Choosing the Perfect Nappy Bag: A short guide!
Choosing the Perfect Nappy Bag
There are many things that you should consider when choosing a nappy bag, and I won’t lie it can be both exciting and intimidating to go into the store to have a look at nappy bags. There are so many different styles, colours, options, accessories and brands which (of course) all claim to be the best option for the busy new mother.
How does one choose? The worst thing is spending $70 plus (oh yes, they are expensive) and then finding that the bag is impossible for you to use, or that you must spend 45 minutes searching for one little thing, or even finding that the bag quality was crap. Back to the store you go to spend another $70 plus bag.
This is aiming to give you some things to consider when looking at bags, I wrote these things down on a list before even attempting to look at bags with this baby, I learnt with my son (and going through 5 nappy bags) exactly what I needed to consider. I am hoping to save some new mums some coin and hassle.
First and foremost, you need to decide how you prefer to carry your bag and are you intending on having a hand bag as well as a nappy bag? Initially with Kyran I decided I need a separate hand bag, until about 3 months in I started to hate carrying 2 bags around, I made the initial decision since I carry a diary, wallet, and of course my phone around with me. Made sense to have a handbag, right? Nope. I bought a shoulder nappy bag, which meant my handbag and nappy bag were on my shoulders. PAIN IN THE REAR. I later switched to a backpack style handbag which helped, but now in general I am not a fan of handbags at all. It is excess baggage that doesn’t need to be around.
Anyway, I digress. The main styles of bag is of course the shoulder/handbag style or the backpack style. For me in hindsight, I prefer the backpack style. So that is step one, choose a style.
Before we continue a handy tip, is to make sure your shoulder straps on either the backpack or over the shoulder style – make sure the straps have padding. Chances are you’re going to be carrying that bag for long periods of time everywhere you go, comfort is everything.
Secondly, you need to consider the size of the bag. Are you using cloth nappies or disposables? It is something to consider as cloth nappies are quite bulky in nappy bags when compared to disposables. Are you going to use your bag as a handbag for yourself as well? I personally have bought a second nappy bag for this new baby coming, and I intend to just carry around my phone and wallet and the essentials. 2 nappy bags as well as a handbag was just not going to happen. Like ever.
Look at the bag accessories as well, bare minimum in your nappy bag accessory list, you should make sure it comes with a changing mat. Generally, the bags have a changing mat attached to the bag so that you can easily access it and use it when your out and about.
Aside from the changing mat, you should also look or consider having the following:
Compartments – lots of compartments means that you can separate items that you will need regularly from the other things in the bag (like your phone or wallet, wet wipes etc).
Insulated bottle holders – this will help keep your bottles warm or cool (yes you need them even when you are breast feeding)
Probably most importantly, make sure you invest a little bit extra in a bag that is easily cleaned. Something water resistant, so that anything you spill on the bag can easily be wiped away. Machine washable is even better. Babies and anything associated with babies, is messy so make your life easier.
I know it is basic options that I have given but you’ll be surprised at how lost in patterns, styles, brands and all those amazing commercial sell points then logic goes flying out the window. Although these options seem basic it can be easy to forget, and believe it makes the world of difference in convenience for yourself.
Forever Yours
Anni