What makes a good Nappy Bag/Baby Bag??

[kyles]

Hello ladies!

My work has kindly offered to buy me a Nappy Bag as my gift when I have my baby. I have been looking around and some bags that are bascially just massive hand bags. But I thought I should ask some experts what I should be looking for in a nappy bag? Will an oversized handbag do the trick or should I really get a bag that is designed to be a nappy bag? If so, what features did you find best / not necessary??

Thank you! xxx

[didispunk]

I personally would want one with a plastic liner kinda thing inside.. As if you spill milk.. or baby food...getting the smell out is nealry impossible.. Unless its machine washable.

I get cheap ones in Canada that i can use for a couple months then throw out.. as they get so grotty!

[tenar]

I bought a cheapie from Target. It's good and bad points are, in my opinion:

good -

- it comes with a padded change mat. At first I thought this was yukky and stiff and uncomfy for baby, but after doing a bunch of changes out of doors I realised its stiffness makes it more comfortable for her, because on a park bench or on the ground she's not exposed to all the lumps and bumps, as she would be if it were softer.

- it has numerous small pockets. Baby stuff is small. Almost all of it is tiny. It is a pain in the neck to have to dig through a large space for one small object amount many - much easier if you know which pocket the wipes are in, which the cream is in, etc.

- it has a cooler section to hold bottles (of water, for me - my baby is breastfed). You get thirsty like you won't believe when breastfeeding, so you always need a water bottle to hand.

- it has plenty of space in it. At first I couldn't believe I'd need so much stuff, but with a baby that is presently vomitting all over everything most of the time, plus the inevitable leaks from the other end of the baby, I have just packed in this bag for a day out tomorrow:
- 3 complete changes of clothes
- several bibs
- 4 flat nappies to use as burp cloths and generally for wiping up messes, also to lay her on on the change mat
- a handful of disposable nappies
- 4 cloth nappies (bearing in mind that these are bulkier than empty 'sposies, so take up more space)
- wetbag to hold dirty things
- two bunny rugs
- the usual stuff that is in there (wipes, tub of sudocrem, tissues, etc)
- a clean top for me to change into should I need it
- other bits and pieces I forget.
Boy am I glad that this bag holds this much stuff!


Downsides:
- when even half full this bag doesn't quite hang neatly off the pram handle, and the strap isn't adjustable. I'd like to have a longer shoulder strap, basically
- it takes up a fair bit of space even when not very full. This is the downside to having a bag that holds lots of stuff. I'd consider having a small bag for outings of an hour or two, and a larger bag for whole days out, if I were that organised. As it is I'm putting up with carrying a slightly awkward bag about the whole time because I'd rather that than risk not having something I needed when I'm out in the middle of the park or wherever.

I haven't tried to wash the thing yet, but I think it'll wipe down alright. It remains to be seen how stinky it gets in the longer term.

[kyles]

Hi ladies,

Thanks for your help. Sounds like the proper baby bags are the way to go!

xxx