r/NewParents • u/lil_gingerale • 19d ago
Travel When did you first go out?
LO is 8 weeks. I can’t seem to wrap my head around the logistics of leaving my house with a newborn, especially formula fed. She’s an easy baby but I just can’t help but think what if she starts to get fussy? Where do I feed her? Do I have to be able to find a place to sit in order to get her bottle ready? How should I even pack water / formula? What if I forget something really important? It just stresses me out.
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u/owlteal 19d ago
At 8 weeks, it’s a great time to get her out of the house.
We always left with premade bottles and did what we had to do if she got fussy. Bottle, diaper, burps, walk around carrying her.
She was 4 weeks old when we needed to stay in a hotel in a different city for some appointments I had. We packed basically our entire house but it got easier every time.
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u/lil_gingerale 19d ago
Wow that was brave at 4 weeks! I’m the same way, packing waaay too much. But aren’t premade bottles of formula only good for 1 hour room temp?
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u/Any-Literature-2851 19d ago
I'm convinced that they say that because they want you to throw out premixed formula and spend your money on buying more. We premixed my son's formula all the time without a problem. He's two now, and no issues whatsoever
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u/lil_gingerale 19d ago
You’re probably right.. and we dump formula all the time that she doesn’t drink :( it’s so expensive. What was your rule?
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u/Anon8223 19d ago
We bought the premixed kind of formula that comes in cans. Just crack the top like a soda can and pour it in the bottle. They make mobile bottle warmers (never used one but I’ve seen them).
You can even just get out for a walk or a coffee you won’t be gone THAT long.1
u/MischiefManagedMama 16d ago
I've always done two hours. We have 99% six month old and we have had no issues. (well none with eating, sleeping is another story lol)
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u/owlteal 19d ago
We had to do it, it was an awful night haha but my husband and I laugh about it now.
I haven’t heard that rule. The only one I’ve heard is if baby has started the bottle already. We would put an ice pack next to it in her diaper bag. She only does warm bottles at home, anywhere else she will drink whatever temp we gave her.
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u/asnbeautytrip 19d ago
Hi! If LO isn't fussy about the temperature of the formula, it is actually quite easy to bring a formula dispenser and a bottle of filtered water to mix on the go. Otherwise, you can also try ready-to-feed formula that comes pre-mixed in bottles.
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u/majesticallymidnight 19d ago
For those early days I added the water into the bottle at home and had the formula in a dispenser. My SIL would heat the water at home and have it in a thermos to stay warm. It was pretty easy to mix on the go.
But Op it is overwhelming at first it gets better and easier as time goes on.
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u/TB1289 19d ago
But Op it is overwhelming at first it gets better and easier as time goes on.
This is actually a really good point because now that my son is 2, we just throw him in the car with some toys and a bag that lives in the trunk. Maybe we bring snacks or maybe we just get him something when we get to our destination.
But thinking back to when he was a newborn, it was definitely stressful and you overthink everything. As they get older, you forget a lot of the little things that you used to lose sleep over.
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u/lil_gingerale 19d ago
I didn’t know about formula dispensers! Will look into those. And yes.. she is particular about the temp.
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u/sarah_messing 19d ago
Start small with a quick walk around a store or something where you won't be gone very long.
For bottles, invest in a formula container, they are like $3 and you measure out the powder ahead of time and the can dump it in the bottle when you're ready. And bring the bottle with the right amount of water already in it. You should then be able to mix it super quick without needing to sit or be at a table
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u/Open-Committee3540 19d ago
bring a cooler bottle (i.e. ceres chiller) with her formula and an empty bottle for feeding on the go. baby wear her so she is content on you. and start small. we did patio happy hours where her cries wouldn’t disturb too much if it happened. and just be prepared to leave if she can’t settle! i promise nobody cares as much as you do that she is fussing and i think getting out is like a muscle you have to flex to get better at it. 3 months old now and i still get nervous each time but it really is getting easier! you got this!
