First comes baby, then comes the changing bag. During those first months with your newborn it will feel like you have two little companions everywhere you go because you’re never far away from either.
Choosing a changing bag is important. You may like to think you can tick it off your list pretty quick before baby comes but you may find after a few weeks of life with baby, you’re out shopping for something that suits your needs better. Everyone has different preferences for their family life. With our first child we interchanged between two bags, one for every day use and another for more fancy occasions (oh yes, a black patent number for lady-with-a-baby-who-lunches). Not particularly practical, so for baby number two we were looking for something that fit better into our family life. Minene came to the rescue, they were looking for a parent with a newborn to trial a bag. As I drooled over their beautiful range there was one that stuck out a mile for us, the 4 in 1.
Minene 4 in 1 changing bag
Like most of Minene’s range, the bag is stylish and chic to look at. Made from satin nylon, the design is a co-ordinated pattern of piping round the edges of the bag, the same fabric used for the straps, handles and clip on pouches. The main, large bag, is made up of two compartments. One side with pockets to slip items such as wipes, nappies and nappy sacks. You can also click the thermal food pouch inside this compartment. The other side contains a removable shoulder bag, held in place with zips to the interior. This bag also has compartments for storing smaller items and zip pocket on the outside which contains a handy fold away wipeable changing mat. There are thermal side pockets on each side of the large bag which easily hold baby bottles or toddler cups. On the back of this bag hangs a pouch which they call a ‘purse’ the idea being you can put small items you need to reach quickly. Over the top of the ‘purse’ is a smaller satchel back pack.
We have certainly put this bag through its paces during the first 6 weeks of our baby’s life. I go on several different outings with the children. First there is the nursery run where I usually drop off toddler then go to a baby activity or shopping with our newborn. We use the small satchel bag to keep a change of clothes for toddler, as it’s easy to unhook and leave at nursery just in case she has an accident or gets messy playing. We take the whole ensemble for overnights at the grandparents and on family days on the double buggy either walking or on the bus. The bag easily clips on to our Phil & Teds Sport handle. We have even ventured by train up to London for a museum trip with both kids and managed easily with only the 4 in 1 and the buggy shopping tray for storage. I can highly reccommend this bag for baby wearers, we’re using a mei tei style sling with baby up front, bag on my back which leaves my hands free for guiding toddler.
One section for mum, one for baby
My absolute favourite feature is the ‘bag inside a bag’ concept with the shoulder bag. Someone once told me that when you have a baby, handbags are a thing of the past but not with the 4 in 1, you can keep your personal items in the shoulder bag then lift out and use seperately should you have a moment without your kids or a day of baby-wearing/no buggy. Another thing Minene have got right is the styles of this bag (and most of their other bags) that are unisex, so Daddy won’t feel emasculated being seen with it.
As with any product there are a few minor gripes that the manufacturers could tweak. The straps on such the satchel are rather long, so my 3 year old can’t comfortably carry this bag without it slipping off. The ‘purse’ that clips on the outside cannot be filled with much before it gapes open, I certainly wouldn’t put valuables in there while wearing the bag on my back, as it could easily be opened. It is a very bulky bag when all sections are filled, so if this is not for you but you like the pratical style and concept of the product you could consider Minene’s other bags, particularly the Layla, 2 in 1 or the City Bag.
However, with so many uses the negatives outweigh the positives by a country mile. At £70.00 it may be outside of some people’s budgets but if you have more than one child or are planning to, I would beg you to work out the long-term economics of investing in one good bag vs several below par items. If a family member wants to treat you to something, this would be it or money towards.
Top tips for choosing the perfect changing bag
1. Think quality: this bag will be used daily in a variety of situations so will get worn quite easily. While it may seem like a cunning idea to pick up a stylish normal handbag from Primark as an alternative, you can almost guarantee it won’t last. Out of all the baby essentials this is one area not to scrimp on but you don’t have to break the bank to find something that will last.
2. Match your bag to your routine: do you walk or take the bus? Do you ferry kids about in the car? Do you have a complicated school/nursery/ work drop off schedule? Are you breastfeeding or bottle feeding? Using washable nappies or disposables? You will be able to find a bag that fits in with your family life, it may even help make it easier. If you’re not sure what life is going to like with a baby, why not grab the perfectly acceptable free bag you usually get when you join Boots parenting club and use that while you evaluate what purchase to make.
3. A bag for all seasons: if you’re looking for a one-off purchase to last, make sure it’s suitable for our changeable British weather. There’s nothing worse than damp nappies and muslins!
4. Is design important? It may sound trivial but if you are one of those people that likes to co-ordinate, then practicality may go out of the window if you get seduced by a delicious pretty bag. It is possible to get both, as Minene have proved, so shop around. Also, if Daddy is going to use this bag, scoring a unisex bag will get you brownie points.
5. Buggy compatible: try the bag with your buggy. Don’t be shy if you’re in a shop, ask to slip it over the handle and walk a few paces. You’ll be thankful when your knees aren’t bashing the bag as you walk along.
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