Babies are worse than toddlers when going out.

[Sianlouise432]

A genuine AIBU because I'm coming from a place of 0% experience with toddlers.

I know I've got the terrible twos to look forward to, however I just think taking a baby out and about is SO ANNOYING.

DS can stay awake for max 1.5 hours before he gets cranky. He fusses and cries. Toddlers have tantrums but you can kind of ignore them.. Babies cry for genuine needs which makes it so difficult cause you HAVE to act.

So AIBU? Babies are worse to take out and about.

Oh bless you. Wait till it grows runs off screaming and does a poo behind a plant in pizza express. I miss my portable baby!

YABU.

Now I have a toddler, I regret not doing more when he was a baby. Much more portable and need less entertainment.

I'd say it depends on the baby, I much prefer bringing my toddler out than when she was a colicky reflux baby. I'll take the tantrums over that any day.
Though if you think you'll be bringing less stuff with you, you may be disappointed to hear its not much different

It depends on the child! My toddler was not the happiest baby. He had to be held all the time (night and day), screamed in the car seat, shops, cafes, baby classes, his pram, three different slings... It was tough going!! Reading the posts on here makes me realise how tough we had it.

He is now almost 2.5 and a dream to take anywhere. He loves toddler classes, visiting cafes/the library and anything outdoorsy. Shops are still not his thing and he needs a lot of distraction to keep him contented.

@RiddleyW

It depends!

I found taking my nice placid and obedient toddler out a complete delight compared to taking him out as a cranky, nap refusing, pram refusing cluster feeding baby.

^^
What she said! In my experience toddlers have been a joy, babies are hard work and to top it all off you're sleep deprived! Give me a two year old any day!

Toddlers are bonkers.

It's like having a miniature and highly volatile drunk, with a talent for sabotage. Oh and they have stamina.

It's a really good job they are cute

So true @WineGummyBear 😂 Today I popped in the card shop to get a birthday card...came out with a bloody Peppa Pig balloon because DD screaming PEPPA at the top of her lungs all around the shops and town was just too much. I have learnt to pick my battles. The lady who blew it up was lovely and said it happens all the time lol and it was all worth it for the massive smile and ‘tankkyou’ my DD gave her!

Whatttt? You genuinely think you can ignore toddler tantrums? Like the one where they swipe the wine bottles off the shelf in the shop? Or the one where they refuse to let you clean their bum but run around screaming w a poopy bottom in your MIL's pure white spare bedroom? Or when they throw their shoes at the newborn baby? Or throw themselves in the floor kicking and screaming while you visit your mum in the nursing home and an elderly, frail man just about trip over their flying little legs?? Yeah.... Just ignore it 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂.
Babies are soooooo easy!!

Hahahahahahaha! Nope! Good luck with your toddler OP. 😂

Personally I find my toddlers easier. Babies are unpredictable- I never knew if they'd be screaming, unable to sleep, if I had to get my breasts out in public etc.

Toddlers tend to be happy/grumpy at the same times every day. You know their temperament by then, what they like and what's likely to set them off.

I used to be stressed taking a 4 month old to a cafe, but I love taking my almost 2 year old out and seeing them interact with different people and situations. But depends on the child, some children love sitting in a cafe or whatever while others will run riot.

It really does depend on the child! DS has never been a tantrummer and could always be trusted to behave in public. He does as he is told with only occasional whining and is just utterly amazing and easy going. Going into shops and restaurants with him is absolutely fine. Yes he needs a lot of exercise so I have to take him out lot but that was the same when he was a baby as I had to walk miles to get him to sleep. I have absolutely loved the toddler and preschooler years and would love to relive them over and over again, if I could skip the baby year and go straight to toddler I would have 20 DC! I have been extremely lucky however that DS has been so easy in this stage. Makes up for the demonic baby stage

I'm with you OP! I'm lucky to have an easygoing toddler, she's no trouble to take out - spare clothes in the car and off we go. I've got a 5 month old and am finding it a pain to remember all the stuff, stop for frequent nappy changes and feeds, finding pushchair friendly places, she senses when it stops and starts whingeing... My toddler is much easier!

You cannot ignore a toddler. Toddlers scream, loudly. Toddlers can throw things much harder and further than you would think. Toddlers will start to shrieking in pain when you do something as simple as try to hold their hand by a busy road. Toddlers can and will escape from their pushchair, no matter how tight those straps are.

Toddlers are fucking savages.

Babies don’t move!!! Toddlers much harder work.

It's all shit. I didn't enjoy parenting until 4+. But for what it's worth, my eldest was hideous to take out as a baby, he didn't have a dummy and would scream everywhere down and I was fractious young mum uncomfortable with BF in public. He was a much more chilled toddler so I found it easier with him as a toddler.

Why are people assuming their experience is universal - it’s bizarre and really unhelpful.

Shit no! Toddlers are a nightmare 😂
I’d take my babies anywhere. Toddlers no 😂😂

We laughed when we had our second child at how we actually found it difficult having a small baby with the first. Taking a baby out is so easy, granted they need feeding and changing but beyond that they just sit in the pram or sleeping. Take a toddler out... urgh. They want things, they don’t want to sit in the pram, they need a wee, a drink, something to eat, omg there’s a ride over there I’m going to scream to go on it, I don’t want to go in the pram, but I also don’t want to walk, carry me carry me.... etc. We have 2 toddlers and one is still in nappies so we still have to find somewhere to change him too. Babies are easier.

Hahaha good luck with ignoring a toddler tantrum

I was you OP until things that weren’t things became things.

A baby is tired? Sleep in the car/pram.
Inappropriately dressed? Chuck a blanket on them.
Hungry? Breast or bottle feed in public?
Cries? Dummy or cuddle.

Toddler?
Hungry? Screams.
Tired? Screams.
Overstimulated? Screams.
Bored? Screams.

And repeat one million times and that’s when you’re out the house.

Doesn’t want to get dressed? Fifty minute battle.
I need this! Temper tantrum and he sulks through boots stroking his face with a makeup brush howling how unfair his life is.
Is a shit. Ensue half an hour dance to discipline.
Toddlers are a breed worse than no other - toddlers are worse than hitler.

I agree! The baby hates being in the pram and won’t nap anywhere but the cot! Toddler loves sitting in the pushchair and is generally a delight!!

Have we covered the fact that you can generally take a baby in the shops safe in the knowledge that they don't notice the things around them? Taking a 3 year old into a shop means battling demands for a Paw Patrol magazine, the Peppa yogurts, and things with unicorns on. You'll do all your shopping online because it's the only way to avoid pester power, and you'll learn to hate the shops who put child-tempting things at toddler height.

I might have had a third child if toddlerhood didn't exist.

I'd like to go straight from baby to primary age child!

Toddlers are exhausting and it lasts for years...shudder.

Oh god no, I find the baby months SO much easier when out and about.

I have a 3mo old and an 18mo old, 3mo can be popped in the pram and we are off. She sleeps the majority of the time we're out.

18mo old however.. shoes on shoes off, shoe launched at head, tantrum because his sister is in the pram with him, wants juice, doesn't want the juice, throws juice on floor, screams because he doesn't want to go out then screams because he doesn't want to come back in. He spends the majority of the journey outdoors trying to escape from the pram. Tantrum on the bus cue disapproving looks from strangers, grabbing whatever is within arms reach in shops. Etc etc.

Good luck