changing bags that aren't

[megarobotdiscoparty]

Have been looking at changing bags, but finding the ones marketed as such are mostly very expensive (and not always things of great beauty). If I was to buy a normal large handbag instead, what kind of things should I be looking for to make it work as a changing bag? Got as far as wipe clean and lots of pockets....

Also interested to know what other people use and what's good or bad about theirs?

[polkadotsrock]

Another shout for yummy mummy, got mine at a baby show so a bit cheaper. It's possibly 40% of the reason I'm pregnant again, I can't bear the thought of not getting to use it anymore as ds is getting older!!

[NotSoNervous]

I have a yummy mummy one and there brilliant

[rrreow]

Just get a separate travel changing mat and stick it in any bag you like. I think I got one for about £8 from Babies 'r' Us, when folded up it's about 25x20x3cm and when you fold it out it has a pocket at the end where you could put a couple of nappies (disposables) and a thin packet of wipes.

It's handy for a bag to have several pockets (stuff tends to just get missing in a big bag with only one pocket) so you can section things off (clothes, food, bottle/sippy cup, toys, your own stuff)

[Wishfulmakeupping]

www.pacapod.com/changing-bag-designer-leather-unisex-coromandel.html working link

[Wishfulmakeupping]

I have this one www.pacapod.com/changing-bag-designer-leather-unisex-coromandel.html it is fab :)

[moanymandy]

Wishfulmakeupping - I have just googled pacapod, I'm in love!!

[CareerGirl01]

I'm getting a 17 inch neon satchel as a birthday/Christmas present and using the Boots freebie as an insert-which can be taken out and used by DH,DM. I haven't bought a handbag for five years! So spending money on an overpriced nappy bag felt like a waste.

[dizzy77]

We gave up on the changing bag at about 8mo and now carry this sort of thing in a normal 20l rucksack i hang on thr back of the pushchair mostly (oh, and DH has his own so he is responsible for supplies if he takes DS out).

These folding mats are imperfect: there is only enough room for "emergency" amounts of nappies & wipes so tend to carry those separately, change of clothes in a freezer bag etc as suggested by pp. We did salvage an insulated bottle carrier from the old bag but presumably the sort sold with the picnic bags in Robert Dyas etc wd be fine.

[Bananasinfadedpjs]

I use a washbag with a couple of nappies, wipes and nappy sacks and hand sanitiser, and a very small cloth drawstring bag with a change of clothes in. Then I just put them straight under the pushchair, or in whatever bag I am taking, if we are going on a day out. I don't carry a changing mat - when DD was smaller I used to carry an old hand-towel for changing her on, now she can walk I usually tend to change just her standing up.

I have a small, seperate coolbag that I hang over the pushchair handle for drinks and snacks, I find it much easier to have it easily to hand rather than rooting about in a big bag.

I have used changing bags in the past - but I just found them a bit bulky and a faff, and because they were so big, I found I was hauling round loads of crap that I didn't need because I hadn't emptied it since the last occasion.

[Twinklestarstwinklestars]

I have a mamas and papas one as I'm a childminder and one of my mindees mums had one and its great as it has separate compartments, saw it half price in an outlet shop and couldn't resist!

[Jojobump1986]

I use my old school bag! I knew there was a reason for hoarding every bag I've ever bought! It's a satchel bag with no pockets other than a tiny zip pocket in the back. It's wipe-clean on the outside & we bought the little Johnson's changing bag thingy to go in it which has a mini changing mat & holds our nappies & wipes. It's served us well thus far but DS2 is due in June & I'm a little concerned we might need something bigger for 2 under 2!

[YummyMummy17]

I bought my sister a Yummy Mummy bag from John Lewis, £80 but is beautiful! Very fashionable and has all the storage you need...

Just found out I'm 11+1 wks so will be looking forward to getting it when I'm due! :)

[EsmereldaPB]

I've had this bag in a couple of different patters

[RuckAndRoll]

Yep, boots still do the changing bag. You have to register with the baby club, then buy a pack of nappies, then the bag is free.

[patchesmcp]

Do Boots still do the free change bag if you register with them? Might be worth looking into.

Other than that, something BIG - you carry a lot of stuff around with you for a baby! You'll also need a change mat, although I guess you could use a large muslin instead if you wanted.

I got mine as a present and one of the things I like about it is that it has straps to fit it onto the pushchair handle so it doesn't hang down low and I don't have to carry it.

[Wishfulmakeupping]

I have a pacapod it's fab I need to be organised and it does the job

[noblegiraffe]

I've got a standard changing bag with pockets and a changing mat, which I put in the bottom of the pushchair or keep in the car. But mostly when I'm out and about I just take a large handbag in which I have a packet of wipes, 2 muslins, a babygro and vest, a few nappies and a few nappy bags (which can hold pooey clothes in an emergency). I breastfeed so I don't need any bottles. I have used a muslin as a changing mat if necessary.

[ObiWankenYoni]

I've got a lovely Satchel from Boden

Fabulous bag, and wipe clean outside.

[NotSoNervous]

I have a changing bag an I find all the pockets in my useful. If you bottle feed then insulated bottle bags would be useful. A small changing mat. An extra small water proof bag that you can put any clothes ect in that he wet and messy

[RuckAndRoll]

I was told it didn't even need lots of pockets, just use lots of the re-sealable freezer bags to keep things separate.

We just bought an over the shoulder laptop style bag which is waterproof (essential living in Scotland) and will use freezer bags as required to section stuff.

But I'm yet to see if that works as DC1 isn't due until August!

[forevergreek]

Get a melo baby, and use in any bag you fancy.