Changing Bags...necessary?

[MrsC2010]

Hello all,

I'm trying to debate whether or not I need a specific 'changing bag' per se? I am thinking of perhaps getting a folding changing mat etc and using that in a normal large handbag. All of this stuff could also go in DH's backpack if he is out with us etc.

Is this feasible or am I being unreasonable? It just appears that changing bags are very expensive comapred to normal bags (I know they are laminated etc and would make sure whatever I had was cleanable.) I don't object to getting one if they are genuinely the best way to do things. I know there is a lot to carry around etc.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

I never had one.

I think they're a rip off. We just put a small supply of everything in a plastic bag - mostly because I didn't want to carry round more than one bag. An old wash bag would work well too.

We just bought a canvas beach bag and used that.
Roomy and can be re-used as a normal bag again when no longer needed to carry baby supplies

you don't need one at all. i actually have a tiny cheapo changing mat velcros up that can contain 2-3 nappies and some wipes/bags and i stick it in whatever bag in am using. if you are breastfeeding hardly anything to carry around - nappy, wipes, clean vest and muslin.

Boots parenting club do one which you get free with a pack of nappies... Not terribly attractive, but does the job...

Total rip off. A mat and a rucksack is all you need. We had a folding mat that could hold a couple of nappies and some wipes. Great advantage being that if you were only going out for a couple of hours, you could just take that (until they got to the age for sippy cups, snacks, books, blah blah blah).

I bought a gorgeous large leather hobo, a travel changing mat and shoved in wipes and nappies....

Absolutely NO need to buy an expensive changing bag, it's ridiculous. I loved just carrying a normal bag around for DD...

Brilliant, thanks for the opinions! I was hoping you'd say that...

Treated myself to a lovely large handbag and everything goes in there with a folding mat. Works well!

Definately a rip off and not that easy to carry about if you have to fold up your buggy/ decide to carry baby in a sling etc.

I am currently using a large pink rucksack. I have also used a large handbag but I find with 3 DSes I like to have my hands free!

I just bought a large handbag. However, when choosing one, it would be helpful to have a couple of compartments inside. Mine didn't, but when I treat myself to another one this time round (cat has p**sed on my old one - again) I will look for one that does, rather than everything shoved into the middle of the bag. And a small inside pocket with zip is good for your keys/phone/money, which most bags have. Oh, and mine had a couple of outside pockets too which were great for quick access to a dummies or snacks as baby grew up.

whatever you have make sure you can hang it on your pushchair as it's a right pain in the arse having to carry a bag and have a buggy to push. (we have a Phil & Teds so whatever bag i use has to have a very long strap to go over the handle)

If you do get one, keep it fairly small and make sure it fits in the basket under your buggy. We got a cheap one in John Lewis in the sale for £19. It had a changing mat inside and a transparent wallet that can hold a muslin, two nappies, a pack of wipes and a pack of nappy sacks. Those two items were worth the £19 alone. I shove them under the pram when we go out as my 8 weeks old DS rarely neds anything more than that. I have the bag still for when he's older and I need to cart toys, clean clothes and baby food around. But as a newborn they really have very few needs. Especially if you're breastfeeding.

Usually you're just going out for walks or to the shops, so how much stuff do you need?

I've been looking for a washable bag, just assuming it would be really handy to have something I could chuck in the washing machine -

But I've found nothing so far. Has anyone else had any luck? I guess a normal rucksack would do the job - or a shopper. I wouldn't mind something with a few compartments, though...

That was my thought, I'm hoping to breastfeed so I'm trying to keep my list of things to cart around to a minimum and couldn't think of what I would need! As a rule if I go out for the day I can sort stuff out without a new bag I suspect!

Being my first I'm trying not to go too crazy on all of the different things I could spend my money on!

Barkfox, yes I'm planning on getting/digging out a backpack for use on long walks, days at the beach etc, other than that perhaps one of those oilcloth style shoppers?

I just bunged everything in the basket under the pram.

