Nappy Bags

[sarahrach]

Hi ladies - I have been looking at a few bags which I think look really nice and sort of double as handbag looking - like the Babymel Amanda.

But when my friend saw it she was quick to pull me away for the fashion bags and over to the utility range (massive messenger / laptop looking bags). Her idea was that you need to carry so much stuff that its worth having the biggest bag you can get.

So I guess I'd love to hear your thoughts. Did a mid sized bag work for you or do you prefer the super sized versions? Also, any bags you love

[Kimbles01]

My sister started with a nappy bag, last year, and then quickly swapped to a normal handbag for herself, and bought a small backpack for her DS and all his things. Means also now that if her DH or anyone else is on babysitting duties, my sister doesn't have to empty all her things out of the nappy bag.

As my normal handbag weighs a ton already, I'm planning on doing the same thing when bubs arrives in 8 weeks.

Mooo do really cute personalised backpacks that you can get names printed on - can't wait!!

[Redhead]

I bought a "Vanchi" for myself, as I loved the idea of it looking like a pretty handbag.
It's pretty BIG and comes with the change mat, bottle holder, zipper section etc in it.


They had a 20% off sale when I got mine...

[crumpet]

i have found bigger the better....

i bought a OiOi messanger nappy bag to start with and got to the point where i couldnt fit everything in it! admittedly i do carry a lot of just incase stuff but even if i took the bare minimum it was still a tight squeeze....

my DH bought me a Isoki Hobo bag for mothers day and i LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!

its not structured, as in u can shove stuff in and it just buldges more and more!
it comes with a change mat, a insert to keep ur nappies, wipes etc tidy and a food bag.
couldnt live with out it now... oh and its reversible too, so you can have a patterned outside or a plain one

[Khaleesi]

I used a Medium sized one for M, but then again i still had my handbag.
This time i plan getting a bigger one as i need somewhere to store snacks & stuff for the older 2 plus everything for Bambi.

[Beach Mama]

I personally would just get a large tote bag if I had my time over. I wouldn't spend money on a "nappy bag" as such but rather a large handbag style with lots of pockets and compartments. Early on in particular you really do need alot of stuff, lots of nappies, wipes, creams, nappy disposal bags, spare clothes, nipple cream etc and the list goes on and it really is good to have it all in one bag. As bubs get older I adapted and ended up with a smaller but still large bag that I was able to put nappies etc in. I don't take nappies with me anymore but my handbag is big enough to put a drink bottle and some snacks in but most of the time even now we go out with one of the kids creche backpacks with us. Lots of people I know did that too - they kept their handbag as their bag and would take a backpack with all of bubs stuff in it.

[Trillian]

I always kept my handbag separate from the nappy bag because there were times when I didn't need to take the nappy bag with me. I used a tote bag for the first 3 kids - they were all really close in age so I needed clothes and nappies for 2 kids at a time. But when I had #4, the other 3 were much older so I only needed stuff for the baby so I brought an OiOi hobo bag and I still use it even though he's nearly 4. It was the perfect size and I could fit so much in there!

[Beach Mama]

Trill you have just reminded me that even though I had the nappy bag I always took a hand bag as well for that exact reason that there were times i went out without needing the nappy bag(not too often!).

[~Kim~]

I'm going to be honest and tell you I've owned several, but never really used one. The majority of the time it lived in my car unused. I'm going to get a nappy wallet or tiny ouch this time. I'm not a packer for all occasions but I've never been caught out. That comes with a disclaimer though. Both my kids were BF forever and neither were spewy kids.

[CrazyLady]

I had a nappy bag but the main section busted second use. I stopped using an actual nappy bag for DD about 12 months ago and swapped to a small messenger bag. I will however need a larger bag with the 2 kids so Mum found me a larger Guess bag and I'm buying one of those compartment inserts from Ebay to let it actually have compartments

[Frangipani]

I found when DS1 was born i needed a bigger nappy bag to fit everything in- cause of all the just in case situations. The bag i got actually had a small bag attached on the front which could be unzipped off and used separately. When DS1 was about 17months i decided to switch from disposable nappies to MCN's- so still needed the large bag for longer trips - i would just use the small one for quick trips out.

