Ah, the diaper bag. A new mum’s new best friend. An essential piece of equipment, true, but here’s a secret….there is no need to go out and buy a ‘diaper bag’.
What makes a diaper bag a ‘diaper bag’? Is it the teddy bear design? The hundreds of pockets? The ubiquitous included changing mat?
No, it’s simply a bag that you are using to carry baby stuff in. In fact, the only essentials are enough storage, easy clean, looks good and ideally allows you to be hands free. Here’s why…
For the past two years, we have struggled with some pretty shocking tubs to dispense wipes. Then recently, I discovered this gem:
Nappy sacks. Thin bits of fragranced plastic with tie handles. Ever tried opening one while holding onto a wriggly baby? Much harder than getting plastic bags to open while at the checkout in your local Tescos.
No, when out and about nappy sacks can be a pain. They are even more of a pain when someone needs a change and you’re nowhere near a bin. Putting a full one of those back in the diaper bag always makes me nervous.
But there is hope. Ziplock slider bags. Possible the greatest alternative nappy sack out there. Airtight and watertight – no perfumes or leaks. Easy to open with little slider along the top. Multiple sizes for even more uses – small for a diaper, larger ones for dirty clothes, bibs, shoes etc.
Don’t leave home without them!
It might not be very eco-friendly, but when you’re out and about with babies and someone needs a change, disposable change mats are unbelievably useful.
The only ones I’ve seen, although there must be other similar ones, are made by Pampers and consist of a slightly padded absorbent upper layer with a waterproof underlay. Bigger than the average travel change mat they can be squished into any available space you have, and when you get to public change table (or car, park, wherever) you just shake it open, pop baby down, change and then throw it away with the dirty diaper. Continue reading
afterninemonths 