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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Going out with a newborn - any tips?
DD is 3.5 weeks. So far, we've only been out on walks, and to IL's house, aside from the doctor's office. I decided that I'm going to start bringing her out with me on errands and things starting at about 1 month. I can't sit in the house for 8 weeks, and she's going to daycare at 11 weeks, so I want to take her out while I can. I am nervous about taking her out to stores on my own, so does anyone have any tips about which stores are the easiest or most difficult for going out with a little one? Which stores are most convenient for changing/feeding? Any other advice for a new mommy? Thanks!
Message edited 7/9/2012 8:15:41 PM.
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Posted 7/9/12 7:05 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
MamaPapaBear
my little girl
Member since 1/11 2045 total posts
Name:
my whole world
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Going out with a newborn - any tips?
To me, one of my most frequented places when DD was that little was BRU and Target. I would go when they opened so it wasn't too busy. With BRU, I felt like if she screamed, at least everyone there would understand lol. I put her carseat right in the big part of the shopping cart and wheeled her around, ready to leave the store at any moment if she got too hysterical.
She did fine. I did fine. It's so scary taking them out at first. I used to just drive to a drive-thru Starbucks with her in the car to get out of the house.
She used to just sleep mostly the entire time so I wouldnt take her out to change her for fear of waking her up. as for feedings, if it was around her eating time I just waited until right after I fed her and then took her out so she'd be satisfied and would fall asleep. Then I'd make sure I was back home in time for the next feeding.
Good luck! Start small with one store or outing a day. You can do it!
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| Posted 7/9/12 8:17 PM |
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Alexandra17
Keep It Positive
Member since 4/09 6262 total posts
Name:
Alexandra (ali)
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Going out with a newborn - any tips?
I always feel comfortable going to Target and BRU with him. Target is is 2nd home. I use the snap and go and I keep his diaper bag in the car most of the time and it's pre done if I need to replenish I do it when DH is home. The first few times I was a little flustered at bringing him out especially since the first time just the two of us, he decided to have a huge poopy diaper as I was walking to the car in the rain. After I had a little pity party, I realized it wasn't so bad and we go everywhere.
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| Posted 7/9/12 9:05 PM |
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
I agree with the PP but my big thing was to be ready the night before...diaper bag packed with all I needed, diapers, wipes, change of clothing, formula, pump had batteries, bottles, water, etc...so that in the morning, after a feeding, we could be on the road. Sometimes DH would even load the car in the garage for me before he left so that I'd only have to take the baby! She mostly slept and when she was up, we'd chat about where we were..LOL...I put her in the big part of any cart of where we were or the snap and go if we walked the mall...it made for easy transitions...at that age, if she was fussy, she only needed a diaper, a bottle, or some attention...you could park anywhere and do any of those things..do not panic! Most places have a changing area and you can take your time!
There were times we didn't leave the house until 5 because I kept saying, "one more feeding" but after the feeding, JUST GO! Even if it's for an hour, you'll get into the groove and feel so good! You can do it! Just plan ahead and go for it!
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| Posted 7/9/12 9:11 PM |
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Arieschick29
aries+cancer= pisces&gemini
Member since 3/06 4268 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
I didnt take my DD out before 1 month but now with DS I have already gone to Target, the mall and am planning to go to the Woodbury outlets so he can get some fresh air.
DD was born in early March so then I was worried about the cold weather and illness. This time I was worried about the heatwave.
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| Posted 7/9/12 9:16 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22150 total posts
Name:
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Going out with a newborn - any tips?
Get yourself ready before dh leaves for work. If that means waking yup at 5, do it. You'll feel so much better.
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| Posted 7/9/12 11:00 PM |
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Meme729
LIF Adolescent
Member since 2/11 547 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
I take DD everywhere with me. I was really nervous in the beginning too but it's actually pretty easy. I always have her diaper bag packed so I'm ready with all of her things and I just replace whatever I used. I feed her an hour before we leave. This gives her a chance to digest and spit up/go to the bathroom before we are out. Once we are out, I have 3 hours before she needs to eat again. I like to go to larger stores where it's easy to walk around. I usually go to kohls, target, Lord and Taylor, Babies R us and the mall. I just took her to a restaurant for the first time last week and it went pretty well. One thing I have learned in the past few months is that you really could take a baby anywhere.
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| Posted 7/10/12 12:28 AM |
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Lina
My angel is finally here
Member since 5/10 2559 total posts
Name:
Lindsay
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Going out with a newborn - any tips?
