Changing bags - recommendations?

[surreyhillsmumtobe]

I'm 35 weeks with DC1 and trying to get organised with the final bits and pieces we need to buy. A few friends have said a decent practical changing bag is essential so I was hoping for some personal recommendations on particular brands/styles that won't break the bank. I was in John Lewis the other day having a browse and was drawn to a beautiful soft grey leather changing bag, but sadly it was £250 - bit of a shock! I guess I was thinking more around the £50 mark!

Any recommendations?

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Hello, this thread is a little old and the links are out of date. Take a look at this handy page for a round-up of the best changing bags.

I loved the free Boots changing bag - right size, lots of pockets for putting items in so no rooting around in one spot and plain so DH didn't look like he was carrying a handbag.

Far more practical than the much nicer looking Radley oilskin I got :(

I really dislike changing bags - overly mumsy and usually end up full of crap. Personally, I wouldnt recommend one unless you are formula feeding and need to carry the bottles etc.

Go for one of these here

Slips into a big handbag and is lovely and easy.

Thanks Fliss - is the Boots one free when you join their Parenting Club? I've been meaning to do that for ages so thanks for the reminder, will do it now! Good point about having one that DH is prepared to be seen out with!

I went for a normal shoulder bag (from Mens Gap - meant DH would be seen carrying it too) with one of those fold-up mat things that GingerbreadLatte recommended in it.

Or, I also had one of these
here

wet bag, in medium. holds 2 or 3 nappies, wipes and small bits. Lots of nice designs too. CAn slip in large handbag :)

I would start with the Boots free one and get a sense of what you need and how you'll use it. Then you can invest in another later. I am thinking about getting one to cheer myself up about going back to work . What suits you will depend on things like do you need to carry your own stuff in it too, whether you are using a sling regularly, will you be carrying bottles, will you be carrying food when weaning, etc etc. Congratulations!

Thanks ladies - good tips. Like the look of those little compact fold-up changing mats from Jojo Maman Bebe. My regular handbag is on the small side so I think whatever happens I'll need a bigger bag to cart baby kit around in (although agree that the bigger you go you only end up carting round more crap! Not intending to bottle feed, so I guess you can travel quite light when out and about...

Agree about travelling light SurreyHillsMum. I breastfed and only ever carried a small changing mat thing and a muslin.

Whereabouts are you? I am also near the surrey hills?
:)

surreyhills It's free when you join the Parenting Club and buy a pack of Pampers or something I think, but you're going to need the nappies anyway so you may as well get the bag.

I will also add to my spectacularly cheap list of recommended items a compact changing mat from Poundworld (as expected, costs £1) - folds up to the size of about a tea towel, goes in the washing machine and it's plain. No point buying something expensive or pretty because your baby will get poo on it just the same.

The mat is this sort of thing.

Loving the bargains Flisspaps! I've bought a pack of disposable changing mats that a friend recommended, guess for the same reason of being able to travel light. Will try to get hold of the freebie from Boots for now - don't really want to get conned on an official 'changing bag' if I can help it!

I just stuck a couple of newborn nappies, a muslin and a small packet of wipes in my pocket.

Why is a decent practical changing bag essential?

oh and sometimes an extra babygrow in my other pocket, but that was it.

I never 'got' changing bags. But then, I never 'got' bags full stop.

I absolutely agree with the 'try the freebie' recommendations, because until you 'get there' you dont know what you want, and everyone is different. I cannot cope (still, and DS2 is 26 months now) unless I go out FULLY prepared for EVERY eventuality, which involves having nappies, wipes, change of clothes, hats, gloves, mini medical kit, food, drinks, crayons, disposable bibs, and so on and so forth.
I also got REALLY annoyed with my 'satchel' style bag once DS1 started running around cos I had to hang on to it when I chased after him.
For the last 3.5 years I've used a jujube packabe, which is basically a rucksack with lots of pockets, easily cleanable, and magnetic fastenings. My friends clubbed together for my birthday when DS1 was about 15 months old, and I've used it ever since.

Despite buying my wife 2 changing bags, I have to say she has converted me to the ugly old rucksack that she prefers. Nappies,wetwipes, books, toys etc in the middle, milk bottles (when we used them) in the outside pockets with netting and nappy sacks loose in an outer pocket. So much easier getting babies in and out of cars without what is effectively a satchel.

I really want one of the pink lining changing bags, they look practical. Already have a bugaboo one but found it abit annoying and too large.

My sister bought me a super-expensive changing bag as a gift and it was utterly useless. It looked lovely but it was totally impractical. I replaced it with a backpack from Ikea and that is far better.

I agree with lynnie and larry (sounds like some sort of weird pop group!!) that "satchel" type bags are awful - they swing about the place when you're trying to pick the baby up and drop off your shoulder constantly.

What do people put IN their bags though? I see big bulky bags but have never dared ask. I'm guessing for those that ff a bottle or two as well as nappies, but surely they don't take up THAT much space?

In mine there is:

4-5 nappies (as I always forget to restock, so best to have a supply)
Nappy bags
Wipes (not an eco-friendly mum by any stretch of the imagination )
A change of clothes for DS
A snack for DS
A drink for DS
My wallet
Some random bits of rubbish that I should clear out but never do.

Nappies, wetwipes, nappy sacks, children's drinks, children's toys, children's books. Then of course, various foul children's leavings (ideally in nappy sacks) when there has been nowhere to throw them away. And, finally, you might put your own drink or bottle of water in them, as well as maybe a book or newspaper for yourself if you are in an optimistic mood.

Of course, unless you are fastidious, you never know what you may find if you dig really deep?! I try to avoid it.

Oh, and bibs, when you remember.

Starlight, your pockets must be enormous. I wouldn't go out and buy a specific changing bag (dc3 here and hearned my lesson) but a nice roomy bag that you won't actually mind carting everywhere for the next year or two. I always kept mine ready to go so I could just grab it and leave without worrying if I had xyz with me. Don't bottlefeed so I didn't need a waterproof one, I mostly carried muslins (sicky babies), speare babygros (ditto) breastpads, snack and water for me, wipes and nappies. We use washables so they do take up space, and you also have to carry the old ones home (hence a pocket shoved full of nappysacks too). Also a random toy or two to whip out at desperate moments.

We've always needed a big bag, as I have yet to find nappies that can consistently contain DS's poo. So even though DS has always been bf we need to carry nappies, lots of nappy sacks and at least 2 changes of clothing for a day out.

So I agree with the wait and see plan.

I am not a whole suitcase sized full on 'changing bag' sort of person and I certainly don't carry round things for every eventuality, I got a Wallaboo changing bag and loved it - it's satchell like and good size not overly fussy. It was nice and 'wintery'. Then in summer I ditched it in favour of my Boots freebie which was ace like others have said here.
I have just 'upgraded' and got an OiOi one as a christmas gift - I'd always 'secretly' loved it and saw this as my last opportunity.. whilst I don't really see it as a changing bag.. it's just brill hanging off the buggy and a great size. I would definately go for something you love, you wont be carrying a handbag for a while and if you love the grey leather I'd somehow justify the expense !!

Just get a good sized handbag, if you are bf you won't need that much stuff. Maybe have a pvc cath kidston bag aswell for bigger days out.

Personally I loath changing bags.

I had a good one from a the old bag company that was v good as it stayed standing up on its own.