How are we supposed to get out of the house with a newborn?

[imissmascara]

DS is 2.5 weeks old. I had a c section and am starting to be able to go out for a little bit. But I think we are missing something.

There is a craft market on today in the village that we thought we could go to. But…

DS was late to settle last night so we got up at about 9:30am.
Then he needed a change and to get dressed
Then he had a mammoth feed
DH took DS while I had a quick shower. By the time I came out of the shower, DS was asleep.

He’s been asleep since. And we’re not supposed to wake a sleeping baby. He’s grizzling now though so when he wakes up he is going to need to be changed again, then fed to soothe him.

4pm will be here before we know it and it’s another day we haven’t managed to leave the house.

What are we missing?

lol, I hear you!

I remember back to early days with my first. At about three weeks old I was determined to do something 'normal'. Just take my baby and go to the mall.
My day turned out how you have described yours and but I forgot to watch the clock. I arrived at the mall just before 5pm. The shops shut at 5 back in those days. I was so upset it had taken me a whole day to get out.

Second baby, up, nappy on, in a sling and out. Feed on the way if needed.

Keep changing bag packed and ready to go with changing things, spare baby clothes and a spare top for the adults, keep a bottle of water and snacks in there too

Up and dressed, baby fed and changed and if going out soon put to sleep in the pram or car seat. Go out, enjoy your morning, (keep a mental note of good changing places), take it easy early on as you gave had major abdominal surgery. If you aren't going out soon I'd still put to sleep in pram but we had a baby basket version so same as a moses basket and the pram lived in the hallway. I didn't drive when DD was small but I assume you pack car, get baby, lock door,put in car seat and go. The ride will send them yo sleep again.

Get home repack baby bag and repeat.

I’m 3 weeks post c-section and am still yet to leave the house, except from school and preschool runs a and an occasional treat to Tesco I haven’t been anywhere and I really don’t want to yet or feel up to it but I have had a horrible infection which won’t budge to. But try not to put pressure on yourself to be going out if it happens it does if not then doesn’t matter can try again tommrow And waken a newborn is fine to do they usualy go back to sleep Espicially when driving or in there pram x

Grab stuff, grab baby and leave...

It seems difficult because it's all new but babies of that age are hugely portable. They'll eat, sleep etc wherever you are.

If baby is hungry when out, feed him. If he needs a change then change him. If you need to be somewhere at a particular time/are in a rush, then try feeding him before you leave to minimise the risk of him screaming on the way.

Honestly though, What's the worst that can happen? No one is doing to judge you if your baby cries. If you forget something then either you come home, make do or buy something. If baby gets overtired then you might have a challenging few hours but it's a very short term thing.

I've forgotten nappies, wipes, miscalculated how much milk I'd need to bring, forgotten to pack a spare outfit, had poo explosions/vomit all over the car seat, got baby poo all down me in a cafe, your name it. By a couple of hours later it's a funny anecdote. No harm done.

You'll be fine.

2.5 weeks?!... Give it some time if you are not really feeling ready.

Life is not the same anymore OP... And that's okay.

Take the time to enjoy eachother and for you to recuperate properly.

6 weeks at least till you adjust to a new person in your lives....

The people saying 'just gently lift them and put them in the pram/car seat asleep' have clearly not had a high needs baby. Some babies would not let you do this and it would cause a screaming fit. My first was one of these. My second is so chill and happy to go with the flow.

Then the baby screams before being lulled back to sleep. You have to get on with life and if they aren't in danger and aren't in pain then a good cry is probably good for their lungs / muscles anyway.

Some noise cancelling ear plugs / headphones to dull the shrillness (not block all the noise obviously) is useful for a parents nerves and to help you cope if you have a crier or baby with colic.

Good grief 6 weeks?? Not a chance I could stay at home that long. I barely last a day 😂

It’s easiest if you’re in walking distance of places, you just feed and put them straight in the pram to sleep. Wheel them off when you’ve been to the loo and grabbed your stuff. You get good at getting the pram in and out of the house without disturbing them - even if you have steps like we did.

This.
And get up earlier, if you will.

Quite. You can't not take your eldest to school/nursery because your baby was napping. You might try to work around it if they are on one nap a day if you know they won't resettle but it's a newborn for goodness sake, they have lots of opportunities to nap.

Getting out of the house with a newborn is infinitely easier than getting out of the house with a two year old 😅

Being organised is key, but don't worry about changing into proper clothes at this age - feed them, let them sleep when you're out. It won't be this easy to get out of the house until they're about 16, enjoy it!

Ignore people telling you to ‘get on with it’ I remember this feeling! I’d say tomorrow once he’s fed and you’re getting dressed have DH put him in his pushchair and as soon as you’re dressed head out. Either he’ll fall/stay asleep or he soon will with the walk, and if you walk somewhere local (with good coffee and cake!) you can go sit down somewhere to feed him if he needs it.

I've had 5 children and don't think I've stayed at home once. Granted I had vaginal deliveries but I have to get out the house as I get really bad cabin fever.
What you need to remember OP, is everybody is different and there is no right or wrong for a new mum. You just do what you feel ready for.

Babies are very portable.

You can pop him asleep in a carseat/pram and go out.

Although at 2.5 weeks post c section I wouldn't be recommending trying to do too much op. Your body still has a hell of a lot of healing to go through. You may feel OK, but remember there is a good reason why they advise no heavy lifting, driving etc for 6 weeks.

You'll find your feet, promise it gets easier x

I think youve taken the term don't wake a sleeping baby too literally op. It's fine to move them around and to get out and about. They'll go back to sleep if they need it and actually the fresh air and seeing new things can help them sleep better imo. Newborns sleep a lot. You just get on with life as normal but try to develop a night time routine.

Don't buy into the idea that you can't move a sleeping baby op! That way madness lies.

Babies are lovely and portable, toddlers on the other hand.........

Oh gosh, go easy on yourselves! You just had major surgery, your baby is tiny, it’s your first child.

You’ll find your feet eventually.

As others have said, pop baby in their pram/car seat/sling and go out. Always have baby bag stocked and ready to go.
Don't beat yourself up if you don't manage to get out, it's still very early days!
Even a gentle wander to the shop, or around the block might do wonders for clearing your head and keeping your sanity! But obviously only if you feel up to it. Congratulations!

@nextdoornightmares
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Good grief 6 weeks?? Not a chance I could stay at home that long.* I barely last a day 😂

You may faint. I took my baby out to the doctor only for the first 6 months 🙈

When you have no choice, and the baby HAS to come out with you, you just do it -this whole “must never wake a sleeping baby” is nonsense peddled out that causes massive stress for new parents thinking they are now tied to the house or whatever once a baby is asleep. I had 3 under 3.5, and was alone most of the time. You just have to get in with it even if they wake.

But you’ve also had major major surgery, so all in good time! It’s important you rest right now too

If you want to go out then it’s doable, they can go out when they’re asleep, in fact it’s the best time to go!
You’re still less than 3 weeks in though so if you want to stay home that’s also ok!