First time out with baby & feel like I'll never leave the house again!

[Firsttimemummy19]

My baby is 7 weeks old and today I decided to take him to the shop to get a few bits and basically see how we do out & about.

Firstly it took me 15 minutes to get the pram chassis in the boot. I have car adapators so the car seat fits to the chassis thinking this would be easier but I'm only little and everything was so awkward. From trying to battle the chassis in the boot to even trying to get the car seat in & our the car.

I don't have the money to replace the pram or car so I feel like I'll never venture out with my baby again while he's still small and I'm reliant on pushing him in a pram :(

What's the answer? Do new mums tend to stay at home?

Leave the pram base in the boot.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I do wear a sling in the house but not sure I'm confident enough to wear out & about yet. I might try a short walk first and see how we go.

I've calmed down a bit now but must admit it's really put me off trying to do it again. I felt like the whole street was watching me struggle and wrestle with this bloody huge pram!

I had exactly the same experience with prams/ car seats. By my third baby I used a sling from newborn and never used a pram at all. It was a million times easier. Slings had become much more mainstream since I’d had my first, there are lots of sling meets (groups) and videos on YouTube showing how to use them safely. I used a close caboo for the first few months which I found easy to use once I got used to it.
So my advice would be google sling meets in your area, go along and get some advice and try some slings out to get the hang of. It’s also a good way to meet people. I found being alone in the house with a baby all day very depressing, and really needed to get out and talk to other people!

I have a 7 month old so it's not long since I was where you were.. I promise you it gets easier. I now have no problems with getting the pram in/out and changing the adapters depending on what I need but my first experience was completely the opposite and I had to google how to get the pram down from the retail car park whilst (I felt) everyone was watching me.

It’ll get easier; the first time I went out I lined everything up by the front door then looked around wondering what I’d forgotten....the baby

It's really hard taking little babies out and about, especially at first. I remember taking DD1 out when she was about the same age and went on the bus as I don't drive and she cried the whole journey. Oh the stress. Fine as soon as we got off the bus!

I haven't taken DD3 anywhere yet and she's 4.5mo! Obviously we do the school run and she's been to the little tesco and the park but no proper outgoings, apart from at the weekend when DH drives. I have a toddler too and I just can't face it until it's warmer (less layers) and they're a bit older/easier!!

Is there anywhere you can walk to with the pram? Local shops, cafe, library, park? That might be helpful.

Or have you considered a sling, tiny ones usually love them and it's no trouble to pack in the car.

This is why a lot of mums ditch the pram in favour of an umbrella fold at six months.

Sorry you are struggling, it is very hard when everything is so new. Is there anyone who can have LO for an hour so you can do something for you? Eg haircut, swim, run, get nails done?

If I were you I’d just walk with the pushchair without driving anywhere first.

It gets easier honestly! The more you do it the more you will find your rhythm.

First time I took dd out with the car seat and adapters I struggled to get the adapters back off the car seat. Thought I was going to have to ring dh to rescue us.

Can you practice getting the pram base in and out of the car when your partner is around to help? I have a very small car and the base will only go in one way (and even then it's awkward). As long as I remember which way it doesn't stress me out too much. In the meantime go for walks even if it's just around the block to get your confidence up. If you are going to use the car and the sling make sure you practice lots at home first as car seat to sling can take some practice since you won't have a mirror to help

Massive x post with everyone including OP!

It's all a bit stressful at this stage. I remember the first time out with DS1 I couldn't get the effing pram to collapse at all. I stood in Boots' carpark and kicked it several times in frustration. Must have looked a right loon. We've all been there, and trust me I bet no-one noticed and if they did all they felt was immense sympathy. You'll get there!

Bless you. First time I took dd out by myself I ended up home in tears within five minutes, and sent an email to the council about complaining about accessibility of pavements (I was too scared to push the pram down on to the road to go around a road works sign.

My first time out on my own I couldn't work out how to undo the car seat from the adaptor to the buggy so couldn't put DC back in the car. Stood in a supermarket car park for 45 minutes struggling (and on the brink of tears) before giving up and having to walk home nearly two miles and leaving the car for DH to collect when he got back from work! To make it worse, I only had one thin blanket to cover DS and it started to rain. And he screamed most of the way as he needed a feed but I couldn't feed out and about without the right seating AND I was in loads of pain as still recovering from an emergency section. It was not a success

I recommend practicing putting up and taking down buggy / putting in the car etc when you're at home and someone else can watch the baby. You'll get the knack and be hurling the buggy into the boot before you know it. Also, all the catches and latches will loosen and get easier.

Be kind on yourself! I did a lot of gentle low key outings for the first 16 weeks or so - short walks, going to see mummy friends or baby massage type classes. I still feel huge relief when I successfully got baby safely home though and could hunker down for a cuddly feed and a cup of tea in peace. Miss those days now with a preschooler and a rampaging toddler!

My best advice is to just keep doing it. It gets so much easier as you continue. You will find a way that the pram will fit and it'll be a breeze after a while. I first took DD out when she was 6 days and I was terrified of even putting her from the car seat to the pram in a car park. After a couple of trips out everything became normal. We also live up 3 flights of stairs and I remember being anxious about carrying her down the stairs but after a couple of outings without DP it became easy

I left my first in the bank (in his pushchair) !
Got all the way back to the car , all pleased with myself for getting out & doing something when I realised.
I was mortified but he’s a huge 20 yo now so no harm done (desperately trying to make myself feel better 😦)

Good luck 🍼🍼

I’d second getting a sling for if you’re going around the shops instead of lugging a big pram in your boot. Don’t worry, it’s always daunting at first but you find a way to do everything eventually once you get used to it. Keep going out and it will become less stressful. I’ve got 2 little ones now and the double pram is a nightmare but we manage (better than being stuck in the house with a toddler )

My first outing with DC1 was horrible.
I cried in the supermarket queue because he cried, and I cried again when it rained on the way home and I didn't know how to put the rain cover on.

It gets better honest .

It gets easier I used to struggle for ages with getting the set clicked into isofix holder and the Pram wheels take up my entire boot and only fit a certain way ... it gets easier I don’t even think about it now, I always have his bag stocked and packed and just add sterilised bottles before I head out.

Big food shop is done online now though occasionally head to shops for bits and bobs visit family mostly though...

It’s not like it used to be post baby but it’s no where as bad as the first go

I go out 3-4 times a week now x x

Baby is 15 weeks x

Question for those who use slings, do you wear them under your coat ready for when you get out the car? Do you wear under or over your coat?

I have mine on before we leave house under my coat and then I just have to pop baby in when we arrive. After the first few times it takes about 30 seconds to get baby in and sorted.

I like the Close Caboo because it's super easy to use - it just goes over head like a t-shirt and no faffing with tying bits etc.

I didn't use buggies at all with either of mine, slings all the way.

Under my coat, over cardigan. Then do up coat over baby if needed.

I use a stretchy for tiny babies, then can just pop in and out. Dc2 has been in a woven sling since 4 months in a hip carry. You just throw the loop over your shoulder and off you go.

I remember being stuck in the pouring rain trying to figure out how the hell to attach the adaptors and car seats onto my travel system thing for my twins. And then the seats had to go in a certain position to work and I didn't have long until the next feed, ahhh the stress! It did get easier and we've actually got rid of the travel system now i also used to walk a lot!