Changing bag

[Tigger80]

I am looking to buy a changing bag but I have no idea what is going to be useful. The prices seem to vary astronomically but I'm happy to spend more if I will be needing all the extra bits and pockets etc...
I have the Bugaboo Chameleon 3 so it would need to fit over the handles but I presume that they all will.
Any advice? My baby is due next week so I haven't got a clue yet on nappy changing procedures.

Thanks very much.

Not sure if you have to have one. I've got a pacapod which suits me as I need to proper place for everything. I love mine www.pacapod.com/coromandel-106.html it was a gift would never spend that much on myself normally!

I didn't buy a proper changing bag, I just use a messenger style bag that I already had. I have a 2 year old and 7 week old.

Thanks Wishfulmakeupping, that bag is gorgeous but very expensive, it seems to have pull out separate bag/compartments. I've seen some others with that, so would you say that is useful?
And Nel1975, did you just buy a portable changing mat and carry that around or do you just use muslins?

Yes just bought a fold up changing mat (think it cost about £7 from Boots). I have breastfed both children so admittedly I don't need space for bottles, but now I can get still for in mat, nappies, wipes, and change of clothes for both, drink and snacks for 2 year old along with my own bits and pieces.

Great, thanks for your help

I got a canvas cath kidston messenger bag (ebay) which hangs over tha handles nicely.

foldy mat (ikea), wipes, nappies, spare vest and babygrow, muslin, dummy and botty cream. Theres room for a bottle or two in there too.

Am three weeks off my due date (dc2) and its packed and hanging on the buggy now. I got into the habit last time round of restocking it every evening so it was good to go as soon as we were.

I use a normal messenger bag as well, and bought loads of those to use as disposable changing mats:

www.amazon.co.uk/Abri-Cell-Disposable-Incontinence-pads-40x60cm/dp/B009L53HAK/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1412263797&sr=8-9&keywords=disposable+pads

Changing bags are a real love 'em or hate 'em thing!

Technically all you need is a bag that can hold everything you think you might need. For most people that's nappies, wipes, probably muslins and spare clothes. The benefit of a lot of changing bags is that they have a sort of waterproof material inside and a lot of different pockets which can be useful. I always felt it was occasionally stressful enough just getting out of the house so it was good to have a permanently stocked and organised changing bag!

I used my change bag as a handbag, really, for the whole time I was on mat leave, so I didn't mind paying a little bit for a nicer bag. And having everything in one place, rather shoving things into your handbag before you go out, also made it easier for other people to leave the house with the baby and everything they might need. I know some people hate the idea of a change bag and just shove a few things in their handbag before they leave the house, but personally I liked it always stocked and ready to go. Plus DP wouldn't have had anything to use.

So a messenger bag would work just as well, really, but it depends how much you want to spend. As I said, as I knew we'd be using it all the time for the better part of a year I didn't mind spending about £40 on a nicer one. I actually have a feeling we'll be digging it out of the cupboard again once potty training hits and we need to leave the house with a LOT of spare clothes! But equally you can get one like this for less than £15.

A friend of mine brought the seperate lit toe pacapods and used them in a bag she brought from monsoon which looks really nice too

I had this one from babymel and it was perfect. I bought it a few months after having DD, after coveting a friend's. Useful inside pockets, a brilliant insulated outside pocket for a bottle (or anything else you need to get to fast) and a front section for your things, like phone. Also pretty unisex, DH happily trotted about with it. And only £40

Oh should have said - it has excellent built in velcro straps for attaching to pram handle.

I saw somewhere that icandy have new bags coming out, some are leather and more fashion bags but the look really big and really trendy, like Mulberry!

Pacapods, but buy the separate pods and don't bother with the big bag!