What's in a Change Bag?

As a mum of three, I find myself rather well equipped in the realm of what to take where and when I might need this-or-that; it is an occasional thing for me to come unstuck. After all, I've had a lot of practice.

Sophie la Girafe: Dray's go-to comforter.

I'm one of those mums who pack everything. Right down to what some might consider 'the useless rag toy,' which is religiously stuffed into the baby’s change-bag right at that last opportune moment. I am sure my husband has looked at me many a time with that 'do we really need to take that with us' look etched upon his face. But I just smile and tuck it in a little deeper; knowing he is probably right on the money. But who knows when you’ll need that useless toy, right?

However, this hasn't always been the case. I used to be a first time mum too, once upon a time, and that was not so long ago. Although, I will admit, it does seem like a lifetime since I last left the house for a casual shopping trip and forgot my house keys, or those all important pack of wipes and sometimes even diapers.

Now that Dray is just a couple of months shy of turning two years old, I don’t need to carry nearly as much ‘useless’ stuff around in my bag. The infamous diaper bag has gone through an evolution of sorts throughout the last (almost) two years. Now, I only carry enough for a quick change or two, a snack, water and if we are going to be out longer then a small meal. The transition into toddlerhood has meant no more formula or associated accessories (although I still carry around his giraffe print muslin), less changes of clothing and fewer diapers as he now has good bladder control. Now, I carry more by way of food, definitely. And there is always some sort of activity on hand to distract the little tyke. Drayven truly is a little storm by nature. Destroys all in his path; a right Berserker.

So, here's what you might find in my mamma bag. and this is not including my personal essentials like purse, keys, cell phone, scarf, lip gloss and shades if it's a sunny day. I like to accessorize!

Mum's Essentials: What I tend to carry day-to-day.

 Some of The Basics

Koto Brimful: Incredibly spacious bag.

• Diapers
• Wipes and bags
• Sudocreme and vaseline
• Antibacterial gel
• Water bottle
• A home-cooked meal and some snacks
• Bib and Dray’s Tommee Tippee cutlery

Faye&Lou: Breastfeeding Butterfly.

Whilst breastfeeding I didn't have to carry around bottles of sterile water and containers of measured out formula, instead I just had a breastfeeding scarf or shawl. My husband bought me the Faye & Lou Breastfeeding Butterfly, which came in so handy when feeding in public. It was easy to use and fit over and around a baby perfectly but as Dray got bigger and more agile and independent with his feeding at the breast, he didn’t enjoy being cradled so much by the material. However, I definitely recommend this as it hugs around the hips and really does create this secure feeling of comfort for baby and give a good amount of protection from booby-exposure, if you worry about that kind of thing. The Breastfeeding Butterfly comes in its own little bag and can be folded so that it fits into your change bag, nice and compact.

Little Necessities: I carry these by default.

I've always used the Koto Leatherette Baby Changing Bag because it’s large and roomy with lots of little compartments to store your purse, keys, creams, lip gloss and all manner of things. The two outer pockets clip together via a simple magnetized fastening and gives you quick and easy access to your possessions. There is also a zip fastening compartment just above the pockets, which you can store your purse or phone in for added security.

Having reacquainted myself with the whole bottle and formula routine when Dray was about fourteen months old (he was only on formula for about seven months as we were unable to transition him onto milk at the time, I found there was more than enough space in my Koto to hold all of my gear as wells as two bottles and formula along with his baby blanket. A great investment and a wonderfully stylish little design, which comes in a dark chocolate brown faux leather material. It is also supplied with its own insulated bottle bag and foldable change mat; both are covered in a nice cream and mustard-yellow floral print and are fully detachable. Accompanying the two sturdy carry handles it also has a fully detachable large strap for attaching to you pushchair or pram. Given the price tag of £50 it was worth the money for me, although, I am sure that any large, sturdy tote style bag could do the trick.

Koto: Lots of pockets and storage space for diapers, muslins, wipes and other bits and bobs.

So in general, regarding the contents of your trusted, couldn't-do-without diaper/changing bag, what do you carry in your bag and how has its contents changed during the transition from baby into toddlerhood?