How do you go supermarket shopping with a baby?

[Pinkywoo]

This may be a stupid question but I'm just wondering how other people do a food shop with a small baby. Obviously you can't manage a pram and trolley at the same time so I think I'll use the sling, but not everyone has slings so what do you do? I've only recently passed my driving test so haven't really thought of the logistics until now!

Get it delivered.

I always used to put a baby blanket down on the baby seat, you might have to try a few to find one with working straps.

I have the baby in his pram and carry a basket. I don't buy anything more than a basket full, if we need a full shop I send DP to ALDI with a list.

You've just highlighted a downside of not having a carry car seat for a small baby!

Baby in car seat then car seat in one of the trolleys that has the shelf but to strap a car seat too. Only thing is they are heavy and if your on the short side a bugger to see where your going when you push it.

When they are a bit bigger trolley with baby in the moulded plastic baby seats. Where one size fits no one but needs must.

Then when they can sit, regular trolley

Get it delivered! Only go to shops for small bits. Hang basket of handles. Or use supermarket trolley with baby seat if you really want to go shopping. Don't recommend that, not weekly.

I found the sling really difficult in the supermarket but love it otherwise. In the supermarket the baby was always in the way when I wanted to pick up or look at something; I used the car seat in the car seat holder trolley or the pram and basket method.
Good luck!

I either do delivery, or sling + trolley, or buggy + bag for life. I clip the bag for life onto the handle with pram clips.

Sling is definitely easiest. That's what I do with my newborn, toddler DD in the trolley seat 👍 when DD was a baby I was generally doing smaller shops so just used a bag for life clipped on to the pram (never had security rugby tackle me...literally no reason why they would unless you try to walk out of the shop without paying? I still sometimes stick things in my handbag before paying if i don't have enough hands 🤷‍♀️).

Once mine were older I used the trolleys with the lay back baby seats. I'd take a cloth or towel to put down before I strapped my baby in, and wash it as soon as I reached home. I'd use antibacterial wipes to wipe the strapping, always paranoid about germs in public places.

Before this I used the trolleys that let you keep your baby in their car seat. It's easier to fix a thin blanket over them to protect their eyes from the glare as they are looking straight up into the overhead lights.

I always found that this was the reason my babies got upset in a supermarket. I would be too if positioned for an hour looking directly into bright lights.

I rarely had an issue shopping. Back in my day (decades ago) the main supermarkets would unload and reload my trolly. They would also help me to my car. It was worth the ££ shopping at them just for this service.

@Pilot12 I didn't get a carrier type car seat as I have a bad back and really struggled when carrying my friends baby in one, also DS was predicted to be big so I thought he'd grow out of it quickly, however the prediction was way out! It was just me that was massive

I get dd9 to push the pram or the trolley. I put a basket on the handles if shes at school and then load any heavy stuff under the pram.

You use a trolley like this. Put a blanket in as they are quite hard every supermarket have them.

I refuse to

I only do little shops with any of my children in tow, big shops get delivered.

Too stressful having to race around before the baby starts screaming, having to shush and rock them at the tills with people tutting at you...ugh

All the Aldi stores I know would not let you put your goods in a bag for life BEFORE you have paid for them. Security would have a right go at you.

That depends, I'[ve gone into Lidl when I have not been able to use a trolly (arthritis not a baby) and find the security guard, tell them I'm putting things into my bag and why.

Go at a quiet time and ask for help. First time I went alone with DD I forgot about unloading and packing and had a huge trolly full of food (baby in sling). The lovely cashier asked her colleague to help me as just loading up the conveyer belt was taking forever. They then helped me pack and even put it in the car. This was at Aldi. I asked for help at Lidl and they helped too.

Waitrose are also very helpful is you ask as I'm sure the other supermarkets would be (happily - as long as wasn't at a super busy period)

I used to order online a lot when I had my DS. Used all the different supermarket first shop incentive discounts for the first few months!

Supermarkets have baby seats in the trolley. I used to wipe them first with an anti bacterial wipe then place a blanket over and baby on top of the blanket. Easy.

I used the trolleys with the reclined baby seat until DS could sit up, they were fine, sometimes had to fiddle a bit with the straps to get them tight enough though.

A sling.
Then use pram as trolley or standard trolley.

Put the baby in the trolley that has a baby seat in it.

Most supermarkets have baby seats for newborn+. They lie flat and can be strapped in.

Newborn should NOT be in a Joie 360!!!!!!

Exactly what troppibambini said. Straps are adjustable, just make sure your baby is secured in the seat tightly.

I just used the trolley that has the baby seat. From about 4 weeks both times. Easy.

@HavenDilemma the joie 360’s are suitable from birth.