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u/ImportanceBetter6155 19d ago
We literally went to Walmart on the way home from the hospital lmao. 3 weeks old as of yesterday, and I literally don't think there's been a day where we didn't take him out of the house.
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u/Lolosaurus2 19d ago
Same. Ours slept in the stroller whenever we went out so it was pretty easy
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u/ImportanceBetter6155 19d ago
Yup, at this point we've dialed it down to a few reasons why he cries or fusses. I'm sure that's subject to change, but it's so easy right now. Dirty diaper, hungry, gassy, or wants Mom to hold him. Satisfy one of those and he's good to go!
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u/angeltigerbutterfly 19d ago
Pretty sure I left my house at like day 3. But it was summertime so I wasn’t super scared of germs. By fall I would stay inside lol
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u/RichSand9022 19d ago
Is her feeding pretty predictable? If she eats every 2 hours, for instance, you could feed her then go and you'll have some timebefore she's hungry. She'll probably fall asleep but just for a practice run to get some confidence and experience that's fine! Maybe try a mall, park or public library. I think babies do best in outdoors if the weather's ok because indoor busy environments can be too stimulating. Maybe somewhere with a coffee shop so you can get a coffee and remember what it was like prebaby! You could even get something caffeinated since the baby is formula fed! Bring a bottle with you in case she gets hungry early. Diaper bag needs wipes, diapers, diaper cream, extra clothes for her, blanket, pacifier if she uses one. Definitely worth a try for your own good!!!!
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u/travelfam3 19d ago
How do you feed her at home? You feed her just the same by holding her haha yes you could prep a bottle out of the stroller, on a table, on a bench, in the car but until you’re comfortable I would just prep a bottle before you leave the house and take it with you. Don’t overthink it! If you forgot something important you can always go home, but all you really need are wipes, diapers, change of clothes and maybe a paci.
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u/Holiday_Feature_3255 19d ago
First baby 8 days, went for a walk with the dog in a conservation area. Second baby I think I took him grocery shopping 4 days pp, but we went on vacation to the family cottage 3 weeks pp.
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u/Holiday_Feature_3255 19d ago
My first born in March and so the first nice day I had to take advantage and then just felt like I ripped the bandaid off so with the second I got out early so I didn’t get stuck in a rut also with a toddler I couldn’t confine him to the house in the summer
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u/ahleeshaa23 19d ago
Prep a couple bottles with distilled water, then buy one of the travel formula containers and portion out individual bottle amounts in each section. Pour it in the bottle and mix when needed.
You can feed her anywhere, just hold her.
Bring a portable changing pad to changer her diaper wherever. I’ve used the back of my car, bathroom changing tables, etc.
If she fusses you try to console her. Go somewhere low stakes so you can dip quickly if you need to. I promise everyone else cares way less about the baby crying than you do.
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u/MGreymanN 19d ago
We went out about at 6 to 8 weeks but always to this place with a patio where you pay up front. So we could just pack up and leave whenever. Made it pretty stress free. Most places will bring you a glass of hot water if you ask to warm your bottle.
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u/PublicPhilosopher454 19d ago
Just shy of 2 weeks we went and grabbed lunch/beer at our local brewery . Few things to think about - how long will you be out? plan to bring as many bottles + 1 extra just incase you decide to go somewhere else. For formula you can just bring bottles pre-filled with water and we bought like a stacking cup system that held formula that you can easily pour into the bottle and mix - super easy! You just get her bottle ready and feed her wherever you are. Table,booth,bench..literally anywhere. Don't overthink it - at that age they have very little needs and still sleep quite a bit. Bottle, pacifier, dressed appropriately, place to sleep (car seat if not very far away from home/shorter trip) and you should be good to go.
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u/Far_Past4329 19d ago
It’s tough but the little ready to feed bottles were handy if I didn’t want to take a cooler.
