Do I really need a changing/nappy bag?

[Hermioninny]

Just that really, FTM due in 10 weeks and I'm going round in circles!

I've bought a fold up changing mat that has pockets for a couple of nappies, spare babygro and wipes. Planning to BF so hopefully no need for insulated bottle pockets. Am I being naive in thinking I don't actually need a full on changing backpack and when baby is older I can just use a regular backpack to throw some toys/snacks/spare clothes in?

If it is a genuinely good buy then what backpacks would you recommend? I was looking at Pacapod which just looks like a normal backpack with organisers and Tiba & Marl cos I liked the fancy silver one Help me not fall into the baby-world-of-consumerism trap!

A regular backpack would be fine, I breastfed and have used the insulated pocket as just another pocket! I would get one in a material you could wipe clean though

I got a changing bag which matches by buggy and I loved it!! It fitted under the buggy or on the handle and I had a small cross body bag for my purse etc. I did gradually move to a rucksack over the course of 3 kids....but that wasn't a specific baby bag.

You do need to take stuff if you are out for a while....including a change of clothes for poo explosions.

For the person upthread who would just ask friends if she ran out of stuff.... that would really annoy me. Because I was organised and I thought ahead - someone who couldn't be bothered to plan effectively asking "oooh do you have spare wipes? Do you have another nappy...." Well yes, because I have them in case my child needs them. But you have to give them up or their child will get nappy rash or be uncomfortable....

I refused to get sucked into any of the "must have" stuff. I used a cheap backpack from the local market. It was perfect, even with twins and lasted for several years afterwards. Just make a list or a heap of what you will need to carry and go from there.

I have a changing bag, I got it from Amazon. It came with a little fold up changing mat and tbh it’s great. Also attaches to my pram! A few people asked me what I wanted as a baby shower gift so I asked for money which I used to buy the bag. I suppose they’re not a massive necessity but I get lots of use out of mine x

I bought a designer backpack and am using that as a changing bag. I hate the satchel style ones I think they look like you're off on your paper round. Although my pram did actually come with one of those but I probably won't use it.

I use a back pack but I also never use a handbag so my purse is in there too.
I bf my baby and her are poos pre-weaning were explosive and over 10 times a day so I needed plenty of nappies, cloth wipes and clothes. The post above about 1 nappy and a few wipes would have never worked for me 😂 Plus I always felt better having spare.
Now she's 11 months I also shove in a hat, snacks, sometimes her favourite toy or something. You can't go wrong with a back pack IMO!

I use a small kanken backpack which clips onto the pram handle. I like that I can put it on the pram really easily, it unzips so you can see everything inside, and it isn’t ‘babyish’, I like how it looks. They are a bit expensive so the main thing I would recommend is to get something that clips on and off the pram (I’ve also seen people use those rock climbing clips, if you know what I mean?) and with two straps. Over the shoulder bags look like a nightmare!

You don't need a special changing bag. I just used a large handbag with my things and baby things in.

I got a backpack style changing bag off Amazon for about 20 quid. Personally I preferred having lots of smaller pockets/sections as opposed to just a regular backpack, but its by no means necessary. I don't get why people spend 100-odd quid on one though!

Best tip I received was to get a bag that your DP/DH is prepared to be seen in public carrying (so generally a rucksack and probably not a Cath Kidston) if you want them to be regularly taking the baby out and giving you a break!

I mostly used my existing hiking backpack, I did have a baby change bag but the straps were not comfortable

Definitely doesn't need to be a specific changing bag. You can use whichever kind of bag you look. You might want to think about one that can go across the pushchair handles though as you may get fed up if you have to carry it all the time.

I only ever used the pouch thing you describe. Threw it in my handbag and that was it.

But. I BF so no bottles or formula to carry.

And. My baby was never sick. Ever. In fact she vomited for the first time properly aged 9.

My friend who had a really pokey baby used to carry a full on large gym bag for 2 or 3 years. I think it totally depends on your baby.

Regular back lack with lots of nice pockets and nooks and crannies does the job for changing bag and then for when they're older on days out etc. My "changing bag" was a sporty backpack and got used for about 20 years!

Thanks everyone, it's been insightful

I don't use a handbag day to day, I use Apple Pay so normally just have my phone and car key in a pocket and keep a lip balm and tissues in the car. It sounds like a backpack is the way to go. I have a load of packing cubes that I can use to stay organised but I think I'll wait until after baby is here to see what we need. I'm sure we can make do with the changing mat and chucking stuff in the bottom of the pram for a few weeks!

My SIL and a few friends didn’t bother, they just used bags that could take nappies etc or put changing feeding items in pram basket storage area.

Mine matches my pram and swings off the handlea neatly. It also doubles as a changing mat
Much rather carrry my mum baby crap in it rather than my nicer bags or lugging a pack on my back hahah

I didn't even take a changing mat when I went out as I just changed baby on my knee!

How does that work when you have a toddler?

Toddlers can stand up.

Any kind of bag is fine, but I definitely needed a bag.

DS was a runny pooper and had awful reflux. I could not go out anywhere with only one chance of clothes. I'd have 3-4 babygrows in his bag at any one time to allow for poo and sick explosions, plus plenty of nappies, bum cream, hand sanitiser, a small bottle of spray disinfectant (used with baby wipes to clean up runny poop from his change mat), then some toys etc.

YANBU OP I only bothered getting a changing bag when I had the second within 3 years, because I found I suddenly had too much stuff to fit into my small bag. But I think that will even out soon as well.

I had a plain black Mothercare backpack, which had loads of pockets and a compartment for a fold-out changing mat. Used it for absolutely years as an all-purpose bag.

I didn't even take a changing mat when I went out as I just changed baby on my knee!

How does that work when you have a toddler?

The same way as with a baby, except you move your legs apart to make a bigger space, so they would lie shoulder to buttock across my lap.

I don't think a specific changing bag is necessary, but a bag that is big enough to hold stuff, in whatever form you prefer, absolutely is. Obviously, depends on baby but we always needed at least one change of clothes, wipes, nappies, nappy cream, muslins, plus bottles etc.

But those portable changing mats with space for a few nappies are brilliant too - we had one in the bag so we could often leave the big bag in the car and just grab that if we weren't going to be long or whatever.

oh, also a bag is handy because there is always that one place where you can't throw nappies away so need to take used nappies with you.

I think you need A bag but as others say not a specific changing bag. It's handy for putting all your stuff in as well or the odd wee bit of shopping you pick up. Any kind of bag will do though. I had a handbag style backpack that I already owned and liked so just used that a lot of the time.

I EBF and just used a regular backpack. Nappies, wipes, a muslin and emergency change of clothes in there. Baby on front in sling, backpack on back, voila - you're good to go anywhere and can be out all day. You can also sling a backpack across the handle of a pram if you take the pram instead. Or get a hook and hook it to the bar by the top loop.