I wanted to make a little list of things to remember if you're going out and about for more than an hour or so. The salon that Chris and I both manage is almost an hour away, and usually I take Ben out to get supplies or check in about twice or three times each week! These are things I would bring while I'm going out to the salon, taking Ben to a playdate, or going on a shopping day or a day that I know we're going to be out and about.
1. The very basic essentials. I figured I would put this in as a basic checklist for things to make sure you have! Bring diapers (if your baby is a newborn, bring about 4! Might seem like overkill but Ben used to poop like every 2 hours. Now I just make sure to have around 2-3.) I am currently in a "trying every kind of diaper" phase - right now Ben is sporting a size 4 in Pampers (it's the kind for Little Movers I think?) But over the past few weeks we've tried two different kinds of Huggies and Luvs! The Luvs lost, Huggies came in second, and these Pampers Little Movers are winning for me. A small pack of wipes are definitely essential. (Does anyone else use normal wipes to wipe off their baby's face sometimes? I do. Does that make me a horrible mom? Oh well. I try.) Back when Ben was still nursing, I always packed my manual pump if I didn't have some milk stocked up. My milk supply loved to jump around, so I never knew if I would have an extra supply in the fridge! I actually preferred my manual pump sometimes - I was ridiculous and never bought a pumping bra (definitely on my list for next time we decide to have a baby!) so I would just be sitting like a fool holding two suction things up to my ladies. It was uncomfortable and I couldn't do anything except just sit there! Now, I use my "mobile" formula (I like to keep a small can in my diaper bag at all times just to be safe! We use Enfamil A+R right now. Also, bring an extra onesie. (Blowouts are scary, guys.) That's pretty much it as long as the TRUE essentials go. Now, here's the fun stuff!
2. A carseat mirror THANG.
This is the exact one that I use right here!
These things are super handy. You just attach it to the seat in front of your rear-facing baby, and you are able to watch their every move. It was especially reassuring when he was a newborn and I was a very inexperienced new mom! Once Chris went back to work and it was just Ben and I during the day, I was afraid that if I took my eyes off him for a minute, he would break! It helped me have peace of mind during car rides. Also, these are nice because they can play music and such. I think the one we have has a light? (Truth: Mine has never even had the batteries in it. I'm lazy when it comes to actually putting batteries in things Many of Ben's toys that are supposed to have lights and music still don't have batteries, or I've let the batteries run out. Whoops! #neversaidiwasperfect)
2. Bring a stuffed animal or a toy.
Okay, this may seem obvious, but I can't tell you how many times I have been at an appointment or driving or at the grocery store when Ben gets a little bored and I am not entertaining enough anymore for him. I'm talking the little bit of fidgety at the very end of the shopping trip or car ride when he's just not feeling it anymore. Ben LOVES stuffed animals, especially bears. It's so sweet because he just grabs them and shoves his face into their fur. *heart warms* He also loves any little toy he can stick his fingers in and shake around. I actually had the BRILLIANT idea to keep a little bin in my car with some various inexpensive toys in my car so I can have some little things for him to touch and look at in the car, but it's not a tragedy if we lose it during a shopping trip. (This is not brilliant, I was just kidding.) This is why getting the La Sophie Giraffe is so hard for me to stomach. Every time we see it in Target, I want it. MAN do I want that little giraffe, but I can't stomach the cost. I know either I or Ben would lose it (we're kind of hot messes.) and I would be so sad if that happened. We are talking a nearly thirty dollar teething toy here, people! But man do I want that giraffe...
3. Keep a grande iced mocha, half the syrup in your car at all times.
Okay, this one is KIND OF a joke. But at the same time... not really. I usually find myself guiltily meandering to a Starbucks at some point during my errand running. (I DESERVE this 5 dollar drink, hunny! I deserve it every DAY of mah LIFE! Bring on that dairy!)
4. Bring a burp cloth.
This one may be obvious to some people, but for me, it never has been! Not until my child began to show some drool rash. (Lovely. I feel like this drool rash is my fault for not being diligent enough with the burp cloths!) Now, my eye is always on his chin - if he has moisture there, here I come with the burp cloth! Because I am, as I previously stated, a hot mess, I would often just use his blanket to wipe off his face. Hello, crusty blanket! Just bring a burp cloth. Make your life easier and a little neater.
Guys! That's it! Some other things I bring just depending on Ben's temperament, and I always love having a playlist stocked with his favorite lullaby songs to play in the car. (Or my mom podcasts! He often falls asleep to those too and I love them he he he!) I hope this is a little helpful to a new mom or a mom who wants to go out more with her baby but she's nervous. I promise it's worth it - I would probably go crazy if it weren't for our car trips to run errands, do a little shopping, do business stuff, or take walks. One, because Ben will nap in the car. If he's not napping at home and it's getting to the point where a nap needs to happen, to Target we go. Two, because I get the sense that Ben is a little like me - he loves to be social and he loves to be out and about. He always seems to like walking around stores or downtown and checking out all there is to see. Try it out, nervous new mamas! I promise that even if your little baby screams throughout the entire thing, you will both recover and eventually it will be a blast going on mini dates with your mini human.
Love,
Megan
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