Some new mothers prefer the safety of their home for many weeks following the birth of their baby. This may be for many reasons including a difficult birth, premature baby or simply an anxious new mother.
Many other new mothers may feel suffocated and claustrophobic after a week indoors and long to be walking or chatting with people.
When it comes to your baby’s first outing you must do what feels comfortable for you. If you don’t feel ready to leave, don’t. You will know when the time is right.
It can be daunting for new mothers, and especially first time mothers, to know what to expect and how to be organised for this event. It’s no longer as simple as throwing on your coat and grabbing your keys!
Here are some tips that will make the first outing run as smooth as can be expected:
- Organise
Make a checklist and go over it ensuring you have everything you might need; nappies, a change of clothes, a rain cover, a shawl if you are breastfeeding, wipes, nappy rash cream, soother etc.
- Plan early
If you need to be somewhere for 2pm, give yourself enough time to get ready. It will take longer than you think!
- Get a hand
If possible, enlist somebody to go with you and they can help you prepare. You will also feel more at ease with some company having not been out in so long.
- Stay with the familiar
For this first outing, don’t go anywhere you haven’t been before and don’t stray too far. You will be anxious and it is best to stick with what you know.
- Call to friends
Call to a friend’s house and they will be delighted to take the baby off your hands for a time. Have a cup of coffee and a biccie and relax.
- Be prepared
If you know how to handle hard situations that may arise then your outing will be a breeze. Think about the best way to handle situations such as strangers touching your baby without asking, if baby gets hungry or if baby does a very offensive number two. Of course these situations may not arise but if they do, have a think about best strategies. Are there baby changing facilities near where you are going? Are you prepared to breastfeed in public for the first time?
The key factor to baby’s first outing is a organised mom. If you feel ready and prepared, you’ll be able to take baby anywhere!
