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Original poster

baby changing bag

29 replies

June2009 · 21/11/2009 10:35

The bag I got for free with the pram is starting to break.
I know I could get the free one from boots parenting club but it doesn't seem to have had great reviews and I'd like something fairly strong with a comfortable strap.
Any recommendations? It is for everyday use and I have to carry it on my shoulder as the pram has no bag holder whatsoever unfortunately.. maybe I should just get another pram that comes with a holder and another free bag ;)
Also, when do we need these until? dd is 5 months old now.

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Pingpong · 21/11/2009 10:43

I love my skip hop duo. I got it in Boots for £25 but used my advantage points so 'free' although online they seem to be about twice that. My first bag was cheap and came apart really quickly. The skip hop is really durable and hardwearing with lots of pockets for stashing things. DD is almost 20m and I'm pregnant again so I can see I'll be using it for ages.
I don't know what sort of buggy you have but the Skip Hop clips onto my Phil and Ted and will clip to my Zapp although because of the tipping over thing you really aren't supposed to.
I didn't claim my Boots bag but I've seen lots of people using them so maybe it is worth tryin it out?

Original poster
June2009 · 21/11/2009 11:02

Thanks I'll have a look, is it quite roomy inside?
Please really watch out with the zapp, I have a quiny zapp and it did tipped over even though all I'd put over the handles was my tiny empty handbag (and I had been doing it for ages and it felt safe), luckily baby was well strapped in her maxi cosi and the bar was up. very scary though.

OP posts:
WelliesAndPyjamas · 21/11/2009 11:29

your alternative is to treat yourself to a really nice roomy handbag and pop all your bits in there when you go out. Size depends on how much you need to carry and how long you go out for at a time. My baby is 8 months old now and I carry a nappy kit in a smaller wetproof bag inside my handbag (includes 2 nappies, mat, small pack wipes, small bag of nappy bags). I also carry a seethrough pencil case (35p in asda) which carries all those bitty things that you feel you need to carry when you have two kids but rarely need () like nappy cream, sachet of calpol, witch hazel cream, plasters, small pot of vaseline, mini tube of mascara (ok, that's for me!), lipstick (also for me!), lip balm (you see the trend now), etc etc - so much in there I can't remember but handy all the same! Then I have a long pencil case with compartments (also an asda bargain) that holds my cheques book, stamps, pen, and all that stuff. Purse, diary, and hairbrush then go in loose. Sounds messy but actually it is pleasingly ordered for the first time in my life and I didn't need nappy bag compartments to help me out! If I need to take snacks for baby they go in a tub. I BF so don't need to take bottle but I know you can get insulated bottle carriers (in nice designs too).

In any case, it is a great excuse to get on ebay and browse for a bag you love .

WelliesAndPyjamas · 21/11/2009 11:30

the boots bag is a bit on the small side imo

Chunkamatic · 21/11/2009 11:42

I also have a skip hop duo - although I dont love it (the velcro fastening is not too good on the main compartment imo) I do think it is probably one of the best designs on the market. It is not fancy, just practical and the option to take off the main strap does mean you can pretty much use it on any pushchair (I have an Xplory and the handlebar is impossible to hang anything from apart from the Skip Hop).

So I would say if it's definately a nappy bag that you need then go for a Skip Hop, if you can manage without then I would second the idea of a really nice messenger style handbag that you will use past the need for a nappy bag.

I have told DP that I need a mulberry tote for the next baby's nappy bag. Surprise surprise he told me to dream on!

ErnestTheBavarian · 21/11/2009 11:46

I recently got a debra clare bag. It doubles up as a baby carrier for short hops, eg ideal for airport or popping to shops, it's big, comfy, well made, lots of pockets etc

debraclare.com

PavlovtheForgetfulCat · 21/11/2009 11:48

i got an animal bag, cheaper than a real nappy bag, and much better designed

BikeRunSki · 21/11/2009 11:49

I have one of these caboodle active, and love it. It is great if you walk a lot, but not fabulous looking. Just the right size for me. DS is 14 months, and I have had it since he was about 4 months old.

mommymeggie · 21/11/2009 12:52

Here is a website where I found my changing bag. They have a great range and are very good with payment and delivery....I received mine the next day after i ordered it. Here is the link

victoriascrumptious · 21/11/2009 15:52

I just got a backpack like this:
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_111634_1095194_-1?CMP=OTC-GOOGLEPS

It's lasted three years without a tearing so far. The second you call something a 'baby changing bag' the price increases. Plus the advantage of a gender neutral bag like the above is that your dp will by happy to carry it around too.

