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There are so many gorgeous nappy bags available, how do you make the right choice that will go the distance and will meet your needs, as well as those of bub?

If you pick a nappy bag using the same method for picking a new handbag (as a fashion item) you might find that you have an expensive bag that you don’t want or like using. What a waste.

This is the one thing that I wished I splurged on but unfortunately, the pragmatic part of the brain won out and instead of a colourful signature designer bag that I was over the moon about, I ended up with basic black, very plain and entirely serviceable number.

Whatever you decide on, it needs to work. That’s why I’ve put together this list of what to look for in a functional nappy bag – hope it helps:

  • How does it work with your pram – Think about it, you’ll be using your nappy bag when out and about with bub who will generally cruising in the pram. So how the bag works with the pram is paramount. It needs to fit either neatly in the storage area when full or hang over the pram handles. Ideally take your pram to the store to try for size or alternatively ensure you can return it if it’s not a good fit. Try to get the bag out or off in a hurry with one hand (picture a poo disaster) to really test the fit with your pram.
  • Change mat – these are durable, generally match the bag and fit neatly inside and will get hundreds of uses in all sorts of situations. I carry a few of these disposable mats in addition to the mat that comes with the bag for those really messy occasions when you don’t want to be wiping down your lovely one.
  • Sections – great for sorting all the gear you have to carry so it’s easy to find. When you have one hand on baby for stability, it needs to be a one-handed job to reach in and find what you need quickly and easily. Snap lock bags help keep things neat inside.
  • Insulated compartment – perfect for bottle that is already cooled or heated to maintain temperature while out and about.
  • Mum’s essentials area – So you don’t have to manage a handbag as well, nappy bags with a special secure area, for wallet, mobile and keys etc are really handy. This is often on the outside of the bag, but they need to be a little tucked away or well secured with a sturdy strap to prevent pilfering.
  • It is you? – Finally, does this bag express your personality? Would you be happy to carry and use if for the next two to three years or so? Hope so! Because you just never know!

Happy shopping!

Check out the latest nappy bag trends at www.pregnancypanache.com.au.

Do you have any tips and tricks on how to choose a nappy bag?

Image courtesy of Isoki 

  • I’d add being waterproof or washable as another criteria! Something always seems to get spilled or squashed.

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  • I feel like Mary Poppins when I look for something in my nappy bag.

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  • I was lucky enough that I bought my bag where I bought my pram and made sure that it worked together, I also look out for as many pockets as possible (inside and out). My preference also was to get a bag which didn’t look like a nappy bag (but was) that I could still use later as a normal bag.

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  • Now to go look for a new nappy bag!

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  • mine cost me $100 and was what i thought was big..turns out it wasn’t big enough

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  • For me with a nappy bag, I wanted one that had a spot for the phone and keys to be accessible, and also for it not to be too girly as I wanted my husband to be able to carry it as well, without feeling silly

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  • with baby number 3 on the way ive figured out exactly what a nappy bag should be…lol a bag big enough to fit everything u need in for the kids little compartments are useless…the bag should be gender neutral so dad feels comfortable lugging it around! The material should be easy to wipe clean and it should most definately have straps big enough to fit over the pram/stroller!

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  • After refusing to buy a nappy bag with my first child, I continued to use my large handbag to carry everything around in, however now I have another baby I was finding it hard to fit everything in. I was lucky enough to win a very expensive nappy bag about a month ago and I’m so glad to have received such a handy prize, the bag is fantastic and I absolutely love it!

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  • I wanted to start looking at nappy bags on the weekend but my husband doesn’t see the point – he thinks I can just put everything in the bottom of the pram. And when I asked about going to a friends house where the pram won’t go in the house, what then? He simply said, put everything in your handbag.
    Men, they just don’t get how much stuff we need to carry 🙂

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  • Some great ideas, nappy bags are essential and carry everything but the kitchen sink

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  • You don’t actually realise how important choosing a good nappy bag is until you have to try and fit everything in it on a daily basis lol

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  • My criteria for nappy bag was- change mat, straps went across body, room for a bottle my wallet and phone ad one that looked like a handbag. I scored 2 at target for $7 each!! LOVE CLEARANCE!

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  • I have seen a few I love but now its about choosing one of them! though I didn’t really used it for long with my first I tend to just chuck what I need in my bag!

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  • These are great tips! With my last baby I had a Gr8x Baby Traveller Bag but found I couldn’t fit much in it. I’m looking forward to choosing my next nappy bag, there are so many different styles out there. 🙂

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  • I wish someone would make a decent nappy bag that was affordable!!!! Mine is far from perfect but it gets the job done.

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  • I did not have a nappy bag, I used my handbag. All you need is a nappy, wipes, plastic for mat, plastic bag for dirty nappy and cloth for shoulder. I kept in the car a spair change of clothes for the first month or so but never needed to use them when at someones house or at the shops, so stopped doing that, and also in the car kept a plastic bag with spare nappies, wipes and bags in too for emergencies and I think I only ever needed this once. So not really sure why you need a special bag to carry a few extra things if you have a normal size handbag. It is a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money with a baby!

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  • Finding a nappy bag was the hardest job of choosing anything mother related for me! I spent my entire pregnancy looking, but had a budget so of course I LOVED all the $300+ ones that I couldn’t afford.
    I finally saw an OiOi bag I liked on sale and bought it- the site sent me the wrong bag. I returned it, then found out that they didn’t get any stock of the bag I had bought- by now I had a 4 week old baby so was desperate and got it sent back.
    About 5 weeks later they had a clear out sale- and there was the bag I had ordered, but in brown and not red… I messaged them to say that I had not received that bag in brown but instead and entirely different print!
    They very nicely gave me a credit for the bag and I found a Giraffe Print OiOi on amazon.com that I LOVE! I truly hated that first bag… which is sitting here waiting to be rehomed one day LOL
    So yep only took me 6 months of pregnancy and 4.5months of actually having a baby to get the bag!

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  • I could not afford the fancy nappy bag, so I ended up with a market bag. inside I had several plastic oven bags with a ziplock top. One held nappies, one held wipes, one held a change of clothes, one held snacks etc. I watched others struggle to find things in all the compartments in their bags, and mine was by far the easiest and cheapest!

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  • Mine was never big enough 🙂 Would get a bigger one with a mums compartment next time!

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  • Next time round I will buy a Better Quality Nappy Bag I got a Cheapie from Target because it looked quite Cute yet all the Bottom of it end up ripping and Looking Crap. Great Tips from You

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