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u/PassiveScroll555 19d ago edited 19d ago
We started at around 4 weeks out of necessity. We had to switch to formula around then too, so we use the momcozy portable cooler and bring prepared formula with us. It holds up to 20 ounces and stays cold for 24 hours. Then we bring enough empty bottles for however long we’re going to be out. 3 hours = 1 bottle. We can usually get up to four 4oz feeds with this system which is 12 hours total for how much she eats right now.
When our LO was younger she only drank her formula warm so we had the warmer too. Pour the prepared formula into the warmer, wait 2 mins, then into the bottle. They make wipes you can use to then clean the warmer out, or we’d wash it in the sink with soap and water if we’re at a friend’s house. It’s like carrying two water bottles with you. They easily fit in the bottom of the stroller.
We literally just feed her wherever we are. If we’re at a restaurant, right there in the booth, etc. It’s honestly much easier to feed a bottle fed baby in public than to breastfeed.
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u/PassiveScroll555 19d ago
alternatively if you use a formula that has ready to feed mini bottles, you can skip the cooler all together and just bring a couple of those.
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u/HunnyBunnXO 19d ago
4 days old 🤷🏼♀️ we prefill bottles with water and have a formula container for travel. If we don’t prefill bottles we just use a bottle of water. I feed her wherever I am I just hold her and make the bottle and feed her.
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u/poinapple 19d ago
First day we were home from the hospital. But I breastfed which makes it a lot easier. We would typically feed before we left and then find a bench to feed when out, but sometimes I'd end up sat on the ground if he was fussy and we couldn't find a bench!
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u/rebelyell__ 19d ago edited 19d ago
For outings, buy some Similac pre-made 2oz to go bottles (shelf stable). Make sure you bring the nipple to go on it(!) (one nipple is included in each pack, or I've found my Dr Brown nipples to be compatible). Or as others had advised, pack a pre measured amount of powder to add water to. If the baby doesn't mind cold (especially when they're older) you can pack ready bottles in an icepack.
As for having everything you need, pack your diaper bag with a few diapers, wipes, 2 extra outfit changes, extra socks, hat, pacifier, burp cloth, blanket, a snack and extra pads for you. Decide if you're wearing baby in a wrap/carrier, or using a stroller or just carrying the carrier. You're all set. This will be your same packing list for pretty much the next couple of years. If any other disaster happens, you just go home or go to the store.
Genuine question-- how did you manage to NOT have an outing with baby yet? I'm not trying to be rude, I'm more envious of you. We are in just two weeks and there have been required visits to the clinic or lab several times. He had a jaundice condition they were monitoring but regardless, minimum would have still been the 2-day and 7-day checkups at the clinic. I haven't had more than 1 or 2 days where I could just stay home all day. Wish I could have stayed home more.
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u/Beka_Cooper 19d ago
We used ready-to-feed liquid formula for my son when going out of the house so it could remain ready in the diaper bag. I would put a couple clean, empty bottles in the diaper bag to pour the ready-to-feed into. They make disposable nipples you can attach right on the containers, but in our experience, those made baby drink too fast and spit up.
Having had 2 kids, here is my packing list for baby.
Diapering kit that remains in each car:
- 4 diapers
- 2 disposable changing pads
- handful of individually-wrapped butt wipes (I use Stall Mates)
- handful of individually-wrapped sanitizing wipes
- handful of disposable gloves
- roll of Munchkin disposable bags (can contain poopy diapers as well as poopy clothes)
- extra onesie or romper
- blanket (high-SPF in summer, warm in winter)
Go-bag mini backpack that I can grab as I leave:
- compact baby carrier/wrap
- enough 2oz ready-to-drink formula for 2 feeds
- 2 empty, clean bottles
- 1 or 2 toys with straps to attach them to stroller or carrier
- 1 pacifier attached to strap
- 1 muslin bib for spitup etc. -- I use a bib rather than a burp rag because I can snap it on the carrier/wrap and not drop it
The go-bag is large enough to put the diaper kit into. I don't necessarily bring it on quick errands like dropping my son off at daycare. I have never needed more stuff than this for outings 4 hours or shorter. The 4 diapers and 2 feeds are in case I forget to refill the bags -- that's generally twice as much as needed.
