One of the first things you’ll notice when you have a baby is the surprising amount of paraphernalia you suddenly need – this is doubly true whenever you want to leave the house.
Nappies, wet wipes, muslins, bottles of milk, toys, spare changes of clothes – these all need to be toted about wherever you go.
That’s why investing in a sturdy, practical changing bag is a must – and when it comes to ease of use while on-the-go, it doesn’t get more practical than a baby changing backpack.
There are multiple reasons for this. For starters, it’s a godsend having a hands-free option, especially if you’re planning on ditching the buggy for the day and popping your baby in the sling instead.
Having the weight spread evenly over both shoulders also means you can carry a heavier load without feeling the impact quite so much. The unisex nature of a backpack also means both parents are more than happy to carry them, something that seems less likely with a more traditional-looking handbag style.
So how to shop for a baby-changing backpack
First, make sure you take a look at how many storage compartments each one has. When you want to find something in a hurry, it’s essential to know where everything is at a moment’s notice, so internal pockets that you can use to compartmentalise things like changing essentials, spare clothes and toys are brilliant.
Some bags even come with clever extras, like insulated pouches to keep bottles warm or cold and matching changing mats, which saves you from having to buy an extra item.
Finally, decide whether if you want a simple, functional look or a more stylish designer style. There’s a huge range available on the market, from chic leather rucksacks and cool printed designs to no-frills bags that simply get the job done.
While the more premium options are likely to come with a higher price tag, they can often be used long after your baby has grown, so in some cases are worth the investment.
Here we’ve rounded up the best baby-changing backpacks to buy now.
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Jem + Bea Jamie Changing Backpack
Jem + Bea is known for making practical yet stylish baby changing backpacks that look just as good on the playground as they do at a family-friendly festival or city break. One of the brand’s best-selling designs is the Jamie, which has won multiple awards over the years – and thanks to its numerous parent-pleasing features, it’s not hard to see why.
Inside you’ll find a handy range of internal compartments for stashing nappies and wipes, as well as smaller pouches perfect for holding bottles of sunscreen or nappy rash ointment.
There’s also a foldaway changing mat stashed in an external pocket – making it super easy to grab whenever a changing emergency arises – a matching pouch where you can store your keys, phone and wallet, and a hidden thermo-insulated pocket on the side for bottles.
Buy now £150.00, John Lewis
Babymel Robyn Eco Convertible Backpack
This lightweight yet durable style can be worn multiple ways: as a backpack, shoulder bag, cross body or hand held with an easy to use convertible strap. Part of Babymel’s eco range, the bag is crafted from RPET, a recycled material made from old plastic bottles, which is also ingeniously water and stain resistant. Another handy feature is that it comes with a cushioned changing mat that’s machine washable, taking the stress out of messy nappy changes.
With seven internal and external pockets, including a side pocket big enough to stash a pack of baby wipes, it’s one of the roomiest options on the market. There’s even a clever separate thermo-insulated bottle holder with a drawstring closure, which keeps liquids at the correct temperature for up to four hours and can be stored anywhere in the bag, rather than solely in a designated pocket. With built-in stroller straps made from super strong Velcro, tying it securely to your buggy is also delightfully easy.
Buy now £60.00, John Lewis
Burberry Logo-print shell changing bag
After years in the fashion wilderness, the Burberry check has made a triumphant return to the spotlight. The iconic check can be found across the collection and in accessories like this baby changing bag too.
It's an uber-luxe look - with a price tag to match - but you'll be rewarded with a stylish and durable piece of arm candy that's studed with pockets to store your litte one's essentials. In addition, there's a matching changing mat to complement the entire look.
Buy now £1050.00, Selfridges
Finnson Inge Eco Changing Backpack
This eye-catching leopard print design is one of the coolest we’ve spotted on the market, and is unlikely to get mixed up with anyone else’s changing bag anytime soon.
Everything about this bag is designed to grab and go, with adjustable straps that unclip to attach to the buggy in a matter of seconds, making it the ultimate hands-free changing bag. It’s also one of the most sustainable options on the market, crafted from 100 per cent recycled PET Polyester, a major plus point for eco-conscious parents.
The bag also has more pockets than your average changing backpack, with five internal pockets (including a zipped compartment where you can keep your keys, wallet or phone), four external pockets with waterproof zips and two side slip pockets for storing bottles.
Our tester loved how much it could hold, as well as how easy it was to take on and off the buggy.
Buy now £150.00, Scandiborn
Joolz Backpack
You’re probably familiar with Joolz for its brilliantly designed buggies and pushchairs, but now the Dutch baby brand has launched its first ever baby changing backpack – and it’s just as innovative as you’d expect. The sleek Scandi-cool design is deceptively roomy inside with multiple compartments that are easily accessible from both the top and the side, including room for a 15” laptop and a clever anti-theft clip to keep your valuables safe and sound.
