Nappy/Travel Bags

[Biene]

Can anyone suggest a good Nappy/Travel Bag to buy? There are so many to choose from and they range from $50-$180, are there any features that I should look for, and are the cheap ones as good as the expensive? Thanks.

[xkwzit]

Hi Biene
I've always felt that spending a bit more on a nappy bag is OK. After all I never have to spend money on handbags, because I'll have carried the nappy bag everywhere I go for an estimated period of 6 years :o . Pastel coloured teddy bears were never going to be on my nappy bag - this is also my handbag for a long time :D .

So before DD1, I bought the OiOi backpack, plain black and keeps you hands free. It had plenty of space and comes with a change mat (def get a change mat, even if you have to buy one separately - I've had to change DD1 on the floor of the toilets - sometimes there is no baby change facility :eek: ). A waterproof insulated section is great for snacks and bottles (although I used that part of the Oi Oi for my stuff). It has a see through plastic section for all your nappy change creams, wipes, tissues, bonjela - all that cr@p that you carry around. It was great, cost about $100, but that was years ago.

After 4 years though, I needed a change. The Oi Oi was still fully functional, was starting to show some wear (but it had been ABUSED for 4 years). I bought the Sophia Bag by ShopGirl. Again plain black (so hubby doesn't feel weird carrying it around), more of a sporty, sling style bag (so you can still be hands free). It is lighter than the Oi Oi (which I'm really appreciating) and has as much storage space, another change mat, waterproof insulated section enough to carry two toddler water bottles (so maybe three baby bottles?). The Shop Girl was about $90, ordered over the internet so I had to pay about $6 postage.

Hope this helps.

[nemosmum]

Check out www.mybragbag.com.au and you can put a pic of your bub on a lovely nappy bag too cute.

I also like nappy bags that look like chic handbags coz lets face it, its going to being around for a while. You might as well look good carry around all that baby stuff LOL :D

[Kamaikia]

I was given a great expensive one 12 months ago (bout $100 it was) - I couldn't tell you what brand it is because its been at the dump for the last 6 months. Fell to peices on me. I now have a cheap one (I got it for $40) and its holding together 10 times better than the expensive one.

[LucyE]

I personally didn't like any of the 'baby' bags that are commonly available. I thought they were overpriced for what they are. Unless you really need to have the insulated compartments for bottles, I wouldn't bother with them.

I breastfed and use cloth nappies so needed very little when going out in the early days. I use a large tote style handbag. It has three compartments with a zippered one down the middle. I keep my valuables (purse, phone, keys etc) in the zippered part as well as stuff I don't want DS getting to like tissues, pen and paper. On one side, I keep spare nappies, wipes, a PUL bag for storing dirty nappies and a piece of double layer fleece to use as a change mat if needed. On the other side, I keep toys, food, a face washer and a spoon. It doesn't look all cutesy and baby-ish, holds everything I need, is all easily accessible and matches my outfits :p

When DH goes out with DS, he prefers to use a simple backpack. Again doens't look too baby-ish, keeps his hands free and holds everything easily.

[veve]

I just bought a back pack style nappy bg from Big W - it was less than $40 .. came with a change mat..and has HEAPS of compartments - I loved the fact that it had a section specially for mums keys... purse and mobile....

it only came in blue and black- but I figure that DH will have to carry it too - so it shouldn't be too pretty :D

xxx