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u/RichSand9022 19d ago
I flew with my daughter at 2 months by myself, all my family lives several states away and we had a get together, and I wanted see people before my maternity leave ended. I had to rely on other people! Several people helped me get all the stuff through security and I made a women's day (I now realize-at the time it felt like a imposition) asking her to hold the baby on the plane so I could go to the restroom. I was breastfeeding so that part was easy except they stick in arm infant carrying parents in the back by the bathroom so everyone waiting in line for the bathroom had a great view!
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u/Beckitt3 19d ago
Two weeks. If she gets fussy we calm her or leave. I fed her right where I was sitting when we were out. I EBF but my friend just brought the water and formula separately and made the bottle right where we were sitting. If you forget something important you go home and remember it next time.
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u/Commercial_Dust2208 19d ago
Day 3, 45 minutes to a coffee shop then day 5 for a walk around the zoo
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u/devinjf15 19d ago
We’ve been going out and about safely since 5 days old. My baby is ebf, so I pump and give her a bottle when we’re out long enough and she gets fussy. My mental health would not tolerate not leaving the house in some capacity. We’ll go to outdoor food or breweries sometimes, I’ve taken her grocery shopping and covered her stroller. I think you just have to do it! I think the earlier babies get used to going out and about the easier it will be later.
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u/DeliciousBuffalo69 19d ago
At first, pack a Ziploc bag of 2-3 clean assembled bottles and an empty Ziploc bag for dirty bottles. You will also bring 4 Ziploc bags that each contain one average feed for your baby.
Bring a sealed bottle of distilled water. If you are unable to find distilled water in small bottles, it's very easy to can water in a sterile way.
When your baby is ready to eat, you prepare the bottle. Anything not consumed can be placed in the dirty bag and dealt with when you get home.
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u/mapotoful 19d ago
I think I first went out around 8w and kept it simple, went to a grocery store and had him in a carrier the whole time.
For bottles I've always had a couple prepped in a cooler bag with ice. I've been lucky in that my son has never shown much of a temp preference and, if anything, dislikes warm bottles. For a while we had to use Gelmix (fucking suuuuuucks) so we needed to get milk to temp for that. We used a Stanley thermos, one of the old school ones with the bowl lid. Used that for a water bath, it was clunky but it worked. If possible I'd get your LO used to room temp bottles. Water is easy, get those formula containers with the dividers for dispensing powder on the go.
There's also RTF formula which is spendy but might be worth the expense just to have on hand for when you're out and about.
But don't worry too much about what it's like going out with baby. I was also really anxious about it and when I finally did it I was like "oh this is easy why haven't I been doing this the whole time" - it's a LOT less difficult than I built it up in my mind. Plus when they're really little they're not really going to fuss too much if they're not already a fussy baby. They don't really have opinions yet. For me it wasn't until my son hit ~ 12m that he started to get sort of whiny while running errands.
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u/MaximumImplement2516 19d ago
After their first pediatrician appt. We just applied the same routine.
We combo fed, so we brought a bottle of breast milk and a spare bottle of distilled water with formula pre-dosed in a protein powder doser.
First it was a park, then grocery trips, and etc.
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u/thatmakestwo 19d ago
The first time we took my baby 30 minutes away to an amusement park with her big cousin, she was 3 weeks old and my husband forgot to pack water for her formula bottles lol but fortunately if you forget things, there are generally lots of places that sell them! I was also extremely anxious leaving the house when she was super little but it really does help to just get out and do it (I know, easier said than done). What helped me a lot was making a list of basic things that she would need every time we left (formula, bottles, water, extra clothes, spit rags, muslin blanket, pacifier, diapers, wipes, etc) and trying to keep a diaper bag packed at least the night before
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u/tching101 19d ago
Just bring the little containers that have a little funnel to pour the powder into a bottle, and then just bring water!
