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 ?

Do you have a double buggy? They're quite reasonably priced on eBay. I have a 6 week old and a toddler and I'm putting them both in the double to wander around, it's been a godsend. You need to get out and see people, children are not at risk.

Go by yourself. I think you might be remembering going shopping with rose rinted glasses, it wasn't fun before and its absolute shit now.

You can't try anything on and there are mad Tetris style puzzle shapes selloptaped on the ground everywhere you are supposed to stand, it's like that scene from Indiana Jones where he is trying to crack the code on the floor tiles.

If you haven't been out in months then it will be even more of a challenge because you haven't built up the tolerance to these new rules.
With children in tow it will be like standing at the gates of hell.

Don't do it.

Go by yourself.
Then go home and be happy again.

@Lipz

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

My husband works long hours and so helping out throughout the week is not possible. I’m sure that is the same for most people. Yes he would definitely help out at the weekend. However I want to be doing something in the week and getting out. I understand the stresses eg bored, nappy changes but I think this goes without saying. It’s more getting out and about in the week doing something slightly different than a walk or run in a park. I don’t believe a pram pulled down would give no circulation. There is plenty of air to go through whilst protecting the baby from direct coughs and sneezes. Most people pull pram hoods down when baby is sleeping and are sensible about it. The issue is more when people do it on boiling hot days or put all kinds of coverings and blankets over a baby.

@mrs2468

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

Yes I do but like most people he works full time and long hours so I just want to be able to go out in the week for a couple of hours

OP with respect I don't know why you're asking, you want to do it so just go ahead and do it. This is one of those threads where you're going to agree with those saying yes and disagree with those saying no.

I have an 8 week old and a 3 year old. We've been to the shops. We go over the rules before we go (don't run off, don't touch anything, hold onto my hand or the pram at all times). It's been fine. Other shoppers are in the same boat and will keep their distance from you as much as you from them.

That said, I drive so have just been going to bigger shops on retail parks - it might be harder to socially distance in smaller high street shops. Having a car also has the benefit of being able to leave whenever I want/the kids get tetchy.

Most shops have 1 way systems or 2m markers on the floor etc so just follow the rules and be sensible (and maybe don't take them to shops that might tempt the 4yo to touch lots of things or shops that are particularly small or not buggy-friendly. 3yo has a face mask too which he wears no problems and if your 4yo sees everyone else wearing one s/he'll probably be fine with wearing one too.

A vaccine could be years away. Life can't be on hold forever. Be cautious, be alert, be sensible - that's all any of us can do.

Masks don't protect the wearer so I don't really understand why you would put a face mask on a small child.

Small children are so low down near the ground that even if they were carrying the virus, surely, even if they coughed, the droplets would just fall to the ground before they could infect anyone.

I would and did at the weekend. I took both babies to John Lewis because I needed to size up the buggy I wanted to order, I had the 7 week old in a sling and the 7 month old in the buggy. The shop was very quiet and people were very respectful of social distancing etc.

A 4 year old isn’t a toddler!

I've been shopping with my almost 2yo...he was in the buggy but honestly it was fine. Fairly quiet and everyone respected social distancing. The only place with a queue was primark so i didnt bother! I wonder how many people on here have actually been into town?? A mooch round town made me feel SO much better and more normal! The only thing I'd worry about with a baby would be the lack of changing facilities??

@FelicityPike

A 4 year old isn’t a toddler!

Semantics! Goodness me people are picky on here. Toddler definitions actually vary so to some 4 is still considered one.

@bloodywhitecat

I would and did at the weekend. I took both babies to John Lewis because I needed to size up the buggy I wanted to order, I had the 7 week old in a sling and the 7 month old in the buggy. The shop was very quiet and people were very respectful of social distancing etc.

A 7 week old and a 7 month old? In lockdown? You are a true superhero!!

I took my 5 and 7 year old kids into the city centre last week, it was absolutely fine. Door and shop staff were welcoming. There is hand sanitiser on the door of pretty much every shop, people are generally following the spacing in queues etc, and the streets were quiet so they could run. They are sensible kids tho, I wouldn't do it if I had a bolter or a kid who wouldn't behave appropriately.

The buggy wouldn't be an issue - there's more space in shops now, not less. Depends how your 4 year old behaves.

@Rockandgrohl

I've been shopping with my almost 2yo...he was in the buggy but honestly it was fine. Fairly quiet and everyone respected social distancing. The only place with a queue was primark so i didnt bother! I wonder how many people on here have actually been into town?? A mooch round town made me feel SO much better and more normal! The only thing I'd worry about with a baby would be the lack of changing facilities??

Yes I worry about that too. Although the town I plan to go to does have baby changing. I feel that now the government has eased the restrictions to 1m I’m going to have to go out at some time. I’ve stayed in so long but it’s probably making me more anxious

And shopping centre toilets are open here.

@pigsDOfly

Masks don't protect the wearer so I don't really understand why you would put a face mask on a small child.

Small children are so low down near the ground that even if they were carrying the virus, surely, even if they coughed, the droplets would just fall to the ground before they could infect anyone.

The science doesn’t seem to be crystal clear when it comes to masks. I still feel that something is better than nothing as well as protecting others. If my child wanted to wear one and only if they did then I would encourage. In fact I have a frozen mask bought for them and she loves to pretend she’s a doctor/dentist and often asks to wear one if we go for a walk as she sees others in them so I don’t see any problem with that.

@pinkandstripey I am just an ordinary foster mum really but thank you .

[quote bloodywhitecat]@pinkandstripey I am just an ordinary foster mum really but thank you .[/quote]
No such thing as 'an ordinary foster mum', you are amazing 💕 totally didn't realise that a 5 month age gap isn't actually possible 😆😆

The science is clear about the masks. They work if everyone over 12 wears them. They reduce the spread in a big way. Masks are the weapon we have against this.

@Mummachops I'm not saying there's a problem with putting a mask on a small child, I just can't see why anyone would bother as they aren't comfortable to wear and can be very uncomfortable in hot weather.

If they offered the child a good measure of protection it would be a great idea but as it is, I just can't see why anyone would want a child to wear one.

Obviously, if the child is wearing it because they want to, fair enough.

Sorry I haven’t read the whole thread..

But I would go out with the baby facing you in a baby carrier or covered in a pram. I wouldn’t take the toddler to the shops though...

@bloodywhitecat

How can you have a 7 month old and a 7 week old?!

@bloodywhitecat

Sorry, see you’ve answered this! Bloody well done you

[quote crispysausagerolls]@bloodywhitecat

How can you have a 7 month old and a 7 week old?![/quote]
I do, it is bloody hard work at times when they both need me but I have got them both into similar sleeping patterns now which helps tremendously and the seven month old is going through the night most nights. Despite the hard work I love what I do and wouldn't want to do anything else.

I pop to the corner shop with my 8 month old nearly every day and have done since lockdown started. The risk is very low and I can't see how non essential shops would be any riskier

I haven't been out shopping but that's because of the queues/inability to browse properly rather than the risk. If you avoided everything risky you never do anything!

I know what you mean about missing the maternity leave experience though. Thankfully in a couple of weeks you will be able to go to lots of different places.