I loathe the term ‘changing bag’. Yes, yes, I know that ‘s what it is technically but the term is far too domesticated for me. The designs are generally ‘safe‘ which is my way of saying banal, generic, unless you splash out. I used a women’s oversized handbag from H&M until I wore it out. It had plenty of pockets, including outside side pockets designed for a twenty-something’s mobile no doubt, but accommodated a baby beaker no sweat. Even that bag imprisoned me, so I suppose it’s not the bag or the name, the ’changing bag’ becomes your ball and chain.

It all starts on the first trips out with your newborn. Even if you breastfeed, you cram it with at least two of everything. Nappies, clothes, bibs, pads (for me), wipes, muslin squares all in fear of not being prepared for any eventuality. It gets worse as the child gets older; sun hats, winter hats, gloves, teething sachets, hand cream (again, for me), tampons (for me of course), spare toys or books, wipeable bib, long sleeved bib, cutlery and some parents take out plates, bowls and other food aids. Then if you share childcare with a grandparent or partner and don’t clear out the bag on a regular basis you may still find sticky tubes of sun block and broken pairs of sunglasses come November…ahem.

It all gets a bit ridiculous really if you consider that half of this stuff wasn’t around 50 or so years ago. I’m sure we cart it all around to appear like the perfect ‘together’ parent. You know, those types of people who always carry around tissues, chewing gum, emery boards and umbrellas, no matter what the weather. Everyone must have come across parents who effortlessly produce beautifully clean containers with home-cooked gourmet dishes and tidily dish it up to their infant up while managing to hold a conversation. I tell myself I am catching them on a good day but they are annoying all the same.

So there I am in Brighton central and, after a minor panic attack, my contingency plan kicks in. When you think about it rationally, there’s nothing you can’t buy when you’re out in a city like Brighton albeit a disposable lifestyle doesn’t fit with my Green agenda. I was in one of my fave coffee places (Lovefit, Brighton Sq…sorry, name drop but it’s a recession), they bought water with a straw, a little plate for Little L to share my sandwich and stacks of napkins. I amused her with my door keys and the paper menus. She ate with her hands, I watched closely for the poo face hoping that a ‘watched’ face never comes, in fact, we both had a very calm, nice, lunch. The old changing bag is well and truly ‘sacked’.

Got any good ideas for carrying around my 15 month olds gear? Keep me in the contented manner I‘m accustomed and share in the comments.