Change bag

[Grubincubator]

Hi guys,
Can anyone recommend a good change bag or what features we should be looking for in one?
We want to prepare a bag for me and a bag for the grub for the hospital dash and figured that the change bag might be the way to go for grub.
I've seen some frightfully expensive options around but I do think that the built in (or included) change mat has to be a great idea.

[jamb]

I was given a friends change bag as she said she never used it. It was a backpack/over shoulder style one with two compartments- can't tell you brand as I've since thrown it out. I found that I packed it full of everything from nappies, sunscreen, baby wipes, wet ones, clothes etc. Now I have changed to a regular backpack (my old gym bag that doesn't get to the gym anymore ) as it is less bulky and more comfortable to wear. If I'm taking my pram I just throw what I need in the basket below and that saves me carrying a bag (and I also got fed up having to show the bag everytime you leave a store!). For a change matt I have kept one bunny rug for that use only, it gets used to protect bub from others germs (some parents rooms are scary!!).

Good luck, it must be getting close if you're packing hospital bags!!!

[Grubincubator]

Lol thanks for that.
Not really that close. Not due until mid August, but then you never know what's going to happen :-)

[jamb]

I was just having a look through the bottle feeding threads and found a bit you might be interested in. If you select the feeding- bottle feeding thread, then put search "last year" it is under "nappy/ bottle bag suggestions.

Reccomended was Kapoochi and OiOi (www.oioi.com.au)

cheers amy

[draught]

I was just about to recommend the oioi - I was one of the people who wrote about it in the other thread. We have been happy with ours and I carry nappies for two in it and it isn't too big and bulky.

[xkwzit]

Hi
I've got the Oi Oi backpack. It comes with a change mat (and I have had to change baby on the floor of a public toilet once when there was no where else, except on the restaurant table - which I was sure would be illegal ). I got it about 4 years ago, I carried nappies and snacks for baby and toddler and its still going strong (just starting to show wear around the backpack straps - and I've really abused it).

Cheers

[Chickadee]

I bought a Glacier Baby back pack, used it for about 17 months. It wasn't very expensive compared to some others, but unfortunately the liner in the outside back pocket has torn I've abandoned it in favour of a large purse since I'm not carrying so much now that my daughter is older.

The best features of the back pack, and what I'd be looking for if I bought another one, were:

- two small side zip pockets, which kept my mobile phone, keys and wallet in easy reach
- a big main internal section
- a large outside back pocket which was lined and great for keeping bottles or damp stuff.
- a removable change mat
- a large removable clear zipped pouch, sort of like a large envelope, which perfectly fit a couple diapers, change of bunny suit and thin package of wipes.

By always restocking the clear pouch when we got home from an outing, I was always ready to go at a moments notice. A quick glance to make sure it was in the bag and had a diaper in it and we were out the door. Also, when we were out for the day and the bag was stuffed with bottles and other stuff, it was often easier to just grab the pouch and change mat out of the bag than to drag the entire bag with me to the parents room.

Happy shopping!

[kailensmum]

I've got the Kapoochi classic mini backpack. Everything has it's own little home. Insulated bottle holder, nappy sack dispenser, wipes pocket, places for your mobile, keys, wallet, change mat. etc.. Very well laid out, I can pack all of his clothes etc in for overnight trips. And it can be used as the backpack or it has an over the shoulder strap. Oh and the phone pouch is removable from inside and can attatch the straps of the backpack, very handy. I think it was about $89.

[madvoice]

I bought one from Target (I can't remember the brand and its currently still in the car and hubby has gone to the shops). It cost $45. it was one of the over shoulder types but has pram clips on it as well. I just drape it over the pram handle. It comes with a change mat (non attached) and a ziplock bag to put dirty nappies in. It has a bottle warmer, moblie phone holder, dummy pouch and a lined bottle pocket to keep bottles warm.

I keep mine loaded with a packet of wipes, 1/2 dozen nappies (disposable), a cloth nappy for spillages, an extra bunny rug, 2 changes of clothes, a bib, and bum cream. The small Sudocream containers you get in bounty bags are great for baby bags. I buy a large tub and refill the one in the baby bag every now and then. If you're breastfeeding its also helpful to carry about 4 breast pads in there as well. I also used to put maternity pads in the bag for those first few weeks but now I just carry normal sanitary pads in there just in case.

EDIT - The brand name is Ryco. I've got custody of the bag again and have just rememberd to edit. Darn Mummy moments LOL.

[jes]

I got a GR8X change bag, It is a one shoulder bag with the standard pockets in the main part but on the back it has a built in change matt that zips up so it is flat against the bag. It comes in a few different colours and is less than $50. I think its really good value and gr8 quality!

Hope that helps

Jes