How To Choose a Nappy Bag
Nappy bags are an essential baby accessory to have when you’re on the go with your little one. It’s one of those things that parents either buy just before the little one arrives, or shortly after when day-trips become more popular.
Before you start to browse Baby Bunting’s selection of nappy bags, we’ve put together a few tips to keep in mind when buying one. Learn what a nappy bag is, what makes a good one, and what type of nappy bags are available.
What are nappy bags?
A nappy bag—also known as a changing bag—carries all your baby’s changing accessories when you’re on the go. Think of it as your away-from-home portable changing station.
A question many parents first ask when considering buying a nappy bag is, “do you actually need a nappy bag, or can you depend on your regular backpack or bag?”
The answer is no, you could use your regular bag to fulfil the duties, however, a nappy bag is designed to make your life much easier, as they are made specifically to carry all your baby’s essentials and changing accessories, such as nappies, spare clothes, wipes, dummies, bottles, and more. A regular backpack likely does not have all the features that a nappy bag offers, and you may spend more time rummaging around in a backpack looking for what you need.
For example, backpacks may have one to three pockets of varying sizes, while a nappy bag has many more compartments designed to hold your changing products. With all its special features, a nappy bag is a convenient investment for when you’re out of the house with your little one.
What makes a good nappy bag?
If you’re wondering what to look for in a nappy bag, you’re not alone! Some parents go through a few before they settle on a nappy bag that works for them. Depending on what you buy, your nappy bag may come with a portable changing mat, insulated bottle compartments, and other special features that a regular backpack wouldn’t have. Knowing what factors and features you might want in a nappy bag may help in narrowing down your choices to find the right nappy bag for your needs.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Nappy Bag
Inside material
Your nappy bag will probably hold your baby’s food and drink when you're out and about, alongside all the rest of the changing items. You may want to consider buying a nappy bag with a water-resistant liner, so you can easily wipe up any spills or accidents. Choosing a bag with a high-quality zipper or clasp will also help the bag from spilling open while you’re on-the-go.
Outside material
Like other bags, purses, and totes, nappy bags come in a variety of fabrics and materials. Nylon nappy bags will be lightweight and durable while canvas bags will be made from more natural materials. Nappy bags can also be made in faux or real leather. Faux leather will be affordable and easy to clean—two characteristics of great baby accessories—while real leather is going to be more durable and long-lasting. Depending on how many years or babies you’re hoping to use the bag for, and how active you intend to be with your little one, pick a material that best fits your needs and lifestyle.
Size
When buying a nappy bag, it’s important to follow the goldilocks rule. You don’t have to buy the bulkiest bag you can find because items may get lost at the bottom or it may be too big to carry. You also don’t want too small of a bag that may not hold all your baby’s changing essentials. Find your ‘just right’ by choosing a size based on what you plan on carrying. This will make sure your nappy bag remains a versatile option for all the excursions you might take with your little one.
Weight
Similar to size, you will want to find a bag that is not made from heavy-duty materials that may weigh you down as you walk about with your little one. If you’re planning on keeping your nappy bag mostly in the pram, weight becomes slightly less of an issue, but you still don’t want to be lugging around extra weight if you don’t have to.
Features to think about when buying a nappy bag
Detachable Changing Mat
You will need to change your little one’s nappy when you’re on the go, so a portable and detachable changing mat is a must-have for a nappy bag. If the nappy bag you purchase comes with one, you don’t have to go through the hassle of buying a separate changing mat that might not fit as well in the bag.
Pockets and Organisation Compartments
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a Tetris champion, a nappy bag will certainly help you on your way. That being said, without good organisation it’s easy for essentials to get lost at the bottom of the bag—we’ve all been there! To keep this from happening, look for a bag that has plenty of pockets so you can easily store your baby accessories. A bag with both zippered and elasticised pockets will help with both accessibility and security.
Insulated Bottle Pocket
Even if you’re not home, you can still give your little one a warm or cold bottle. Having an insulated bottle pocket in your nappy bag helps you keep bottles warm or cold for long amounts of time, which may help keep your little one happy and fed.
Washable Liner
In combination with buying a bag made of water-resistant material, having a bag with a washable liner will make it easy to clean. If a mess is made that’s too much to wipe away gently, you can take off the liner and throw it in a gentle cycle, returning your nappy bag to a fresh state.
Adjustable Straps
This bag will get a lot of use out of it, so you want to make sure it’s comfortable to wear. Choosing a bag with adjustable, wide or padded straps may help you stay more comfortable as you go on adventures with your little one. Adjustable straps may provide comfort depending on your excursion, while choosing a bag with padded straps may help with pressure from the weight of the bag.
Alongside these five main considerations, some nappy bags also come with little protective feet to protect the base of your bag which is a nice feature, while others may feature pram or stroller clips, making it easy to attach the nappy bag to the handle of your pram (although ensure you check the weight rating of your pram before using clips like this – many prams are not designed to hold more than a small parent organiser before risking overbalancing).
Types of Nappy Bags
There are several different types of nappy bags to choose from. There isn’t necessarily a best nappy bag—it’s all about what works best for you and your little one. Some parents prefer the hands-free utility of a backpack, while others like being able to quickly access their things with a tote bag. There are several types of nappy bags, but three common ones are nappy clutches, nappy backpacks and nappy totes.
Nappy wallets and clutches
This is the smallest type of common nappy bag. These types of clutches are lightweight, compact and are perfect for quick excursions. Even though they’re small, they are still usually big enough to carry your baby changing essentials, but they won’t have room for much else. These clutches could be held or tucked into a larger backpack, making them great for short outings.
Nappy backpacks
Very similar to a regular backpack, a nappy backpack is versatile and works for different types of excursions. Nappy backpacks are easy to carry, leaving your hands and arms free to move around. While nappy backpacks do have amazing storage, some of them do not have as many pockets as larger tote bags. If a nappy backpack fits your more active parenting style, make sure to look for a backpack that has many of the features and factors listed above.
Nappy totes
Nappy totes are typically the largest type of nappy bag. These bags typically have several organisation pockets and look like a regular (but large) handbag. These totes are very easy to access throughout the day, but are not always suited for very active parents since they’re not completely arms-free. They do still allow your hands to be free which might make it perfect for you—especially if you’re looking for a more stylish bag. Nappy totes are very versatile and can be used as an overnighter bag when you no longer need it for your little one.
Deciding what nappy bag best fits your parenting needs will be helpful once you’re ready to take your little one on trips outside the house. They may make travelling with your baby more accessible since you can easily carry around everything your little one might need in a day. If you’re wondering where to buy nappy bags, you can discover a vast range of nappy bags at Baby Bunting. With a variety of totes, clutches, and backpacks, we have a collection of styles that will suit you and your little one’s needs while you’re out and about.