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Babies may be small, but they require a surprising amount of kit – especially if you want to actually leave the house with them once in a while!

And once you’ve invested in a decent pram or a baby carrier for trips out and about, you’ll also need a portable changing bag stuffed with nappies, bottles, wipes and other paraphernalia, so that you’re ready to tackle that inevitable poo explosion once you’ve finally made it to your favourite café.

You may be wondering why you can’t just use your favourite rucksack for all your baby’s essentials, and the answer is that you absolutely can in a pinch.

But changing bags designed specifically for mums and dads are very handy to have, as they have plenty of insulated pockets designed specially to store baby bottles and food, and larger compartments so that you can easily separate things like dirty nappies and spare clothes until you get home.

Many changing bags have wipe-clean interiors, and most also come with a removable changing mat for on-the-go nappy changes. Some bags are also designed specifically to work as carry-on luggage if you’re flying with your little one.

You’ll probably want to pop your wallet and keys in there too, rather than carry a separate bag, and lots of changing bags work well as gym bags or for taking to work when you aren’t looking after your little one.

From smart leather handbag-style bags to rugged rucksacks and shoulder bags designed to hang off your stroller’s handlebars, there’s a surprising amount of choice out there when you’re shopping for a changing bag for your new arrival.

Luckily, we’ve tried and tested some of the most popular changing bags on the market, and chosen 11 of the very best for you and your baby’s adventures.

The best baby changing bags, at a glance

• Best value baby changing bag: BabbleRoo Changing Bag Backpack
• Most stylish baby changing bag: Keri Kit Thor Olive Leather Changing Backpack
• Best vegan baby changing bag: Silver Cross Vegan Leather Changing Bag
• Most organised baby changing bag: Strada Baby Changing Backpack

BabbleRoo Changing Bag Backpack

• BabbleRoo Changing Bag Backpack, £35.99 from Amazon – buy here

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Pros: Great price point, well-designed pockets, versatile straps
Cons: Material feels on the flimsy side

If you’re after a changing bag that won’t break the bank, look no further than BabbleRoo’s affordable and surprisingly high-performing changing backpack.

This is a bag that punches above its price point when it comes to looks; six smart, gender-neutral colours are available, and we like the quilted detailing on the pockets.

Padded backpack straps, a carry handle and built-in buggy straps make this a versatile bag for whatever you're planning on any given day. Inside the front compartment are insulated bottle pockets (which would double up for storing your lunch if you wanted to use the BabbleRoo as a work bag), while the main section of the bag is split into five large pockets, which makes seeing what you’ve packed and organising bulkier bits easy. We like the dinky little zipped case for holding a dummy, too.

This backpack doesn’t feel as durable as some more expensive bags we tested, but we reckon it’s a great choice if you’re aiming to spend under £50 on a changing bag.

Material: Polyester Colours available: 6 Changing mat included? Yes Pockets: 6

Silver Cross Vegan Leather Changing Bag

• Silver Cross Vegan Leather Changing Bag (Tan), £129.99 from Very – buy here

Pros: Great quality, lovely soft vegan leather, handy detachable bottle pocket
Cons: Limited pockets

Hey, good-looking – if you like the idea of a functional changing bag that doesn’t compromise in the fashion stakes, try this classic leather beauty from Silver Cross, available at Very.

The buttery-soft leather used here is actually vegan, so there are no sustainability worries, and a smart changing mat and detachable, insulated bottle holder are also included.

This backpack is designed to fit on Silver Cross prams and buggies using handy clips as well as sitting comfortably on your back. The shoulder straps are soft and comfy but quite slim and not heavily padded, so we wouldn’t use this rucksack for heavy loads or for hiking, but it’s comfortable enough for a day out and works well when worn with baby in a sling.

Inside is pleasingly roomy but there aren’t many pockets (or any zipped pockets, which we prefer for stashing phones and other bits and bobs), so it’s not for anyone who likes to squirrel things away in neat compartments.

Overall, everything from the vegan leather to the hardware to the changing mat feel like great, durable quality on this backpack, so it’s a rather luxurious pick that should last for years.

