7 Things in My Changing Bag I Can't Live Without

7 Things in My Changing Bag I Can’t Live Without

February 2, 2015

For me—a writer fresh from a fashion magazine’s office floor—the idea of having to give up my beloved leather tote bag and replace it with a wipe-clean one filled with nappies was the straw that broke the camel’s back. My body was already stretched out of all recognition—my skin actually bled in the final weeks—I could no longer run, and everyone was chiming in with a “you’ll never sleep again!” warning if ever I looked too cheerful. But my bag?! Of course within weeks of my beautiful daughter arriving, I was glad of the vast bag with 100 pockets and pouches. Here are the changing bag essentials I had in mine…

More Baby Gear:

7 Things in My Changing Bag I Can't Live Without

Naty Nappies and Nappy Bags

Naty Nappies and Nappy Bags: After a LOT of testing, these came out on top. And they’re the ecologically sounder choice versus some other nappy brands.
Water Wipes

Water Wipes: £2.49 - I'm an advocate of using cool boiled water and cotton wool to cleanse your baby, but that’s tricky when you’re out and about---these have never caused any irritation to my daughter’s skin, or indeed my own.
Weather Protection Cream

Weleda Calendula Weather Protection Cream: £3.77 - Another winner from Weleda. I popped some on my baby’s cheeks in cold weather---it prevents chapping and redness.
Hand Cleanser

Metique Tea Tree Hygienic Hand Cleanser: £4.99 - It doesn’t dry your skin out like some hand sanitisers, and it smells better too!
Laminated Change Mat

Laminated Change Mat: £12.82 - I could pop small sample sizes and a nappy in this alone if I had to ditch my vast changing bag for any reason. It folds out so your little one doesn’t make contact with some of the grottiest changing tables out there.
Nappy Change Cream

Weleda Calendula Nappy Change Cream: £6.95 - This is the ultimate nappy cream. I’ve seen it soothe the angriest of nappy rash within 24 hours. It is by far the biggest must-have for new babies.

Grace was Beauty Editor of Glamour Magazine when she had her daughter, Noémie Rae, in 2012 and life changed forever! Having focused on trend spotting as a backstage reporter for Style.com and Allure, she began to explore the beauty, health, and wellbeing of women through pregnancy and motherhood at her blog, The Pregnant Beauty Guide. She also runs Mothers Collective, a members’ support group for new mothers in the UK and still writes for glossies like Glamour and Red. If you find yourself asking, “Can I still dye my hair now I'm pregnant,” or “What will disguise my new-mum eye bags?!,” Grace will have the answer!