shopping with an infant

 

1. Wear Your Baby
Seriously, folks. It makes life so much easier. I love my Moby Wrap and I recently went shopping in it. Madison was able to look around at all the beauty of Target all the while gnawing on her precious fingers. She eventually got sleepy, so she just snuggled up for a nap nestled between mommies boobies. Right where she wants to be. The buggy was perfect height to prop her little butt butt on at times when my grammaw ankles needed a break. You don't have to worry about bumping the buggy into things and waking your baby {i'm a terrible cart driver!}.We often do the lotus hold as well, where she faces outwards. She just smiles and chats with folks as we pass them by!

**If you use the moby, or something like it, put it on before you leave your house! Those things are pretty long and drag the ground - not to mention you're wasting precious shopping time.

2. Prepare for Feedings
Chances are your wee one will get hungry while you are out. And, let's be honest here, it's sometimes aggravating to have to feed him/her so often. Prepare yourself ahead of time. Leave the house with the mind set that it will happen, that way an interruption to "blissful" shopping doesn't make ya angry. If you are breastfeeding - always remember to dress appropriately for 'easy access' and bring a nursing cover if you must. If your little one is like me and won't drink anything cold - warm that bottle up in plenty of time so that you don't have to listen to cries of hunger - your experience will be more like "Oh, you're hungry? Well I have a bottle prepared for you because I'm super mom."

3. Have A Plan of Attack
It's inevitable, you will ALWAYS run into that stranger who wants to touch your baby. Have it in your head what you may say, or do to make sure your little one's bubble is not invaded. Such things like "Hey, get away, creeper!" or "You better catch yo self 'fore you wreck yo self!" or my personal favorite "She doesn't like you - back up."  always work. If you aren't prepared to utter such sayings - see #1.

4. Plan for Poo
Blow outs NEVER happen at home. They always happen in public - in their cutest outfits on a non-bathing day. Just remember the wipes, for heavens sakes. And a change of clothes. And if you're an advocate of #1 tip - have a shirt handy to change into. Yupp -it happens.

5.Necessities First
Do you have a "routine" for particular stores when browsing? Like me, I always go to produce first, then the meat section, and finally dairy - granted grocery shopping isn't my pre-baby idea of browsing, but even the grocery store is sometimes a get away! If you have a list of necessities, but you also want to browse a little bit - dear gussy get those necessities first! You NEVER know what will happen as you make your way through the store hopping from one aisle to the next aimlessly picking up necessities as you go. Make a bee-line for the to do list, and if you are lucky enough to get through that, by all means BROWSE, MOMMA, BROWSE!

6. Take an Assistant
Bring. Help.

7. Meltdowns
What will you do if your little one has a sudden melt down? Ya know - the crying like the world is crumbling down? How will you console him/her. Toy aisle? Bottle? Pacifier? Toys? Tylenol? You know your baby, and you know what works :) Bring comfort with you!

8. Park in Left Field
Ok, maybe not left field, but at least near a cart corral. It makes life so much easier. You can slip to and from without baby in tow. It also helps with getting the kid into the store if you aren't baby wearing.