How to make it out of the house with baby?

[Dalesgirl16]

My baby is 10 mo and has had health problems since birth so we have always put her health first and we’re more home based. She is much better now. I just want to know how much others get out. I live in a village and have to drive everywhere. My lo has two naps and three meals a day as well as her bottles. It’s always either time to sleep or eat. I can feed her out but not her bottles as she won’t take them if out and just looks around. We nip out to local shops and go for a walk whenever we can but I’m so bored of it. When can I expect her to drop her afternoon nap or should I just let her try to sleep out in shops and tough if she can’t sleep well or wakes when we put her in car. It’s so hard to go to any baby groups now as they are always when she is asleep! She has 1hr to 1.5 hr nap in morning and one hour in Afternoon.

[MrsOverTheRoad]

It's best (in my experience) to let them get on with it....just go out. Trying to live around a baby's naps and meals is just going to drive you potty.

She'll sleep in her buggy or car seat if she needs to. If she can't or won't sleep then you just adjust accordingly.

Mine both dropped afternoon naps somewhere about this age...so it won't be long.x

[2014newme]

I had twins, it is hard. I just fed them put and about. We'd go out about 10am to baby group come back at lunchtime. In afternoon go to a friends or library or park or garden centre etc

[NerrSnerr]

I agree with just doing it. She’ll get used to feeding when out the more you do it. We have weekly activities we go to and if they’re asleep they just sleep through it and I still get the social side of it.

[mindutopia]

I agree, just go out. I intentionally never put mine in a cot for naps because I didn't want that to be the only place she slept. She slept in the wrap, in the car, in the pushchair, in my arms, wherever, and I got out nearly every day. We still never did many baby groups as it was often at a time when she was sleeping. I didn't really see the point of going and just sitting there while she slept in the pushchair (esp when you have to pay for them), but we did get out and go for lunch and coffee and take walks and go to the park, beach, whatever, just so I could leave the house and preserve my sanity.

[MargoLovebutter]

I used to imagine that I already had another child! Appreciate that sounds a bit weird, but if you imagine you had to all do the school run or nursery pick up or take the other one to a play date, then you'd just do it.

Babies are more adaptable than you think and you'll probably enjoy being out and about a bit more.

[Dalesgirl16]

I will! Thank you! Just wanted to know if I’m being ‘normal’ . She is much better now so I think we just get out now. It doesn’t help she falls asleep in the car so it messes up her routine but never mind!

[2014newme]

If she falls asleep in the car, never mind. Try to transfer her on arrival home. Or just bring her in car seat and remove outer garments hopefully she'll stay asleep

[Caterina99]

I was a nap slave with my DS and I loved the routine and the time to myself. If necessary he would sleep out and about, but weekdays I liked to keep his routine where possible. I still went out every day though. We did go out for lunch quite a bit. Especially before they become toddlers. He moved to one long nap after lunch around 12-15 months, which also has its advantages and disadvantages. I think it just depends on your friends as most of mine had similar routines so we all met at the same kind of times.

I know that second time round DD will just have to fit with DS (now 2) routine more so she will be much more naps on the go!

[BoredOnMatLeave]

My DD slept best in the car at that age so I would drive somewhere, spend the day there and drive home, she would nap both ways. How many bottles is she having and does she need them for health reasons? I would just take one out but not worry too much if she didn't have it, she would have it if she needs it, she will be getting food and drink at meals

[Fffion]

Pick one or two things that you want to do in the week at a specific time, and just do them. She can sleep/feed there. Be the adult.

[GerrytheBerry]

Yes I agree that you just need to get in with the day, the baby will fit in around it, hell won't freeze over or anything as dramatic, and you'll feel better for getting out!