How to Choose Your Nappy Bag

How to Choose Your Nappy Bag

A Simple Guide for New Parents

Choosing the right nappy bag is an important task for new parents. It's not just a bag; it's a lifeline that carries all your baby's essentials when you're out and about. In this blog post, we'll help you understand what to look for, the different types of nappy bags available, and how to choose the best one for your needs.


Before you buy, here’s what to look for:

  • Spacious compartments, The main feature of a baby bag is a lot of compartments. Think about how much space you need. Your nappy bag should fit nappies, baby wipes, bottles, extra change of clothes, on-the-go-snacks, formula, and personal items. And, when every essential item has its compartment, it makes it a lot easier to see what you've forgotten or what's running low. That said, many nappy bags sacrifice space and don’t allow enough room for your baby gear essentials. While one or two small compartments help store smaller accessories, such as a spare soother/dummy for a quick dash to the supermarket, it’s not enough for you to enjoy a day out at the beach, park or shopping mall. Unless you plan on staying at home, you’ll also need plenty of spacious compartments for larger items such as a pack of baby wipes, spare nappies and a complete change of clothes. Having to squeeze these essentials into small pockets is hard enough but struggling to get them out when you most need them could be very frustrating!
  • Easy to carry, When choosing a nappy bag consider how you will carry your bag when your baby is in your pram. The best travel bag options have multiple strap options so that you can convert it from a satchel baby bag to a nappy bag backpack in an instant. Some bags clip safely on a pram, others have-to be carried underneath in the stroller storage basket.
  • Have a wipe clean lining, a change mat and ideally an insulated bottle holder, Things can get messy inside your nappy bag, as you can imagine, so you need to be able to clean it easily. Another useful feature for keeping bottles of milk or food cool/hot is the insulated bottle holder.
  • Pockets and Organization, A good nappy bag has lots of pockets to keep things organized. Look for bags with special pockets for bottles, wet clothes, and items you need to grab quickly like pacifiers or your phone.
  • Durable Material, Choose a bag made from strong, easy-to-clean material like nylon or polyester. Some bags are also water-resistant, which can be very handy for spills.
  • Comfort, You'll be carrying this bag a lot, so comfort is key. Look for padded, adjustable straps and ergonomic designs. Some bags can attach to your stroller, which can be very convenient. 
  • Style ,Function is important, but so is style. You'll be using this bag every day, so pick one that you like. There are many stylish options that also work well.

Types of Nappy Bags

 

  • Backpack Nappy Bags

Backpack nappy bags are great because they keep your hands free. They balance the weight evenly on your back, making them comfortable for longer outings.

  • Tote Nappy Bags

Tote nappy bags are stylish and spacious. They're easy to access, but can get heavy on one shoulder if not packed carefully.

  • Messenger Nappy Bags

Messenger nappy bags are worn across your body, making it easy to swing them to the front for quick access. They often have a sporty look that works for both moms and dads.

  • Convertible Nappy Bags

Convertible nappy bags can change from a backpack to a tote or messenger bag. This makes them very versatile and adaptable to your needs.

 

How to Make the Right Choice

  • Think About Your Needs

Consider your lifestyle and how you'll use the bag. For long outings, a spacious backpack might be best. For shorter trips, a smaller tote or messenger bag could work.

  • Try It On

If you can, try the bag on before buying it. Make sure it's comfortable and that you can easily reach the compartments. If you're shopping online, check the return policy just in case.

  • Read Reviews

Look at reviews from other parents to see what they liked or didn't like about different bags. Pay attention to comments on durability, comfort, and ease of use.

  • Consider the Price

Nappy bags come in a range of prices. While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest option, a good-quality bag can be a better investment as it will last longer and work better.

Conclusion

Choosing the right nappy bag is a big decision for new parents. By thinking about size, organization, material, and style, you can find a bag that fits your needs and lifestyle. Whether you prefer a backpack, tote, messenger, or convertible bag, there's a perfect option out there for you. Happy shopping, and enjoy your parenting journey with a reliable and stylish nappy bag! Visit Babies.co.nz to explore our range and find the perfect option for your family.

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Your Tommee Tippee Bottle Questions Answered

Choosing the right bottle for your baby takes more thought than most people expect. Below we've answered the questions Kiwi parents ask us most often about Tommee Tippee. If you need more help, our team at Babies.co.nz is always happy to assist — call us on 09 274 3099 or visit our Auckland showroom in East Tamaki.

