When I was pregnant with Moo (our daughter), I packed and re-packed my hospital and change bags (yes, I had two) about seventeen times. I was obsessed with having everything. I had to have all that I needed, plus spares, plus luxuries...plus extra room, yknow...just in case...
I was daft and unguided. I relied, as many pregnant woman do, on online 'checklists' written by companies and brands that make money off of selling you what you need (and what you don't).
My change bag was an over-loaded, military-organised brick of an accessory. It didn't take me long to realise that I was hauling a hell of a lot of stuff around with me that actually wasn't necessary. I was only popping to town...not the Himalayas.
So here is what my typical change bag when with baby looks like (Moo is no longer a baby and obviously it's different for toddlers, however I'm currently expecting Bear, or baby number two, and so it's on my crazy, obsessive mind...again).
The bag.
As you will see from the image below, my change bag is of the 'Yummy Mummy' variety from the fabulous company Pink Lining. They change their designs every season which is both good (never too many of the same bag) and bad (because every new season I want a new one). Depending on the bag you want, they range in price from £35 to £95. Mine was given as a gift from my parents, there are lots and lots on eBay at a fraction of the cost. When Moo was born I also had a Skip Hop in black which I bought so that my husband wouldn't feel silly. Turns out he actually didn't care and has happily hauled around the Yummy Mummy bag for nearly three years now so I sold that on the Netmums Nearly New board fairly early on. This is another great place to get bargains!!
You don't have to have a change bag that was made exclusively for that purpose, any reasonably sized and sturdy bag will do. Change bags are often very pretty but can be pricey. Saying this, you can join the Boots baby club and get one for free when you buy a pack of newborn nappies. One advantage in favour of change bags is that they often have insulated compartments for milk (not of significance if you are breast feeding), come with it's own change mat (you can buy these individually quite cheaply on eBay and Amazon) and have LOTS of pockets. You will love pockets as a parent. You can never have too many. Trust me.
My bag came with a mat as well as a dry bag which I use for wet/sticky/soiled clothing. Nappy sacks are also just as good for holding back the stink/wetness.
Contents.
1. Dry bag and change mat - mine were included with my bag.
2. Bottle.
3. Toy/book.
4. Nappies and wipes.
5. A change of everything and a cardigan in case the weather changes.
6. My 'little bag of tricks' contains things like hair elastics, hand sanitizer, lip balm. Whatever bag I'm carrying, this goes in it.
7. Keys and purse and other usual life things.
Not included in the photo is the sun cream which I carry all year around in a side pocket. That way, I always know where it is.
So there it is, my little bag of super-mummy-ness. It's always good to be prepared but travelling light has definitely been the best for me!
Clare
Labels: Changing, changing bag, life, out and about