First time out and about alone

[Firsttimer1234]

Hey,
First time mum with a four week old. On Tuesday I'm heading out alone for the day with LO for the first time! Been out loads with husband to the supermarket etc and he's just slept through. Been out by myself for walks but this is the first time it's for a long period of time and by myself. I'm starting to feel anxious about it! Like I know I'll need to feed him and I've never done that out of the house, I'm bottle feeding. I'll have to change him, what if I can't find somewhere. Arrrggghh top tips? I'm going to our local cathedral to watch my class perform some songs and a wonder round town.

Can you go for a shorter time for a practice on Monday? If so have a look to see where all the babychange toilets are and if anywhere has a babyfeeding room eg Mothercare, big dept store, any public buildings like a town hall.

The first time is always a little daunting, my top tip would just to be organised. Make sure your nappy bag is stocked up, and you have enough bottles to get you through the day. I'd also take a spare pair of clothes for your LO and plenty of bibs or muslins.

I EFF, so I put the correct amount of sterilised water in my bottles before I go out and I take the measured amounts of Formula in powder pots. So you can quickly mix and feed!

I also find that Next (Manchester) have amazing baby changing facilities, but so do Mothercare.

And I hope you enjoy your day out!

of course you are anxious! It’s a big thing.

There will be times when your lo screams in the middle of town and you’ll feel like everyone is looking at you. They aren’t, they are trying to see you cute tiny baby.
Accept help (like someone can carry your drink to your table if you stop to feed your lo, or hold the gazillion doors open for you and your pram).

Most people have been where you are and will have a hillarious story of their baby shitting in a posh cafe or being so loud in a diy shop that all the old men laughed at how they hated that stage of babies-i’m Looking at you, children of mine.

Good luck kx

Aww, it's terrifying the first time, eh! You'll be fine though 😀

Places like John Lewis, M&S, Costa etc are all good bets with babies. Changing rooms, safe will carry trays etc.

Everyone with kids has been there though, so everyone understands.

What’s the worst that can happen? Babies cry, babies poo, babies need feeding. Nobody will blink an eyelid at you doing any of the above. Have you a sling? You might find it hand if the baby wants a cuddle and it saves you trying to juggle pushing an empty pushchair and holding the baby (I’m not saying don’t take the pushchair, just a sling as a backup is helpful)

Have a look online at nearby shops with changing facilities. Most shopping centres will have them and large department stores. I always made a beeline for John Lewis or Marks and spencer. They’ll also warm bottles for you (and carry you a cup of something hot to your table while you’re baby juggling!)

Good luck

Highly highly recommend ready made formula, soooo much easier when out and about.

You’ll be absolutely fine. What’s the worst that can happen? He cries a bit? No one minds a newborn cry. Practice changing him on your knee, that way whenever you go out you don’t have to worry about finding baby changing facilities, you can go to any toilet. In an emergency you can always change him in the pram. Take ready made formula, it’s the easiest way to bottle feed whilst out. Most babies will take it fine at room temperature.

You’ll be fine! Organisation is key and once you’ve done it you’ll be wondering why you were so worried.

Formula Feeding when out and about works differently for different people. Personally, I take a small thermos of water and I have a pot with three compartments for the powder. If I know he’ll be having a bottle within 2 hours of being out then I just make it at home & put it in the bottle sleeve thing that comes in changing bags. We tried ready made formula (absolute Godsend) but it gave DS the most horrendous runs. I’ve never warmed DS’ bottles so he’ll happily drink it even after it’s completely cooled down which does help.

You’ll be surprised at the amount of changing facilities I think, you don’t tend to notice pre-baby. But all supermarkets, larger department stores and shopping centres will have them.

I’ve found that most coffee shops, cafes and restaurants (where I live anyway) have facilities for bottle making too. Debenhams is particularly good for this actually.

And don’t forget that despite what you may hear on here (I feel like I live in a parallel universe) that people are generally pretty helpful and non judgey!

You'll be fine OP :)

It is scary, I was extremely anxious about taking my LO out and about by myself at first, just make sure you are super organised, have a spare dummy if you're using one, more than enough bottles and changing bits. In all likelihood your little one will sleep the whole time. You can always change or feed in the car if you need to?

I was so nervous the first time taking my DS out I felt nervous just pushing the pram and crossing the road but it was absolutely fine of course and you will be too! I’d definitely recommend the little ready made bottles for feeding, really convenient for going out. A spare change of clothes just in case of any accidents is always good to have as well.