What’s in your changing bag? // Beth from Betty and the Bumps

Hello and welcome to “What’s in your changing bag?”; my weekly Tuesday feature where I ask one Yummy Mummy (or Daddy) to share the innermost secrets of their changing bag, and the five items they couldn’t possibly live without! 

Today I’m joined by new blogger and “Mam”, Beth.

Hi Beth! Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Beth and I’m a new mum to Gwenn. We live near the seaside in the North East with Husband/Daddy, Andrew. I work in retail, for a very well-known fashion brand, which is wasted on me as I – in Andrew’s words – dress like a gran most of the time! I’m also a new blogger and would-be Etsy shop owner, both of which form part of my Del-Boy style five year work-from-home and earn my millions plan! Andrew does something involving trees and chainsaws, and Gwenn is 10 months old, on the big side (God bless her) and constantly mistaken for a boy, despite having the most girly wardrobe this side of the Tyne.

Gwenn and Busby share the mistaken gender issues…!
What would you say is your favourite thing about being a Mama?
I’m not pretending to be very good at being a mummy, but it’s the first thing I’ve ever done that has really fulfilled me. I’m not career-driven; I’ve never done anything with my degree; but I’m mega proud to say that I’m a “Mam”. I love seeing my bright, friendly girl and thinking: “I had something to do with that”!

I know the feeling!
What would you say is the hardest thing?
As somebody who had never so much as changed a nappy before having Gwenn, I would say all of it! But in the beginning it was definitely breastfeeding, but – being the stubborn git I am – I persevered and managed to do it until I went back to work when she was 40 weeks. At the minute, I would say managing to get her dressed without us both losing it is a huge achievement; she just will not stay still!

What three words would you use to describe Motherhood?
Relentless. Bewildering. Everything! 

Gosh, it’s so bewildering isn’t it?
How do you preserve/maintain your sense of self?
This might be controversial, but I’m not really bothered about getting some “me” back at the moment. I’m happy being mama at the minute. Having said that, I go ballistic if I can’t get my eyebrows and eyelashes done every four weeks. 

So, the last question before we find out about your changing bag; if you could share one piece of Motherhoodly wisdom with us all what would it be?
It’s totally cool to have ideas about the type of parent you will be, but the reality hits you like an effing steam train and don’t feel bad if you have to eat your words when your baby, who, in your own words, would NEVER be allowed to watch TV, is standing, face two inches from the screen, watching Chuggington, while you rush around trying to make yourself look semi-presentable.

Haha – yes been there! I sort of love Cbeebies now…
Ok, it’s business time: what make is your changing bag?

My changing bag is from Cath Kidston. I said I wanted one when I found out I was pregnant; an idea which was quickly vetoed by Andrew on the grounds of price. But, lo and behold, on Christmas morning when I was half way through my pregnancy, said changing bag appeared under the tree! 

It’s beautiful!
What are the five items in your changing bag that you just can’t live without?

1. Baby wipes. I’ve become so attached to baby wipes now, that I’m actually considering carrying them in my bag when I go to work. I have a bit of a phobia about dirty hands (not bacteria-wise, more sticky-wise) so I would go over the edge without them. 
2. Change mats. These have really come into their own since weaning, because I’ve started putting one under Gwenn’s high chair if we’re in a cafe or restaurant, so the debris that is left behind after every meal can be rolled up in a mat and binned. 
3. iPhone. Obviously amazing for taking photos, but also great for (my own) entertainment when the conversation with Gwenn gets a bit one-sided (which is always). 
4. Butterbee. We’re not 100% sure if this is a butterfly or a bee so we christened him Butterbee. Gwenn got him as a gift at Christmas and it is her favourite without a doubt. She’s a dummy girl, but Butterbee’s antennae come a close second. 
5. Hand sanitiser. Like I said, I’ve got a fear of dirty hands but now that I have a baby I find I can’t just avoid mess like I used to!

Thanks for sharing the contents of your changing bag with us, Beth. I love Butterbee – I’d say he’s a butterfly, but it’s a tough call!

Beth blogs at BettyandtheBumps and tweets as @bttyandthebmps.
Hannah