PoppyIsApain · 21/11/2009 15:58

I had a Graco travel system that came with a changing bag, big, strong and midnight blue so dh dared use it. I got fed up with it in the end and got a large handbag

stubbornstains · 21/11/2009 16:01

W&P you are a colossus of organisation. Blimey.

I got one of the freebie Boots bags, only to be told by my smugzilla pregnant neighbour that the handles always come off all the time, and, personally, she's got her eye on the perfect changing bag- a snip at £70!(she works part time at the local Spar).

Is it any surprise I hide when I see her coming?

stubbornstains · 21/11/2009 16:03

I will probably end up with a LIDL carrier bag- more my style...

Scorps · 21/11/2009 16:08

I have a pink lining bag - look at pinklining.com.

aristocat · 21/11/2009 16:09

good excuse to get your self a nice roomy handbag

sunangel88 · 21/11/2009 16:14

Have just bought myself a moop market bag. What decided me was that it's washable... too many articles about bags having more bacteria than toilets!

Tryingtobeorganisedthisyear · 21/11/2009 16:41

I can' believe the price of some of these...

Get yourself into town and buy a massive handbag....

LackingNicknameInspiration · 21/11/2009 18:28

I second the caboodle active - have just bought one with DC2 imminent having had a change bag that came with my silver cross travel system for the past two years (expect to use change bag for a while - still use mine, slightly less so at the moment, but suspect that it would get used more even without DC2 once potty training begins and spare clothes are needed again!). That was fine, but DD knows now that snacks lurk within, so is always trying to get in to help herself - so I wanted something with a zip, that wouldn't fall off when attempting to wrestle tantrumming toddler, that's easy to find things in, and isn't massively heavy - and doesn't HAVE to hang off pushchair. Really pleased with it.

bigpreggybelly · 21/11/2009 20:35

I don't think it matters what type of bag you use, but you're not supposed to clip it on to the buggy handles because they can tip backwards (plus it invalidates the buggy warranty apparently). Have you no storage underneath??

carrielou2007 · 21/11/2009 20:47

The skip hop due deluxe that clip on rather than a long strap I bought a brand new one from an ebay shop that is exacty te same but without the skip hop label and it was 20!! I even took it into Mothercare to compare so good price.

I also use the 'animal' brand messenger bags, just the right amount of pockets for all your bits and pieces. I have bought a new pink lining bag though, each to their own, I like them and insted of buying a new Radley spent it on this .

I did get one of the Boots free ones but not my cup of tea.

Pingpong · 21/11/2009 21:39

I really don't like the caboodle style ones - I know they are really good for your back but you have to take the whole thing off just to answer your mobile or get some change from your purse.
P+T or any big sturdy 3 wheeler can easily take a change bag strapped on to it.
I still hang things off the zapp I just don't let it go then it won't tip over.
I'm sorry ladies who have them but I think the pink lining bags are the most gruesome change bag I've ever seen!

preggersplayspop · 21/11/2009 21:47

I had a skip hop which was ok, but I could never find anything in it which did my head in after a while.

I have a large over the shoulder messenger type bag with a plastic bag in it with all the baby type things - nappies wipes etc. The rest of the bag is large enough to shove in copious amounts of snacks, bottles of water etc etc. I don't think you need a specific 'baby change' bag as such, just another marketing ploy I reckon. I just hook mine over the back of the handles of my buggy, or if have other shopping can fling it over my shoulder and its v comfy to carry.

madmissy · 21/11/2009 21:55

for ultimate in organization check out the ju-ju bags

whensmydayoff · 23/11/2009 08:37

I spent a fortune on an all singing all dancing bag last time and found a simple black ruck sack that was sooooo much easier to cart about.

lucy101 · 23/11/2009 09:36

One of the best tips I read on here is to get your DP to buy you as a gift really fab big handbag that you would want anyway (but might not treat yourself to) and would use afterwards, then put a couple of clear ziplock bags in with all the baby bits and pieces. Am going to see whether I can pull this off!