Aibu to take 6 week old baby shopping

[Mummachops]

I have a 6 week old baby so he was born right in the middle of lockdown. I also have a toddler aged 4. Because of lockdown I’ve been unable to do the things I did in my first maternity leave I.e meeting up with friends, coffee, lunch , shopping and having play dates . I also can’t take my toddler to soft play, swimming or the park etc. Apart from walking I don’t really get out as there is nothing much to do. Now the shops are open would it be unreasonable to go with my brand new baby or am I putting him in harms way? We used to get told try to only go to the supermarket if essential and go alone . Now we are being encouraged to do non essential shopping and I feel it’s something I would like to do just to get out. However I doubt my toddler would wear a mask for any length of time or not touch it. I’m also worried about lack of toilets. Anyone else have these doubts ?

I really wouldn't atm. More because of the 4yr old than the newborn, unless you are absolutely sure he would be able to SD.

I've taken my 8 week old old to the shops twice now with my 4 year old. I've put her in the wrap so I didn't need to use any trolley seats or anything and we kept our distance from others. It was absolutely fine. If you feel okay to do it then make that decision for yourself, don't let people make you scared forever!

Hi OP. I have a 9 week old and I started going out to shops a couple of weeks ago with my other DC, a bit older than yours so not such an issue with distancing. I wear a mask myself (DC doesn't) and bring hand sanitiser.

A little bit of normality helped me enormously and although i was nervous beforehand, it's all pretty calm and unstressful around here. I would say go ahead.

I'd take the baby but not the 4yo, and have taken my baby to the supermarket more than once. You've got more control over where they are and they're not going to come into contact with anyone.

Government advice is for children over the age of 2 to wear them. Where did you hear they had to be over 11

Are you not in England? UK government advice is from 11 - someone posted the link the other day. Not sure about Wales/NI/Scotland.

Wouldn't it be better to leave both kids with dad and have a couple of hours out (I realise you might not be able to go out for too long if bf). Taking two kids out doesn't sound much like fun for you!

I wouldn't. It doesn't sound like a relaxing time out: nowhere to change the baby, nowhere to sit down and having to watch a 4 year old doesn't touch anything. All sound like hard work.

If you haven't been to a supermarket since lockdown you probably won't be aware of how stressful supermarket shopping is now.

As pp said it used to be quite pleasant, but now I'm constantly watching to make sure I keep away from other people, keep to the one way system, and don't forget something as then I have to go up and down the aisles to get back again. It's far from relaxing.

TBH going shopping with a new born and a 4 year old is probably the last thing I'd do if I wanted to do something for myself. But that's probably just me.

4 year olds aren't know for their love of shopping and trying to make a small child wear a mask sounds impossible.

Is there no one who could look after your 4 year old while you go by yourself with the baby, or even just let you go for a take away coffee to drink in the park?

No. He hasn’t had any of his jabs yet.
He is hardly going to contract diphtheria or tetanus at the shopping centre is he . Before covid nobody would have thought twice about taking a baby and toddler to the shops.

OP I would take the baby but not the 4 yo. Mainly because it will be boring for him queueing to get into shops, and then stressful for you.

@cologne4711

Government advice is for children over the age of 2 to wear them. Where did you hear they had to be over 11

Are you not in England? UK government advice is from 11 - someone posted the link the other day. Not sure about Wales/NI/Scotland.

Wouldn't it be better to leave both kids with dad and have a couple of hours out (I realise you might not be able to go out for too long if bf). Taking two kids out doesn't sound much like fun for you!

I’ve taken this from gov.uk

Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly.

Thankyou that’s very reassuring to hear

I'd go without the toddler. Toddler and baby is exhausting and I hated it.

I completely understand the feeling of wanting to do something like this to make things feel some sort of normal again!
I work in a supermarket and it has been so lovely to see babies and little people coming in,it really brightens up my day!
I will say though if you decide to do this though just be very aware of keeping your distance,people are still very panicky and also your 4 year may feel a bit overwhelmed seeing so many people masked up,I've seen this on a few occasions now.

