Whatever baby stage you’re in, one thing’s for sure – when you’re leaving the house, you’ll need a lot of stuff. Diapers, wipes, spare clothes, muslins, bibs – the list is endless. Having a bag that can hold all your baby essentials without breaking your back is a must-have. Diaper or changing bags come in a variety of styles and sizes. But which is best? We have the advice you need for finding a bag that’s perfect for your needs.
What is the best style of diaper bag?
With lots to fit in, it can be tempting to go for the largest option you can find. But you’ll need to consider if it’s too heavy to lift, especially as you may be pushing or carrying your little one too.
You’ll need to think about how the style you like best works with the practicalities of carrying everything your baby needs. A bag with a shoulder strap may be your go-to style, but you might find a rucksack is easier to carry and leaves your hands free too.
If you’re a fan of everything having its place, then you’ll love a diaper bag with plenty of pockets. Many of the choices on the high street or online have special internal pockets for bottles, diapers, changing mats and more.
Or, you may prefer a tote changing bag that has a huge main compartment for diaper changing.
Some buggies or pushchairs come with a branded bag to match, which also means it should fit onto the pram too and save every new parent’s back!
Before buying a diaper bag, think about what your must-haves are, such as a changing mat, insulated bottle holder or maybe even an inbuilt phone charger.
Best diaper bags
BabyCenter selects products based on the research of our editors and the wisdom of parents in the BabyCenter Community. We may earn a commission from shopping links.
Photo credit: Gigil
Gigil Luxe changing backpack
BabyCenter parents love the Gigil range of vegan changing bags, especially the Luxe. Made of faux leather, Gigil backpack changing bags are simple and classic designs you could use when not just out and about with your baby.
New parents love the neutral look and stylish design mixed with practical pockets and a lot of space for all those baby bottles and bits. This vegan leather bag is available in a range of muted plain colours and all feature an embossed Gigil logo. There are loads of compartments for all your essentials and it also comes with some helpful extras including a changing mat and pushchair straps. The rucksack design makes carrying everything you need easy. Keep in mind that this bag isn’t the cheapest on the market, but the design means it will be useful long after you’re carrying diapers around.
BabyCenter parents love it because…
"Comes with a small changing mat and is fully lined so wipeable. It also has internal insulated pockets for keeping bottles warm. Lots of pockets to keep things separate and gender-neutral so my husband is happy to carry it."
"I’ve had quite a few compliments on it, including from someone who wants to buy it for themselves (even though they don’t have a baby). There’s loads of space, travel changing mat inside and loads of compartments. Great bag!"
Available from Gigil.
New parents love the neutral look and stylish design mixed with practical pockets and a lot of space for all those baby bottles and bits. This vegan leather bag is available in a range of muted plain colours and all feature an embossed Gigil logo. There are loads of compartments for all your essentials and it also comes with some helpful extras including a changing mat and pushchair straps. The rucksack design makes carrying everything you need easy. Keep in mind that this bag isn’t the cheapest on the market, but the design means it will be useful long after you’re carrying diapers around.
BabyCenter parents love it because…
"Comes with a small changing mat and is fully lined so wipeable. It also has internal insulated pockets for keeping bottles warm. Lots of pockets to keep things separate and gender-neutral so my husband is happy to carry it."
"I’ve had quite a few compliments on it, including from someone who wants to buy it for themselves (even though they don’t have a baby). There’s loads of space, travel changing mat inside and loads of compartments. Great bag!"
Available from Gigil.
Photo credit: PatPat
PatPat changing bag
If you want just that bit more from your bag, then the PatPat guarantees to deliver, because it isn’t just a great bag – but also a travel cot too!
The clever design of this bag means the back of the backpack pulls out to become a travel crib you can use for changing or when your baby needs to nap. The ingenious design doesn’t take up any of the room from the main bag which still offers all the pockets and places to store your stuff. Little tent poles are included with the bag to make the rigid cot.