Material: Vegan leather Colours available: Tan, black Changing mat included? Yes Pockets: 4

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Keri Kit Thor Olive Leather Changing Backpack

• Thor Olive Leather Changing Backpack, £275 from Keri Kit – buy here

Pros: Gorgeous looks, well-placed pockets, investment piece
Cons: Changing mat not included, expensive

Our pick of the pack for lovely looks is the truly beautiful Thor backpack from Kerikit.

This leather rucksack isn’t just easy on the eye – its quality is beautiful enough to use daily. Inside you’ll find one roomy compartment plus elasticated pockets for clothing and nappies, zipped pockets for valuables and insulated side pockets you can pop a bottle in. However, we’d have preferred a zip fastening rather than pull ties at the top of the bag’s main section to keep everything packed away in place.

The padded back and adjustable straps are comfortable to wear, and you can also strap the bag to a stroller handle. Buggy clips and a changing mat are not included, which seems a pity given the premium price of this bag, but if you want a changing bag that’ll get you compliments at the playground and that you’ll definitely still be using when your baby is walking and talking, the Thor could be worth splashing out on.

Material: Leather Colours available: Olive green Changing mat included? No Pockets: 9

Babymel Robyn Convertible Backpack

• Babymel Robyn Convertible Backpack, £69 from Amazon – buy here

Pros: Great pockets including a clever wipes dispenser
Cons: Uncomfortable backpack straps

Add some cheerful stripes to your baby equipment lineup with Babymel’s Robyn convertible backpack.

This nicely-sized rucksack is designed to be worn on shoulders or across the body, but you can also attach it to a stroller or carry it by top handles. So far, so versatile.

On test, however, we found the backpack straps were pretty thin, lacking in padding and not super comfortable to wear, so we would recommend using this pack as a pram bag or a holdall rather than a rucksack for covering long distances. We’d also have preferred the removable insulated bottle holder to have a zipped opening rather than a drawstring.

The pockets stand up better to scrutiny. We liked the roomy external bottle pockets and love the ‘easy wipes’ pocket which dispenses wet wipes on the go, a feature that’s very handy indeed for quick nappy changes or mopping up spills. The inside of the backpack is easy to wipe clean, too.

Material: Cotton and polyester Colours available: 3 Changing mat included? Yes Pockets: 8

Strada Changing Backpack

• Strada Changing Bag, £99 from Mamas and Papas – buy here

Pros: Brilliant for getting organised, great looks
Cons: Could stain easily

Mamas and Papas is a popular one-stop shop for new parents looking to tick everything off their baby equipment list, and this rather stylish backpack is a lovely all-rounder if you’re missing a changing bag from yours.

We liked the sumptuously soft fabric and smart biscuit shade of the Strada we tested, although it is worth noting that it might stain easily, so the darker green "Ivy" hue might be a more sensible choice.

Inside is the Strada’s real strong point. There’s a great range of pockets in intuitive places, and we reckon this is the best changing bag we tested for getting organised and finding essentials easily on the go.

We loved the wide magnetic pocket on the front for quickly grabbing essentials, the large wipe-clean pocket which is ideal for storing dirty nappies and the phone pocket complete with motivational message.

This bag also includes a matching wipe-clean changing mat and an insulated bottle holder, which ticks our must-have boxes.

The Strada works well as a rucksack or a shoulder bag and fits easily under a stroller, so it’s a good all-rounder if you want one changing bag you can take everywhere.

Material: Melange Colours available: Pebble or Ivy Changing mat included? Yes Pockets: 9

Tiba + Marl Elwood Changing Backpack

• Tiba + Marl Elwood Changing Rucksack, £150 from Selfridges – buy here

Pros: A little bit different, great pockets, recycled materials
Cons: Expensive

Go all disco with this fun silver backpack – after all, who said baby bags had to be boring and beige?

There’s substance as well as style to the Elwood bag by Tiba + Marl; inside there’s a wipe-clean recycled lining, a padded changing mat, insulated bottle pocket and plentiful pockets, including a laptop sleeve and two wide pockets designed to hold bulkier items such as nappies and clothing.

A removable clutch-style bag is ideal for carrying mum or dad’s essentials, stashing wet wipes or even for taking out with you on a baby-free night out. Meanwhile, comfy shoulder straps and stroller straps make this eye-catching bag a versatile choice.

