While I’ll be the first to admit I love shopping, for some reason while choosing baby items for my daughter’s arrival in late 2010, I was fairly minimalist in my selections. With an heirloom cradle, a homemade changetable, a pram as a gift from my mother, and an immaculate second-hand carseat, I figured I had all the major items covered. Once she arrived, most of my purchases were cloth nappies (oops, an addiction that only grew – but I figure it did save me lots of money – especially with baby 2 nearly here!), little girl clothes and slings/wraps/carriers for baby-wearing.

While I looked longingly at nappy bags, I never actually bought one, making do with regular bags and baskets for our outings. Bits and pieces would disappear down in the depths (ahhh, that’s why nappy bags have all those pockets!) and I’d be fumbling through for keys and nappy balm.. but I managed. I think in the haze of new motherhood, I wasn’t up to choosing the perfect nappy bag – I tend to contemplate long and hard over most decisions, and this wasn’t one I could enter into lightly! Before I knew it, my little girl was nearly old enough not to need to worry about a nappy bag – but it was one item that I decided I was definitely going to look into for if and when it was my privilege to have a second baby!

Baby two is due in late June, in just a few weeks, and so it was with great excitement that I responded with an enthusiastic YES! when asked about reviewing a nappy bag from the Skip Hop range at Bambini Pronto. The Skip Hop brand is from New York, and I already feel very glamorous with my new black Studio Tote Nappy Bag!

Being conscious (to the frustration of many around me) of choosing non-toxic products for my family and home, one of the key features that appealed to me was that the Studio Tote by Skip Hop is made from BPA-free, PVC-free, Phthalate-free eco-friendly materials. It has a zip pocket which is protected by Agion® antimicrobial lining. Not knowing what this was (and being generally suspicious of anything that I don’t understand – I’m becoming aware of how many products are ‘green-washed’) I had to research what it was made of, and found that it is an all-natural, inert and nontoxic silver product, which is able to destroy many infection and odour-causing bacteria. Sounds like it will be a very handy compartment! I love that it has nickel feet to keep it off the ground and that it’s water-resistant inside & out – definitely a must for both protection from water-bottle leaks inside and external spills and puddles too.

The black colour is beautiful, and I choose it hoping that it will compliment any outfit, being simple enough to carry in the daytime, but also stylish for when we go out. Being a gender neutral colour, I think I should be able to get away with giving it to my husband to hold, or to take with him when he has the baby while I duck somewhere (we’ll see anyway!). I love baby-wearing, and will probably have my newborn in a carrier or sling for quite a while, and use the pram to push my 2.5yo in. As well as being a shoulder bag, the Studio Tote has adjustable stroller straps, which will be very handy for hanging it on the stroller handles while we’re out!

With two insulated side pockets (which I know I’ll love for my water bottle amongst other things – I rarely leave home without it!) and 12 more pockets, I’m going to have fun organising my bag. Once I work out where my phone, wallet, keys and other essentials go, hopefully I’m never searching for them in the depths again! The included quilted cushioned changing pad should mean I’m never caught out without one too. I did a quick test run with some newborn and small modern cloth nappies recently, and 10 fitted comfortably across the bottom of the bag!

Measuring 43.2wx30.5h 12.7d cm, and RRP $149.99, the Studio Tote is available at Bambini Pronto, who have set up a special code for Beyond The Bump & The Nappy Spot readers! The code is NAPPYBUMP and is valid until 30th June, giving a 20% discount on the Bath & Potty category, 20% off all Skip Hop Nappy Bags in the Nappy Bag category (not valid on sale items, Bundle Buys and for the purchase of gift vouchers).

Bambini Pronto has also very generously offered a Skip Hop nappy bag prize for Beyond the Bump readers so for your chance to win a Skip Hop Nappy bag of your choice (from in-stock items) simply enter using the rafflecopter form below.

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