The best baby changing bag

Choosing a changing bag

So you’re vastly approaching your due date, and its time to choose the perfect changing bag to take with you for walks, and days out. The truth is that there is no need to at an expensive one. Do you know why? Because it’s a waste of money, and with today’s trends about expensive handbags.

Most of them don’t have the compartments needed. Is that stylish fashion design important, or is it the usability, ease of access, and price that should be the top priority. When I was pregnant with my first, I had to budget, as most of us do but let me show you the best changing bags that are quality made and are low cost.

What changing bag did I get?

I went for a simple black unisex bag, suitable for a boy or girl that I found online.  It only cost me around £20, with free shipping. It had two bottle compartments, a baby wipe secure holder (if you don’t want to take a whole pack.)

With enough room for at least 4/5 outfit changes, 10 nappies, wipes, your purse, mobile phone, etc. It was perfect for the new mum, easy to use, washes well. I used it with my second and when my cousin had a baby it got passed down to her too! She uses it for her son, that bag has helped 3 babies, and it’s still in one piece!

Our brains are hardwired to believe, more expensive equals better quality but it’s not always true. It purely depends on the manufacturer and how great they want the product or not. Give the cheaper option a try, it did me well, and there is no reason why it wouldn’t for you.

If it’s colour that you want, there are plenty of other choices that don’t break the bank. Here are the best changing bags that I would recommend for a newborn, and it will provide you with everything you need from a changing bag.

1. Black & Grey Changing Bag

This is a simplistic baby changing bag that is big enough to carry all of those things that you need for your little one, and then some, you can even pop in a change of clothes for yourself for a sleepover. The bag itself is perfect for travel as it holds so much, there are 2 side pockets to hold bottles, yours and baby’s, there are mesh pockets inside to hold the milk powder and other essential items. As the colour is black and grey it is totally gender neutral meaning both mum and dad can use this bag when you’re out and about with baby. It also means that no matter the gender of the baby this bag will always be fine.

The strap on the bag is very large and adjustable so if you need it for over your shoulder you can adjust the size for comfort and support, or if you need it for your buggy you can extend it. As the strap is a good size it means that it fits most buggies including the bugaboo make. Spilled milk? sick? baby food? no problem, the bag is waterproof and a wipeable material so no need to worry if there are spillages! As it is water proof it means you won’t have to worry about your little ones clothes in the bag getting wet because it will be safe from most weathers. 

This baby changing bag will hold everything while you are out and about. From nappies, wipes, baby grows, milk, bottles, dummies, and more. It will also be able to hang easily on the buggy,  good changing bag

• Adjustable shoulder strap for comfortable carrying
• Spacious interior to fit all your needed essentials
• Lightweight & waterproof
• Additional colour matching changing mat (suitable for nappy changes on the go).

2. Multipurpose Rucksack

• Built in USB Charging Port
• Waterproof pockets
• Large capacity
• Attaches to pram

3. Infant storage caddy

 

• Extra large capacity organiser
• Suitable for nursery use
• Waterproof lining
• 10 hidden pockets for storage

Storing your diapers in one place has never been an easy task. Before you know it, there are diapers all over the house, in your bags and even in your coat pocket. Rather than having to carry diapers in every one of your bags, you can carry them around in this easy to use foldable diaper caddy. Once set up, you can simply store as many diapers as you need (make sure you bring extra.) and go about your daily routine without worrying about whether or not you have enough diapers with you. After all, running out can be a real nightmare. 

Once you’re finished with the caddy, you can simply fold it up to reduce storage, leaving it in an easily accessible location for the time you need it next. The caddy itself is extremely light, allowing you to carry it with ease. Alternatively, you can simply leave it at the bottom of your buggy without it weighing you down. This will give you complete peace of mind no matter where you are. It will also let you store many more diapers than a traditional bag, ensuring you don’t run out any time soon. It’s simple, easy and efficient- just the way we like things.

4. Waterproof leather changing bag

• Stroller strap
• Waterproof leather
• Suitable as a cross-body, travel backpack or purse bag
• High-quality leather with luxe hardware

5. Large Waterproof Nappy Bag

• Pushchair clips
• Waterproof inside and out
• Suitable as a changing bag and as a hospital bag
• BPA free

Once you have chosen a changing bag, you must know what essentials to put in your changing bag so that you can be ready for baby.

What to put in a baby changing bag?

When it comes to packing a baby changing bag, you must make sure to put in all the things that you may need. If you are out and about and even one item is missing from it, it can be a complete disaster. Babies are unpredictable and you never know when they are going to need a change of clothes, more nappies than expected or a spare dummy if they lose theirs.

1. Nappies

No matter if its a walk to the shops or a whole day out you are going to need nappies, you never know when the next poo explosion could happen. You will need to pack at least 3-4 nappies for a newborn. Where as if you are having an over night stay you should take around 12, babies essentially need nappy changes after every feed.