I make trips when my DD has just ate, that way she is good to go for a few hours. I like Target and BRU. The snap n go is a life saver... I put items I am purchasing in the bottom and I bring 1 or 2 reusable shopping bags in with me when I need to get a bit more. I keep them on my shoulders and fill up as I go. I like this system since I am short and when I put the car seat on top of the cart I cannot see over it and I am always worried I will bump into things. Don't worry, I bet it will be easier than you expect.
ETA- I leave a few extra diapers and wipes in the glove box of my truck. This way if I forget to restock the diaper bag I always have some for emergencies.
Message edited 7/10/2012 8:59:10 AM.
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| Posted 7/10/12 12:32 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
Always have your diaper bag restocked & ready to go.
-We had 2 diaper bags. A large one full of supplies & a small one to take into the stores. diapers, cream, extra blanket, water bottles, formula if you're not on tap. For us, this is where the powdered formula came in handy because I only had to add water than lug the bottles of RTF around.
-Lots of extra outfits since you can get explosive diapers. Maybe an extra shirt for you.
- when you pick the baby up, after feeding have a towel or burp cloth ready. No need to get that huge amount of spit-up on you (this tip was really when I was fully dressed, back to work & picked up the baby on the way to daycare).
-follow the handicap signs with your stroller. Every store is equipped with ramps & elevators to navigate your stroller.
-when the baby is screaming while you're driving, try to relax. It's nerve-wracking the first few times.
-if you have netting, put it over the car seat or stroller in stores. This will dissuade strangers from touching the baby (because they will).
-coming out of stores, baby goes in the car first, then the groceries, packages. (no keys in the car lest you become the newstory where the guy steals the car with the baby in it!)
This probably goes without saying but don't be shy about moving away from anyone coughing/hacking or speaking up if someone is trying to touch your baby. When they say it's allergies, screw them. Cox sackie runs rampant in the summer months & having experience with a 2 week old that had it, feel free to go momma bear on them.
Message edited 7/10/2012 5:33:35 AM.
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| Posted 7/10/12 5:31 AM |
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mrsv
.
Member since 7/06 2969 total posts
Name:
lol
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
I like going to the bigger stores like Target, Walmart, Kohls, BRU, BBB.
I use my travel system because I like that it has a full shade that completely covers the baby.
I feed her before we leave the house so she has enough time to burp and poop before leaving to go out.
Always have a diaper bag packed and ready.
It gets easier and before you know it, you'll be comfortable bringing DC everywhere with you. I'm surprised that this time, I've already been out so much with DD.
Oh and I def. agree with always putting baby in the car first, then all the shopping bags.
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| Posted 7/10/12 6:47 AM |
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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Going out with a newborn - any tips?
BBB and Nordstrom both have feeding rooms and great changing areas - those were my favorite to take care of DD while I was out.
Like others have said - just be as prepared as possible. Bring an extra outfit, and plenty of diapers and wipes.
I was out once and only had one diaper, and other moms helped me out when DD had a blowout, diaper change, and another blow out immediately after! Things happen - just be prepared that you can't always be prepared :)
It gets easier each time!
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| Posted 7/10/12 6:54 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
I have fed DD anywhere and everywhere, any bench will do -- loved going to the mall for this and people watching.
If you are grossed out by changing areas - I would bring my stroller, so I could take the carrier out and lay DD in teh flat part of the stroller and change her there (still in teh bathroom so I wouldnt stink up any other place LOL) If it was pee I could change her anywhere in her stroller. . .I just changed her in the parking lot of church so I could go back to mass lol
Don't stress - the more you do it the easier it will be. I kind of liked that i could make anywhere "home" for my DD, where she was fed, cared for and happy - even in the food court at the mall or a local park lol
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| Posted 7/10/12 7:06 AM |
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MrsG72907
Mommy of 2 girls!
Member since 5/10 2046 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
I agree with what everyone said. Def. go out after feeding. Bring everything you would need for next feeding just in case. BRU is great bc they have the family room and you can feed/change her if needed. That was my first solo trip. We always took DD out frequently when little and I think it was great for her! I have also just learned it's much easier to take them out when they are a newborn bc now that my DD is almost 8 months and crawling (modified) she wants to jump out of the stroller the second it stops!
