Looking at the new crop of changing bags on the market, I have noticed a trend. They keep getting bigger and bigger. One new bag that I saw looked like it was large enough to carry the child in. You could forget the pushchair at home, just open the changing bag, insert baby, and go. My husband and I tend to be minimalist when it comes to going out with our children. It may have something to do with the fact that we are on baby number three, but we have learned some important lessons along the way.

First, unless you are going out for days on end, don't take half of your baby's room with you every time. I recommend taking no more than one nappy out for every hour that you are planning on being away from the house. So if you are planning on being out for three hours, yep, you guessed it, you will only need to take three nappys with you instead of ten. Also, I usually only take one extra change of clothes with me, and I try to grab something ugly. Why something ugly? Because more than likely you will not need it, and by the time you remember it is in there your child will have probably out-grown it. I also tend to leave all lotions, nappy creams, etc. at home as well. Unless your child is actually suffering from dry skin or a rash in unmentionable places, then it is just extra weight in your bag.

What is the one thing I won't leave home without? Wet wipes! I love our DadGear changing bag because it has an Easy Acess Wipes case that allows you to pull out wipes when you need them most, which seems like all of the time with our three children. Unlike all of the other things for your baby that might be hiding in your bag, wet wipes WILL come in handy. Before our son was born, I stopped carrying a changing bag for about a year and a half, and the thing that I missed the most was having something to clean up a dirty face, or quickly mop up the juice from the cafe table.  

Another important consideration in choosing a bag is who will be carrying the bag. That might seem like a no brainer to most women, but if you want your husband or partner to do his share, than don't even think about ordering that cute changing bag that looks like a giant purse. I made that mistake with the bag I purchase before the birth of our son. With our daughters, I had carried a plain black backpack, but before our son was born I ordered a gigantic straw bag that I had found online. It was really cute, but after three months of lugging it everywhere myself, I had enough. I bought a DadGear sport bag with a reversible flower on it, and now we are both happy. I can carry my bag, and when I am tired of it, I just pull off the flap, flip it around, and he has a plain black bag to carry. Pure genius!

If you are reading this guide and are expecting your first, I hope I have saved you three baby's worth of mistakes! Best of luck!

Elisabeth Webber

E-Bay Store: SoleilBaby