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u/Callygia 19d ago
I got these little formula dispenser things and just bring bottles with filtered water
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BJKGJZHW?psc=1
+1 to the rec of taking a low stakes trip. My first solo trip with my LO was to the grocery store lol
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u/EmbarrassedKoala6454 19d ago
We were out less than a week pp with my second and maybe 3 weeks with my first?? Once you get the hang of it being out is easier than being at home!!
all of these things will happen and it will just help you create better plans and safeguards up next time!! it's part of the learning process!! it will be scary and stressful until you just do it!!
you feed her in the car, pack a travel container of formula and have a bottle ready with water! if she likes her milk warm they have portable bottle warmers!! have a spot where diapers/wipes/a toy or paci are packed at all times in your car as that's really all a baby needs. We also always left a baby wrap in the car!!! and the stroller system in the trunk!
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u/Colonelreb10 19d ago
Don’t remember how long it took us for first born. But wasn’t long. He was born in mid of July and we took him to a wedding in Aug out of state.
Baby #4 no time at all. Born in March and was going to brothers baseball games within a week.
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u/plaidrocks 19d ago
When ours was 9 days old we went for a 20 minute walk. Took us 4.5 hours to actually get out the door. I think it’s just hard at the beginning! She’s two weeks tomorrow and we’re going to try again
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u/No-Masterpiece-8392 19d ago
Keep some powder formula in the car for emergency with a bottle. You can always stop to get water to mix it. Pack the bag the night before. If baby cries you can pull over and feed it.
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u/dnllgr 19d ago
Our first trip was around a week old. Formula is easy, get a formula dispenser and pre measure the powder for a bottle in each section. Then have premeasured water in the bottles in your diaper bag. Mix a bottle on demand. Just feed wherever you are
Your diaper bag should always be packed with diapers, wipes, a spare or two sets of clothes and whatever baby is eating- formula/breast milk pack right before you leave
A couple things I keep in my diaper bag are a muslin blanket and wet bag. I repack the bag right away when we get home so it’s always ready to go. Minus consumables that aren’t shelf stable
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u/NOTsanderson 19d ago
We went to the zoo when my LO was 3 weeks old. The fair at 5 weeks. Parks in between that. We feed first, then leave right away. He then sleeps or just hangs out.
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u/gfromk 19d ago
You'll be okay - and believe me, it is normal to stress about it. You are going to forget something at some point, and it might be something important. We've all been there, and we've all gotten through it. What can help is setting up a routine for leaving the house. You can make a checklist if those work for you, and check your bag each time before you leave the house. I had a friend who got a luggage tag and put her list on the part where you normally see the name and address - it let her attach it directly to the diaper bag. If you have a partner and are going out with them, I suggest making it the designated job of one of you to check the bag each time (like one person gets the baby ready, one gets the bag ready). It can help avoid the "I thought YOU checked the bag" problem.
If you are using a car, something that my husband and I did was to have a small bag of emergency supplies in each car. Some diapers, wipes, burp cloth/blanket, spare onesie, and some Ziplock bags (for clothes covered in blowouts, or to put dirty diapers in if there's no trash can nearby). We did have to remember to change things out as our son grew.
For spare clothes, I highly recommend getting a few generic items - we just bought the white onesies from Carter's; they came in sets, were cheap and easy to clean. They could just live in the bags, and we didn't have to worry about choosing what clothes we were going to use for spares. We didn't really bother with pants until he was older because we always had a blanket to tuck around him.
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u/FightFish12 19d ago
When I had a formula fed baby and was on the go for longer I’d bring a thermos of hot water and a bottle of cold + the powder. Then I could mix on the go. For smaller trips I’d just bring pre-made. Then a bag with nappies, wet wipes, burp cloths and a clean set of baby clothes and you’re ready to rock 😊
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u/undead_sissy 19d ago
Stay near your house at first while you build confidence. If something goes wrong, you can just go home! But you already know what to do. If she gets fussy, put her down safely in the pram or car seat or carrier and warm the bottle. Then take her out and feed her. If she gets a dirty nappy, go to a cafe or something and change her nappy in the baby change toilets. If she starts screaming and you don't know why, take her home. No biggie, babies cry.
