Molly, mum to 3 week old Mia, is a little nervous about leaving the house with her newborn.
“We brought Mia home 2 ½ weeks ago and I think we’re settling down into a bit of a routine. There’s just one thing – we haven’t left the house yet! I’ve been really scared to take Mia out anywhere, it just seems so overwhelming with all the things I have to take with me and co-ordinating feed and sleep times.
I’ve always seen mums walking around with their babies in the pram and they make it look so easy. How do they do it? I would love to go and meet a friend for coffee but I just wouldn’t know how to start getting Mia out of the house!
I would just really like some advice from other mums of newborn babies. How do they do it? What are the essential items we need to bring out with us? And how do you manage the logistics of feeding and nappies and sleeping. Mia doesn’t seem to be a big sleeper so far and unfortunately I don’t think she’s going to be one of those placid babies who just snoozes in the pram while I have a coffee and catch up with the girls! Does it get easier with practise?”
The results of our survey are back and Molly is not the only one who feels daunted by the prospect of taking her newborn out and about! The average time for first taking baby out was about 2 weeks with some parents waiting until their baby was 4-5 weeks old before venturing out.
Of the 40% of new mums who felt at least nervous on first taking their baby out, by 3 months 80% reported feeling confident or extremely confident so it seems that with experience most parents can overcome their nerves and enjoy being out with their baby. The main benefits to taking your baby out included having a social outlet and as a way to stave off boredom.
Must take essentials included nappies, formula (if used), spare clothes and baby wipes. Muslin squares were also listed as an essential item by 14% of you and the dummy was also a popular don’t leave the house without it item.
Our mums had plenty of great advice for Molly:
“Take your time in getting ready and don’t panic! Put everything you need by the door so you don’t forget it. 9 times out of 10 baby falls asleep in the pram/car seat. Just take baby out and try and do 1 new thing each time eg a nappy change/feed/coffee etc don’t try and do it all the first time, maybe just start with a walk down the road,” – Amanda, Leeds
“Go out maybe once or twice a week to somewhere like an indoor shopping centre with baby changing facilities and seating. If you feel overwhelmed you can simply take a seat and rest before making your way home. If the baby is hungry or dirty then you have a place to change him or her,” – Paula, Hertfordshire
“Start off by going for short walks where u don't have to take too much, then slowly build up if you’re not confident or a short trip to a supermarket,” Zoe, Bedford
“Always have your changing bag ready to go. That way all you have to do is put it on pram and go!” – Sarah, Scotland
“Taking the wee one out for the first time is one of the scariest things in the world!! I started with small steps - there's a supermarket just round the corner from me and going for milk was my first trip. Don't get yourself too flustered and it will get easier the further you go and the more you do it.” – Lorna, Scotland