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| Posted 7/10/12 7:47 AM |
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PurpleC
Miracles Do Come True
Member since 8/10 2287 total posts
Name:
Caren
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
Love BBB they have such a nice big feeding room with changing tables. I remember going with my mom once and she stayed in the room feeding the baby while I shopped. The Source mall does not have many stores but is good for walking around and getting out. Love the Carters store there. Target is good too, and kohls. The mall is great when it first opens up and look for all the elevator signs.
So happy for you!
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| Posted 7/10/12 8:27 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Going out with a newborn - any tips?
We go to Target, BRU, and Carters a lot. After DD's first feeding and some play time, I put her for a nap and get myself ready. I like her first nap to be at home so that we don't start out the day with her getting cranky. We'll then go out after her second feeding. At first, we'd do one store and then run back home. Now, we stay out longer because she'll last longer and I'm less stressed about it. If she decides she's hungry, I'll usually nurse her in the car if we aren't going to be home quickly. I have a small car, but there's plenty of room if I tilt my seat back and throw on the radio and ac.
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| Posted 7/10/12 10:52 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
Nordstrom hands down - best lounge conducive to feeding.
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| Posted 7/10/12 10:54 AM |
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saraH
happy birthday sweet kate!
Member since 5/05 16555 total posts
Name:
I know that God exsists, I held her in my arms...
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
They are renovating nordstroms in rf, so the lounge on the 2nd floor is empty.
But otherwise, the the snap and go and go. It's nice I get out of the house.
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| Posted 7/10/12 11:26 AM |
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mnmsoinlove
Mommy to 2 sweet girls!
Member since 3/09 8585 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
Posted by Meme729
I take DD everywhere with me. I was really nervous in the beginning too but it's actually pretty easy. I always have her diaper bag packed so I'm ready with all of her things and I just replace whatever I used. I feed her an hour before we leave. This gives her a chance to digest and spit up/go to the bathroom before we are out. Once we are out, I have 3 hours before she needs to eat again. I like to go to larger stores where it's easy to walk around. I usually go to kohls, target, Lord and Taylor, Babies R us and the mall. I just took her to a restaurant for the first time last week and it went pretty well. One thing I have learned in the past few months is that you really could take a baby anywhere.
. This is exactly what I do! Always feed an changed before we leave the house. She will most likely sleep the entire time we are out if she has been fed. Bring the loaded diaper bag. I never do diaper changes in the store only in the car if I have to. I take dd tO target, bru, stop n shop, mall. Now that I have two it's harder. Dd one goes in the cart and dd2 goes in the baby Katan wrap. The hardest part is unloading groceries. I pull up by my front door and unload groceries to right outside our door. Than bring in both kids. I get them settled and than grab my groceries from right outside the door.
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| Posted 7/10/12 11:41 AM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
The first time is initmidating - after that, it's easy - you'll see !!! =)
I didn't BF, so I think that may have made things a bit more difficult - but honetsly, as long as the diaper bag is with you .....you can do anything you need to do for a 3 week old baby anywhere you are ......or any kid at any age ......
I've fed both boys in their strollers, changed diapers in the stroller, in the car, in a fitting room .........just keep a small blanket in the diaper bad to roll out anywhere and you have an instant changing station -
it's good for you to be out in civilization, and it's good (IMO) for the baby to get used to being out and about and be able to to sleep, eat, etc someplace other than 'home' ........
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| Posted 7/10/12 12:24 PM |
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Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
Posted by MarisaK
The first time is initmidating - after that, it's easy - you'll see !!! =)
I didn't BF, so I think that may have made things a bit more difficult - but honetsly, as long as the diaper bag is with you .....you can do anything you need to do for a 3 week old baby anywhere you are ......or any kid at any age ......
I've fed both boys in their strollers, changed diapers in the stroller, in the car, in a fitting room .........just keep a small blanket in the diaper bad to roll out anywhere and you have an instant changing station -
it's good for you to be out in civilization, and it's good (IMO) for the baby to get used to being out and about and be able to to sleep, eat, etc someplace other than 'home' ........
Totally agree
One thing i learned - always keep the diaper bag stocked with anything you might ever need so you're not sitting there before you go out trying to think what you 'might' need.
I always keep my bag stocked with:
- 6-8 diapers, full container of wipes
- changing pad
- few plastic bags for quick disposal of diapers
- every single lotion/cream/ointment used for DS (travel sizes of aquphor, eucerin, vaseline,) plus travel sizes of purell, and infant motrin.