And if you aren’t sold on the silver colourway of this faux leather beauty, a black snake print as well as plain black and taupe versions are also available, and all four versions double up nicely as work backpacks, gym bags or carry-on when you aren’t bringing baby.  

Material: Faux leather and recycled polyester Colours available: 4 Changing mat included? Yes Pockets: 4

Avery Row Changing Bag

• Baby Changing Bag (Cinnamon), £75 from Avery Row – buy here

Pros: Soft, tactile material, spacious
Cons: Strap isn’t comfortable to carry over long distances, changing mat not included

Avery Row keeps it simple with this changing bag, a boxy holdall in soft, quilted organic cotton.

Inside is roomy and airy, with a cheerful and cute peach print lining. Storage is limited though, with just a few wide, elasticated pockets to use inside (although the ones that are present are ideal for stashing nappies, muslins and a few outfits for baby) and a few outside that are handy for quick-grab items such as wipes or your phone.

A changing mat isn’t included, although matching mats are sold separately for £36. Plentiful space makes this cuddly bag double up nicely as an overnight bag if you’re taking baby on their first holiday, or for use as a hospital or gym bag.

The soft material of the Avery Row changing bag makes it easy to store under a stroller and while it’s a pity the bag isn’t machine washable, you can easily wash stains out by hand.

Material: Cotton Colours available: Grey, red, tan Changing mat included? No Pockets: 6

Thule Changing Backpack

• Changing Backpack, £129.99 from Thule – buy here

Pros: Gender neutral, versatile design, great changing mat
Cons: Won’t win any style points

Thule’s practical, no-nonsense backpack for parents is built to withstand anything you care to chuck at it – we wouldn’t expect anything less from a brand that also specializes in car roof racks and camping kit.

This simple black rucksack is totally gender neutral and there’s no hint that it’s designed with babies in mind, making it ideal if you want to use it for more than just days out with your new arrival, as it’s also smart enough to wear to work and tough enough to take hiking.

We like the removable mini bag, which is ideal for popping a few nappies and wipes in for quick access on short errands (or for using as a toiletries bag if you use this backpack on you travels, or for popping on as a cross-body bag for carrying your wallet and keys on the go).

The backpack also includes a simple drawstring bag perfect for chucking dirty clothes in until you can wash them at home, although we’d have preferred the latter to be black rather than white, to avoid stains showing easily. The included changing mat is easy to wipe clean and has a handy storage pocket.

Material: Polyester Colours available: Black Changing mat included? Yes Pockets: 8

Finnson IDA Eco Holdall Changing Bag

• IDA Eco Holdall Changing Bag (Camel), £160 from Finnson – buy here

Pros: A good forever bag, eco-friendly materials, great changing mat
Cons: Doesn’t really work as a shoulder bag, stroller clips not included

If you’re shopping for a holdall-style bag for baby, they don’t come smarter than Finnson’s Ida.

Roomy, simple and well-designed, this is a multi-tasker of a bag that you could take travelling or to the gym once your little one is out of nappies, and it also makes a brilliant hospital bag.

The included Kari changing mat is lovely and soft thanks to quilting on one side and is wipe clean – this was one of the best mats we tested, and you can order it separately for £35 if yours doesn’t cut the mustard. Inside are plentiful pockets and the pale grey interior makes it easy to keep track of what you’ve packed.

The Ida sits nicely on pram handles (using stroller clips which, frustratingly, are sold separately for £18) and is soft enough to stuff under a stroller, but while there is a crossbody/shoulder strap it’s not padded, so it’s not very comfortable for carrying over longer distances.

We love that this changing bag is made from certified GRS (Global recycled standard) 100% recycled PET polyester, making it a more sustainable pick than many bags on the market.

Joolz Backpack

• Backpack, £99.95 from Joolz – buy here

Pros: Water-repellent, eco-friendly, versatile
Cons: Limited space

If you find most changing bags too heavy or bulky you may well love the simplicity of the slim Joolz backpack.

Neutral colourways make this rucksack double up nicely as a travel or work pack and it’s clearly been designed to be a multi-tasker for working parents, with a pocket suitable for a 15-inch laptop inside.

This is another design aiming to be kinder to the environment; it’s made from 33 recycled plastic bottles, arrives in reusable packaging and even the water repellent coating (very handy in rainy Britain!) is environmentally friendly.

