exit strategy
Any time I'm "running errands" during the week it's just me putting on pants, throwing an extra diaper in the bag, and going to Target. It doesn't matter if I actually need anything or not. What I NEED is to not be wearing sweats and a three day old spit-up stained shirt, and pretty much the only way to guarantee I'm not doing that is for me to pack the baby in the car and just go somewhere. Anywhere.
At first, leaving the house with a newborn was a three hour long process. I would even set an alarm for two hours ahead of the time I had to leave the house so I could make sure I had enough time to nurse the baby, change the baby, change the baby again because he peed while I was changing him, pack the diaper bag, nurse, change the baby, change the baby's clothes, nurse, put the dogs up, step out the door, get spat up on, go back in the house, let the dogs out, change my shirt, nurse the baby, change the baby, put the dogs up, and finally, LEAVE.
This went on for about three months until one day we just mastered the art of leaving the house. I don't even know how it happened.
We still have a "preparing to leave the house" routine, but it's nowhere near the three hour struggle of those first three months. Now baby and I are pretty much ready to go within about 10 minutes, with the exception of Sundays, and I have a few tips for streamlining your own field trip!
On a typical day, Levi wakes up at 7:30am but he's back down for a nap by 10am, if not sooner. If I want out of the house I try to go first thing in the morning. Thank goodness Target opens at 8am! If I miss the morning window we head out when he wakes up from his afternoon nap around 2pm. He will usually nurse a bit right after waking up so I know he won't need to eat for at least an hour!
Side note... I don't believe in putting your baby on a schedule to make him fit into your life. Babies are ever changing beings and parents should be flexible when it comes to providing care.
2. Keep your diaper bag stuffed. I used to try to pack right before leaving the house, but now that I've learned what I actually need to keep in there I just grab and go. I keep about four diapers in the bag at all times, regardless of where we're going. That way if I forget to replace a diaper I'll still have enough for one change and one accident.
3. Use backup. In addition to keeping the bag packed I have a little box in my car for emergency blowouts. I keep a few diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes in the trunk.
4. Shower at night. I probably went three or four days in a row without showering when my husband returned to work after baby was born. It wasn't good for my self esteem because I felt like a grease ball. But when you're nursing a newborn, even thinking about trying to shower can be exhausting. I started trying to shower at night after the baby finally went to sleep and that made me feel much better about leaving the house, even if all I did was change my underwear and put my hair up.
5. Park next to the cart return. Even if it means parking a bit further away from the door, I try to park next to a cart return on the same side as the car seat, which means no one will park so close to me that I can't get the car door open wide enough to pull my child out.
6. Wear the carrier. Any time I go out by myself I make sure to put on a wrap carrier before I get in the car. I don't really need a cart to shop, but I'll get one just so I don't have to carry the baby and diaper bag around the entire store. If for some reason the baby gets cranky I can quickly settle him by stuffing him down into the carrier that I'm already wearing!
7. Buddy system. If you can, find a buddy! Do you know any other new mamas that need to get out of the house? Pair up and go together. Or, meet up with a friend for lunch. I still have lunch with one of my co-workers once a week!
There are some days all I want to do is lay in bed with my baby, but I try to take myself out of the house at least twice a week, even if it's just to the grocery store or to get coffee at the McDonald's drive through [I recommend an iced vanilla latte]. I think my kid enjoys it too... he gets to see the world outside of home, and what a big, big world it is! It also makes him tired enough to take a nap as soon as we get home almost every time. Worth it!
how to get out of the house with a baby1. Plan around baby. After the first few weeks with your newborn, you'll begin to notice baby developing eating and sleeping patterns. Pay attention! Learning to meet your baby's needs before baby has to tell you he needs something [before he starts crying] will help you SO MUCH. Most babies go through a series of movements leading up to a big "I'M HUNGRY" wail. Study your child. Learn his habits and mannerisms to help you figure out his self-timed schedule. Once you feel like he's established a good pattern you can begin to plan your outings around baby's schedule.
On a typical day, Levi wakes up at 7:30am but he's back down for a nap by 10am, if not sooner. If I want out of the house I try to go first thing in the morning. Thank goodness Target opens at 8am! If I miss the morning window we head out when he wakes up from his afternoon nap around 2pm. He will usually nurse a bit right after waking up so I know he won't need to eat for at least an hour!
Side note... I don't believe in putting your baby on a schedule to make him fit into your life. Babies are ever changing beings and parents should be flexible when it comes to providing care.
2. Keep your diaper bag stuffed. I used to try to pack right before leaving the house, but now that I've learned what I actually need to keep in there I just grab and go. I keep about four diapers in the bag at all times, regardless of where we're going. That way if I forget to replace a diaper I'll still have enough for one change and one accident.
3. Use backup. In addition to keeping the bag packed I have a little box in my car for emergency blowouts. I keep a few diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes in the trunk.
4. Shower at night. I probably went three or four days in a row without showering when my husband returned to work after baby was born. It wasn't good for my self esteem because I felt like a grease ball. But when you're nursing a newborn, even thinking about trying to shower can be exhausting. I started trying to shower at night after the baby finally went to sleep and that made me feel much better about leaving the house, even if all I did was change my underwear and put my hair up.
5. Park next to the cart return. Even if it means parking a bit further away from the door, I try to park next to a cart return on the same side as the car seat, which means no one will park so close to me that I can't get the car door open wide enough to pull my child out.
6. Wear the carrier. Any time I go out by myself I make sure to put on a wrap carrier before I get in the car. I don't really need a cart to shop, but I'll get one just so I don't have to carry the baby and diaper bag around the entire store. If for some reason the baby gets cranky I can quickly settle him by stuffing him down into the carrier that I'm already wearing!
7. Buddy system. If you can, find a buddy! Do you know any other new mamas that need to get out of the house? Pair up and go together. Or, meet up with a friend for lunch. I still have lunch with one of my co-workers once a week!
There are some days all I want to do is lay in bed with my baby, but I try to take myself out of the house at least twice a week, even if it's just to the grocery store or to get coffee at the McDonald's drive through [I recommend an iced vanilla latte]. I think my kid enjoys it too... he gets to see the world outside of home, and what a big, big world it is! It also makes him tired enough to take a nap as soon as we get home almost every time. Worth it!
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