Changing bag - really necessary??

[BananaMuffin]

I'm 35 +1 and have just been looking at changing bags online. They just look like fairly normal bags to me - is the whole concept made up just to make money from the baby industry?!! I really don't know whether I'm going to need one, or whether my own larger handbags will do the job. Please let me know if I'm missing something!

Like a lot of others we got the Boots one free, tbh the best thing in it, and the only thing you will need is a portable, wipable change mat, even if you sack of the rest of it keep that and just put it in a big bag that you like. I have done a knee change but it is a skill, and requires a compliant child.

We also found a small net bag with draw strings (like you get for washing your underwear in) really helpful to hold clothes (spare clean or the code brown ones).

Whatever you get make sure that it washes well, it will also end up as your handbag so separate compartments and zip fastenings help.

It's useful to have a bag with a strap long enough to go around pushchair handles. I had Boots one then a Mothercare one new for £10 off ebay. I'm glad I did it. You don't have to spend much.

Boots one is a bit small IMO.

I have never managed a knee change despite many attempts, but then DS has always been mega-wriggly!

looblee - what on earth were you looking at for £180???

I had a Storksak when I had DS, and I have to say that I wouldn't have been without it. We use cloth nappies though so they are bulkier and there is no way I could have fitted enough for even a short trip out into one of my handbags.
I always kept it packed and ready so that I didn't need to run round grabbing things before heading out of the door - and then when I was out without DS my handbag was just my handbag and no wipes or nappycream coming bursting out.
IME you need it even more once you are weaning and need bibs, spoon, finger foods, 3 changes of clothes.

I am expecting DC2 in March and a new changing bag is on my Christmas list

I used the free boots bag and my main tip would be to put something on it to distinguish it from other people's as quite a few people use them.

DS goes to a child minder so the change bag goes with him every day. In it the CM/I keep the following:

2 x washable nappies
2 x disposable nappies
dirty nappy bag for washables
nappy bags for disposables
rubber gloves
spare top
spare trousers
cloths for face wiping
Wet wipes
A little bottle of antiseptic spray that was in one of the bounty packs and is occastionally used if we're out and about and a cafe table looks grim

It also regularly contains red elastic bands that the post man has dropped and DS found, conkers and a couple of toy cars...

From the beginnng i got in the habit of checking the change bag every evening and making sure that it was topped up so that the next day I could just grab and go without thinking about it.

Free Boots one came with wipeable foldable mat and did me for ages - large pockets were great!!!

We have never had an official one. And don't think it would be my first "treat" on my list. We used a rucksack which worked better for us as very unisex and dh never minded carrying it. Some people like the number of pockets in changing bags, but I know I'm never going to be organised enough to put things back in exactly the right place. Have now moved to a nice Cath Kidston make up bag I was given which is big enough for nappies wipes and bags and just goes in whatever bag I've got for the day, or under push chair. But some people love one and find it a real baby treat and would be lost without theirs.

I had an OiOi one for DC1 which I used a lot, until it got really wet and stained. I also used a mamas and papas rucksack - until it got wet and stained....for DC2 I used a cheap and cheerful canvas messanger bag from TXMaxx which was just as effective, but I added a change mat.

Whatever you go for, it does need a long handle. It helps if it is something that DP will occasionally use (out goes the Cath Kidston ones). I have never been able to stomach public changing tables for new babies, so my own change mat and antiseptic spray helped me manage (I know - issues...). For toddlers it was fine, but by then the change mat had seen better days anyway!

This time I have gone for a change bag, that looks like a decent handbag. I found that the last change bag was also my handbag for 2 yrs. But I have only got it because we have all the other baby kit from before. Otherwise it would be too much of a luxury!

I don't use one and I use terry nappies ! People take far too much clobber out with them, these changing bags with a trillion compartments simply encourages people to cart the kitchen sink around.
I can fit my "changing kit" into my handbag which is a small shoulder bag - I take some cotton wool, nappy sacks, nappy liners and some water in a spray bottle (this fits in a lanisoh milk bag), a spare nappy, a small disposable bib, a muslin, a biscuit and a weaning spoon. All items have been selected for taking up as little room as possible. I will take this if I am out for under 2 hours. My "long trip" bag is a bit larger and has a couple of small toys, a sunhat and a clean sleepsuit in addition to the above.
I use a sling and don't have a pushchair; I have made it my business to travel as light as possible :)

You don't need a changing mat. A simple piece of light fabric will save your baby's delicate bottom - we don't have a "portable" changing mat and I have changed her in all sorts of places from a stone floor, the car boot to the grassy bit on our allotment.

FYI my entire changing kit (using terry nappies and reusable wipes) fits in a large tesco food bag. I'm very good at packing

and i am another one that repacks the change bag every time i take it out - then you can just grab and go when you want to go out

fibilou - I'm with you on this. The change bag is always ready (yes, with everything including the kitchen sink in), and it goes with DD wherever she goes, so she always has everything she needs regardless of who's taken her out.

I also means I get to keep my nice handbags for me!