FTM - would this work as a changing bag?

[Dalmatian0]

First baby due soon. My home is small and I’m keen to not fall into the trap of overbuying.

I see lots of bulky changing bags out there, but wonder if this changing mat with compartments would do the job, just for when we are out and about? It’s so much smaller than anything else I’ve seen which is appealing.

Or am I being naive? Will I need a larger changing bag?

www.calpaktravel.com/products/diaper-changing-pad-organizer/bluebell?country=GB&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=22366255851&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=22366255851&utm_content=&utm_term=&gadid=&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A22366255851%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=118917827&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=shopify_US_7319745036346_40831830065210&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=22366255851&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22366314195&gbraid=0AAAAADHnXaFKsla_LXf0f5ujFwXl_tFXk&gclid=CjwKCAjwuIbBBhBvEiwAsNypvUQXp15KaQfPZ6vXiejaSFRqA5Tzqmi7Q1I2qSJuunwG52eMpnVAdRoCKnoQAvD_BwE

I also just used a rucksack. I walked an used public transport a lot so also had space under the pushchair to chuck stuff but a rucksack worked with dd2 in a baby carrier as well.

I never had one. I just used one of my bags or a tote bag

Too small (and way overpriced for what it is!) you could just buy an bag organiser off Amazon to pop inside an existing large back / rucksack. This is the one we have and dont think it’s too expensive www.boots.com/babymel-eco-robyn-navy-stripe-changing-bag-10306389?traffic=paid.shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19965631125&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwR56POaLy-hSLe3aF1ksrED8&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk4L4mp2ejQMVJpVQBh1cyytPEAQYASABEgKlQfD_BwE

Assuming you have a partner (and please forgive me for that assumption) I would recommend getting a bag that both of you are comfortable with.

It was important that my husband could take our babies out by himself with the baby bag and that it worked for him as well as it worked for me. In his case, a Chanel handbag wasn't going to cut it - we used a crumpet satchel which still worked when we got to the stage of having days out with balance bags when it needed to be across the body to allow jogging alongside the crazy child.

It didn't matter which one of us had the bag because either of us could change the nappy.

i only ever used a larger than average handbag, small folding changing mat, change of clothes, 2-3 nappies and some wipes. i always had extra in the car or the bottom of the pram if we were out all day, but i always had the attitude of if i needed more I qwould buy more.

I use to have a changing bag and then use a cross body bag for my keys and phone etc as I alway use.

The best bet is to find a buggy system you like and then get the bag afterwards as dependency on basket space, handles etc it will depends what works best.

I avoided a backpack because I didn’t like carrying it around (ds was born in a very hot country!) but some people prefer a backpack and smaller buggy system.

Unfortunately there’s no such thing as “travelling light” with a newborn!!!’

congratulations btw

I think it really depends what kind of days out you think you'll be doing.
I used a small cross body handbag and fitted nappies and wipes in. I was weirdly fortunate in that my daughter very quickly didn't ever poo outside the house, she's two and I've never had to do an outfit change outside of home!
I used to have a little bag of toys in the car, and bf so didn't need bottles.
I bought a typical changing bag and didn't use it once!

£82 is wild.
I hope you have enhanced maternity 😅😅😅

I used a rucksack and bought a travel change bag (i have a babymel hopskip and johnlewis every day) which went inside.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-anyday-travel-changing-mat/p5340059?s_share=jlappdroid

Every mum i know does the same (either baby rucksack or regular)

You'll need change of clothes, maybe bottle(s) and rapidcool dummy, maybe small medical bag (teething calpol etc) maybe aquaint spray, dummies, muslin.

As an fyi all the travel pouches are imo poorly designed irrespective of price.

Our new born was summer born, but even 5 nappies and a spare romper fit in coat pockets. If you're breastfeeding what else do you need? Unless you're on an expedition, you're never going to be so far from home or family or a baby change unit or a shop that sells nappies that you need to bring the kitchen sink.

I used a small rucksack and used it for both my keys, purse, phone and for the baby’s stuff.
It was a nice blue colour, my DH could lengthen the straps for when he was carrying it. It’s surprising how much stuff you need ‘just incase’ when lugging around a small person, and in our case our first 2 children were born 16 months apart so were both in nappies at the same time for a little while and we needed to carry a spare change of toddler clothes and snacks as well as the little ones things.
The rucksack was great, meant our hands were free and I could still use a front carrier and push a pram/hold on the toddlers hand.
It cost about £30 and is still in use for outings despite them all being older.

