Running errands with your LO!

alayney5 · July 2015

Does anyone else get nervous about taking your little one out in public in fear of a meltdown? When does taking them out get easier and what are some good things to do (or places to go) to get you and your LO out of the house? Stir crazy momma over here:) LO is 8 weeks.

Thanks!

ldmw · July 2015

I've been out and about since the beginning. I try to time it right after she has eaten so she's happy and content and will eventually fall asleep.

blairdavis99 · July 2015

Yes I get out & about often & just hope for the best. My LOs sleep waaaaay better at night when we go somewhere during the day. We drive to new parks to take walks if I don't have anywhere specific to go. One of the best/easiest places to is BRU or another baby store - even if they do have a meltdown, they are very used to crying babies in that store & are quite understanding!

justkeeptrying · July 2015

Yep!!! Totally terrified of him screaming in public and me being "that mom" who can't calm her own baby. If we have to run errands I normally will take DH with us. But I do try to go out with DS on a daily basis, even if it's just for a walk. Otherwise I would go completely stir crazy. Agreed with PP that I go right after he eats so they he won't need to eat again (still not comfortable nursing in public) and hopefully he will fall asleep. Although lately he only sleeps in my arms for naps.

morgansWed105148 · July 2015

I go out all the time and he has melt downs!! I sometimes I have one too. Specially when I first started going! But the more I went the better we get at it!! I hold him in one arm and let him look all around or rock him in his car seat if he flips out. I go to car and put a boob in his mouth if he needs it! I wear him if I'm at target or Costco and need to get alot.. But most of the time he is really good.. He sleeps or looks around and I talk to him which helps. I tell why we are out and blow kisses and he is a happy camper..No one ever gets mad at us for fussing if anything they smile and give us postive attention.

morgansWed105148 · July 2015

The more you take them out now the easier it will be when they are older is what my mom friends say!

agilber3 · July 2015

I used to be stressed and worried about this. Now I just feed him and go run errands. He usually falls asleep but if he cries he cries for a reason and you're his mama so you usually know what's up! I have breastfed in a restaurant (huge accomplishment!) and my trips are just short ones. It's easier to bring my husband or grandma with, but you can do it!!

SmrBrd2012 · July 2015

I usually try to feed LO first as well.I really try to get out at least once a day with him so he gets used to it, even of its just a walk with the stroller. LO is usually quite calm when I'm wearing him so luckily that's worked out for me when going to stores. I'm still constantly terrified of him having a melt down too though. It'll happen eventually! Maybe once it does we won't feel as nervous the next time?

jennygirlmt · July 2015

I'm lucky and #3 is so easy she just sleeps or looks around. So going out is super easy with her. With all of them I'd either put them in a carrier or the snap and go, depending on the weather and location.

But the more you go now, the more they'll get used to it. Personally I find this to be the absolute easiest time to run errands. When my MIL takes the two older ones and I can run errands with the baby we can hit 5 stores in an hour!

And no one cares if your baby cries and no one will think you are "that mom." If they do then they are jerks who you shouldn't worry about.

annie10 · July 2015

Just do it! After awhile you just stop seeing other people during meltdowns and focus on your child completely. We've been going since the first day at home because my other two are 2 1/2 and 4 1/2. And the meltdowns never stop (well, they will someday, right?) My 4 yr. old threw a tantrum at the park yesterday. That was fun getting all 4 of us back home. But, today was a new day and we were out again and everything was fine. Good luck!

marthaudani · July 2015

We've been out everywhere since DD was about 1 week. I usually leave her in the car seat if I only have to run a quick errand like the post office. If I need to get groceries and I might be a while I will put her in a wrap and carry her that way. Keeping her close keeps her calmer.

If she gets hungry I find a bench and sit down to feed her and pull a snack and a water out of my bag and have a little break. I've never had issues breastfeeding in public and I've found that people leave you alone if you're eating something.

Babies cry. It's not something we can avoid. It's something we should be prepared for.

jodi1008 · July 2015

I usually wear LO in a moby and I breastfeed him in it as well. I put a little light blanket over my shoulder to cover and then I shop that way lol. He eventually falls asleep. With my first child I remember feeling uncomfortable doing any type of breastfeeding in public at first.

prettypiggy · July 2015

I'm still having trouble with running errands due to breastfeeding. I'm not against doing it publicly but I it doesn't seem easy or mommy friendly at most locations.

saric83 · July 2015

Like PPs said, I would highly recommend leaving right after you feed LO. We're out all of the time and have been since week two, and after the first few times, I didn't think anything of it. But if I feel like DS is having a rough morning without a good solid nap to start with, I don't push it and go anywhere for long. And I likely wouldn't take him out in a store between 5-7pm (when he's at his fussiest) without DH.

Start with a park, grocery store, or Target around late morning during the week. Then it's pretty dead, and if you need to handle things, you can without stressing too much since it's not like you're bothering anyone else. And if I need to feed him, we either go back to the car, in a dressing room or anywhere that's comfy to sit (Target Starbucks or something). Also, for your first few times in a store, don't load up a cart super full in case you feel like you need to make a quick getaway. Just take it slowly and build up. You'll feel confident about it in no time!

tjurado10 · July 2015

Yup especially since I'm BF...not comfortable with BF in public...FTM. I'll take a bottle of pumped milk and bring a little extra just in case. I'll wear LO in an ergo carrier when I'm going to be taking a while otherwise I'll just take him in his car seat if I'm going to the ATM or something like that

rae430 · July 2015

I've been taking DS out in public from week 1. The first day we went out, he had a meltdown in Target, but since he was in the Moby, I threw him a boob discreetly and he quieted down right away. We've taken him all over the place- to "baby day" movie matinees, to barbeques, to coffee shops, to the mall, to restaurants, etc, etc. Sometimes he cries bc he's hungry, but you can feed your baby anywhere. I have a BFing cover and feed him right when he cries- it solves the problem right away. I strongly recommend BFing in public! You don't have to show any skin if you don't want to, and you'll feel like a normal person again because you can run errands and be social without worrying all the time about the baby crying. Your boobs go everywhere with you and so can baby

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