- 2 swaddling blankets. They can be used for pretty much everything. A covering for when you put her down on a surface.. an extra covering for when she's cold etc
- 2 burp cloths
- 2 bibs
- divided travel container of powder for formula
- one empty bottle (with top on it)
- plastic forks to mix up formula on the go
- bottle of water
- a few toys for distraction
- 2 pacifiers
- boogie wipes
- paci wipes
- 2 sets of onesies/pants/socks/clothing depending on season
(PHEW)
That way, i can just grab the bag and go, and i will hopefully be prepared for any situation that comes up.
Honestly.. the best thing to do is just go out and do it. Take that first trip to the supermarket. Decide if you are going to put the car seat in the shopping cart, or in the snap n go and carry a basket and then go out and pick up a few things. I pretty much guarantee you that she'll sleep the whole time  If she wakes up, she'll be fascinated and look around at everything around her. You'll have the pacifier if she needs it, or any other toys to distract her (i like the hanging toys from the car seat handle, they've helped us many times!).
And if she cries.. you'll be fine. I have generally found that most people are very understanding if you have a baby and especially if they're crying (although sometimes you get unwanted advice). I was in the line at the supermarket and sat there with DS crying for 10 minutes while i did the whole checkout process. Several people helped me bag my groceries and be on my way because they could see i was a bit frazzled.
Often when i was home on leave, i would go out just to be able to get something to eat. I found every drive through and fast food restaurant in my area! I would go out while he was sleeping to a drive through and treat myself to a mcd's chicken sandwich just so i had a chance to sit and eat with no interruptions.
i know its so daunting right now.. but really the best thing is to go out, and keep going out and the more you do it, the better you'll feel about it. You may have a few melt downs and times where you realize you were an idiot because you forgot the diaper bag (ahem, not that i ever did that ) but you'll learn how to deal with it and feel better about it next time.
Sunrise mall has a really great family changing area/bathroom - its got couches and a huge changing area and private bathrooms you can bring the stroller into. Very baby friendly!
Oh, and get used to elevators too - you'll learn where they all are in every store 
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| Posted 7/10/12 2:27 PM |
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Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
oh, and if you want, i'll come over next week one night and we can take her out together if you want to do some trial runs!
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| Posted 7/10/12 2:29 PM |
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mtdr1106
junior supafly
Member since 3/06 2268 total posts
Name:
tricia
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
i always took him to target simply because there was a starbucks inside and i could have coffee! 
also - i felt comfy there because if he needed anything that i forgot to bring - the odds were that they sold it - so i could just buy it while i was there!
they always had a clean bathroom and i never had issues with people trying to touch him or anything like that.
i started taking ds out when he was 1 week old. i know what you mean about being stir crazy. it will all be fine.
good luck and have fun!
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| Posted 7/10/12 3:21 PM |
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ko123
My loves!
Member since 10/07 3002 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
DD2 loves to be "worn". When I go to Target etc she goes in the ring sling or bjorn and DD1 is in the shopping cart or stroller. The baby will sleep forever if I'm wearing her so it makes shopping pretty stress free....well except for her pesky 2 year old sister! ; )
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| Posted 7/10/12 6:25 PM |
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petvet
LIF Adult
Member since 5/08 1238 total posts
Name:
Meredith
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
You ladies have given great advice but what do you do if your baby doesn't just sleep through the outings. I have been trying to go out a bit w/ my 7 week old but run away as soon as my baby starts screaming. He is not the type to go anywhere and just sleep even if he's been fed/changed etc. I feel so horrible being in public with my baby crying/screaming for no apparent reason other then he wants to be in my arms instead of in the carrier. I feel like other people will judge me for having a crying baby 
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| Posted 7/10/12 6:43 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Re: Going out with a newborn - any tips?
Posted by petvet
You ladies have given great advice but what do you do if your baby doesn't just sleep through the outings. I have been trying to go out a bit w/ my 7 week old but run away as soon as my baby starts screaming. He is not the type to go anywhere and just sleep even if he's been fed/changed etc. I feel so horrible being in public with my baby crying/screaming for no apparent reason other then he wants to be in my arms instead of in the carrier. I feel like other people will judge me for having a crying baby
DD sleeps less and less when we're out. I have some toys on her carrier and these will sometimes distract her. I bought a set of links so that I can attach different things. Sometimes fast motion will calm her and sometimes it won't. If she cries and the movement doesn't help, then we head for the checkout. If she cries while we're online then so be it. I think most people understand that babies do cry sometimes. I see other moms carry babies around when they're fussy but I'm not that coordinated!
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| Posted 7/10/12 7:54 PM |
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