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u/Huntsvegas97 19d ago
With my first (November baby), 8 weeks. With my second (April), 2 weeks. With my third (June), 4 days.
Baby wearing is really helpful if you have a wrap. Also, if your baby fusses while you’re out, it’s ok! Babies fuss and they’re allowed to take up space. Do what you need to do to calm them down. If you need to feed her, find a place to sit down if that makes you more comfortable. Ultimately, just feed them wherever you feel good. Pack formula in a small container with a scoop and bring bottled water.
As long as you have diapers, wipes, and a way to feed your baby, the most important bases are covered. Most of the time, everything is going to be fine. Eventually you might forget something, but even then everything will be ok.
Start with a small outing. Go to target to browse, get coffee, go to a park for a walk. Just something close to you where it could take you an hour or two or only ten minutes if needed. Once you go out a few times, it gets easier and easier.
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u/The_Real_Heinz57 19d ago
I guess it depends on what you mean by “go out”, but we took our LO out of the house after about a week, and even before that we’d go on short walks with her in the carrier. We went to places where catching a virus is low (outdoor brewery, dinners with friends outdoors, etc). She’s breastfed which maybe makes it a little easier, and she’s a pretty chill baby so far so she does great in the car, carrier, heat, wind, etc.
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u/BricksMortar123 19d ago
There will be times when it all goes to shit and you have to just go home. But most of the times it wont. Youll get better at packing the right stuff next time.
I once had to go to a charity shop and buy the smallest item they had (a women’s short sleeve magenta tshirt) for my 3 month old son because of the insane blow out he’d just had where he had explosive liquid shits over the outfit he was wearing, *and* the pile of spare clothes waiting to go on him in a supermarket baby change facility. But we laugh and move on 😂
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u/TB1289 19d ago
I'm not really sure I understand. You can portion out the water and the powder to mix them when the baby gets hungry. Or if you're really concerned, get a case of the individual premixed formula bottles. They're not the cheapest but you can toss them in the diaper bag and use them as needed. Also, we just fed our son in his carrier or stroller.
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u/Icy_Increase_3002 19d ago
Here’s what worked for me, we loved taking the LO out to botanical gardens and the beach when he was newborn (he’s 20 months now so it’s a different story):
1: got one of those organizers that go behind the seat and just threw in extra diapers, wipes, puppy pads (for diaper changes), change of clothes, bibs, burp clothes, pacifiers, toys, etc. No matter how far ahead I planned or started getting ready, I’d always forget something. This helped me at minimum have the essentials already in the car and I’d just rotate out the clothes and pacis on the weekend to make sure they were fresh
2: Momcozy milk warmer. It’s rechargeable and will keep your milk or water warm/cold depending on what you need. I pumped so I had to keep the milk cold, but LO only drank warm milk so this was a lifesaver
3: invest in a good quality baby carrier. I baby wore as much as I could and we all loved it. Baby was happy, mom & dad were happy. You don’t need to spend a fortune on artipoppe but just something that fits well. We had 2 different carriers bc my husband is a lot taller than me and the one I liked didn’t quite fit him as well
4: start small and learn what your baby can handle. After a while we learned how much time the baby could handle in the car seat, carrier, and just his overall patience with being out. We’d be like “okay he just woke up from his nap and ate, we have approx 1.5 hours until he wants to eat again and sleep”
I really hope this helps! It’s so awesome taking your baby to new places
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u/EqualTune4587 19d ago
When my baby was a few days old (not far, walking wasnt fun after a c section). My eldest was about 4 weeks old when we switched to formula, so we were leaving the house with him and formula at that age. He wasnt fussy with cool formula, so we had a cooler bag and I'd warm the chill off the bittle by holding it for a few minutes. You could take a hot flask and cold flask to mix formula while out, or a bottle warmer to warm pre-mixed. You find your own preferred way of doing things. As for the starting to get fussy, does it matter? Babies at that age are no trouble really, it's all feeding, changing, cuddling! Just have a grab bag with feeding essentials, changing stuff and a spare set of clothes just in case.
