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

The bag you shared is great to slide into a normal backpack/bag and to just pick out if you are nipping into the doctors or a cafe for a quick coffee and you’re pretty certain that baby won’t spew everywhere.

however you will need something a bit larger for dummies and toys, and to stash hats and spare clothing. Normal backpack or large handbag is fine.

Tbh, I keep baby essentials in my car and just fill up my handbag/tote with whatever i need. I don’t have a special bag.

You really don’t need a massive ‘changing bag’ backpack full of pockets, but you need something for substantial than what you’ve linked.

If you haven’t bought your pram/pushchair system yet, some of them came with free changing bags! The best ones for me (I had 3 children and 4 changing bags) were the ones that came with a little fold up changing mat. Handy for the back of the car/grimy kids changing station/picnic blanket at the park.

I would actually go against most advice given and buy one specifically for babies rather than a generic backpack- it doesn’t have to look ‘babyish’ but something neutral in blue/black. The extra pockets are just wonderful and they often have clips to pop onto the pushchair

I have had a satchel type silver cross one that came with the pushchair, good for bottle storage, had a changing mat and zippy space for snacks and some spare clothes but there wasn’t quite enough space for extra outfits. DD1 was a puker.

The other three were variations of this and I also bought one for my sister in law. About £20, backpack style but with MANY pockets and waterproof areas. Comes with the fold up changing mat (I always kept this loaded with a small pack of wipes, one back, mini sudocrem and a nappy- so if I was at soft play or something I could just grab and go) A space for phone and keys plus roomy enough for toys and extra clothes too!

I used something similar to that as a changing bag along with a pram organiser for a bottle and muslin. I also used a small cross-body bag for my phone/keys/lip balm same as I did before DD and after the pram years.

Me too. No expense spared here! My rucksack was 17yrs old at that when I became a FTM 😂

I had something similar - just a cheap one from eBay and I ended up using that more than anything else. DD didn't poo or throw up very often and was breastfed so a nappy or two, a pack of wipes, a few nappy bags, a muslin and an emergency babygro was plenty and that all fitted OK. I'd go for it but also have a backpack or similar in reserve for longer days out or in case your baby poos a lot or is very sicky etc. I don't think you need a special nappy bag though imo unless you want one.

Any bag will do but this one looks lovely and has a mat but is quite expensive

Not everyone carries tons of stuff with them. Up until about 8 months my bag contains handful of diapers, 1 packet of wipes and 1 sleepsuit. Then from then I have a tippy cup, snack and a proper change of clothes. It's still not much

I gave up on everything else as I just don't use it when out and about, even diaper cream just use it when you're home. I'd sometimes take a baby sling or warm outer suit but mostly leave them in the car or bottom of the stroller

100% this. I’m in my second and it goes everywhere with me, fits everything in. That one you posted is so restrictive and expensive. Just get a rucksack… my buggy actually came with the one I’m still using, it straps on nicely and is colour coordinated 😂

That looks like a massive changing mat and nothing else.

Personally I didn’t buy a changing mat. Just took a Muslim cloth out for using on grass, changing tables, car. That way you can just put the cloth in wash when home and it folds far smaller. Plus cloth for emergency vomit

I mainly used a large toiletry bag. That had day to day basics in like washable wipes, wet bag for dirty stuff, spare bib or vest, tether toy, back up nappy. W reused washable nappies so when I went oit just grabbed the toiletry bag with 1/2/3 nappies depending on how long out. Then in either rucksack if using sling, or just cloth shopping bag if car or pram

Those little pram organiser bags are super handy to keep baby basics in also, like sippy cup later, cloth, toy.

Sometimes you’ll be trying to change the baby one handed. This wouldn’t work. Get a changing bag with a mat that goes inside .

Please don’t spent £80 on a changing bag 😳

You'll end up taking alot out and about, honestly I think I had the tiniest flat anyone ever had a newborn in ever 😂 so was also keen to avoid bulk, but I ended up getting a rucksack on amazon that also unfolded into a little crib (never used that function) and it was brilliant for fitting so much in, and the front pocket was lined with insulating foil to keep things warm or cold. It's so handy to have everything in just one bag as when you're handling the baby, folding a buggy, etc etc, one bag to remove or move about is a god send.

I used a Berghaus 24/7 rucksack that I bought from Amazon as the baby's main bag. Just a plain navy one. Was used by both me and my partner, whoever was with baby that day just grabbed the bag as they headed out. Enough room for small changing mat, change of clothes, some nappies, wipes and muslins etc. (I breastfed so didn't have to pack any bottles). I usually just put my own stuff (wallet, keys) in that bag too. We still use it as baby's bag even though 'baby' is now 5 😂

You definitely need a big bag. That could be a normal rucksack, large tote bag or changing rucksack/bag.
It’s nice to have something which attaches to the pram so you don’t have to carry something heavy around all the time. Changing bags tend to balance better. In Winter I’d keep valuables in my pockets but in summer would take a small extra bag just for my phone and purse.
Once toddler age a normal rucksack is better because you don’t have the pushchair all the time but still needs lots of things!

I've had 4 children and have never owned a baby bag. Just a regular bag with baby stuff in.

Seems too small. There is loads you need to carry around..I would go for a ruck sack which carries more and leaves your hands free doesn't have to be a changing bag X

I think that would be fab to keep in the car or bring for a quick stop somewhere but I’d need more stuff with me if I was out more than an hour or so.

I rotated between lots of things as I had a carrier but preferred the buggy and hated carrying too much stuff but also hate a backpack and regularly was out for the whole day. Brought about half as much anywhere with my second baby of course!

I liked a backpack sized bag (though it was a cross body) and would usually shove a small bag in there with my wallet, keys, tissues so I could keep that separate if needed. But you might just want to play around with a few options

i got something similar with a full size changing bag and the mat is great if we’re just nipping out - I’ll just chuck it, a bottle and a blanket under the buggy and we’re gtg - but if we’re out for longer, especially with a newborn I definitely need a more substantial bag.

The bag I got it with was £30 something on amazon and has been surprisingly brilliant

I've never used a changing bag. I have something pretty similar to the one you linked to and all the other crap mentioned by previous posters goes under the buggy. We don't have a car though so I appreciate that would change things.