Used to feel so anxious bringing my baby out😣

I used to babysit my friend's baby and I would always bring her with me everywhere I go from 3 months old back when I was 18 years old, she'll follow me to carnivals, lunch date, dinner night out, even chalet parties so I knew I'll enjoy bringing my own baby out to meet people and just spend time together out of home but of course I knew I'll have lesser energy now that I'm 24 years old compared to back when I was 18 hahaha bringing a baby out requires so much energy honestly.

I felt tired after a day out babysitting my friend's baby but with my own baby when we first went out even for that 2-3hrs, not just tired but filled with so much anxiety... Might be a post partum thing but wow no joke, that feeling sucks so much that I didnt felt like going out. A side factor that played a part to the anxiety was having to pump every 3-4hrs if not my boobs will feel very full and uncomfortable.

Here are the main few reasons why i felt the anxiety when bringing my baby out for the first few times and how I tackle these to cope better now!

❗️Sooo many things to pack to bring out

✨Don't have to unpack the diaper bag when reach home, before heading out just top up clean bib, diapers, milk powder and hot water, makes packing much easier and less headache

✨Overpacking is always better than under packing (esp diapers, never know if baby will poop thrice in an hour and fuss if you dont change)

❗️Scared baby exposed to germs and virus

✨Put a hand sanitiser and more wet wipes in your diaper bag

❗️Diaper change, worry that I can't find a baby room or handicap toilet might not have the baby changing table or it might be dirty & smelly

✨Bring a diaper changing mat, so baby dont come in contact with public changing tables

❗️Worried baby can't sleep well with the noise outside especially getting scared by loud noises

✨It gets better with going out more often, baby will be more used to noisy environment and will be able to sleep when outside

❗️Baby might cry for milk during a inconvenient time/place

✨ Make sure feed baby and change diapers before heading out so he won't cry for milk during the travel time in public transport

✨Bring portable warmer for breastmilk or if formula can just heat the water and make formula milk also, so you can make milk faster and easier

❗️Baby refuse to sleep or lie down inside the pram and wants to be carried all the time

✨Baby is fed and changed, he will most probably sleep in the pram

✨Pram needs to be parent facing, realised he is more willing to sit in the pram when he can see me

❗️Super hot weather everyday, baby will sweat and feel uncomfortable and get cranky

✨Always bring clip on fan on the pram and make sure its charged and bring a portable charger for it so baby feel comfortable and not sweaty and uncomfortable sitting on the pram

❗️Sudden rain and did not bring stroller rain cover or baby refuse to be in pram and need to hold umbrella while baby carrier him and push the pram

✨Plan a sheltered route to the destination, if can't no choice but to leave house when the rain stops or get smaller

❗️Getting up the bus with the pram will be hard if the bus driver dont stop near to the bus stop

✨Flag the bus early from a distance to let the bus driver notice you and the pram, he will stop nearer for easy boarding onto the bus, if really can't you can ask for help (usually there will be kind ppl helping if they see you struggling). With more practice, this gets easier too!! For safety reasons, go up the bus facing front, make sure the front 2 wheels land on the bus before lifting the pram up. Go down the bus backwards, make sure wheels land at the bus stop area before continuing to alight the pram. If not confident that the distance is doable, dont risk it, safety comes first!

❗️Scared baby cry in public transport and not safe to stand and carry

✨If it is a long journey or baby is fussy, I will baby carry him first before going on the bus and lock the pram at the bus pram lock, then take a seat. For MRT rides, i'll baby carry and park the pram beside the reserve seat by the door and take a seat. Sometimes baby won't allow you to sit and need to stand to coax baby, then no choice just hold tightly!

❗️If take grab, cant load pram in boot while carrying baby

✨Usually grab drivers will alight and help but you'll still need to do it as they wouldnt know how to close the pram. Put your baby in baby carrier, so you'll have 2 hands free to unload the diaper bags and close the pram, and hopefully the driver will help to load it into the boot.

🥰 Most importantly, bring baby out more often, with more practices, baby and mummy will get more comfortable and confident to head out! Of course there are cons of going out that can't be avoided like being more tired for the day and more chance of catching germs and virus out there. But going out on alternate days of the week allow me to remain sane and not feel suffocating to always stay home and time always pass very fast when we head out, also enjoy baby meeting my friends and family, this little one brings so much joy everywhere I go ❤️

#RealTalk #motherhood #postpartum