You can get washable ones which are better for the environment. There are many to pick from but my personal favourite is the Aldi brand Mamia. You should buy in bulk as they are needed after every feed (every 3-4 hours) or more so a newborn will need plenty of changes during the day and night.

2. Feeding bottles

 

When you become a parent for the first time, the big question is always there waiting for you. Do you want to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, maybe you want to do both? Nipple confusion can occur when your starting out breastfeeding and then going to bottle you shouldn’t use bottles for the first 6 weeks unless it is a need.

Although tommee tippee bottles have been great for newborns as they do have a distinctive breast like teet that can help transition between breast and bottle feeding. 97% of mums and new mums recommend these bottles. A packet of 6 bottles is ideal because if you are choosing to bottle feed. Your baby will feed every 3-4 hours which means in 24 hours you will use all 6 bottles. Once you have used them though it is soo important to clean them. In hot soapy water and sterilise as soon as possible. If you have chosen to breast and bottle feed these would be the best type to use as the teet is not so different from the breast.

When I had my daughter I gave up on breastfeeding by day 3. As she weighed only 5 pounds 12oz and she needed more than what milk I could give her personally. These bottles were a godsend! They are anti-colic so they aid in better feeding to avoid poor digestion and pain in the infant.

My partner also found these bottles very helpful during the night feeds, easy to hold, not too heavy and very easy to clean. They are also BPA free which is a must in our house, BPA is poisonous to our babies and I would not go for a bottle that contained BPA. Another great thing about these bottles is that they come with a starter teat for your baby which allows the perfect amount of milk through for your newborns natural suction.

As they get a little older, you will be able to replace the teats putting in ones that have a faster flow. Whilst this doesn’t seem necessary it absolutely is, and it will also help you maintain better hygiene and safety for your baby too. Your newborn will have a bottle of infant formula every 3-4 hours, so depending on how long you will be out on your journey for you can bring the right amount of bottles for that time.

3. Baby water wipes

 

For every nappy change you will need some wipes to keep your little one clean, you will also need wipes for your baby’s face if they are sick, or just a general clean up to make them feel fresh and less sticky. They can also come in handy for mums and dads if they have no access to clean water for washing hands etc. You will need to pack a whole pack of wipes just in case there are any explosions.

4. Clothing

You will need a few outfits if you are packing for a newborn as baby’s tend to be sick or leak through their nappy. Its always important to have extra clothing, you should pack socks, baby grows, hats, mittens. 

These items are a must as they keep your child warm,  so you should have plenty of them. Newborns must have hats as they can be very cold, even in warm temperatures. If your child is born in winter they will need a hat and gloves to keep warm in the buggy. Mittens are used at the beginning for a few weeks, as babies can be born with naturally long nails and tend to scratch their poor eyes and face.

Newborn babies love to explore and this is fantastic but in the process they do manage to scratch their face. When my daughter was born she did that exact thing, but luckily we had a pair of mittens at the ready. These are made from 100% cotton which is great for babies sensitive soft skin. Besides from being anti-scratch, they will also keep your little ones hands warm.

Newborns are born with long and very sharp nails, and you don’t want to be cutting their tiny nails in the first few hours after birth, so put these on and bond with your gorgeous baby.If you do want to make your own, there are many free patterns online as well as guides showing you exactly how to make them. Also thousands of colours to chose from and even ones with added glitter affect for that jazzy pair of newborn mittens.

5. Dummies

Everyone knows that babies cry, sometimes its for a reason and sometimes just because they need something to suckle on for comfort, pack a few dummies in a sterile pot to make sure you have some spare incase you drop one then you have a few spare that are clean and safe for your baby.

A dummy is the most common thing that is associated with a baby. In fact, it’s likely that if you close your eyes and imagine a baby, you will most definitely visualise a dummy in its mouth. Even the likes of ‘The Simpsons’ have given baby Maggie a dummy or a pacifier as it is known in many parts of America. This dummy, in particular, is suitable from the age of newborn up to the age of two months. Whilst your child does not directly need a dummy, it can be beneficial in many ways. Although, it must be one of the most debated things as to whether they are beneficial or not.

The benefits of a dummy

• Shown to be helpful in regards to teething as it gives them something they can chew on
• Soothes a crying baby by letting them suckle on it instead of a bottle or breast.
• According to studies, it reduces the risk and chance of sudden infant death syndrome.
• A baby sleeping with a dummy compared to a baby sleeping without one has been shown to sleep for longer, although they wake up more frequently when the dummy has fallen out of their mouth.

The downsides of a dummy

• A dummy can easily confuse your newborn for a nipple which can have a negative effect on breastfeeding. Mainly regarding a latch to the nipple.
• Having a dummy after the age of one and a half years old has been shown to reduce speech of your child and if they continue to use it, it can affect teeth growth as well as contribute to poor speech. This will also create an impact on their social skills, self-confidence and as an adult, they may need speech and language therapy.
• Because your child can find the dummy soothing when they have outgrown it. It can be hard to remove it from the equation

6. Bottle brush

We recommend bringing a baby bottle brush as when you are out and about with the baby you may run out of bottles and will need to clean it properly and a brush should help you achieve that. Not everyone packs a bottle brush but its helpful and doesn’t take much room up.