It comes with all the essentials, including a changing mat and an insulated compartment for warm or cold bottles. It’s just as comfortable to carry by the handy grab handles at the top of the bag as it is on your back (our tester loved how the backpack straps could be discreetly stowed away for this option), and it attaches via a nifty clip to Joolz buggy handlebars.
What’s more, it’s a great green option, as it’s made from 33 recycled plastic bottles – even the water repellent coating is environmentally friendly.
Buy now £89.96, Baby Planet
MISS FONG Baby Changing Bag
Babies + style: who says they can't go together?
This baby changing bag could pass for a regular backpack thanks to the PU tan colour complemented with gold hardware. The high-quality look is armed to the teeth with storage options and solutions, from stroller straps to use when you're with the buggy, to a total of 16 pockets to stash infant essentials. it also comes with a foldable changing mat for clean-ups on the go.
Buy now £53.99, Amazon
Tiba + Marl Elwood Changing Backpack
It’s likely you’ve spotted one of these stylish baby changing backpacks on a fellow parent – the British brand’s Elwood is its bestselling design, particularly for fashion-conscious parents who want an option that doesn’t look like your average changing bag. Made from recycled vegan leather, it’s big enough to hold a laptop, meaning it won’t look out of place at a playgroup or in the office.
There are plenty of clever design features, like an insulated bottle holder in the front pocket, a luxury padded changing mat for super comfortable changes on-the-go, and a removable wet clutch or cross-body bag for stashing dirty clothing. If you want to attach it to your buggy, separate pairs of stroller clips are available to buy.
Buy now £150.00, Selfridges
Nobodinoz Baby On The Go Changing Backpack
This sleek bag from Spanish brand Nobodinoz has a more compact design than many other baby changing backpacks on the market, and is also a brilliantly versatile option that can be worn three different ways: as a backpack, as a handy carry all tote or attached to the buggy via clever adjustable Velcro fasteners.
Made from organic cotton, the bag’s outer shell has a waterproof coating, meaning you can carry it whatever the weather, while the inner is waterproof too (vital for those inevitable spills and leaks). Due to its more minimal design, it doesn’t have quite as many pockets as some of the other backpacks on the market.
There’s just two on the inside and one large zipped pocket on the outside – and it’s worth noting that it doesn’t come with its own changing mat, so you’d need to buy that separately.
Buy now £99.95, Nubie Kids
Kaos Ransel Diaper Bag
This baby changing bag is one of the newest to the UK market, but its brilliant Norwegian design means it’s sure to fly off the shelves. The brand was created by two mums and it shows, thanks to the number of innovative features crammed into one bag.
In keeping with the brand’s sustainable initiative, the backpack is made from recycled plastic bottles that have been spun into premium, durable fabric, while even the detailing has been made from vegan leather.
The stylish, unisex bag was designed to be useful long after your nappy changing days are over, but that doesn’t mean it scrimps on the baby-friendly details – it comes with a total of eight pockets for organising nappies, wipes and everything in between, including four bottle pockets (two inside and two outside, for easy access) and a clever mini pocket for housing dummies.
There’s even a large back pocket big enough to hold your laptop. With a shoulder strap for wearing cross-body and matching stroller hooks available to purchase separately to attach it to your buggy, it has all the bases covered.
Buy now £129.00, Smallable
PacaPod Backpack Changing Pack - Rockham - Black Dalmatian
If you’re a bit of a neat freak who likes everything to be organised within an inch of its life, this is the baby changing bag for you.
As well as having multiple hidden pockets for stashing away your essentials, the bag comes with an innovative 3-in-1 organising system using the brand’s clever removable pods, which include a changer pod for keeping all your nappies, wipes and creams in one place, a feeder pod for storing bottles and a mini pod that attaches to the top of the bag for dummies or valuables.
Made from recycled eco polyester, our tester loved the pods’ unique design and the fact that they were wipe clean.
The bag is designed to be large enough to house your laptop or iPad, meaning it will still be useful once your babies are out of nappies.
Buy now £99.00, Natural Baby Shower
BabaBing! Sorm Backpack Changing Bag
The Sorm backpack from British brand BabaBing! was designed with longevity in mind, and aims to take you from birth to toddler and beyond. It comes with a few clever features we haven’t seen elsewhere on the market, such as an XL changing mat that will work just as well for wriggly toddlers as it does for newborns.
Our tester also loved the fact that it was made from 100 per cent waterproof PU rubber, making it super easy to clean. Other handy features include a bottle holder, four easy-access pouches for holding baby essentials and free matching pushchair clips. With its clean lines and minimal design, it’s a great option for fashion-forward parents looking for a more affordable bag that doesn’t compromise on style.
Buy now £59.99, John Lewis
Verdict
When it comes to a premium baby changing backpack, you can’t go wrong with the Jem + Bea Jamie, which is a sleek, lightweight option that will see you through everything from daily trips to the playground to vacations abroad. For a more affordable option, my top pick would be the Babymel Robyn, which is both pleasingly versatile and deceptively roomy.
