Change bags

[IWishIWasAFrog]

Hi,

DS1 due in 6 weeks, I'm feeling more clueless as we march on to due date!

To all the experienced mummies out there:

With benefit of hindsight, would you buy a change bag, or would a biggish handbag do?
Did you ever use the 'travel' change mat in that comes with the change bag, and, this may sound very silly and obvious, but...
What, apart from nappies and wipes, are indispensible items in your change bag?

Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

Ive got a thin drawstring gymbag inside my bag that i stow babys stuff in. in the early days you would need (for a day out) nappies, wipes, spare babygro, resealable bag for wet stuff. if using formula, all that gear.
A little change mat would be handy when using public changing rooms/friends bed/boot of car.
My Ikea muslins were indispensible in the early days, i used them as a breastfeeding cover-up, a baby blanket, as a bib, a cloth...
the mothercare £30 slouch bag looks quite good.

Biggish handbag, or just chuck the stuff in a bag of your choice in the bottom of the pram. One of those little fold out change mats, or a terry nappy for changing on, couple of nappies, wipes, wet bag and a spare babygro.

a rucksack or large handbag is better especially if planning on using a sling

sudocrem, anti bac gel (in case no handwashing), bibs and an extra muslin and babygro

I used the travel changing mat but a muslin can also do the job

i would say you need a change bag though in case dh or grandpraents/friends take the baby out without you.
i love bags and my habit extends to change bags too. now awadays i use just my large handbag with a spare pair of underwear, packet of wipes and first aid stuff like plasters and germolene.
but when mine have been babies i have had my bag packed with nappies, wipes, spare set of clothes, muslin cloths, bibs, travel size baby cream and travel size anti bac gel in case no sink.
the bounty pack is actually pretty goiod as i refilled the tiny pot of sudocream time and time again and had a travel size bottle of anti bac gel in.
for the bags i love the website www.happybags.co.uk and www.mamasandpapas.co.uk they do bags that don;t look like typical baby bags and some of them are very glam handbag type leather affairs.

Don't bother buying change bag - I find nylon drawstring bags that you can squash to fit into the bottom of the pram/buggy the best. Used my change bag for oh 2-3 months, need to sell it on ebay, lining was black I just couldn't find anything in the bag at all. Never understand why you need to have a glamorous bags for nappies and wipes. It may be different if you are bottle feeding though, I never gave bottles so never had all the stuff that goes with that.

Everyone is different. I still have a change bag for my DS 2.5 and its invaluable. (I like to carry everything but the kitchen sink with me!)

My advice to you would be DONT worry about it now. Get your free boots changing bag and use that for a bit. Its only when you're using something that you know what YOU will need.

I've used changebags, big handbags, drawstring sports bags and I'd say it doesn't really make much difference. You'll always take what you need.
I have 2 dc's that are in nappies now so I have to cart about quite a bit.

I do prefer the drawstring type bags though over an official change bag. I am quite tall and having a change bag on the back of the pushchair means I can't get close enough to push it without bending over

I have an oioi hobo change bag and love it - I use the change mat all the time, even at home (despite having 2 full size change mats) and has been handy to lie our 5mth DS on when we have been out for a picnic with no rug to sit on. I carry nappies, nappy sacks, sudocrem, toys, one change of clothes, muslin, bibs, wipes and only essentials for me (purse, phone, keys) - not missing having a handbag at all.

The bag also comes with an insulated bottle carrier but EBF so not using at moment plus wipes case and plastic zipped bag.