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Original poster

Taking your baby out alone

36 replies

Emfrancesca · 30/05/2023 17:48

Hi all, my baby is turning 8 weeks old this week and I'm still finding myself feeling nervous to take her out alone as I'm always on edge about her crying in public and not being able to soothe her. I know I shouldn't be worried about this but stupidly I am!
Did you find that taking your little one out and about on your own became easier as they got older?
I take her out for walks around the area I live but I am still yet to take her out into town by myself. She's very hit and miss with her dummy (when she does take it she loves it and it sends her off to sleep) and a lot of the time the only way to soothe her is to either feed her or pick her up and hold her which would be difficult on my own while trying to push a pram at the same time. I'm hoping she's just at that unsettled irritable age and over the coming weeks she will be less likely to get upset for no reason!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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quietnightmare · 31/05/2023 08:23

99% of people who will look at you if your baby is crying will give you THE LOOK. Which basically means they look at you are and you can see them mentally saying ' awwww bless you and trust me I KNOW'

JussathoB · 31/05/2023 08:38

JC89 · 30/05/2023 21:48

If you want to try going into town, it might help to think of places you can go to sit and feed/cuddle the baby. Are there parks nearby with benches? Any shops with seats (shoe departments generally will, although it's not the most discreet!)? A café? The John Lewis nearest us has a parent room (a little room with a comfy chair for feeding in). Possibly also the kids section of the library (it may already be noisy with toddlers!).

You are already getting out with the baby, your confidence will grow as you do more of it. You can always build up more time outside where baby screams will disturb fewer people!

This
If you want to try going into town, make a little plan for yourself. And if you decide to come home quicker than intended, that’s fine, you can go another day for longer.
You may find it’s easier to visit town in a few weeks when baby goes a bit longer between feeds? But try it when you want to. In the meantime keep taking baby out for walks around the area.

Noicant · 31/05/2023 08:42

Yes it does get easier but you kind of have to get over the mental hurdle by doing it as much as possible. Toddlers, now thats awful, babies are easier to take out in comparison. Just do short trips to start with, go for a coffee or pop to the supermarket to get a few things. I was bloody terrified of taking DD out (I don’t drive which made it worse) but it got easier over time. Hang in there!

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Original poster

Emfrancesca · 31/05/2023 08:45

Thank you everyone!

We are starting a baby sensory class next Thursday so that will hopefully help to build my confidence. She's also got her jabs on Tuesday which I've got to take her to by myself.
After that I will definitely brave going into town with her, I need to do it soon cos I'm getting a bit bored sat at home doing the same thing every day!

OP posts:

NeverendingCircus · 31/05/2023 08:49

Take her in a sling. You can get slings that are forward and back facing so she can look out at the world if she's feeling lively or have cuddle and a feed facing you if that's what she wants.

My DS used to love going out and about in a sling, watching the world go by. But he was older than 8 weeks. Take your time. You don't have to do anything you don't feel ready for. Short trips to local park and shops are perfect for now if that's what you can manage. Focus on making life work for you. That way you'll feel more confident in mothering.

BiddyPop · 31/05/2023 08:56

I got out walking with DD in the pram from 3 weeks old, and by 8 weeks, I was going for a walk to local village, having a coffee and feeding her, then walking (or getting bus) back up the hill to home.

It's scary when you start, but a great way to start getting some movement back for yourself and fresh air which is also good for you. And not just looking at the four walls of home. And fresh air for baby which helps them sleep well.

BiddyPop · 31/05/2023 08:58

I know it wasn't always perfect, there were some walks when I turned around and came home if dd was very upset, or where I arrived home in tears because I thought I couldn't manage. But most people around either didn't care or came over and coo'ed, or gave me a side hug and said it gets better etc.

But tears can be mopped up and a nice cup of tea had. And then you go out again and it's easier as you know it was hard but you both survived, and you will get better at everything as you try different things and get used to each other.

yoga4meinthemorning · 31/05/2023 09:04

At that age use a sling.

I had a baby who hated the buggy. Would scream every time they were in it. I was housebound as a result. I ended up paying for a CM so I didnt go mad!

JandalsAlways · 31/05/2023 09:05

You'll be ok, I was like this too. Super stressed and anxious and everyone else seemed so calm. Just pack everything you think you might need (eg nappy, wipes, spare onesie etc) and start on small trips to make it easy as you build up confidence. Honestly, you'll be fine

JandalsAlways · 31/05/2023 09:08

I had a very small travel pram which was easy to use and manovere, I always took the baby out in this. I found it made things so much easier whereas most of my friends would usually carry theirs if we met in a Cafe or similar. Baby sensory class too. Pram meant, I could be hands free and also not lug everything as it would fit in pram. Agree with PP re sling too. Whichever you find more comfortable

mynameiscalypso · 31/05/2023 09:08

It definitely gets easier but also people are, on the whole, lovely. I remember DS having a meltdown in John Lewis when he was a baby in the carrier and a nice man found me a little private spot with a comfy chair where I could comfort/feed DS. Likewise, I had another shopper in Tesco offer to look after my stuff or do my shopping for me while DS cried. Lots of people have been there before and totally get it.

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