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Both use the same wide, breast-shaped teat design — the difference is in how they handle air reduction. Closer to Nature has a built-in anti-colic valve in the teat that reduces air ingestion during feeds. Advanced Anti-Colic goes further, with a heat-sensing tube at the bottom of the bottle that actively vents air out of the milk before it reaches your baby. For most babies, Closer to Nature is plenty. For babies with more significant colic, wind, or reflux, Advanced Anti-Colic is the better choice.

Yes — the Closer to Nature range is one of the most recommended bottles for combination feeding. The wide, breast-shaped teat encourages the same broad latch breastfed babies use at the breast, reducing the risk of nipple confusion. Always start with a slow flow teat for a breastfed baby regardless of age, and introduce the bottle around three to four weeks once breastfeeding is well established.

For many parents, yes. The Natural Start glass bottle is made from premium borosilicate glass — odour-free, heat resistant, and very easy to sterilise. It's particularly practical in the newborn period when you're sterilising frequently and mostly feeding at home. The main trade-offs are weight and the risk of breakage. Many parents use glass at home and plastic when out and about.

Start with slow flow for all newborns — whether breastfed or formula fed. Move up to variable flow when your baby shows signs of frustration, takes too long to finish feeds, or falls asleep before finishing. Fast flow suits confident, efficient feeders from around six months. Always let your baby's cues guide the decision rather than age alone.

Yes — both ranges include anti-colic features. Closer to Nature has a built-in anti-colic valve that reduces air ingestion. Advanced Anti-Colic takes this further with an active venting system that removes air bubbles from the milk during the feed. For babies with significant colic, the Advanced Anti-Colic bottle is the stronger solution. For a more powerful anti-colic system, Dr Brown's bottles use a fully internal vent system that is clinically proven to reduce colic.

The Perfect Prep Machine makes a fresh, perfectly mixed, body-temperature formula bottle in under two minutes — safely. It delivers a shot of hot water (over 70°C) to kill bacteria in the formula powder, then tops the bottle up to the correct volume with filtered water at room temperature. The result is a safe, correctly mixed bottle at the ideal feeding temperature, every time. The Day and Night version adds a quiet pump and soft night light for night feeds. It requires replacement filters every three months — available at Babies.co.nz.

As a guide: 2–3 bottles for occasional bottle feeding of a breastfed baby; 4–6 for combination feeding; 6–8 for exclusive formula feeding. The Closer to Nature 260ml 3-pack is the most practical starting point as it gives you enough bottles for a full day without constant washing.

Yes — all Closer to Nature, Advanced Anti-Colic, and Natural Start glass bottles and teats are dishwasher safe on the top rack. Replace teats every two to three months or sooner if you notice any thinning, stickiness, or discolouration.

Shop the full Tommee Tippee range online at Babies.co.nz with nationwide delivery, or visit our Auckland showroom in East Tamaki. We stock bottles, teats, the Perfect Prep Machine, sterilisers, breast pumps, and the full Tommee Tippee range. Price Match available and 5% back in Rewards on every purchase.

Both are excellent, widely trusted brands. Tommee Tippee's Closer to Nature teat is slightly softer and more flexible, which some babies find easier to latch onto. Philips AVENT's Natural Response teat uses a unique J-shape that releases milk only when your baby actively drinks — a more precise mimicry of breastfeeding. AVENT also offers more granular teat flow options (six levels vs Tommee Tippee's three). If you're combination feeding and want the most breast-like bottle experience, AVENT Natural Response is worth comparing. If you want a trusted, simple bottle with strong anti-colic performance, Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature is hard to beat. Read our full Philips AVENT buying guide →

The key difference is anti-colic power. Dr Brown's internal vent system is clinically proven to reduce colic and is the stronger solution for babies with significant wind or reflux. Tommee Tippee's anti-colic valve (Closer to Nature) and heat-sensing tube (Advanced Anti-Colic) are effective for most babies but less comprehensive than Dr Brown's approach. On the other hand, Tommee Tippee is simpler to clean — fewer parts, no internal vent tube to wash — and the breast-shaped teat is widely regarded as one of the best for combination feeding. Read our full Dr Brown's buying guide →

Most paediatric guidance recommends transitioning from a bottle to a cup around 12 months. Tommee Tippee makes this easy with their integrated cup and sippy range. The transition from bottle to sippy cup is smoother when you stay within the same brand — the familiar Tommee Tippee feel and quality helps babies accept the change more readily.