Cleaning your baby’s bottle is never a simple job. It can be extremely messy and can become a hassle if you are in a rush. The NUK 2 in 1 bottle and teat brush has been specially designed for cleaning your baby’s bottle, simplifying the cleaning process for you. This multipurpose brush is the perfect solution to bottle and teat cleaning. Its long, curved design fits perfectly into all baby bottles to provide the best possible clean. It is also small enough to fit into any small storage area. Simply mix with hot water and washing up liquid to provide the best clean and to ensure there is no bacteria build up.

In order to get the best possible results, it is also important that you keep your brush as clean as possible. We recommend that you clean your brush after every use to remove any bacteria, as well as provide the brush with a thorough clean every week. This will enhance the lifespan of your brush as well as ensure your baby’s bottles are as clean as possible. Begin by filling a sink basin with hot water and a tablespoon of washing up liquid. Let your brush soak for 15 minutes and then use a clean plastic comb to gently clean your brush. Once finished, rinse this with hot water to ensure all bacteria is killed. 

It has been suggested by experts that you should replace your brush every 6 months, however, this is dependable on the amount it is used and how often it is cleaned. These two factors will significantly impact the overall lifespan of your brush. We always advise that you have at least one brush spare at all times so that you can always replace your current one should it need replacing. 

7. Cotton muslins (6 Pack)

These muslin cloths are soft and are made from 100% cotton. When my daughter was born, I got these as a gift from family. At first, I didn’t know what they were for as they are usually quite small. I thought it couldn’t be used as a blanket surely? Thankfully, after the many experiences with my little one being a little sick after a feed. Also between the little dribbles of milk that slid out from the side of her mouth. It became more clear that muslins are used to wipe their mouths whilst and after a bottle.

I would actually go as far as to say that these are needed for every baby. And you will definitely need all six that are in the pack. This is because your baby needs feeding every 4 hours or so, within this timeframe many muslins can get wet and damp and you will use another.

It could be argued that a muslin is a weird unusual name for a mouth cloth, but nonetheless, they are handy little pieces of material. They are said to have originated in a country such as India or Iraq. However, they were not known as muslins but instead a jamdani. Whilst these were also lightweight, they were not in plain colours like the ones you see today but were instead a colourful bright cloth.

They can simply be used for so many things such as swaddling your infant, mopping up a mess and being made from 100% cotton, they are great for delicate skin. Each pack has mixed patterned designs with stars, polka dots and stripes. They are in plain yet neutral colours so are suitable for unisex. These are light and thin which means that you can fit a few of them in your changing bag. After you have fed your baby their milk and have wiped their mouth. You can then place a muslin on your shoulder and carrying your baby, you can start getting rid of their wind by gently rubbing their back and if they are sick, you won’t have to get changed.

Soft Cotton Muslins vs baby wipes

A muslin is a soft dry material whereas a baby wipe is wet. You can’t efficiently dry a wet face with a wet material but more so that many baby wipe companies use chemicals and preservatives that are well known to cause damage to a babies sensitive skin. These chemicals have been known to cause rashes, internal damage and in some severe cases, the result can be much worse. A muslin, however, is likely to be a lot more gentle on the littles one skin thus resulting in a better solution.

Another benefit to using a muslin is that once it is dirty or wet it can be washed and dried. Baby wipes, on the other hand, are not so forgiving and have to be thrown away. This is not only bad for the environment. Especially considering that many baby wipe manufacturers use some form of micro-plastic fibres within their product. But it is also in general money down the drain in regards to waste.

8. Disposable Nappy Bags (200 Pack)

These fragranced disposable nappy bags are a must-have for new parents. Changing your baby has never been easier, when you are finished with the soiled nappy, simply place it in this bag to avoid any spillages.. Available in a multipack, these large nappy bags are the best option for your baby. As a result, your baby will feel comfortable and relaxed whilst their disposable nappy bags are being used.

For your convenience, these disposable nappy bags come with tie handles for easy disposal. We understand that changing your baby can be an unpleasant experience at times. We want to help you reduce any mess where possible and ensure that your disposal process is as seamless as possible. By using the tie handles you can dispose of nappies with ease. 

Nappy sacks are disposable, plastic bags which are often fragranced. They are placed after removal of nappies from babies and before the disposal. They are made of a thin coloured plastic. Using these makes the process of changing your baby become much easier.  So that you can get the very best out of your money, this product comes with free UK shipping on orders over £20. This allows you to purchase your disposable nappy bags in bulk and therefore save yourself both time and money. Buy your nappy bags today and discover how they can impact the process of changing your baby. 

9. Tommee Tippee Milk Powder Dispensers