Key details – Features: Removable changing mat; Weight: 0.6kg; Bag dimensions: 35 x 38 x 15cm, Washing instructions: Bag and mat wipe clean Whether you’re looking for a cheap, pragmatic baby changing bag or a luxurious leather holdall, our simple guide to choosing the best baby changing bags will help narrow down the search for a piece of kit that works for you, your family and your budget. Key details – Features: Removable changing mat and two thermo-insulated bottle holders; Weight: 0.7kg; Bag dimensions: 41 x 32 x 14cm; Washing instructions: Wipe clean The changing bag doesn’t open as wide as some of the others in this list, and although it can carry an awful lot of kit – in ours is a blanket, three changes of clothes, six nappies, wet wipes, a rattle, two bibs, two muslin cloths, our red book, two bottles of ready-to-feed Aptamil milk and two bottles of pre-sterilised Aptamil bottles – your items aren’t always that easy to find, even with the separate compartments. It is incredibly lightweight, though, at 590g and the different carry options are surprisingly beneficial.

The fact that the entire bag is made from water-resistant fabric will be welcome to any UK-based parents.We used this bag every evening on a recent holiday – and it would be perfect for bigger events like weddings and parties, too. It has a capacity of 23.8 litres but weighs just 750g. This design means it can also double up as a gym bag, school bag or a bag to take on weekend away. Elsewhere, it comes with two stroller hooks, which means you can attach it to a pushchair if you don’t want to carry it. We keep ours close to hand for trips to the supermarket and anywhere where the full baby bag isn’t needed. Read on for our tips on choosing a changing bag, followed by our list of the best you can currently buy.

It is on the more expensive side but if you value sustainability and want to support a smaller independent brand, it’s a great choice. Designed for those moments when you just need to pop out for a short period, Essentialz’s Itsy is our favourite compact option. Key details – Features: Removable fleece changing mat; Weight: 0.4kg; Bag dimensions: 19.5 x 33 x 2cm; Washing instructions: Bag wipes clean, changing mat machine washableKey details – Features: Removable changing mat and bottle warmer; Weight: 590g; Bag dimensions: 37.2 x 31 x 4.8cm; Washing instructions: Wipe clean Above all, you’ll be looking for a hardwearing, durable, lightweight bag that’s easy to clean and large enough to stuff all the essential items into. It’s likely that you’ll head out with it (either strapped to a pram or slung over your shoulder) several times a week so it’s an important buy that you’ll want to ensure suits your style and needs. Key details – Features: Removable changing mat; Bag dimensions: 40 x 14 x 30cm; Washing instructions: Wipe clean only It’s a great size: deep enough to fit all the essentials such as a change of baby clothes, toys, extra nappies, bottles and wipes, and the numerous zipped compartments help to keep it all organised. It also has an insulated bottle holder and a foldable changing mat in the front compartment. While this bag is one of the biggest out of the styles we tested, it’s actually very lightweight and doesn’t look too bulky.