How to Survive Your First Trip Out with Your Newborn

Those first few weeks with your new baby are wonderful. All it seems like you want to do is sit at home and gaze lovingly at that beautiful face, those tiny toes and cute as a button nose. But between mounds of dirty diapers and midnight feedings you barely have time to take a shower or if you do, it's a quick one so you can go back to gazing again. But sooner or later that need to get out and socialize may surface. And of course, showing off your new bundle of joy is a plus too. You don't have to suffer cabin fever if you have a game plan. You can successfully take your baby almost anywhere if you plan ahead.

For instance, I am a new mother to a 6 week old boy. I took him for his first outing with me to a funeral in a city about an hour away. I wasn't planning on going but my grandfather asked me to go so he could show off his new great grand baby. I thought to myself, what would I need for a afternoon out? In our diaper bag I packed plenty of diapers. How would you know what plenty of diapers is? I figured that if I would be gone for 8 hours I would take 2 per hour. My son only needs to be changed once every few hours and I didn't use half of the diapers I took but I was prepared in case I needed more. I also packed a small travel box of baby wipes and some diaper rash ointment. Even if your baby doesn't have a diaper rash at the time it should always be in the diaper bag. Along with the extra diapers I packed 2 clean outfits. That should also be in the diaper bag at all times. I took a small can of formula. Now you can get these powdered formula dispensers. I didn't have one at the time but it is a space saver in your diaper bag. Since I use the Playtex Drop-ins I just packed 2 bottles and several extra disposable drop-ins. That way all I would need to make a bottle was water. Some people choose to keep a bottle of water in the diaper bag but as long as the water is not well water, tap water will be fine. I also packed some extras such as an extra blanket, a few little toys, a suction bulb, a thermometer, a soft changing pad, a bib, a burp cloth, antibacterial hand gel and a few plastic baggies for soiled diapers. It may sound like a lot but it all fit into the diaper bag.

Now if you followed my tips for the diaper bag you are all set, right? Pretty much, but now you have to think about the people that will be around you. Will you know them? Perhaps you are just planning to go to dinner and the interaction between your baby and strangers will be minimal or none. You'd be surprised at how wait-staff will randomly come up and stick their hands into the carrier to touch your baby. Some might even try to lean in for a kiss! If you plan to be around friends and family they will undoubtedly want to hold and touch the baby. That's where the antibacterial hand gel comes in. Here are a few tips for unwanted people coming in to touch the baby. On some carriers there is a little visor or canopy to keep out the sun, it also keeps out strangers. Simply stretch it out over the baby so his or her face is hidden and when a stranger approaches simply say "Oh he/she is sleeping". Hopefully they get the hint. If your carrier doesn't have one then drape a blanket over the handle as sort of a tent. This has the same effect. If someone doesn't get the hint be sure to speak up if you mind them touching the baby. You don't know where their hands have been. I certainly didn't want the waitress, who wasn't even ours by the way, to come up and put her hands all over my sons face and hands! I didn't speak up but boy did I want to, I just didn't know what to say. Next time I will say "please don't touch my baby" They may be offended but you never know, they might have just got done wiping their toddlers runny nose. Infant car seat netting also works especially if you are going to an outdoor event.

Now that the diaper bag is packed and you've thought about the situation you will be in, what about the baby? Has he had a nap? Is he in a good mood? If so, I am sure the outing will be a good one. But don't let naps dictate your afternoon out. If you are out and your baby gets sleepy, find a quiet place to rock him for a little bit or just let him sleep in his carrier. For me, my son sleeps great when we are out and about, especially in the car. However, if you are taking a lengthy drive be prepared to have to pull over to change a diaper or feed your baby a bottle. Be sure to be safe when doing this. Only pull over in well populated, well lit areas. In fact, I don't recommend pulling over at night at all. I've had to pull over once to feed my baby. Thankfully it was during the day and in a nice area. If your baby gets moody half way through your outing it's your call as to weather or not you think he can continue or if it's time to go home. Keep into consideration that a newborn can only take so much stimulation at a time then will get irritated and need some calm down time.

Taking all this into consideration will assure that you and your baby will enjoy your outing. Take things slow and remember, only you know when both you and your baby are really ready to go out and meet the world. Some people will tell you to wait until they are so many weeks old but mommy knows best.