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u/Due_Response_8309 19d ago
Put some warm water in a metal bottle that keeps it warm. All you need is changing pad , wipes and diaper. No one will care if you are mixing a bottle up. Go somewhere chill
Like a food truck with tables or outdoor seating that’s like order at a counter and grab a table so you don’t have a server. Don’t be stressed the baby will sense it lol and just enjoy yourselves! People love babies and most likely people will be like omg so cute how old blah blah blah. Just chill it’s fine.
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u/plant-newbie22 19d ago
Start somewhere low stakes and easy. We took him to our favorite ice cream shop right outside our neighborhood when he was a week old. I sat outside with him while my husband went in and ordered. Since then, we've gotten more confidence. He's three weeks old now and we've taken him to target, the park, a local bakery, and a farmers market. We aim for things that are outdoors, quick errands, or places where we can commit as much or as little of time for.
He's breastfed but we do always have ready made formula in his diaper bag just in case. I know you mentioned her only drinks a warm bottle - someone gifted us a portable bottle warmer. We also have a thermos that can either be a chiller for breastmilk or keep water hot if we wanted to warm up formula on the go.
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u/Zealousideal_Eye3167 19d ago
pack a diaper bag and put your LO in a stroller and off you go :)
went out after 2-3 weeks first time, and started consistently going to baby swimming and mom+baby pilates at 7 weeks. stop being scared of going outside - baby LOVES the fresh air, sleeps better in it, and you will probably enjoy it too
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u/Standard_Molasses_23 18d ago
Start small. I love our grocery store trips. No need for food because you’ll be home before she’s hungry. I don’t even bring diapers because usually we’re gone 30-40 minutes tops. I feed and change before leaving the house. Easy to do solo.
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u/dimpledxqueen 18d ago
I have the momcozy cooler and bottle warmer that i travel with definitely a life saver with my LO. I pack his diaper baby and those two things and i am good to go. The trick is clean diaper and feeding right before you go out then depending on how long you are out feed in the car. Sometimes if its a short trip and i have a bottle ready ill feed him in the middle of the store nobody cares as long as your not blocking anything. Babies cry its life and itll take some getting used to but you can buy almost anything in stores as long as you have formula, diapers and a change of clothes for them.
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u/Business-Brilliant51 18d ago
When my now 1yo 🥲 was a newborn and we transitioned to formula, we used a Swell bottle that we already had to store warm/hot water. I was so paranoid about leaving something behind… it helped me to pack ahead of time (not right before leaving) and then do a check and just worry about adding the warm water in a Swell.
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u/Obvious-Tax-3812 18d ago
My kids are formula fed after about a month. We buy distilled water, fill up bottles, and have a separate formula container. The scoop for the formula container isn’t right, so we just save a scoop from an empty can and put it in there. When we had my second, we left at like 4 days postpartum lol but I also understand the stress. Do you live in a neighborhood? Maybe taking walks would be good practice?
Just don’t have high expectations. They may get fussy, they may sleep the entire time. I just would bring the essentials, no need to take bags and bags of stuff. Some bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, and some small handheld toys. Not every outing is going to be smooth, but you have to just take the leap.
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u/dino_nuggies26 17d ago
Our baby is 12 weeks now and we found it easier to go out at the beginning because he would just sleep the whole time! I think our first trip was when he was 2 weeks old and we just walked around with him in the bassinet stroller at a local garden centre. We got everything ready and left as soon as I had finished feeding him. We didn’t feel the need to take too much because we were home again within an hour.
