Going Out With Your Baby - A Complete Guide

Does going out with your baby make you anxious? Well, it doesn’t have to; with some preparation on your part, you can turn it into a fun experience. Read on to find how.
Restaurant
- Choose a casual restaurant1 rather than a fancy one.
- A family restaurant where toddlers and kids are a common sight will be a great choice.
- Carry along baby food like milk, biscuits or small snacks your little one likes to eat.
- Pack in wipes, diapers, extra baby clothes, baby-proof cutlery, and a baby chair or carrier.
- Carry your baby’s favourite toy to keep the little one busy.
- Order food that you can eat with one hand so that you can attend to your baby whenever necessary.
Park
- Choose a quiet park2 where no teenagers are playing or running around.
- This way, you can take your baby for a stroll without anything hurting your baby.
- Don’t forget to carry diapers, wipes, milk bottles, nursing cover, and a hand sanitizer.
- It is best to go with other mum friends so that your kid can socialize.
Movie theatre
- Choose a movie that won’t startle your baby and is kid-friendly.
- Avoid taking seats in the middle; choose a seat that is closer to the door and comfortable for you while nursing.
- Pick a show timing that is not crowded and is reasonable on the pockets.
- Carry your baby’s snacks, nursing cover, extra baby clothes, diapers, wipes, blanket, your baby’s favourite toy, and a hand sanitizer.
Paediatrician’s visit
- Make an appointment later in the afternoon so that you have enough time for the preparation.
- It is a good idea to pack a bag of diapers, wipes, a blanket, extra baby clothes, milk bottle, toy, and a nursing cover.
- Don’t forget to carry all the important medical papers.
Although it’s best to avoid taking your newborn to crowded places in the first few weeks, you can always be prepared to prevent any infections.
Pro Tip: Pack all the essentials, keep a buffer time of half-hour before leaving, maintain all the hygiene – Keep a pack of Pampers baby wipes handy, and you can have a fun experience with your little one.
Keeping your baby safe
Try to keep them in the shade at all times. Cover the pram with a cloth and make sure air can still get through. Alternatively, you could use the pram’s canopy top or an umbrella to create shade. Minimise use of sunscreen in babies younger than 6 months. If your baby has to be in the sun, apply sunscreen to those small areas of skin not covered by wraps, clothing and a hat.
You should also try to protect your baby from people who are sick, because babies’ immune systems are not fully developed. Immunisation will help protect them. However, whooping cough is very dangerous for newborn babies because they are usually not immune for at least the first few months of life and sometimes longer. Take your baby to the doctor if you suspect they have come into contact with someone who has a whooping cough.

Pooja Shah is a post graduate in economics and worked as a teacher in a reputed institution for almost 5 years. She is a mother of two kids, she is an avid reader and carries passion for writing.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mom Store.