Inside there are loads of zipped pockets, insulated pockets for bottles and well-placed compartments so it’s easy to keep track of smaller items, but there is limited space overall, so you might want to save this pack for shorter trips out or avoid it altogether if you like to bring everything but the kitchen sink out with baby.

A good quality changing mat is included, and straps mean you can attach the backpack to your stroller easily.

Material: Recycled polyester Colours available: Sage green, forest green, black Changing mat included: Yes Pockets: 10

Kaos Ransel Diaper Bag

• Ransel Diaper Bag, £129 £103.20 from Kaos – buy here

Pros: Versatile, unisex design, padded straps
Cons: Drawstring main compartment

Norwegian brand Kaos says it designed the Ransel ‘to last long before and after diaper days are over’ and we’d have to agree – this is a lovely design for day to day that’s unisex, versatile and just happens to be ideal for use as a changing bag.

Vegan leather and synthetic materials derived from recycled plastic bottles make this an eco-friendly pick, and we like that the outer material is water-repellent, so rain needn’t stop play if you’re out exploring with your little one.

Comfy padded straps make the Ransel easy to carry on your back and a shoulder strap loops onto the handlebars of a stroller (stroller hooks are sold separately for £15). We like the easy-access external zipped pockets and the roomy main compartment, although would have preferred this to be zipped too.

A large compartment is designed to fit either the included changing mat or your laptop, so you can take this bag with you whether or not your day includes time with your little one.

Material: Vegan leather Colours available: 4 Changing mat included: Yes Pockets: 8

What type of changing bag to choose

Think about how you plan to get out and about with your baby.

If you want a bag you can use with a pram or buggy, pick a duffle bag-style changing bag with a wide strap designed to fit over handlebars, with stroller straps or that can be stowed in the compartment at the bottom of your stroller.

If you plan to carry your baby in a sling or baby carrier, a rucksack-style changing bag is your best bet.

What accessories do you need? The National Childbirth Trust recommends picking a changing bag that comes with a washable, wipe-clean changing mat and an insulated bottle pocket for keeping milk cold or warm.

Zipped pockets are also very handy, and don’t forget to pick a unisex design if both parents plan to use your new purchase.  

What to pack in a changing bag

What you pack in your changing bag depends on your baby’s age, feeding needs and how long you’ll be out and about, but you’re likely to want to pack a supply of nappies, wipes, nappy bags, bottles of milk or formula (or jars of food and snacks for older babies), muslins, breast pads and barrier cream. You may also want a change of clothes for baby and a couple of toys.

Don’t forget to make sure you’ve got your folding changing mat in there, too. Most changing bags have space for your own essentials such as wallet, phone and keys, plus water and snacks.

Can you take a baby changing bag on a plane?

The answer is usually yes, but do check with your airline first, as many will have a weight limit of around 10kg for carry-on luggage.

Some airlines allow an infant (usually defined as a child under two, who travels free but does not get their own seat) to have their own changing bag as carry-on, but other budget airlines such as Jet 2 don’t, so you’ll need just one bag for your and your baby together.

EasyJet, for example, do allow infants to have an extra changing bag, but this mustn’t exceed a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20cm and must be able to fit under your seat, while British Airways allow infants their own carry-on bag but it’s included in the parent’s total weight allowance of 23kg.

Whatever airline you fly with, check their policy on liquids if you’re bringing bottles and creams for your baby in your changing bag – often these are allowed to exceed liquid measure restrictions.

How much do baby changing bags cost?

Good quality changing bags cost from around £40 and can go up to above £200 if you choose premium materials like leather and vegan leather.

We’d recommend picking a well-made bag for around the £100 mark if you want it to last.

Where to buy baby changing bags

Shop around for deals online but do try a changing bag out around the house before you commit to it.

Check shoulder straps are comfortable and padded and/or fit onto your buggy’s handles. We’d recommend choosing a bag that is easy to wipe down and keep clean, and that feels robust enough to use as changing bag for years to come (if you plan to have more little ones!).

Alternatively, pick one that you’d be happy taking to work or using as a gym bag once your little one is out of nappies.  

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We'd recommend looking at:

• Mamas and Papas
• Amazon
• John Lewis
• Boots

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