Getting out with your baby is easier than you think. Megan has tips to help get you organised and out of the house on time.
Babies, as a general rule, are very portable creatures: they’ll go along anywhere, they stay still, and may often even sleep better when being rocked around in a car, pusher or carrier.
I get cabin fever very easily, and I feel stifled by the whirlwind of routine that comes with the feed/nappy change/sleep pattern of a baby. It’s important to get out when I can to give myself a sense of still being part of a life that includes a wider community.
Getting out minus the stress and overwhelm can be tough when you’re dealing with a baby – those cute little creatures are known for pooing at the worst times – but is really quite easy when you put it down logically. My one big tip for getting out with a baby is this:
That’s it!... well, almost.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you hanging with that one little gem and no other tips for making it happen. I know that for many, the idea of being ‘organised’ is quite elusive – and I’m here to help! So here are five tips for making getting out of the house easily doable:
3. Are we going out? YES!
I have a funny (or is a little bit dorky?) acronym for myself as a mental checklist. Y = you, E = eat, S = sleep, so with a little YES I usually manage to remember all those extra things I need. The only last minute things (i.e. those you don’t already have packed in the nappy bag) a baby really needs are for eating or to help them sleep: bottles, solid foods or a dummy, for example. And try to think of those things that you need too: snacks, sun cream and water, perhaps.
4. Think about timing.
If you have a bit of a drive or walk ahead it’s often best to go around naptime, however if you’re catching up with friends it might be easiest to go while the baby’s awake – it really depends on your baby and you’ll know when you’re most comfortable to be out. With a newborn, I usually find it easiest just after a feed as I know I’ve got a couple of hours free.
5. Have a selection of props that work for you.
There are some situations I find a pusher best, and other times I prefer her in the sling or carrier on me, but I usually try to have both on hand just in case. You might have other pieces of equipment or other props that work well for you.
Babies, as a general rule, are very portable creatures: they’ll go along anywhere, they stay still, and may often even sleep better when being rocked around in a car, pusher or carrier.
I get cabin fever very easily, and I feel stifled by the whirlwind of routine that comes with the feed/nappy change/sleep pattern of a baby. It’s important to get out when I can to give myself a sense of still being part of a life that includes a wider community.
Getting out minus the stress and overwhelm can be tough when you’re dealing with a baby – those cute little creatures are known for pooing at the worst times – but is really quite easy when you put it down logically. My one big tip for getting out with a baby is this:
Be organised!
Don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you hanging with that one little gem and no other tips for making it happen. I know that for many, the idea of being ‘organised’ is quite elusive – and I’m here to help! So here are five tips for making getting out of the house easily doable:
1. Repack the nappy bag AFTER each outing.
Rather than adding this to your list of things as you’re trying to get out the door, make it something you do when you get home instead. If you used two nappies and a change of clothes, replace them straight away and put the bag by the door ready to grab next time you’re outwards bound.
Rather than adding this to your list of things as you’re trying to get out the door, make it something you do when you get home instead. If you used two nappies and a change of clothes, replace them straight away and put the bag by the door ready to grab next time you’re outwards bound.
2. Know what to keep on hand.
These are the things you never know when you’ll need with a baby. Keep one on hand in each of the various places you’re likely to be or to have with you, like the car, the pusher and the nappy bag: blankets, a flannel wipe for spewy moments, a dummy, nappies of course, wipes – always wipes! – and a sun hat or beanie depending on the season.
These are the things you never know when you’ll need with a baby. Keep one on hand in each of the various places you’re likely to be or to have with you, like the car, the pusher and the nappy bag: blankets, a flannel wipe for spewy moments, a dummy, nappies of course, wipes – always wipes! – and a sun hat or beanie depending on the season.
3. Are we going out? YES!
I have a funny (or is a little bit dorky?) acronym for myself as a mental checklist. Y = you, E = eat, S = sleep, so with a little YES I usually manage to remember all those extra things I need. The only last minute things (i.e. those you don’t already have packed in the nappy bag) a baby really needs are for eating or to help them sleep: bottles, solid foods or a dummy, for example. And try to think of those things that you need too: snacks, sun cream and water, perhaps.
4. Think about timing.
If you have a bit of a drive or walk ahead it’s often best to go around naptime, however if you’re catching up with friends it might be easiest to go while the baby’s awake – it really depends on your baby and you’ll know when you’re most comfortable to be out. With a newborn, I usually find it easiest just after a feed as I know I’ve got a couple of hours free.
5. Have a selection of props that work for you.
There are some situations I find a pusher best, and other times I prefer her in the sling or carrier on me, but I usually try to have both on hand just in case. You might have other pieces of equipment or other props that work well for you.
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