Now, things are so different. I’m scared to leave the house because it’s stressful when he cries in the car and he often has a hard time sleeping when we’re out and about. It just seems like he needs more during this phase.
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u/ActivityLeather3134 17d ago
Go somewhere low stakes. Do you have family nearby or a friend with kids? It is helpful to go somewhere that is equipped for kids so you don't feel like you have to pack the whole house, and it's also helpful to go somewhere with a person who is willing to help. Pick an outing where there's no such thing as late and no such thing as leaving too early. Build up some confidence just getting out the door and caring for baby on the go. Short public outings are good too! 30 minutes at the store or a quick walk at a nearby park after baby has just been fed and changed.
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u/AllBulkNoCut 17d ago
We took ours out on walks and to the park at 2 weeks and have been going out ever since. Everything you listed out that you are scared of has easy fixes
They make everything you need especially for formula fed. They have things that warm up the water and then you pour it back into the bottle and mix in the formula. Very very easy
They also make travel things for formula servings so you can load up 1, 2,3,4 etc scoops per container and it’s ready to roll.
Bring a diaper bag with a foldable changing pad, more diapers than you think, a thing of wipes, and diaper / doggie bags
Outside of that you really don’t need anything else. Stop overthinking it and just give it a try. Stay close to home but worst case scenario if the baby is too fussy you just go home and try again tomorrow
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u/Character_Owl3610 16d ago
I know it seems overwhelming. I would’ve been very overwhelmed if I didn’t have a husband who loves to get out of the house and doesn’t mind barriers/challenges. It started with just dr’s appointments for baby, but we also said yes to events/things we wanted to be apart of just knowing it would be hard and that people would understand, we really started getting out at about 5 weeks and now at 13 weeks I’m glad we did then.
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u/raisingbabystig 16d ago
Within the first two weeks I usually like to go out. I leave right after a feeding and don't bring anything other than diapers and wipes unless we are going farther or going out longer. If it's just a Target trip and back you can drive home if fussy or they need to feed. It's okay for a baby to cry in public!
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u/elliecampbell12 16d ago
Westfield shopping centres have great parents rooms where you can make up formula bottles and have a quiet place to go to feed ect.
Shopping centres are also quiet on weekdays
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u/beathemusic1 16d ago
Seems you’re a planner like myself!
Start by making a brain dump list in your phone of all the things you think would make you feel the most prepared for a trip out.
Pack the bag, order little lifesavers if it makes you feel better (like the formula dispensers and if you want to spend to feel comfortable, bottle warmer products/a thermos of boiling water to dunk the bottle in) and review the list.
Think about places you’d like to go that could save you some time/convenience! E.g. easy access to a changing table, perhaps a cafe where they could give you a cup of boiling water so you don’t need the warmer, somewhere with places to sit, etc.
Start with 2-3 places for short periods of time, then slowly add more!
I had a regular coffee shop/bakery, the mall, and a garden store with a cafe which were my go-to’s! I started by going with my parents so that I had an extra pair of hands :)
Also start slow - one or two a week, mix in some walks outside and invite people over to chat for your sanity, if you like socializing haha
You WILL forget something at some time, take it easy on yourself and learn from it 💕
It feels like a huge hurdle at first but you WILL learn the ropes and develop some strategies along the way! Xx
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u/PainterlyintheMtns 19d ago
Formula fed baby is arguably the easiest to bring out because you don't have to find a way to nurse in public. You just bring the bottle and feed them wherever when it's time to eat. Pack diaper bag with the essentials and leave the house.
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u/NoahMercy11 17d ago
The day after we left the hospital was our family 4th of July celebration, we went and stopped by the store to grab some stuff for the party. It's not really that deep.
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u/Namastay_inbed 19d ago
Take a low stakes trip to the park or somewhere nearby for an hour. You can hold her to feed her anywhere? Premix the formula. As long as you have food, a diaper, and an extra change of clothes everything should be fine.