So you've come through the labor and delivery just fine, and you've got your new little bundle of joy home. After a few quiet days at home, it's time to go out and do some visiting! What will you need to take with you so that your baby is as comfortable away from home as he or she is at home? Here are a few things you should take with you to make sure your baby is comfortable- things that will make your own time much more enjoyable. When you've prepared well you won't be worried about all the small things that come up when leaving home with a baby. Consider the following options to see if there are some things you haven't thought of which may suit your particular circumstances.
Car seat
This is always a must, and you may have a car seat that doubles as a pushchair or carrier. That's fine, as long as you have something for your baby to travel safely in while in the car and out.
Pushchairs and/or cots, etc.
Again, if you have a car seat that also becomes a cot or pushchair, that's fine. Making sure you have something to push or carry your baby in when you're out of the car can really help you out. Some little ones like to be held all the time, while others may get hot and fussy if they're always held. Be prepared for the possibility that the baby will want some "alone" time without any handling, and provide a place for this to take place.
Warm outerwear and blankets
If it's summer time, you're not going to need much warm outerwear, but if it's cold, you'll need a snowsuit or something similar for baby, along with hat, booties, and mittens. Wrapping a warm snuggly blanket around the baby in the car can help keep him or her warm in the event it's a little chilly for him or her, even on a nice day. (Be careful not to wrap baby too tightly and ensure there's plenty of room for them to breathe.)
Nappy bag necessities
If you've got a pushchair, you may have pockets and places to put almost every small thing you need, but it's still a good idea to have a baby changing bag with nappies, toys, snacks, etc. prepared, so that you can simply sling it over your shoulder if you need to. Here's what should go in the baby changing bag:
- Nappies and wipes (Bring more than you think you'll need, since you never know and it's always good to be prepared for emergencies.)
- Powder, ointment, baby lotion and shampoo. It's not likely that the baby is going to need a complete washing, but it's good to be prepared just in case. Use powder and ointment for nappy changes.
- At least a couple of clothing changes. You'll often need a few changes of clothing for a young baby, and it's good to have at least a spare top for you, too, just in case you get spit up on and don't want to be walking around with sour milk or similar on your shirt all day. Of course, if you're going on a longer trip than just for the day, you should pack a suitcase for you and the baby with more clothes.
- A bottle or two for the baby if you're not breast-feeding (and even if you are.) It's a good idea if you can be prepared in the event (for some reason) that you can't breast-feed. So pack a bottle or two even if you're breast-feeding, with some formula or some pumped breast milk, and bring along your breast pump, too, in case you should need to pump more and can't nurse for some reason.
- Snacks and something to drink. The baby may be too little to drink or eat anything but formula or breast milk, but mum is going to need to stay nourished and hydrated to make sure she's got something to give the baby. So make sure you feed and "water" yourself, too, so that you know you can take care of your baby safely.
- Pacifier or two. To pacify the little one between feedings or "just because."
- Small toys. Tiny babies like bright, dangly, interesting things they can look at. Rattles, small baby toys, and other noisy bright things (with no small parts or dangers of choking, etc.) can help keep baby occupied for short periods of time.
- Baby monitor. If naptime comes and the baby can nap in another room, for example, while you visit, a baby monitor is going to help you keep tabs on baby without having him or her right there. It might just make naptime more peaceful, too, if baby is used to napping alone in his or her room with a monitor nearby so you can keep an ear out for any difficulty.
With a little preparation, your baby's first outings should be just as enjoyable for you and your little one as it is for those you're visiting. Enjoy!
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