same really, and now I have a toddler and baby I’m carrying more than ever. I used a rucksack as I need both hands free.

I have a toilet trained 2 year old so carry a spare change of clothes, snack, small colouring book, crayons, plasters and tissues.

For the baby I have: nappies, wipes and 2 As I start weaning her I think I will need a lunch bag as well as the rucksack as I won’t fit her snacks in.

I also have a box in the car with extra nappies, wipes, bottle of water, extra clothes and a jumper. Then if I run out of anything in the change bag I can pop to the car to fetch it.

Same: rucksack when youngest started walking, realised I definitely needed all hands free when they ran off in different directions!

About a year old I switched to a kids back pack: nappies, wipes, nappy bags, a change of clothes, muslin, water bottle and snacks - if going further chuck in a book or toy.

I've started using a mini backpack for when we are just going to creche or somewhere just for a short period with nappy and wipes, water bottle and snacks, and use the big changing backpack if it's for a day out as I usually take a packed lunch and can also fit in spare clothes and coat or cardigan