Also,this goes for people who have a family day out at the shops,please be aware that there are other people trying to do their shopping too,husbands seem to be the worse for this,aimlessly traipsing behind their wives while the kids are running round causing havoc,this causes lots of distress to the elderly shoppers.

Sorry,I went off on a bit of a rant there!

Go and enjoy your shopping,enjoy your new baby and keep an eye on your toddler,then go home and open a bottle of wine!

I personally wouldn’t, not yet anyway. SD shopping does not sound fun to me, I rather meet friends in the parks for a picnic.

I haven't started going to the shops yet, probably won't for a while. But I know someone who these past few weeks has been taking her 4 year old complete with little fabric mask. He wears the mask well and has enjoyed going out. I'd get yourself and 4 year old a mask and try out a little trip to see if you feel comfortable.

I've been out with my 3 year old to the shops and probably would with a newborn aswell but that's just my view

Before i ventured out to the shops after a 3 month hiatus, I was quite anxious about it and imagined it must be a horrible place to be, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It was very calm and peaceful, nobody gave me and baby + 5 y.o. DC a second glance and I felt all the better for getting out.

Ummmm

I have a 3 year old (4 in September). He’s had to come shopping. Im a lone parent and deliveries are like hens teeth.

He’ll wear a mask for short periods, doesn’t touch anything ( I take the buggy for longer trips but more to load up with shopping than to keep him contained) but is fine without it, he doesn’t touch his face with his hands (rubs itches with the back of his hand or forearm if he needs to) and happily sanitises his hands whenever asked.
He also understands social distancing and why we do it.
He isn’t traumatised and is taking all in his stride.

He’s not an exceptional child - as much as I adore him, he’s not a genius or anything - and he’s certainly no angel.... if my very ordinary 3 year old can go shopping without incident, I don’t understand why other NT children can’t?

i've done it, everyone keeps their distances and moves out the way more.

I don’t see a problem with that if you feel you can keep control of the situation. I’ve been taking my 6 mo to the supermarket in a carrier. I tend to be of the view he might as well go anywhere I’d be willing to go as if I catch it, I don’t see I could avoid him getting it off me. It’s the toddler is more tricky and probably depends on how busy it is where you go and how well behaved the toddler is. Maybe small local shops would be more manageable?

Saying that, my view would be different if I was in contact with someone older/ more vulnerable and I wouldn’t be going anywhere I didn’t absolutely have to in that circumstance.

I’ve done with similar aged kids. My toddler is pretty enquisititive (aren’t they all) and takes a lot in so I prepped her that people might be wearing masks and keeping their distance and that she must hold my hand or the buggy. We had to get her some shoes and not gonna lie she spent the first 10 mins in the shop in wide eyed silent terror..... then she spied the shop also sold toys and books.... suddenly she was delighted to be out and point out all the things she “needed”. Bubba was fine in the prism.

It’s totally doable but not the most enjoysble or relaxing at the best of times.

The thing I’ve enjoyed the most is a take away coffee with friends whilst the kids ran round a field. Could you do anything like this?

Toddlers hate shopping. The child would be bored. The baby can't speak for themselves and are at a vulnerable age. A pram hood pulled right over them blocks their light, air and makes it dark so pointless been out shopping.

It sounds like the day out is more for you, where is your partner? You don't mention them. Are they no help to you? Surely they could take over child care and give you a few hours to go shopping? Surely a day without kids would be less stressful to you as you won't be looking for toilets, nappy changing, seats, walking, tiredness, bored, hungry etc

I’ve got a 10 month old and I take him shopping in the buggy all the time. But Covid or no Covid I expect shopping trips with a newborn and a toddler are fairly stressful and it’ll be harder to find anywhere to feed or change the baby.

But if you’re happy about the logistics of it then I don’t see the problem.

No. He hasn’t had any of his jabs yet.

There’s a Covid vaccine then? They kept that quiet.

@Monkeynuts18

No. He hasn’t had any of his jabs yet.

There’s a Covid vaccine then? They kept that quiet.

I think that poster meant baby jabs not a vaccine for covid.

If you think it would be enjoyable to mooch round the shops for an hour or 2 then go for it. Perhaps take a friend in case you need a hand.

Do you have a partner op? Can they not watch the kids whilst you get me time and to do something for yourself?