The travel crib function isn’t the only clever design feature of this bag. The PatPat changing bag also offers a powerbank pocket to charge your phone, an insulated bottle pocket to keep your baby’s bottles warm, a changing mat and pushchair straps. This is the changing bag that just keeps on giving!
Some parents in our community did mention that they found it tricky to convert the bag to a cot at first, so keep in mind that this may need a little extra practise.
BabyCenter parents love it because…
"It opens out into a travel cot with a change mat that goes in as well and a zip in sun shade which we’ve used at the beach. It’s easy to use and fold away. Big enough bag part to hold change of clothes and change stuff and snacks for a toddler too. It has side pockets for wipes and water bottle, as well as a front zip pocket for keys and a phone. It also has lots of useful internal compartments. Plus, it was cheap. I can’t think of anything I would change about it."
"It’s so good and hooks onto the buggy. Its only downfall is trying to put the poles in the sides is a little awkward, as they’re like tent poles, but so worth it once you master it."
Available from PatPat, Amazon and other major retailers.
The clever design of this bag means the back of the backpack pulls out to become a travel crib you can use for changing or when your baby needs to nap. The ingenious design doesn’t take up any of the room from the main bag which still offers all the pockets and places to store your stuff. Little tent poles are included with the bag to make the rigid cot.
The travel crib function isn’t the only clever design feature of this bag. The PatPat changing bag also offers a powerbank pocket to charge your phone, an insulated bottle pocket to keep your baby’s bottles warm, a changing mat and pushchair straps. This is the changing bag that just keeps on giving!
Some parents in our community did mention that they found it tricky to convert the bag to a cot at first, so keep in mind that this may need a little extra practise.
BabyCenter parents love it because…
"It opens out into a travel cot with a change mat that goes in as well and a zip in sun shade which we’ve used at the beach. It’s easy to use and fold away. Big enough bag part to hold change of clothes and change stuff and snacks for a toddler too. It has side pockets for wipes and water bottle, as well as a front zip pocket for keys and a phone. It also has lots of useful internal compartments. Plus, it was cheap. I can’t think of anything I would change about it."
"It’s so good and hooks onto the buggy. Its only downfall is trying to put the poles in the sides is a little awkward, as they’re like tent poles, but so worth it once you master it."
Available from PatPat, Amazon and other major retailers.
Photo credit: Amazon
ComfyDegree diaper changing backpack
If you like a bit of tech, you’ll love the ComfyDegree baby changing bag with a USB port to charge your phone and keep bottles warm.
This bag isn’t only great because of its handy tech features, it also includes a changing mat, stroller strap and USB lead. It’s a large bag for all your essentials, including several pockets and a large opening at the top for easy access. And even though this bag offers the great addition of power ports, it’s also reasonably priced.
BabyCenter parents love it because…
"It’s amazing and still looks brand new 17 months on. It comes with a free changing mat and USB cable for charging your phone in the bag (you have to have an external battery to plug in to.) I love that it has a wired frame around the opening so you can open and close the bag one-handed, and it stays open whilst you grab things out. It comes with very strong clips with velcro to fasten onto the pram. It has insulated areas for bottles and food. It has lots of pockets and it fits loads in."
"We have two. One for the crèche and one for the weekend. It has a lot of space, is comfy to wear, lots of access points and looks good."
Available from ComfyDegree.
This bag isn’t only great because of its handy tech features, it also includes a changing mat, stroller strap and USB lead. It’s a large bag for all your essentials, including several pockets and a large opening at the top for easy access. And even though this bag offers the great addition of power ports, it’s also reasonably priced.
BabyCenter parents love it because…
"It’s amazing and still looks brand new 17 months on. It comes with a free changing mat and USB cable for charging your phone in the bag (you have to have an external battery to plug in to.) I love that it has a wired frame around the opening so you can open and close the bag one-handed, and it stays open whilst you grab things out. It comes with very strong clips with velcro to fasten onto the pram. It has insulated areas for bottles and food. It has lots of pockets and it fits loads in."