This time I've also bought a very large oilcloth toiletry bag, which will fit wipes, muslin, nappies and a change of clothes in a couple of compartments. To bung in my usual handbag or under said pram or in the car etc. Cost me £12.
(I use a muslin as a changing mat)

I bought a nice rucksack from Kipling (which was more expensive than it needed to be, but it looks nice): it can be put in the wash (it is canvas), is reasonably water-resistant, has good compartments and is very roomy for not being too big. A bit of a pain with my big pram, as I needed to get a velcro tab to hook it onto the handlebars, but with the foldy pram the back straps just went over the handles.

The front compartment has changing things - mat, nappies, wipes, cream, antiseptic handwash. The back (larger) compartment is for wallet, keys, drink, biscuits, etc.

The rucksack style has spared my back (I had to stop using the messenger-style bag that came with the Pampers- and it wasn't that big, either) as my bag was getting strained. Also messenger bags tend to swing forward and tangle with what you're doing!

I have a very active boy, so am the mother charging about the park with everything she needs right on her back!

BTW, I have found that buying (new or 2nd hand, doesn't matter) changing mat liners is a decent alternative to a changing mat for a changing bag. They are long enough for a littlun, absorbent (terry on one side) and water-proof on the other side (some sort of nylon/plastic). They roll up small and can be washed. I think they are 2 for £7 at John Lewis.

My lovely sister in law treated me to a Tiny Tilla change bag, very girly looking, lots of compartments, I unashamedly love it.

Don't really need it for most trips as dd is only 7 weeks old, but take it when I'm going out for the day and leave it in back of car etc.

Don't bother. I simply used a carrier bag on the pushchair for the first 6 months. Once I started having pots of food and spoons and bibs etc I thought a bag would be useful and got an award winning Baba Bing one with various compartments and mat etc.

Useless. I've never used a portable change mat anyway, the nappy section couldn't fit washable nappies in, the other sections couldn't fit my shapes of food pots, and I gave up. Carrier bag under the buggy and various ziploc bags work so much better. Plus a ITNG backpack with ds's clothes - I can check what items need replacing and always be able to leave the house in an instant.

Could do with a yummy mummy handbag though...

I bought a folding changing mat that has pockets to hold a couple of nappies and a travel pack (or refilled plastic box) of wipes - I just put that in whatever bag I am taking. Mine was from Jojo and cost about £10 (that was nearly 7 years ago for DD1) - I think they still do them and OiOi make funky trendy ones at about £20

I had a free changing bag with the pram we bought and used it everyday until I got a bit bored of it.

I then bought a Radley over the shoulder baby changing bag. (I know it sounds ott but it was £65 in the sale which was less than a lot of the other changing bags I was klooking at and it is lovely.) and my pram does not have a basket so i needed something that I could carry easily but and didn't like the idea of a rucksack.
I use it everyday and it comes with me everywhere we go.
I dared once to go to town without it, the baby did a huge poo and I had to stop at mothercare to change her and buy some vests and a change of clothes and wipes etc as the poo had come through her clothes!!)

What I like about this changing bag and that plastic or carrier bags don't have is that I can close it with the zip, it has two side pockets that can fit a bottle and a readymix carton, pouches spoons, dummies.
it has zips on the sides also where I can fit plastic bags for nappies changes a nd random receipts. It's also got two pockets at the front with special easy reach zippable pouches where I can put the "practical and medicine" stuff like nappy rash cream, moisturiser, scissors, money and credit cards.
inside it has a main compartment for nappies mat change of clothes and two inside zips for bib and bits and bobs.

I don't carry another bag.

boots give you one for free if you sign up to parenting club.

Hi, does anyone know an Avon lady! My Mum has just ordered me the big Antler bag that is on offer this month, the idea is to use it as a baby changing bag. Its pink and looks really roomy and nice. Ill let you all know if its any good when it arrives. Only 10 quid if you order a tenner worth of stuff, rrp49.00.

Don't don't don't buy one yet!
Use the free one from Boots and see if you'll actually use a specific changing bag, and then buy one when the free one falls apart (fairly soon IME!) if you think you want one.

I used the fold up changing mat, but after a while, I just carried it around in my usual rucksack (I'm not really a handbag person, and tend to walk everywhere). This fits under my pram, has lots of compartments, and is better for my back. AND it has enough space for my stuff!