Advice needed on how to clothes shop with baby !!

[CrazyAlien06]

hey, Im going on my first night out next week since having DD and desperately need an outfit ( I threw my whole old wardrobe out thinking I'd never fit in it!) I am very nearly back to my pre pregnancy weight/shape but need new clothes.

I don't live near family so can't ask someone to babysit or come with me so I am thinking of going to one of the big shopping centres with DD on my own but am worried about how I'm going to get around the shops with the pram and how I'm going to try clothes on!

I've bf in bluewater but probably will be going to Centre MK and an unsure how bf friendly it is!

Any tips for a successful shopping trip with just DD?

[bumbums]

Imprtant thing is no to rush and get stressed. Plan your trip around her feeds but also ensure you sit down and feed her in a cafe and take a break. As for fitting around shops with buggy, you'll be fine! I do it all the time. Ladies in changing rooms usually really helpful and give you the disabled cubicle or you park baby by your curtain/door.
Try Warehouse or topshop, for black jeggings and floaty top.

[Daisy1986]

Bf wise you are legally allowed to feed anywhere so don't worry about that. Im not familiar with those shopping centres but if theres a Mothercare etc then they have nursing Mothers rooms with rocking chairs and changing facilities or at least my local one does. Other then that find a quiet spot in a star bucks or somewhere. You dont say how old your DD is but if your new to bf most people dont even know your doing it. Or use the cubical your in while you trying on clothes I did this as DD got older as she got distacted if fed anywhere too busy.

As for the actual clothes shopping I always use the disabled cubicles or if there arent any available I use the last one and leave the curtain part way open so DD can see me and talk to her while I change.

It isn't easy trying on clothes etc because you feel under pressure and your best bet is to get her to sleep if possible. If you can afford to you could buy a few items and take them home to try on in peace and return the ones that you dont want at a later date.

[CrazyAlien06]

Thanks for the advice! DD is 5 weeks , she ll probably sleep all the way around or be looking around as that's what she did at bluewater :) she is very contented and never cries except when I leave it one minute too long to feed her lol. I'm very lucky so I've been told.

I bf in bluewater fine in Cadbury cafe and m and s.was with my mum so felt more confident but think I'll be ok on my own.

I may give it a try tomorrow or if not next week :-)

I can't wear floaty tops as I look like a string bean in them lol.my tummy is flat so can get away with something a bit figure hugging I think :)

[DownyEmerald]

at our big mall place there is a loo either end that has a breastfeeding room. John Lewis usually has a bf room in their loos, if you feel like privacy.

[CrazyAlien06]

I think I'll be ok bf in a cafe I'm more worried about getting around the shops and trying things on as dont want a wasted trip.
I hope the people in the shops I go to are as helpful as the people you mention as that would help :)

[sprinkles77]

if you have time order lots of stuff online, pay on credit card. try it all on at home and return the stuff that you don't want. Hopefully you will get your credit card refunds before your credit card bill. I do this all the time because I hate shopping. a lot of retailers will do free delivery over a certain spend, and / or free returns. If I know I am returning stuff and its free returns I will order extra to get the threshold for free delivery.

[sprinkles77]

oh and at almost back to pre-preg shape and size after 5 weeks!!!!!!

[CrazyAlien06]

Ive been looking online over last few days but got fed up as don't know what sizes I am :( plus I don't have a credit card.

Oh and I'm not 100% back in shape yet am waiting for my checkup then can work on the rest of my body! I want to get back exercising so badly! Even just a swim!

[DownyEmerald]

Sweeping generalisation - young girl shop assistants will not understand, older will, and often will find time to help entertain the baby if you need it. Get there as early as you can as the shops will be emptier. I used to try and go for the far end cubicle and park the buggy outside so baby could see me and keep the curtain open. At the end so should be no one walking past.

It gets a bit harder when the baby can talk and gets interested at the sight of your boobs!

Usually there is plenty of room for moving a buggy around.

I always found the actual experience better than my dread of it. Enjoy spending time (and money!) on yourself.

[CrazyAlien06]

Problem solved! managed to convince DH to watch DD for couple of hours while I dash off to the shops! woooooo, not until next week but that still gives me time to find an outfit :D