"We have two. One for the crèche and one for the weekend. It has a lot of space, is comfy to wear, lots of access points and looks good."
Available from ComfyDegree.
Photo credit: Cath Kidston
Cath Kidston diaper changing bag
If you’re a fan of florals and pretty prints, then you’ll be tempted to choose a Cath Kidston changing bag. Not only do they come in a wide range of prints, they also come as either a shoulder style or rucksack, with many BabyCenter parents loving the latter because it has a framed zip that stays open at the top making it easy when you need to take out your things.
Depending on each bag and style, they come with a changing mat, bottle holder and zipped pouch, so you’ll be ready for your day out. The shoulder bag designs have handles as well as a long strap plus pushchair Velcro straps so you can attach them to your buggy when travelling around.
Cath Kidston has a large range of bags, so even if one of the set changing bags isn’t for you, you may find their weekender bag is a great option.
BabyCenter parents love them because…
"I have the backpack style. It opens with a stiffened rim so you get a full open view of what’s in your bag without having to rifle. It’s very spacious, not having to stuff things in. I was a fan of the brand as I love prints and I loved that I didn’t have to resort to a boring colour, as it had all the practicalities that I needed."
"I’ve got a Cath Kidston weekend bag. I can fit changes of clothes, snacks, diapers, wipes, muslins etc. I can fit everything I could possibly need and more in this bag. Plus, it’s in the Peter Rabbit print which I love!"
Available from Cath Kidston.
Depending on each bag and style, they come with a changing mat, bottle holder and zipped pouch, so you’ll be ready for your day out. The shoulder bag designs have handles as well as a long strap plus pushchair Velcro straps so you can attach them to your buggy when travelling around.
Cath Kidston has a large range of bags, so even if one of the set changing bags isn’t for you, you may find their weekender bag is a great option.
BabyCenter parents love them because…
"I have the backpack style. It opens with a stiffened rim so you get a full open view of what’s in your bag without having to rifle. It’s very spacious, not having to stuff things in. I was a fan of the brand as I love prints and I loved that I didn’t have to resort to a boring colour, as it had all the practicalities that I needed."
"I’ve got a Cath Kidston weekend bag. I can fit changes of clothes, snacks, diapers, wipes, muslins etc. I can fit everything I could possibly need and more in this bag. Plus, it’s in the Peter Rabbit print which I love!"
Available from Cath Kidston.
Photo credit: Storksak
Storksak St James diaper bag
The Storksak St James diaper bag is as good looking as it is practical. It’s made of a durable scuba material that is water resistant and easy to wipe clean.
If you’re undecided on whether you want a backpack or shoulder bag style changing bag, this one is the answer. It comes with convertible straps that mean you can carry the bag on your back, shoulder or across your body.
It comes with a matching food and bottle bag and a changing mat and there are seven pockets for diapers, wipes and your other essentials.
Parents in our BabyCenter community have been recommending this bag as a stylish option. They love the unisex neutral design that any parent is happy to carry.
Available from Indigo.
See something you like? Don't forget to add it to your Amazon baby wishlist.
If you’re undecided on whether you want a backpack or shoulder bag style changing bag, this one is the answer. It comes with convertible straps that mean you can carry the bag on your back, shoulder or across your body.
It comes with a matching food and bottle bag and a changing mat and there are seven pockets for diapers, wipes and your other essentials.
Parents in our BabyCenter community have been recommending this bag as a stylish option. They love the unisex neutral design that any parent is happy to carry.
Available from Indigo.
See something you like? Don't forget to add it to your Amazon baby wishlist.
Looking for more recommendations?
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Amalia Smith is an edit assistant for BabyCentre. She is responsible for creating and updating email newsletters, editing articles and liaising with the international team of editors.
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