Best changing bag

[peachypetite]

Hi all. Starting to think about what I need for new baby later this year.
Would you say a backpack is better than a one shoulder? Any recommendations?

[Carbis]

I’m watching with interest. I’m looking for a backpack as think they are more practical than a shoulder back, even though they don’t look as nice.

I keep seeing adverts for the Kaos one but I can’t justify spending over £100 on a changing bag!

[mynameiscalypso]

I'll be the first to say it; you don't need a changing bag (unless you really want one). I have a plastic pouch with nappies/nappy bags/wipes in and a foldable changing mat and just pop that in the bottom of the pram or whatever bag I'm using. We bought an expensive one which we've used about three times (DS is nearly a year).

[Ginfilledcats]

I love my babymel back pack. The strap easily changes to a shoulder strap if you want. Look at the babymel on YouTube. There's loads of different variances/patterns

[Magicbabywaves]

I had a changing bag for number one (got three), but found it an annoying faff and ended up shoving a plastic bag with a few nappies, wipes and change of clothes under the pushchair. Now (youngest is 22 months), I keep a couple of nappies and wipes in my rucksack. I think they’re one of those things that can be handy, but is an expensive potential waste. I wouldn’t have taken my advice as I wanted a nice change bag!
If you do get one consider the material as somethings they have to go on a dirty floor.

[Magicbabywaves]

mynameiscalypso has beaten me to it.

[glasshalfsomething]

As above; if you need a new bag, just buy a decent rucksack. Something you can use when your children are older for picnics/swimming/hand luggage.

You definitely pay a premium for changing rucksacks that’s isn’t justified.

[peachypetite]

My handbags are mainly designer so deffo need something new.

[dariasredbolero]

I would disagree, I had a standard rucksack with no internal compartments and it was a total pain trying to find what I needed. And it didn't go on the handlebars and it was annoying having to take it off every time I wanted something.

When baby was small it wasn't a case of a couple of nappies, wipes and a travel changing mat - it was several nappies, wipes, mat, bum cream, 2 muslins, a drink and maybe snack for me (coffee/water), spare dummies, change of clothes, a toy/teether, hand sanitiser, spare breast pads, purse keys any other essential adult stuff blah blah etc.

Then when a bit older food pouches, spoons, bib(s), bottles.

Even now (21mo) it's food, water, change of clothes (likes puddles), sun hat, sun cream, as well as the nappies etc.

One of my friends had an amazing rucksack with tons of interior organisation and I was so envious. Another had several pouches (changing pouch, parent pouch, misc pouch).

I would consider the Skip Hop Forma next time. Bit expensive. Amazon has loads of knock off versions, that's what my friend had. The label said 'LAND'. It attaching to the buggy handlebar is so useful.

[Parker231]

A rucksack is ideal. Don’t buy a bag marketed as a baby changing bag as you’ll pay a premium and it’s no better. Practicality is more important than brand.

[alwaystiredalwaysgrumpy]

Tiba and marl backpack ones are fantastic. Stylish and practical and DH doesn't feel out of place using it.

[CeibaTree]

We used a Joules 'coast' backpack. It is a regular (as in not specifically a changing) bag, but has lots of internal pockets and two side pockets too. We started off using a Storksak handbag style bag, but it was so impractical and quite heavy. I agree with pp, you don't need anything that is marketed as a changing bag. I would definitely recommend a backpack, although a friend just used her LV Neverfull!

[mynameiscalypso]

@peachypetite I am always pro getting new handbags! I just think for the premium you pay for a 'changing' bag, you can get much nicer looking bags which serve exactly the same purpose.

[Parker231]

Decathlon sell loads of suitable rucksacks and you can get a small changing mat from Amazon. Get dark colours as the bag and changing mat will be on floors which might not be very clean!

[AllTheCakes]

We have the Storksak Hero which we really like. It’s been used every day for over a year and DH likes it too. Not sure it’s £125 worth, but it does feel like nice quality.

IMO, you need quite a big bag to fit all the bits in which differs as baby gets older. Side pockets for a water bottle and a sippy cup were my essentials.

[TooMinty]

I think it depends on if you are planning to breastfeed or bottle feed? I breastfed so the pockets designed for bottles never got used on mine so a bit of a waste really. However, I just used the one that came free with my pram for my first and the one that Boots Babyclub gave away free for my second so I don't feel too bad! Having one that clips onto the pram can be useful because then the basket underneath is free for your shopping. Assuming you plan to use a pram, you might use a wrap or carrier more... I'd wait until your baby is here and see.

[peachypetite]

I do agree with whoever said about compartments being useful rather than a big backpack where it’s all shoved in and you can’t find anything!

[freckledsloth]

Recommend the Lekebaby backpacks-bought ours for £25 on Amazon. It's got loads of pockets so easy to find everything/access things, even at the bottom of the bag, clips to the pram and the quality and finish is very good for the price. One of our best baby purchases!

[grumpytoddler1]

We got a storksak one that looks a bit like a record bag. We've found that useful and still use it 2 years later. It hooks or velcros over the handle of the pram and it means everything is handy when you need it. I wouldn't want to carry it around though, so for flights or if you're walking somewhere with them in a carrier I would usually just throw a few bits into a backpack. But for day to day use, I think a baby bag with compartments for everything, that goes on your pram, is really useful.

[mynameiscalypso]

I personally preferred plastic zipped pouches to compartments - means you don't have to take the whole bag if you're popping to the loo to change baby, you can just grab the one you need. Plus I'm rubbish with compartments and can never remember which is for which and end up shoving things anywhere and not being able to find them again

[ohwerehalfwaythere]

I ditched the £100 storksac after two weeks for a TK Maxx rucksack for £20. Rucksacks are much much easier x

[floralf]

I went for a Tiba & Marl backpack (also have a hold-all version) but the backpack is great and stylish and we've had so much use out of it. Nice matching changing mat, great quality, and a small zipper bag that I pop phone/money into and it's easy to grab. Would recommend 😄

[OhRosalind]

I was given various changing bags and hated them all. They tend to be far bigger than you need most of the time (changing backpacks included) and half the compartments are useless or the wrong size, especially if you’re breastfeeding. I prefer a normal rucksack (a kanken or similar ones that unzip fully are easiest) and then pouches with changing and other stuff in that I can move between bags depending on the size I need that day.

[Parker231]

www.decathlon.co.uk/nh100-20l-backpack-black-id_8529024.html

This looks like the one my friend is using. She seems to like it.

[ramarama]

I found my changing bag really useful.

Velcro straps to hang it off the pram were super handy, and the main reason I would recommend getting one.
Rucksacks are great for my daily life without kids, but honestly would have injured my shoulders taking a bag on and off as much as you need to with a new baby. Much easier to have it directly in front of me with various bits in clear pouches inside it.
Often kept the inner changing bag section in the underneath of the pram, with my cash/phone/water change of clothes etc in the main bag.

Did not want one that looked mumsy so bought this fairly plain one from Storksak. It was basically my daily handbag for 2-3 years, so very much worth it.

www.google.com/search?q=storksak+noa&oq=storksak+noa&aqs=chrome.0.0l8.3304j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[morethanmeetstheeye]

I used various Pacapods and they were brilliant. I ended up taking the pods out of their area and using them separately under the buggy or clipped onto the handlebar as we used mainly cloth nappies so the compartment was a perfect size. Still use one of them now, five years on from the second baby, as a work bag and the pods are used around the house for makeup/medicines/as a backpack. Very very good value/longevity especially if you go on eNay and grab one of their seconds!!!!