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Original poster

Is anyone so bored they want to help me find a nice changing bag?!

98 replies

firstontheway · 09/02/2009 14:48

It's the last piece of baby stuff I need to buy! (amazing how much online shopping gets done when you're on mat leave!)

I really like the cute oilily ones, but the really nice ones are all in America or about £150! I also like the pink lining bags, but refuse to carry a bag saying 'yummy mummy' on it

I need it to be really big as I already carry loads of crap essentials round with me everywhere I go, and I'm guessing a baby will only add to that?! Would like to spend no more than around £50, though maybe more if it's extra special as I'll be using it every day.

Thanks!

OP posts:
LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 09/02/2009 14:51

I have to say out of all the baby stuff I bought a changing bag was the biggest waste of money. Buy a large bag you like and then buy a travel changing mat.

soon2befamilyof4 · 09/02/2009 14:53

I always use my changing bag!

Vertbaudet do some nice ones for about £30 ish

gingerninja · 09/02/2009 14:53

[whispers] do you need one? I found a changing bag the BIGGEST waste of money. It was so enormous that I never ever carried it. I suppose it depends on whether you intend to bottle feed or bf because if you bf you really only need to carry a nappy wipes and maybe a vest. They'd all fit into a handbag. A folding changing mat though is quite useful for those places that don't have baby changing and you end up doing it on the floor.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 09/02/2009 14:57

More useful than a changing bag was an over the body bag such as this
www.fatface.com/bin/venda?ex=co_wizr-productgrid&bsref=fatface&step=shopcartmulti&invt=22699&orderco l=alphanu&layout=productdetail

which I can confirm can fit in
mobile
purse
2 diaries
ipod
2 nappies
wipes
1 baby vest
1 baby gro
travel changing mat

with room to spare.

Original poster
firstontheway · 09/02/2009 14:59

Oooo interesting... I always just aussumed you 'needed' a changing bag! Have to admit, budget wouldn't really have stretched to one usually but my mum gave us some money towards a pram and we have some left over. Plus I'm a real bag person!

Am hoping to breastfeed actually, so maybe I should just buy a nice big bag and change mat? Hmmm.

Any nice big bag suggestions?

OP posts:
LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 09/02/2009 15:00

www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?categoryParentId=3680&storeId=10052&productId =20970&callingViewName=&categoryId=5642&langId=-1&catalogId=11051
these are quite useful however.

gingerninja · 09/02/2009 15:01

I think that's a good idea. Changing bags have lots of un-necessary padding and the likes. Spend the moeny on a nice bag for yourself

ladyhelen2 · 09/02/2009 15:02

I am also on the look out for a nice one. My old one which I had with DS has seen better days. He is now 3.6yrs. I think it is worth investing in a nice one, especially one that has waterproof or wipe proof interiors. I'm going to spend my pregnancy health grant (I know should really go on healthy eating but a new bag will be good for my mental health so reckon I can justify it!) and prob go for Juju bag. They are around the £70 mark but I love the fact they have loads of compartments. Google Juju changing bags and have a look.

Original poster
firstontheway · 09/02/2009 15:03

Wow Libra, that bag looks tiny! Does it really fit all that stuff in it?! Thanks for the link to pram clips, they look really useful

OP posts:
hobbgoblin · 09/02/2009 15:03

I had a 'changing bag' smaller than my current handbag. They are ultra unnecessary ime. To me changing bags go hand in hand with post maternity trousers - the sooner you can avoid having them, the better you can avoid having them at all, the more human you feel.

fillybuster · 09/02/2009 15:09

I love my changing bag - I've got a lovely bright OiOi one which cost £50 when I had ds 3.5 years ago and is still going strong now. But then I like to have something ready packed with nappies, wet wipes, change of clothes, changing mat, raisin (ds1), colouring pens/paper (likewise!), ella's kitchen emergency meal (dd), bibs, handwash stuff, spare pants, muslin etc etc all packed up and ready to go so I never have to faff about when I'm going out I sometimes take my handbag, with just an emergeny happy, change mat and wet wipes, but only if I'm only going out for an hour or so. But I did choose something with the same case I normally spend on a handbag, and it makes me happy in exactly the same way my nicer handbags do - so I'd agree that if you can find a 'normal' bag that's big enough and you don't mind leaving ready packed, that you probably don't need an official changing bag. Although having loads of internal pockets is very very useful!!

fillybuster · 09/02/2009 15:10

Ahem. 'Emergency nappy', clearly. Although an 'emergeny happy' could be useful.

Marthasmama · 09/02/2009 15:14

How about this? It doesn't have yummy mummy on it. I've got the buses version and I can fit.....5 nappies, a packet of wipes, nappy bags, a muslin, change of clothes for a 4 month old and my wallet. That's in addition to all the bits that come with the bag.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 09/02/2009 15:18

firstontheway - yes it can fit in all that, when DS was just born and was in the sling I didn't want to trawl round a huge changing bag so just used that. It also has nappy bags and keys in it

I do have a changing bag because I bought one before he was born but only use it if I am using the pushchair (it's a Skip Hop).

How much do you actually have to spend?

Original poster
firstontheway · 09/02/2009 15:24

marthasmum... that's the type I was looking at originally, still think it's really pretty. And this one.
But have just heard the pink lining bags are really small inside? It's annoying that so few places stock them so you can't look at them in person!

I have about £50 ish to spend left over from my mum's gift money! I thought this one was lovely, but has gone up to more than I'd want to spend now on a second hand bag

OP posts:
LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 09/02/2009 15:26

Thing is I look at those changing bags from pink lining and want to ask would you really and truly buy that as a handbag?
If not, why would you carry it as a changing bag?

Original poster
firstontheway · 09/02/2009 15:31

Well.... no

But I thought changing bags were essential! And to be fair, they're the nicest of the lot. I prefer bags to be a bit cute and colourful as I have such drab taste in clothes!

OP posts:
Marthasmama · 09/02/2009 15:36

I would have a handbag like that!
But then I have a handbag in the shape of a watering can!

I can fit quite a bit of stuff in the messenger style bag. I can't honestly think what else I would need to take out with me. In addition to the bits I listed, I can fit a pram suit in, at a push! I love my changing bag.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 09/02/2009 15:45

Fair enough, I find Pink Lining a little cutesy and twee for my tastes but each to their own!
If I had the money I would buy this:
www.happybags.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=TOT-alexb-soph-blk&cat=96

Umlellala · 09/02/2009 15:49

I have never bothered with a changing bag. Though I am one of those people who has to make a nappy out of a napkin cos they have forgotten one... I just use whatever bag is around (those freebie magazine ones are good in the summer) if taking cups/food/etc etc or just chuck it in my normal handbag if not (have two dc now, can fit spare pants and leggings for dd too - though am bfing which saves space

Love the fatface one. Am searching for an over-the-body/cross body one that is 'just right' at the moment...

ladyhelen2 · 09/02/2009 15:50

What a fab web site Happybags is! And yes that one you picked Libra is bloody gorgeous!

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 09/02/2009 15:50

oh here is the pink lining one you like reduced!
www.happybags.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=08AW325&cat=90

Original poster
firstontheway · 09/02/2009 15:54

Libra, that's gorgeous, but WAY out of budget!

Am thinking topshop might have something similar in store. Looks like I might have to venture out of the house

OP posts:
ladyhelen2 · 09/02/2009 15:55

Have now changed my mind. The Storksak Emily in Pewter is top of my list now. Lovely.

Umlellala · 09/02/2009 15:56

PS forgot to say, a bag you can sling in the washing machine is very useful!

(PPS is still an excuse to buy a new bag... go and look on accessorize!)