All the changing stuff I put in a large one of these. Fits nappies, wipes, change of clothes and hand sanitiser. Issue is if you need breast pumps, bottle warmers, spare milk etc etc - then your bag starts to fill up. You won't really know til then but you can certainly avoid a huge bag in any case

Link failed but it's a clear plastic makeup bag.

I used a waterproof messenger style bag
Inside I had a mens sponge bag to store clean nappies.

That wouldn’t work for me. In my change bag currently:
changing mat
a few nappies
wet wipes
nappy bags
waterproof bag for emergencies
hand sanitiser
dummy
dummy sanitiser spray
teething toy
teething gel
muslin
a couple of toys/boardbooks
change of clothes for baby
hat for baby
calpol
snacks
water bottle (mine)
tissues
sunglasses
purse
handheld mirror

plus a lot more I’m sure I’ve forgotten. I put my things in the change bag so I only have one bag to carry.

As LO gets older, spare clothes etc will take up more room, and I’ll need toys and books etc.

We also just use a basic rucksack. I bought a cute new one for the purpose. Works fine and doesn’t have the ‘baby’ price mark up.

I just used a backpack! You don't need to take much, a couple of spare nappies, a change mat, wet wipes and some spare clothes. Usually you'll have a pram or be in the car so any extras can go in there. I'd wait until you have the baby then see of you need one.

I would keep phone and keys and so on separate from the changing bag mostly especially if you go on joint days out with your partner. If the changing bag stays with the baby and whoever's looking after them then you can go off somewhere like up to a counter to buy food with your small bag for phone keys make up etc.

I only very briefly used a proper changing bag then after that chose any bag I could find that would hang well on the back of the push chair when open (so usually a simple zip across, plus a couple of outside pockets if possible, but no really big flap that's awkward to get out of the way). It's miles easier when going round somewhere with a pushchair to have the bag of baby stuff easily accessible to put things in and out of. There's so much stuff - depending on the time of year it's layers or sun hats or sun cream, then changing stuff, toys, water cups or formula bottles, muslins, ordinary wipes, spare clothes...

Buy a nice backpack. It will be much more convenient for later when you are having to play with / catch a toddler in the park.

I had a pack a pod rucksack like the link below. I still use it now (without the pods) and my youngest is 8!

https://www.pacapod.com/collections/backpacks-baby-bag/products/picos-pack-slate

I didn't use a handbag for about 3 years! All in my changing bag rucksack. Even now with 8yo my bag is full of her crap! Never ends 🤣

This absolutely, £83 is ridiculously expensive for what that offers. I used a rucksack that I bought just for use as an out and about change bag. I also bought a small fabric changebag in a sale that I mostly used alongside where we did changing at home because our cottage is very compact.

This has been ideal for us and still is a couple of years on.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Changing-Backpack-Dikaslon-Multifunction-Portable/dp/B08MTMKQNX/ref=asc_df_B08MTMKQNX?mcid=53a70c5a48e839f2a81510470d8233d1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697236948439&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5163441357639939687&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045974&hvtargid=pla-1091440147348&hvocijid=5163441357639939687-B08MTMKQNX-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1

We used cloth nappies and wipes, and live rurally so we were often an hours round trip from shops or more. I always had a lot of stuff with me as can’t just nip home or to shops and you have the dirty nappies and wipes to carry too.
It wasn’t ever a problem but I didn’t travel light.

Just buy any old bag which you like the look of then a portable changing mat. If it had a few compartments all the better so you can keep your keys, card, phone in it as well (no need for a separate bag for you). You will need to carry spare clothes for poo explosions/ sick (young babies) and for mess (toddlers). You will also need drinks, snacks, toys, books within one year. They don't stay little for long!

Definitely don't need a changing bag. You probably already have a bag that would work; if not like PP said get a rucksack. You will need to carry a big bag for the next 10 years or so (!) every time you go out. The first time I went out for the day with just adults after having kids with me most of the time I felt almost naked. Where were all the snacks, drinks, books and changes of clothes?? But really, changing bags are just a marketing ploy to get you to spend money on things you don't need. You can use a reusable supermarket bag just as well (although I found a rucksack the best thing).