Handbag instead of changing bag (toddler)

[KittyB52]

I have been using my Mothercare changing bag (bought in a sale) since DD was born. She is now 2 and I am fed up with carrying two bags round and want a bag that I can use for all the things.

I am guessing it’s going to be a rucksack, as other shoulder bags that seem big enough look like massive beach bags. Or they have a magnetic clasp rather than a zip fastening.

Any recs for a cheap (under £50) bag please? I am short so ideally would like one that doesn’t swamp me.

And I would prefer not to use Amazon, but am happy to buy online. moon on a stick too please

This: www.johnlewis.com/kin-sia-foldover-backpack/grey/p3539429
It's £55, but it's so nice. My friend has it for work in the navy. It's not huge but would definitely fit a couple of nappies and wipes for a toddler and your stuff as well. She's petite and it doesn't swamp her. And it or really doesn't look like a changing bag which is nice.
Alternatively, my approach was to let my 3 year old choose her own obnoxiously pink and glittery mini backpack in tk maxx and now she carries the changing kit. It's awesome. I've reverted to a small handbag.

And when I say 3 year old, I mean 2 year old! She was under 2.5 at the time.

I just got a large handbag with a shoulder strap and a double zip. One side was mine, one side had 4 nappies and change if outfit, plus a couple of treats for emergencies and juice cartons.
I kept spares in the car.. .

Depends what you're carting around. If she's 2 it might not be too long before you potty train?

We use a plain rucksack, I think it's much better than a one-strap thing because it doesn't fall down on the toddler's head when you're out walking!

Also had one of these www.skiphop.com/skiphop-on-the-go/VC_202205.html to contain nappy things and had set meal/snack times so we didn't always have to cart snacks, it reduced what we had to cart around a lot.

Post potty training we can go out with just a spare pair of pants and trousers and a potette portable potty thing. Sometimes not even that

Expecting DC2 soon and not looking forward to having to start carrying a whole bunch of stuff again.

when I had my toddler I tended to use a rucksack too - I actually got a really nice maroon leather lookalike one but with suede too from Urban Outfitters which worked really well, smart enough for work at the time but could cope with toddlers things too.

Had two pockets on inside and outside, could've done with more but was firm so easy to stack things in e.g. nappies etc.

I like HumpHumpWhales idea of a sparkly kids size rucksack for carrying changing stuff.

I never used a nappy bag, I had a big Maxmara satchel that fitted everything in. You don't need that much space surely?

I do have a tiny rucksack (which comes with reins sharp intake of breath) for DD so she could use that for her bits and pieces. She is a big fan of food, so I am wary of allowing her full access to all the snacks at once.

Yes, potty training won’t be too far off, although I’d have thought that would still require a change of clothes for the time being (as well as a wet bag for any clothes in case of accidents).

HumpHumpWhale I love that John Lewis bag. In grey or navy. It would do for work as well. Lovely.

mummy2017 I have been looking for something like that.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I suspect part of the problem is I carry a fair amount of junk myself - asthma inhalers, power block for phone (for work), etc. etc. Maybe I need to start travelling lighter.

@HumpHumpWhale I've just ordered that JL bag with some vouchers I had, thank you for the link! (I don't have a toddler, but my dc still seem to have lots of junk that I am expected to carry around )

ILikeYourHairyHands - I have deep envy of your Maxmara satchel! I used to have the odd top from there - too expensive generally for me otherwise!

My favourite designers when I did have a lot of spare money were always Italian though - Joseph, MaxMara, Alberta Ferretti (and Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti), Miu Miu and Prada LOL! Never really got on with French or German designers...