Lightweight: You're going to be carrying this bag around all day. While space is important, opt for something that doesn't feel too heavy, like Storksak's Poppy Luxe bag. Many modern changing bags are designed to look good while offering practical features too, so it's perfectly possible to find a changing bag you're also happy to use for other situations. In the early months and years of parenthood, you'll be using your changing bag a lot, so it makes sense to put as much consideration and money towards it as you would any other everyday bag. What to look for when choosing a changing bag We also asked writer Becca Heyes to test a selection of changing bags and let us know her thoughts. As a mum to a boisterous two-year-old and a three-month-old baby, Becca was able to offer insight into what makes a really great changing bag that will grow with a family and last for years to come. Over the course of three months, Becca rigorously tested a shortlist of 15 bags before narrowing them down to favourites, some of which we included on this list. We combined all of this research to choose a selection of products that we think offer something for everybody. How we tested:

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 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. As they grow, the cot converts into a 140 x 70cm junior bed that’ll last until they’re around six - by which age they'll be old enough for a bunk bed or single. The cot bed has a tasteful, neutral design and is made from high-quality New Zealand Pine - perfect for handing on or selling secondhand.

The best baby-changing bags 2023 at a glance:

Your baby can use the travel cot well into their third year, so it is worth the investment,” Motherhood Coach and Baby Expert Millie Poppins told us. Your travel cot will serve a purpose until your toddler is too big or old enough to climb out. Are travel cots safe? The best travel cots for babies and toddlers are safe spaces for your bundle of joy to sleep when you're away from home (perhaps the Maldives? Or New York? We can dream). They're portable and collapsible, folding down into an easy-to-carry bundle that shouldn't be too strenuous to move. Perfect for weekends at the grandparents' or even on a plane.

The best travel cots come with genuinely comfortable mattresses (nowhere near as lumpy as they once were) for your baby girl or baby boy to get a killer night's kip, and they double up as playpens for during the day/when you're getting ready for dinner with thanks to the high mesh sides. Changing mat: There's not much point in buying a baby changing mat without the mat. Sure, there are some good options down below that come sans mat if you have a solid reason not to buy one, but if you're a first time mum, ensure your nappy bag comes with a large, fold-out mat attached. The best changing bags have space for all the baby and toddler paraphenalia you need to carry around. But finding one that you actually like and feel good carrying? That's the holy grail. The stylish mums of the Mumsnet forums are experts on finding the essential baby gear that's designed to look great as well as for practicality. 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 washable Looks for added extras - is there a perfect-fit changing mat included or do you need to buy one separately?After thoroughly testing each bag, we then scored them on several criteria, including comfort, aesthetics, value for money, practicality and cleanliness. A note about milk safety – although some bags are marketed as being able to keep bottles of milk warm for hours on end, we have questions about the safety of this practice. Bacteria loves to grow in warm environments, so keeping a bottle of milk warm for a long period of time seems questionable at best, especially when it’s going to be fed to a vulnerable infant. Before we began researching the best cot beds, we first scrutinised the latest safe sleep advice from trusted organisations such as The Lullaby Trust, the NCT and the NHS so we could be confident that all the cots we were recommending were safe. We took all the cots and cot beds that came most highly recommended by consumers and parents to draw up a shortlist of 20 products and then narrowed it down to the eight you see here, which we think offer enough choice for every family. Why you should trust us

Cons: Some reviewers reported that the stroller straps weren't compatible with their buggy, and because of the bulky size, the bag bashed against their knees when walking even if they could fit it on.

What to look for when choosing a changing bag

When you convert the cot into a toddler bed, you can buy cot bed-sized bedding from many retailers. We think Silentnight make the best cot bed duvet and pillow, and we love John Lewis’ range of cute duvet covers for cot beds. What type of mattress is best for a cot bed? A cot bed works just the same as a cot, but when your child is ready (or starts to climb out of it) it can be converted into a small bed. This is usually achieved by removing the sides and sometimes lowering the ends of the bed. A standard cot doesn’t have these features, so once your child outgrows it or can climb out, it’s time to buy a new bed. Do I need a crib or Moses basket for the newborn stage? Key details – Features: Removable changing mat; Bag dimensions: 40 x 14 x 30cm; Washing instructions: Wipe clean only It's also worth mentioning how stylish this bag looks. The on-trend faux fur finish and leather accents give it a modern, sophisticated look that doesn't scream “nappy bag” – and that's exactly what we're after, right? The detachable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry when you're on the go. These days, changing bags come with all sorts of useful functions. We recommend you consider what’s necessary for you and your baby’s needs, then take a look at our list to inspire your choice. We took the advice of Mumsnetters on our forums - real parents who’ve used and rated these bags - alongside trusted online publications. Importantly, we did our own testing of some of these bags, to see how they coped in the real world. Whether you want something budget, stylish, small or all-singing-all-dancing, we hope there’s something on here for everyone.

Changing mat included? Yes. This bag comes complete with Jem + Bea eco-changing mat which is generously sized and padded for comfort. Find out more about why we love these baby changing bags below. Baby changing bags: what you need to know Read on for our tips on choosing a changing bag, followed by our list of the best you can currently buy.

These scores allowed us to compare the bags as objectively as possible and to award our favourite bags with coveted Mumsnet Best awards. Any bags that failed our tests were not included in our recommendations. We then added other bags to our list, based on research. Why you should trust us We also consulted renowned consumer organisations such as Which? to gather information on how to choose the best quality products and also those that would offer the most value for money. Next, consider its ease of use. Are you after a traditional travel cot comprising a frame and fabric cot, or a pop-up travel cot (which might be lighter but less sturdy)? Is your travel cot compact and easy to fold away? Will it take long to assemble? The travel cots listed in this edit have all been selected for their ease of use. Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about how we tested the products we recommend. We won't always recommend the cheapest products or the ones with the most extra features. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones we'd recommend to our own friends and family. The bag also comes with a changing mat that fits perfectly inside the bag, and it's easy to wipe clean after use.