Done by Deer vs Bababing Mani: Which Changing Bag Suits Your Family?

Head-to-Head Comparison

Two changing bags, two very different philosophies. The Done by Deer Quilted Changing Bag (around £64) takes the Scandinavian route: quilted recycled polyester, a tote silhouette and a focus on looking nothing like a baby bag. The Bababing Mani Backpack (around £48) goes all-in on practicality: three carrying modes, full waterproofing and a price that leaves change in your pocket. Both promise to hold everything a day out demands, so we put them side by side to find out which one earns its place on your pushchair.

Done by Deer Quilted Changing Bag

This Danish brand has built a following with its understated nursery range, and this changing bag is no exception. The quilted, puffer-jacket aesthetic is the trend of the moment in baby accessories, and Done by Deer executes it beautifully. Made from recycled polyester sourced from 48 used PET bottles, the sustainability credentials are genuine rather than token.

Inside, a 24-litre capacity provides more room than you might expect from a bag this elegant. Eight pockets, including one insulated compartment, keep bottles, nappies, wipes and personal items organised. A foldable changing mat and pram hooks are included. Parents of two under two regularly report fitting everything for both children without the bag looking overstuffed.

The bag carries as a shoulder tote or attaches to a pushchair via the included straps. There is no backpack conversion, which is a deliberate design choice: Done by Deer has prioritised a sleek silhouette over hands-free versatility. At just 260 to 470 grams depending on the colourway, it is remarkably light for its size.

One parent shared: “It is big enough to hold everything you need for two under two, is a lovely colour and is easy to carry.” Another noted that the quilted finish draws compliments from other parents at baby groups. A third described it simply as “really beautiful and spacious” and “worth the hype and price.”

The water-resistant coating handles drizzle and spills, though several reviewers caution that it is not fully waterproof in sustained heavy rain, with water sometimes finding its way in around the zip area. The plastic pram clips, while functional, feel less robust than the rest of the bag.

Bababing Mani Backpack

The Bababing Mani takes a Swiss-army-knife approach to changing bags. It converts between three carrying modes: a padded backpack, a grab-handle tote and a pushchair-mounted bag via integrated clips. Named the most practical changing backpack by a leading UK parenting panel, it targets parents who need hands-free versatility above all else.

The fully waterproof exterior is a genuine advantage in the UK climate. Unlike the Done by Deer water resistance, the Mani coating extends to the zips, meaning you can confidently leave it in a buggy basket during a downpour. The entire interior is also wipe-clean, making spill cleanup straightforward.

Accessories are generous for the price: an oversized padded changing mat, a detachable insulated bottle holder and universal pushchair clips are all included. Eight pockets provide decent organisation, including a dedicated phone pocket and a secure internal compartment for valuables.

One parent told us: “Both parents actually use it, which never happened with our old tote.” The unisex design and backpack format mean it genuinely works as a shared bag for the whole family. Another described it as a “beautiful bag, excellent quality” and praised its price point.

The main criticism centres on the zip mechanism. Several parents report that the stiff top frame makes one-handed opening and closing difficult, which is less than ideal when you are holding a wriggly baby. Items can also sink to the bottom of the deep main compartment, leading to rummaging. A small number of reviews mention stitching concerns, with one parent noting a handle beginning to separate after four months of daily use.

How They Compare

These two bags sit at similar price points but serve very different priorities. Here is how they stack up across the criteria that matter most.

Carrying style: This is the biggest dividing line. The Mani offers backpack, tote and pushchair carry. The Done by Deer is shoulder and pushchair only. If you babywear or need both hands free while navigating a toddler and a pushchair, the Mani wins here convincingly.

Weather protection: The Mani is fully waterproof, zips included. The Done by Deer is water-resistant but can let moisture in during heavy rain. For families who walk everywhere regardless of weather, this matters.

Capacity and organisation: Both have eight pockets and similar internal volumes, but the Done by Deer wider opening makes items easier to see and grab. The Mani deep main compartment can swallow smaller items, though its dedicated pockets offset this for essentials.

Style: This is subjective, but the Done by Deer quilted finish consistently draws the most positive comments from parents. It looks like a bag you would choose for yourself, not one you carry because you have to. The Mani is smart and inoffensive but does not turn heads in the same way.

Sustainability: Done by Deer leads clearly here, with its recycled polyester body and transparent material sourcing. Bababing does not make comparable claims about its materials.

Value: At roughly £16 less, the Mani includes more accessories (the detachable bottle holder is a nice touch) and offers an additional carrying mode. On pure specification per pound, it edges ahead. The Done by Deer premium lies in its design and materials rather than its feature list.

The Verdict

Both bags handle the daily realities of parenthood competently, and neither will leave you short on space. The choice comes down to what you prioritise most: design or versatility.