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Cincinnati Babies
scared to leave house
So I've pretty much been home-bound since Lillian was born besides going to Drs. visits. I'm starting to get pretty stir crazy here! But I'm scared to leave the house with her. We don't have a consistent schedule, she eats on demand and some of our sessions (OK, most of them) last 45 minutes or so. And occasionally she'll eat and want to eat again an hour later. I just wonder how I can take her anywhere if this is the case. I could take a bottle of EBM but I'd rather not give her a bottle until our feedings get a little better. I'm not a stupid person but I can't quite figure out how to accomplish a trip out with her. Maybe I need to give it a little more time. Or maybe I'm just making excuses because I'm scared. I really do need to make a run to Target for some nursing supplies...HELP!
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Re: scared to leave house
I was housebound for about two weeks but eventually I gave in and just got out. It was a bit different for me since it was May so I didn't have to lug all the cold-weather gear, but at the time Leah was eating a bottle every hour, and I was just scared to leave. Honestly, any time you go out, a baby will pick an inopportune time to decide to eat. She'd cry for a bottle while I had a shopping cart full of stuff, while I was at a restaurant, while I was in line...eventually you just figure it out and walk away to go and feed them.
Obviously since you are BFing you have the choice to NIP or to go into a changing room or a ladies' lounge. I always enjoyed going to a mall to walk her around because Macy's has such nice ladies' lounges that it was actually nice to go in and feed her. And, if you are going out during the day, you'll notice a lot of mommies out and about feeding. Pretty much every time I went to the mall on a weekday during "school hours" I'd see someone nursing in the ladies' lounges. So it's hard to adjust to getting out with a new baby, but no need to go stir-crazy!
Just realize ahead of time that you might be running for the checkout sooner than expected. It happens.
If it's any consolation, DD was on a good routine, and I still was apprehensive about leaving the house with her for the 1st few months. I wouldn't take her anywhere by myself for probably 2 months. DH or my mom had to be with me, or I wouldn't go. I still think it's easier with 2 of us.
I think that helped me be more comfortable when I did take her out on my own - that I had gone out several times with help.
I remember being terrified of leaving with DD on my own. I never could understand why it made me so nervous. It took a few short trips out with her before I finally relaxed. Prior to that, I always waited for DH to go with us. For whatever reason, it felt safer having the extra help from DH. After a few times of going it alone with her, we got a routine and it became less stressful. DD always slept the entire time (and still does), so it was easier than expected.
I agree, have everything you need packed and ready, feed first and then go. Try really short, one stop trips the first few times. It gets easier.
The only way that you'll be able know if you can do it is to just do it! I was totally panicked about leaving the house with two newborns at first. But I found the hardest part for me was getting out the door.
I made sure to feed and change them right before I left the house to reduce the likelihood that they'd need either of those thing when we were out. Take short trips at first, so that it's unlikely you'll need to feed her in public. And if for some reason you do, slip into a changing room or bathroom. Moms do it all the time. A good place to get out is Kenwood Mall b/c it has private nursing rooms by the food court. And the department stores have nice lounges in their restrooms.
Also, I found when I did go out that the babies slept the vast majority of the time. The car ride would put them to sleep and they'll generally stay asleep in the stoller. I looked forward to my outings and after a few trial runs, I realized that I *needed* my outings to keep my sanity! I made an excuse to leave the house pretty much everyday.
It's easy to say, but hard to do - but try not to let your fears get the best of you. Worst case scenario is that she cries and you need to leave. Yes, it's an inconvenience, but it's totally managable.
Best of luck!
You'd be amazed at how well they can do out. B LOVES outings, and usually it makes for a better rest of the day and night. It tires him out a little, and he is entertained just looking around from his pumpkin seat.
Ditto pp- be ready to leave and go right after a feeding. do a short trip- either take the stroller or go somewhere with a shopping cart. You could go to target, and pop the pumpkin seat in the cart. I prefer to have the seat inside the cart as opposed to on top of it because I never quite trust the stability of it all.. However, I will tell you that when we take B out in a cart or a stroller, he just stares off into space and is super happy to be out and about. He rarely fusses because he is being pushed around. The motion of the cart/stroller soothes him. He also usually falls asleep. One time, I walked around Meijer for an extra 45 minutes because B was zonkered and I knew he needed a nap.
I took him to Jeffersonville at 3.5 months- just packed 2 bottles of EBM (17 ozs) along with the diaper bag & his seahorse, and I knew he'd be set for the day. We bopped around in the stroller, and he was happy as could be for the day. Granted, I was with a friend, but I will tell you that I LOVE shopping with a stroller... you don't have to carry anything!!!
Try a quick trip... you may be pleasantly surprised! Worst case, you go home sooner than expected. A screaming baby has gotten me ahead in line...