Then when DS2 arrived i found i needed an even bigger bag- especially as i had 2 in MCN's. But then a few months later i went back to previous larger bag (ended up getting a new one about now) as not as many nappy's were required for DS2 and DS1 had begun toilet training.

Now my boys are 17 months and 3 years old i usually just take the smaller bag out- which i have 1 nappy, spare undies & pants for DS1 and the usual essentials like tissues and wipes. I then give DS1 his favourite little backpack which i put 2 small waters and snacks in and keep a spare nappy's and clothes in the car (unless its a bigger trip out and i haven't got easy access to the car easily- then i take my larger bag).

All my nappy bags have been backpacks and plain black ones. My original was my most expensive one- it was about $90 from a baby store - i can't remember the brand though. The larger fell apart pretty quickly (eg straps and clips broke and started to fray) but the smaller one is my one still going strong. All my other bags have been bought for under $30 on ebay- they have been my longer lasting ones. I think my most recent one is a Swallow (its in DH's car so can't check, sorry).

So i would suggest if you like the small/medium handbag style ones maybe get one for yourself that you can use for short trips and get a general larger one- thats not too 'girly' for longer trips and for DH and/or other babysitters to use.

[kristi14]

You definitely dont need to pack the kitchen sink every time you go out. I have a mid size bag (peg perego borsa cos it had to match my pram lol) and it only ever gets half packed when we go out. Actually, i also have a GR8X bottle pack bag and sometimes i only take that out with me on short trips, i pack 2 bottles in the front and in the back pocket i put 2 nappies, nappy sacks, wipes travel pack, cream, 1 outfit, a bib and a dummy, and it has a shoulder strap, and that works well for short trips. If we go out for longer, i pack all that plus extra bottles and a blanket and another change of clothes and my wallet and phone. I have a Mr spewy too.

Get the bag you love, im sure it will be big enough

[Taurean]

I bought two Stoksak bags on sale when PG with DD. I've used one a lot more than the other (my 'Emily') because it's more casual and pliable ie I can cram more in it

Both bags are lovely and I've hardly used a handbag since DD was born. I only use a handbag if I'm on my own at the shops or going out to dinner without DD.

Now I'm PG with our second, I'm looking to get a bigger bag. I found there was a small window (between when poos calmed down and DD started solids) when I didn't need to take as much stuff out with me so I had plenty of room but full time solids changed that. At 22 months now, DD needs snacks, water, a couple of nappies JIC, sometimes a bottle, a change of clothes (more for food or drink spills these days) and some small toys or books for distraction at the shops. There isn't much room left for my stuff so I'm considering an Isoki bag this time but I do recall being worried about their weight last time so I need to check them out.

You could very easily just get a big handbag and a nappy wallet but I've found the water proof lining inside my bags very handy a few times plus all the compartments (not too many though or you just misplace stuff). I've also found the built in insulated bottle pouches brilliant however you could buy a separate bottle pouch for a handbag.

Good luck making a decision!

[Astrid]

The main thing I learnt with nappy bags is to make sure they are light to begin with, as they are only going to get much heavier as you load them.

Honestly, I found a normal bag to be fine, just with some pockets at the front for phone, keys etc. I kept most of the nappy stuff in a clear removable pocket. So if I was leaving one of the girls with someone I would just hand them the pocket or I would just have to grab it for a nappy change.

How much I carried with me depended on how close the car was. With DD1 I used the pram to get everywhere, so needed to carry most stuff with me. With DD2 the car was always close by, so spare clothes, extra nappies etc were just kept in the car. That way I just needed 1-2 nappies and wipes with me

[AMumma]

Ive got 2 bags (so far lol, I'll also admit to a handbag fettish).

I have 2 Kapoochi bags.


Im lucky that if I needed to take a lot I can just use both.

[sarahrach]

Thanks ladies - your answers have been so helpful. I went out and purchased a GR8X Emily carry all (the large tote with the purple lining). It is really light and huge compared to some of the other bags. And at $89 was pretty reasonable. So whilst not the most fashionable, it'll be pretty useful I think.

I did LOVE the Isoki bags, but wow are they heavy. It just seemed too much weight for an empty bag. They would have been perfect it they could reduce the weight.

Think I'll probably grab a 'handbag' style at some point, but for the early newborn stage, I'm really happy that this bag looks like it'll do (and DH will carry it as well :-)