What to do with newborn for outings?

[Anonymous]

Sounds dumb, but I’m bored to tears inside…how many walks can one woman go on? What do you guys do out with a baby who doesn’t do much yet but needs constant nursing breaks etc?

[Anonymous]

Some things that worked for me:

- walking around the mall in Tyson’s

- driving to a different neighborhood or town center, taking a long stroller walk there, then driving home

- botanical gardens and nature centers (check websites or call ahead to make sure they’re stroller friendly, I don’t remember anymore which I visited)

Good luck, and congrats on the baby!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some things that worked for me:

- walking around the mall in Tyson’s

- driving to a different neighborhood or town center, taking a long stroller walk there, then driving home

- botanical gardens and nature centers (check websites or call ahead to make sure they’re stroller friendly, I don’t remember anymore which I visited)

Good luck, and congrats on the baby!

Forgot to add museums. I realize all of these are still walks, just in different surroundings, so maybe not what you’re looking for.

[Anonymous]

Bookstore cafe.

[Anonymous]

I think this is what moms groups are for and also baby “classes.” Giving the caregivers things to and people to talk to.

[Anonymous]

Meet friends for lunch! And load up on baby activities (music class/kiddie music performances, library story times, etc.) — even if the kid isn’t getting much out of it yet, you can meet other adults and learn some fun things to do with your kid as they get older. I also used to love the crybaby matinee movies at a few area theaters, but not sure they do those any more.

[Anonymous]

Lots of good advice here, but I'll add that the Zoo is great with a newborn - there are benches hidden everywhere in stands of bamboo for nursing breaks, you get your steps in, and there's actually interesting things to look at.

[Anonymous]

All great replies so far. Maybe this isn't what you are looking for, (bc getting out of the house is really nice) but I watched a lot of good TV. It was the last time I actually "binge" watched shows since I had kids. The baby slept on me or nursed and I cleared a lot of my watch list.

I also would go a walk around Target/TJ Maxx (nursed in the dressing rooms) or the mall, or go visit my grandmother who lived in Leisure World at the time. I like going to thrift stores, so we did that sometimes too. Even just mundane errands were ways to get out - I needed a new TV and Walmart was having a good deal so we went on an adventure to the DC Walmart and also stopped into the Costco on the way home.

[Anonymous]

Just be cautious if you go to a garden center. They spray roses with fungicides/insecticides that can cause lifetime effects on both your baby and you.

[Anonymous]

Movies. Matinees. Baby classes. I especially loved museums and walking to a coffee shop after the library.

Agree with all above. Are you comfortable with nursing/nursing in public? Practice a method you feel steady about in case there isn’t a nook or dressing room to pop into. my baby refused a cover but we got pretty savvy at being discreet without. I kept a light scarf or muslin on hand or used the sling.

I also went to La leche meetups. It was a place to be near people on a similar stage. The breastfeeding center might have meetups too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds dumb, but I’m bored to tears inside…how many walks can one woman go on? What do you guys do out with a baby who doesn’t do much yet but needs constant nursing breaks etc?

IDK I was back to work at 3 weeks from home so I would have love to be bored to tears and just having to nurse.

They dont do much yet and realistically neither should you. If you are less than 6 weeks it should just be a routine of active rest, eating, relaxing, etc. You push too hard and there can be issues later on. After 6 weeks I would start adding more to the routine but keeping it simple. Read, TV, leftover house projects, purge, etc. If you really have leave and nothing to do take a 4 day weekend with DH and change of pace.

A newborn can be outside but I wouldnt go to many indoor places prior to 2-month shots.

[Anonymous]

I did whatever I liked and wore the baby on me. As long as it's not risky you're good to go

[Anonymous]

I just took the baby everywhere with me in a sling. We nursed wherever. I met up with friends for coffee and lunches a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some things that worked for me:

- walking around the mall in Tyson’s

- driving to a different neighborhood or town center, taking a long stroller walk there, then driving home

- botanical gardens and nature centers (check websites or call ahead to make sure they’re stroller friendly, I don’t remember anymore which I visited)

Good luck, and congrats on the baby!

+1

[Anonymous]

I found PACE to be great - an organized activity and then I met friends with babies and we’d plan additional meet ups.

With my first she was early and it was flu season and the ped said not to take her anywhere for the first 8 weeks. I developed terrible depression. I put on a lot of “cooking shows” and read a lot of books outloud to her but was very lonely. With my second I made sure we were out and about every day even if it was the grocery store. Mother/baby yoga is nice too. I used to go to a studio that doesn’t exist anymore but I’m sure there are some options.