Managing days out with a baby

[Madratlady]

I'd like to get out and about with DS when he's a little older. At the moment we've managed a quick trip out to town for a couple of hours between feeds but I'm struggling to get my head around how to manage a day out where we can't just nip home when he gets restless. How do you manage it? Any tips?

Tbh, I think it's much easier to get out and about when they are very little.

My tips would be to relax about how much stuff you have to take, you can always pick things up or improvise if you need to.

And don't worry if dc gets restless, you can always pop outside.

In fact, just relax is really all I want to say

How old is DS? You should stop to feed him while you're out rather than dashing home. It'll feel less rushed for you and he won't feel restless because you're getting him out of the buggy for a feed.

Find some cafes where you can can feed him easily and have a break yourself. Libraries are also good for a little roam around if he gets restless. Children's libraries are great and have toys as well as books for kids.

My dd is 3 months and we have been having days out since she was about a week old! Haven't had any problems.

Was dreading this at first but now done a few - DD is 6 weeks old now and have fed her in cafes, feeding areas, pub and even the car. You get used to it. Just go for it - has made the whole newborn time of sleep deprivation more bearable by getting out the house and doing relatively normal things.

You quickly find which places work well for feeding and where places like feeding rooms in the shopping centres are.

Start with trips out at weekends with your partner or drag a friend along for support.

When DS was born we made sure we went out every day whilst DH was on paternity leave. First day was the supermarket, then shopping centre, then out for lunch etc. At 2 weeks we took him to a wedding reception (although only for 2 hours).

When DH went back to work i still went out every day, if only for a walk around the block, to newsagents for a chocolate bar paper, and a couple of outings in the car with friends as i couldn't drive until 6 weeks post c-section.

For me id say realising i don't actually need to take everything but the kitchen sink was a turning point with my confidence in getting out and about, and id second that its so much easier when they are tiny compared to in a month or so.

My advice would be just do it. As long as you have food and nappies, you are set. Baby doesn't need much else that cant wait till you get home.

I've b

I've been doing days out since dd was a few days old. It's easier when they are little! Just bung some nappies, a packet of wet wipes and a spare babygro in your bag and head out! We went to loads of places - museums, galleries, markets, picnics in the park, nature reserves. It's awful being in the house for more than a couple of hours at a time with a baby I think. Bring your baby sling if they get bored in buggy and pick them up lots. And feed them wherever when they cry. It'll be fine x

Yes I agree while baby is little it's easy, they will love being out and about and can sleep when they are tired, lots of department stores,and mothercare have lovely little feeding rooms for feeding with a little calming private space.

The more you go out the easier it will get. I found it too difficult when my twins were tiny but got more and more confident as they got bigger. By 8 months we would go out 4/5 times a week. Now at 15 months we can get up in the morning, have breakfast and be out the door in 1 hour, spend an hour at soft play and have our lunch out!

How old is your DC?

Don't be put off by women who are out and about with a baby who is 5 minutes old. Do it in your own time, when you feel comfortable.

Ds is 4 weeks old. We have been out for a short walk around the shops but not for longer. I will be going to a mother and baby group with him next week and to my parents house for the evening later this week. Both of those are likely to involve a feed and nappy change out of the house.