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!

I really liked the insulated bottle pockets for keeping a can of Diet Coke cold in the summer xD

I spent over 300 on a bag which I loved and yes I used it but it didn't fit much more than any other bag would have and now that my baby is older I could really use that money for something!!

I bought one, but ended up using my regular rucksack as it was bigger and easier to open. The changing mat thing you have is a godsend though. I use it all the time, especially abroad and even in the house!

I bought a tiba and marl backpack as the changing bag and in all honesty the quality isn't great for what it cost. I'm generally very careful with my things and still two letters have come off of the 'tiba and marl' and the leather is also peeling above the big zip

@ididntevennotice

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.

Absolutely no way my toddler would lie still enough for that. She’s a monster though.

I bought a super cheap little roll up changing mat for going out. Takes up minimal space.

As everyone says, you don't need a specific changing bag.
We had one, and it was useful as was always with the baby - didn't have my stuff in or dh's stuff in if the other one had the baby, (or CMer or babysitter). So I think it is useful to have a specific bag. Also one where the handle sits over the handle of the pram.
Years of experience tells me it is useful to have a specific back that is wipe clean, too.
However, there is no need to spend loads of money on one and no need specifically to have one.

I bought some nice backpack with loads of pockets and it’s still hanging in my spare bedroom on a hook - I think I used it once and DS is just over a year. So far everything I needed I could fit in my regular handbag and/or one of those canvas shopping bags. Complete waste of money IMO. Glad it wasn’t expensive tho.

We use a small toilet bag type pouch. Fits one reusable nappy, small wet bag, a few disposable as back up, cloth wipes, basic change of clothes and Ds allergy medicine.

It’s all we have used in 2 years, and I have never needed the change of clothes yet. I then just take that in the bottom of pram, or put in rucksack/ tote or whatever I’m taking out. I just add extra reusable nappies loose in bag if out all day.

Things like toddler snacks or water you take fresh anyway in whatever bag that day. Emergency oat bar in the toiletry bag

I just have a very thin muslin cloth in the pouch that can be used for changing mat/ sick cloth/ back up blanket. Goes in wash easily and replace with fresh.

Normal backpack with a makeup bag containing wipes and nappies

No need for a 'changing bag' but you do need a bag specifically for baby things. Grab and go, always stocked

Of course you can use any bag you like. A couple of nappies and pack of wipes isn't good enough for anything more than a short trip though, best to be safe and have more nappies than you think you'll need, creams for any nappy problem and spare clothes.
I prefer a nappy bag because they come with lots if compartments and thermal pockets. Ours is a backpack style by Dikaslon (bought on Amazon).

You probably need a bag in my experience. I have a cheapo one from Amazon. It’s lasted me 5 years so far & had some serious use.

Essential - nappies, wipes, probably nappy cream dependent on your babies skin, nappy sacks to deposit poo nappies into & a small mat or towel.

I personally always carry spare clothes, even for my 5 year old. They get muddy, they get wet, they spill drinks, they get covered in food.. babies do massive poo explosions and some are really sicky and/or drooly. DD1 was always soaked despite dribble bibs. DD2 not at all. It seems wasteful to say oh I’ll just pop & buy something if I need. Why? Take a bag & use what you’ve already got. And I generally met friends on days out or lunch or softplay so I certainly couldn’t have just borrowed some of their kids clothes. Maybe different if going to a house ..

I’ll never forget the time we’d gone on a day trip to a National Trust Grounds when DD was about 2/3 months. We’d taken 4 nappies. In the space of an hour she did 4 poos. Not huge ones but 4 bloody poos. I was very sleep deprived, I cried and DD had to wear a muslin wrapped round her bum all the way home. She obviously wee’d more than once & her car seat was soaked. What.a.day. Looking back I can laugh but I remember thinking so much id failed at parenting 😩😂😂

I have the silver Tiba and Marl one and it's so lovely. Excellent quality etc

Until we started weaning, I just used a basic drawstring bag, but found that was too small when I started needing to pack snacks, bowls, bibs etc, and also toys/books for keeping DS entertained. I bought a proper changing bag off Amazon, about £20, and it is great - it’s easier to find things if you have different sections / pockets.

I had a neat rectangular boxy bag from Mothercare with a little fold up changing mat and outside pockets. It looped over the handle of the pushchair. It's shape meant everything was easy to see. Typical contents were 3 nappies, wipes, nappy sacks, mini cream, change of clothes, cloth book. I used the outside pockets for my stuff.

No, you don't.

I've had two children and I never took loads and loads of stuff out with me unless I was out for an entire day without access to shops. For a normal afternoon out, i'd take;

Two nappies
Half pack of wipes
Handful of nappy sacks
Fleecy sleepsuit and vest in case of nappy leak or sick
Spare bib
Couple of small toys

It all fitted in a decent sized handbag. On the off chance i needed more than that i'd buy extra or in the case of an explosive poo i'd rather head home to bath them anyway. My youngest is almost two and all i really take now are the nappies, wipes, toys and usually a cereal bar in my own handbag.

There is so much STUFF sold to new parents, when in reality, your baby is only in that stage for a matter of months.

I've got a 'proper' changing bag, big satchel type one with loads of different compartments in it and it came with a little changing mat that folds up and goes in its own zipped compartment at the back. However a relative bought it for us when DD was a few weeks old when she found out we hadn't bothered haha. I don't think I'd have bought one myself as me and DH have always had backpacks so we would just use them and did until we got this one. Having said that, it has been super useful, I find the zillions of different pockets and compartments really useful because I am an overpacker, so this way I can quickly locate anything I need rather than rustling about a massive pile of unorganised stuff in my backpack. We retired it ages ago with DC1 and swapped to just bringing her own little backpack for her, but we now use the changing bag again since we had DC2. I put all the stuff in for all three of us, mostly baby's things but also water bottle, snack, and change of clothes for DC1 and my wallet and anything I want for myself too.

My mum bought me an all bells and whistles changing bag and it's just too big for me. Doesn't fit on the pushchair or under it easily. Obviously can wear as a backpack but it's massive! So I've recently been chucking everything in a regular backpack and it's perfect 🤦🏻‍♀️ if I need an insulated bottle part I use a little fold up lunch bag. I have nicked the little changing mat from that bag to use though.
I feel bad as my mum spent money on it but it was good for all the hospital stuff and will be good for taking baby on weekend away etc but everyday use it's too much!

I found this really convenient mommy nappy bag from cyber saving shop and I would say that it's worth the price. I filled it up with things are needed for the baby and it fits perfectly. I can wear it as a backpack and at the same time you could place it on the baby stroller while I'm out and about.

Longchamp pliage bag is very useful in case you have one already. Particularly if you end up using a sling a lot, as I did, as my first child refused her pram. Also look for a "wetbag" with two zipped compartments - that's useful for holding nappies, wipes etc and a change of clothes (can put dirty clothes in one of the zipped compartments). You can stick them in a normal bag or under the buggy and they can be easily washed.

With DC1 I hauled a lot of stuff around, allergy baby so lots of explosive poonamis requiring multiple changes, cloth nappies so wet bags for wipes and old nappies, changes of clothes for me as I had oversupply and would leak everywhere when feeding. Snacks for me because allergy baby meant I couldn't eat anywhere.

Dc2 I just took a small cross body bag with 1 nappy and 1 resuseable wipe, I felt like I had levelled up to mum 2.0 but in reality it's because I just got incredibly lazy.