It’s not always a pleasure trying to get into a routine when you’ve just had a baby and it can be emotionally and physically taxing getting yourself and baby ready just to go out, down to the local shops. This can cause stress on yourself as well your baby and can end up with crying and tears when going out. You shouldn’t however let this get you down.  There are things you can do and simple steps that can help you come to terms with the newfound chaos in your life; all you have to do in the majority of cases is accept it.

It’s alright to be late

The first thing you need to accept is that you are going to be late for various things in the beginning, and as long as you accept that, it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks.  A awful lot of stress for new parents is derived from letting others down but this guilt is quite literally like a bag of bricks; all you have to do is put it down.  You are a new parent and you are adjusting to your new life; make people aware of this and tell them not to expect miracles. This goes for when your baby is crying when out and about also. It can be a very stressful event for your newborn the first few times you go out. The important thing to remember is that a few tears are to be expected and people will understand this.

Establishing a routine

Most parents feel better getting the baby ready first.  In many cases this is the best way, simply because once they are ready to go out and are adequately pacified you will be able to devote your complete attention to yourself.  It’s a good idea to go out just after a feed when your baby is quite settled and will perhaps sleep.  Don’t be afraid to let them cry however whilst you get ready.  As long as you know that they have been cleaned, dressed and well fed there isn’t much more you can do with them, and you need to get ready.  This is the point where many parents give up and simply fail to get themselves ready.  Consider using soothers for the baby to see if this will pacify them, otherwise just make sure you’re around whilst you get ready in the event that they may need you.

The next thing to do is to get your bag ready.  Ensuring you’ve got enough things for baby is a very important thing if you’re going out.  Make sure you’ve got enough bottles made up if you feed them like this, and if you have a bottle warmer, make sure you have this too.  A bottle warmer makes it much easier if you’re going out and about because you don’t have to bother people in cafes and restaurants for boiling water or give them the bottle.  Thermabags are another great idea for keeping bottles and solid foods warm; they act in much the same way as a thermos flask but they are actually a bag in which you can put anything you want to keep warm.

Always make sure you have soothers with you if you choose to use them.  Not all parents like using soothers but they certainly have their benefits.  If you use them, make sure you take a handful of them in your bag in the event your baby loses one.  Toys are another good idea, although newborn babies may be contented with something colourful that simply bounces and rattles in front of them on the pram for the time being.

There are so many things that some parents use and others don’t, so we’ve put together a little checklist for your bag:

Getting out the door

It might sound ridiculous, but many parents get the feeling that they’ve forgotten something just as they’re going out the door. This is especially the case if you are trying to comfort your crying baby. This is perfectly normal, but you must be strong and convince yourself you’re ready to go and whatever you don’t have you’ll have to do without.  Now you’ve got your thermabag, soothers, bottle warmers, bottles, nappies, wipes, change of clothes and everything else you need for baby, you’re actually ready to leave the house.