Tips for your first outing with a baby

Your first time out of the house with a newborn can feel like the most daunting thing you’ve done since leaving the hospital. But it doesn’t have to be so scary. With just a few tips and reminders, you can conquer your first outing like a pro.

Before we jump into tips, I want you to know that almost everyone feels the same way about their first excursion. We all consider turning back to the comfort of our home and never facing the grocery store. It’s okay and normal to be nervous, but hopefully these tips will relieve some of those nerves.

For your first trip out of the house, avoid the hour-long grocery shop and instead opt for a quick run to pick up a couple things. This is a big step, so small successes are important for helping you feel more confident for future trips.

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Give yourself time. Your first outing shouldn’t be rushed so plan it for when you have plenty of time to prep and be out of the house. This will help you avoid one of the biggest contributors to stress — feeling rushed.

Pack the essentials. Believe it or not — you can forget the diaper bag. One of the best tricks parents of newborns can have is a baby essentials bag that stays in the car — diapers, wipes and a change of clothes! Having all of the essentials ready to go will take away another big stressor — being unprepared. It will help you feel prepared and confident, even if you don’t end up needing any of it.

Wear a baby sling. Not only is wearing a baby sling while out and about easier because both of your hands are free, but it’s safer. Baby carriers don’t often fit well enough into carts to make them a safe option while shopping. You have a lot of options like the wrap, sling, or front and hip-style carriers, so find what works best for you and your baby. 

Speak up. The baby sling can also be good for minimizing the amount of people trying to say hello to your new baby. People have the best of intentions, but with a newborn, it’s 100 percent okay to speak up and politely tell strangers that your baby is too young to be handled. If you do have the baby in their carrier, consider using a cover to help with this.

Take a deep breath. It’s easier said than done, but try to stop worrying about bothering others in public with a crying baby. The people around you are generally more understanding than you think. Many of them have been in the same situation.

Celebrate the small wins. If it doesn’t go perfectly or if you end up turning around for home earlier than you had wanted, just remember this is a big step! You’ll get there eventually.

Ask your pediatrician. Yes, we typically deal with medical concerns for newborns, but we’re also here to support you as a new parent. If you have questions about your first excursion with a newborn, give us a call. We’re happy to chat through if your baby is healthy enough or ready to go outside the home.

Kimberly Cronsell, MD Pediatrician Primary Care

Children’s Wisconsin has more than 20 primary care offices conveniently located throughout the Milwaukee area and southeast Wisconsin. Find a pediatrician near you.