While a baby carrier, breast pump, maternity leggings, and a baby monitor are all essential purchases, one of the best baby changing bags is equally indispensable for parents of newborns and toddlers. Whether you’re navigating trips to the park or airport terminals, having a reliable and stylish changing bag at your side is invaluable.
Your little one will need a ~lot~ of stuff, meaning every entrance into the big wide world will require planning of military precision. (You can’t just leave the house with your keys and YSL card holder anymore, sorry). Tricky, but owning the best baby changing bag you can afford will transform said sleep-deprived Olympics into something altogether more bearable.
In fact, you may decide you want more than one. There will be occasions when you can travel fairly light, which means you’ll want to leave the super-sized one at home and carry a cross-body nappy bag instead. At other times, you might want plenty of space provided by a great-quality diaper bag or backpack style buy.
But where to find nappy changing bags and pram bags with detachable, portable changing mats (and space for muslins, bibs and toiletries)? Options which aren’t so ugly you’ll want to hide it under your car seat? Right here: our guide to the best baby changing bags on the market in 2024, which includes everything from affordable, and bestselling high street options to a designer version, courtesy of Prada.
SKIP TO: Why do you need a baby changing bag? | Types of baby changing bag | What to consider when shopping for a baby changing bag | How we tested the best baby changing bags | Our full reviews.
Meet the experts:
What are the most important features to look for in a baby-changing bag?
“Like {with} any product, you should always think about the longevity of what you are buying,” Millie said. “A good investment means that you can use it for many years and future babies too whilst being environmentally conscious.” It’s worth considering the following functionality features in your quest for the perfect changing bag:
- Lightweight: You’re going to be carrying this bag around all day. While space is important, opting for something that doesn’t feel too heavy is a key part of it scoring high in the practicality stakes.
- Space: Space is paramount. Opt for a roomy nappy bag with multiple pockets – including a big, main compartment and accessible front pockets – to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes; snacks away from toys.
- Insulated bottle pockets for keeping milk warm: At least one of said pockets should be thermo-insulated to keep your milk formula warm.
- Changing mat: There’s not much point in buying a baby changing mat without the changing pad. Sure, there are some good options down below that come sans mat if you have a solid reason not to buy one, but if you’re a first time mum, ensure your nappy bag comes with a large, foldable mat attached.
- Waterproof: Having something wipe clean or waterproof is super handy. Kids are prone to spillages.
- Buggy clips: The best baby changing bags, in our opinion, come with detachable stroller clips. This will help you go hands-free when you’re walking with your pushchair.
How we tested the best baby-changing bags
When it comes to testing the best baby-changing bags, the main thing we are looking for as frazzled mums is convenience. We don’t want to be rummaging around a Mary Poppins-style travel bag for nappies or a muslin cloth. Having a stroller organiser with great compartments is a must, as is having something that is reliably hands-free, for when you’re pushing a pram. We’ve selected baby changing bags which excelled in this category, after weeks’ worth of testing.
Bonus points, of course, for something eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. It’s 2024, after all; convenience and style aren’t mutually exclusive.
Elsewhere, shop baby shower gifts, maternity jeans, maternity nightwear, maternity overalls, maternity dresses, maternity trousers, breastfeeding tops and our ultimate hospital bag checklist.