Handbag advice for a soon-to-be-Mum

[Wheels79]

I'm due to give birth to my first child within four weeks and it has just occured to me that my usual smallish (always big enough for a paperback) Radley grab bags might not be the most feasible handbag in the future.

We have a pacapod changing bag (but gender neutral rather than the handbag-esque ones).

What would people recommend for a handbag? Or is the changing bag enough?

If you're always going to have the pacapod with you, then thats enough, or maybe a small cross body bag for your keys/phone etc.

TBH, I just used a large handbag with a cross body strap for my second child.

I used a variety a large hobo-style leather bags with DD1 - found them more versatile and stylish and easier to haul than a changing bag, I usually just had two ziplocs of baby stuff (a feeding kit and a nappy/wipe kit) among my regular stuff. When they started walking, I switched to tiny cross-body bags.

As madamme says if you are always going to have the changing bag with you then I think you'll be ok but might want to invest in a cross body/shoulder bag for your essentials.

When DD was small and in a pram, a changing bag was enough for me and I just shoved all my stuff in one of the pockets rather than carry another bag.

Now she is bigger, potty trained and walking, I use a regular handbag, (but have gone larger and opted for cross body strap so hands are free for carrying whiny toddler ) and got one big enough to carry an emergency pack (spare knickers, snack, wipes etc) for DD in it as well as all my tat.

I just used my changing bag. I only put purse, brush, keys and phone in there.

I have a small cross body bag for my bits and pieces and then a changing bag slung over the pram handles. I tried putting my bits in the changing bag, but got fed up of keep bending down to get them. A cross body bag is perfect.

Thanks everyone. I think a nice new Radley cross body bag is in order. Just as well I have some Christmas money from my Mum and Dad ("make sure you spend it on you not the baby").