Going out with a newborn is not that easy, Having a baby changes everything, including your social life. But if you’re like most new parents, you might not feel like going out with friends right away. Bringing your little one along to the local dive bar or an upscale restaurant probably doesn’t appeal to you at first. We get it.
You’re exhausted and have plenty of responsibilities at home that doesn’t leave much time for anything else. However, this is the perfect opportunity to test your boundaries and grow as a person by pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
If you are planning to go out with your baby, make a point to discuss it with your partner first. You may even want to schedule it before your baby is born so that you can get into the routine as quickly as possible after delivery.
If you’re breastfeeding, make sure you pump extra for the outing so you have a sufficient supply.
You’ll also want to discuss with your partner who will be feeding the baby beforehand so that it doesn’t become an uncomfortable situation for either of you.
If you’re going out with formula-fed babies, make sure you have plenty of bottles or formula on hand.
When you go out is also important, You don’t want your baby to be over-tired and cranky, so you may want to start off with a few shorter outings. Take it easy in the beginning and don’t overdo it.
If you’ve been at home with your baby since birth, you may feel the urge to get out and explore the world.
However, you’ll want to wait a few weeks before going out as a family. The best way to prepare for eating out as a new family is to try it out at home with your partner.
You can even invite your friends over to make it feel more like a real date. This way, if your baby has any issues with the noise or the food, you can remedy the situation at home before you go out in public.
If you’re breastfeeding, make sure you have privacy. You don’t want to have to cover up in a corner at the restaurant. If you’re formula-feeding, you may want to bring a thermos of hot water to warm up the bottle.
It’s important to know your baby’s limits. If your baby is used to sleeping in a dark room, you don’t want to bring him to a noisy bar at 10 p.m.
If you’re breastfeeding, you may want to avoid places that are too smoky. If you’re formula-feeding, you’ll want to make sure you have a clean, safe location to feed your baby.
You’ll also want to be prepared for your baby’s needs, Babies have short attention spans and may need to be distracted in new environments. Be sure to bring plenty of toys, and if you’re breastfeeding, a shawl or scarf that you can tie to a crib.
If your baby is breastfeeding, you may want to bring breast pads so you don’t have to worry about leaks, If you’re formula-feeding, you may want to bring bottles, formula, and a bottle warmer.
If your baby is on a sleep schedule, you may want to call ahead to ask if the restaurant has a quiet room where you can put your baby down for a nap. If it doesn’t, you may want to bring a portable crib or bassinet so you don’t have to disturb your baby during the meal.
When you’re setting up the crib or bassinet, make sure it’s away from any dirty floors and that it’s not too close to the tables or the other patrons.
If you have a baby boy, you may want to avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts, since a hungry and curious baby may see your forearm as a tasty meal.
If you have a girl, you may want to wear a shawl to cover your breast when you feed her.
Babies have sensitive skin, so you may want to check the air conditioning to make sure it’s not too cold or too hot. You may also want to bring a blanket or sweater so your baby stays comfortable. If the restaurant has a highchair, you can bring your baby’s own seat if it has a five-point harness.
However, if the restaurant doesn’t have a highchair, you can bring a seatless booster seat to make your baby as comfortable as possible.
You and your partner may have been going out with the same friends for years, but now that you have a baby, you may want to take a break from going out for a while. This is fine, and you don’t have to have a long drawn-out conversation about it.
Be direct and honest, and let your friends know that you appreciate them understanding your situation. If you want to go out, but you feel unsure about bringing your baby along, you can suggest going to a quieter location that doesn’t have any loud music or outdoor seating.
If you want to go out to a club, you may want to let your friends know ahead of time that you’ll be bringing your baby so they know what to expect. Let them know about your baby’s sleeping and eating schedule and let them know if there’s anything special they need to know about your baby.
If you go out and everything goes smoothly, great. You’ve successfully started to re-enter the social scene with your baby.
If something doesn’t go as planned, don’t fret. Babies are unpredictable creatures and are bound to throw you a curve ball or two. If your baby is hungry and you don’t have a bottle on hand or you have to feed your baby in a public bathroom, don’t let it upset you.
Babies are efficient feeders and are content once they finish eating, so you’ll get through it quickly. You’re feeding your baby, so don’t feel embarrassed if your baby has to eat in the middle of a restaurant. Not everyone is going to understand why your baby is making noise in the middle of their romantic meal, but that’s okay.
However, this is the perfect opportunity to test your boundaries and grow as a person by pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
With a little bit of planning and some patience, you can successfully bring your baby out with you and enjoy your social life again.
Hope the tips above helps you in going out with your newborn
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