Out and about with new(ish)baby

[AimeeSolange]

Hi everyone :)

Ok, probably a silly question but I'm just wondering what thoughts/advice people have about getting out and about with a small baby. I have a DD who is almost 4 months, and although we go on loads of walks around town, I've so far been avoiding things like going to the hairdresser/dentist/other appointments for fear the she will have one of her unexplained screaming fits. I have taken her to cafes a couple of times, which is fine when she is peaceful, but when she screams and I get filthy looks from snooty people around it makes me want to cry :(

We don't have any relatives nearby and my husband works long hours, so there's no-one I can leave her with, but I definitely need to get to the dentist sometime soon! Can I just take her along, (and if anyone complains just tell them to bugger off?!)

Thanks for any thoughts!

[WhatAHooHa]

Yup, she's a baby. They scream. Most people are very sympathetic - in my experience a lot of them will take her off for a cuddle to help you out (getting her back off them isn't always so easy!). I would just make sure she's clean and fed well just before you go to eliminate the likelihood of a meltdown. Maybe start going to some mum & toddler/baby groups to get used to being out and about with her? They are usually so noisy that one upset baby doesn't make a difference!

[PatriciaHolm]

Yep ;-) Life goes on!

[CakeMakesMeHappy]

DD sat on my lap for what turned out to be a rather long opticians appointment at 6 months. She tried to steal the glasses but we got the job done and the optician laughed.

[Seeline]

Mine used to quite enjoy such outings. I left them in their buggy if at all possible, and made sure they could see me, but also all the activity going on elsewhere. Hairdressers were always popular - lots to see!

[HungerKunstler]

At that age it's fine to take them with you wherever you go. You don't really have a choice if they're breastfed anyway! Most people are understanding about babies that age coming along to dentists, hairdressers etc although you will get the occasional look or comment which you just have to ignore.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Once they're toddlers you can't take then anywhere!

[Babybaby1982]

I took my 6 month old to the dentist with me last week. He came in with me and sat in his buggy. Don't worry about baby crying, it will bother you more than anyone else!

[Psycobabble]

Just carry on as normal I always did sod other people ! sometimes babies cry that's life!!

[AimeeSolange]

Thanks everyone!

My instinct was just to take her along, but it's good to get the reassurance!

I guess I should just enjoy her being so little, and the fact that she can't jump out of her pram yet ;-)

[WhyNotSmile]

Yes, take her along. If she's really screaming when you're called in for your appointment, you could always let the person after you go in first, while you sort her out. Or get a friend to come along and watch her - I did this recently for a dentist appointment, took a friend who kept DS in the waiting room, and then I took her out for coffee afterwards to say thanks - made a nice morning of it in the end!

[TheGirlAtTheRockShow]

I took DD to the physio with me - she screamed.
Took her to dentist and she just watched quite happily.
I as actually told it's good to take them to dentist so they get used to sights/smells/sounds and then it's less scary when they have to go.

[flipflopsonfifthavenue]

Just to add, your baby's screams don't sound as loud or distressing to others as they do to you. Especially to other parents - most people think, "not my baby, not my problem"! It's amazing how easy it is to drown out a screaming baby when you don't have to deal with them!

[squizita]

I always take a dangle pram toy - it's great for a 4 month old if they're bored! I also plan around feeds: a bit hungry and mine gers grouchy... Full and she's sleepy.

[ruth1104]

yep definitely, make sure shes changed and full before you go in is all you can do but it never occurred to me id bother other people! This week i was at the dentist and it was running late, ds started to get a bit grizzly so at the dentists suggestion i had my teeth cleaned with ds on my lap chewing my finger! a bit unnerving for me but i think theyre used to it. baby groups are great for getting used to being out (seeing everyone elses babies have meltdowns too) but im also taking ds to a sewing class and get out every day with him. Id be feeling the cabin fever if i were in your shoes!

[Flingmoo]

Here's a few of our solutions...

Hairdresser: I decided to get a mobile hairdresser to come to my house to solve that problem. She does some of it while he's napping and if he wakes up we put him in his high chair with a snack or some toys while she finishes cutting the hair. The first time she came, he started crying when she used the hairdryer, as the professional ones are so powerful and noisy. So I ended up having to cuddle him on my lap while she finished drying my hair!

Dentist: Arranged double appointment for myself and DH. We took it in turns to hold DS in the waiting room while we went in for our own appointment.

Other stuff: Ricecakes! In a few weeks your baby will be weaning and little finger foods like baby ricecakes are a good way to keep them happy for a while, they take aaaaaages to nom on one at the beginning. I know some people say don't use food as a distraction, but I think snacking on healthy finger foods is great for their development so I can't see any harm. (i.e. helps their hand-eye co-ordination as well as being tasty)

[Scotinoz]

I took my DD to a dentist appointment once but it was a bit of a flop. She got a bit freaked out by the noise and I left half way through the cleaning. A double appointment with your husband is a great idea - or lunchtime appointment if your husband is nearby.

As for a hairdresser appointment...Have to be honest here. I really resent other peoples' babies when I get my hair cut. I go early on a weekend or an evening (essentially anytime my husband is home - same as you, he does long hours and I've got nobody to baby sit).

[ch1134]

It never occurred to me not to take my baby everywhere with me. He's been to many a hairdresser's, dentist etc and always been fine. Maybe that's why I never understood when people say that everything changes when you have a baby. When they're little they're so portable. Not much has to change.

[Flingmoo]

ch1134 Yeah, I actually find it laughable when my friends say "Oh, we don't want a baby for another ten years at least, it stops you from being able to do anything"... Meanwhile, all they do is sit at home on their butts, while in the 8 months since DS was born we've driven across Europe to visit family in the Swiss Alps, he's been up mountains with us there, we've also driven to Bruges at Christmas and enjoyed three course meals in restaurants, gluhwein at the Christmas market and Belgian waffles in cafes (all while he slept in his pushchair). Okay so we might have accidentally smashed a few expensive baubles in the Christmas shop with my bad buggy steering and we do get a bit less sleep now, but other than that I would say having a baby has enhanced our lives!

We don't go out in the evenings anymore these days, I must admit, but we didn't before he was born either so no change there!

[ch1134]

Glad you agree! We've also travelled and really enjoyed our baby. He's also been to festivals, pubs and restaurants. Now he's 1 he much prefers to be in bed at 7 though, which is fine, we never went out much either... though we'll miss our evening walks this summer, which we loved last year with our snuggly little portable boy.
I often wonder if some people are a little afraid of their kids. Enjoy them!