Going stir-crazy with a new baby - what to do to get out of the house?

[mbcbarrett]

Hi, I'm new to this website, a new mom with a 5 week old. I've never been away from work this long and I'm starting to get serious cabin fever. What are some good things to do around northern VA that will get us out of the house? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

With a baby that age, you can really go anywhere. What did you do without a baby? Go to the mall, museums, if you baby is a calm one, you can even go to a movie (just put the baby in a carrier or sling). Dont feel trapped in the house. Outside is great too, just bundle the baby up. If you hit the local parks, you can meet other moms.

Enjoy this time!

[Anonymous]

When my daughter was young, I enjoyed taking her to sporting events, especially women's sports at the local college. Unless you're watching a golf game, there's lots of noise already so no one minds a baby crying. And you may not get to see all of the basketball game but, if you like sports, part of it is better than nothing.

[Anonymous]

You can go absolutely anywhere: libraries, museums, parks, malls, antique shows, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. etc. You can go for long walks or hikes in the woods. Visit friends and neighbors - invite people over to your house so you don't get lonely.

Agree with PP that you can do whatever you previously did before baby. At 5w, you can just put your baby in the carrier and go anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs. Life is slower, you move more slowly with an infant, but you can do just about anything.

[Anonymous]

Check out the calendar of events at local libraries. Great speakers series, movies, etc.

You can also do baby yoga when your child is 6 weeks at Pura Prana in Old Town Alexandria. We LOVED it and met other moms.

Have fun and enjoy this time!

[Anonymous]

I live in the city and I put my two in the baby bjorn and spent hours at a time walking, window shopping, stopping for coffee, etc. of course one kid was born in Sept- the other in April so weather was better--not so bad today.

I also enrolled in a momandbaby pilates class at 6 weeks postpartum and met some wonderful women (one became my new best friend) our sons never wanted to do anything but eat during the class--- we spent hours together at the Starbucks next door after class commiserating on lack of sleep, etc....nothing like somebody who is going thru at the exact same time to understand.

We were in georgetown and the movie theater had 'reel moms' movies on tues. for moms to take their infants to. I know alot of other cinemas in the metro area have something similar. Strollers, bottles, nursing, lights not as dark and volume not as loud...really cool.

At 6 weeks postpartum I took my baby to Wash.SportsClub that had a daycare room and worked off that baby weight. No matter how tired I was I'd at least climb on that treadmill with my headphones on and watch the morning shows...it was such a mood lifter!

I found that I was not one that could sit inside without going nuts. You'll build your confidence the more you go out with baby and my child became the most adaptable, outgoing kid I think in part because we didn't hole up inside for months on end. ....as he got older we did the Barnes and noble train table, bookstore thing, etc..

Good luck...spring is right around the corner...well- not according to Phil.

[Anonymous]

pp---I also had a great jogging stroller and loved exercising that way too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PPs. Life is slower, you move more slowly with an infant, but you can do just about anything.

Agreed.

One of the great advantages of a newborn is that you can scoop & go. They're pretty versatile and even a stroll around the block is stimulating enough (especially on a pretty day like today).

The Cinema De Lux has Reel Moms if you wanted to check that out. Other than that, just do whatever you would normally do - walks, shopping (even if you don't need to buy anything), errands, or whatever.

[Anonymous]

If you feel disconnected with work friends, have a lunch date with them. I still remember the first time I successfully breastfed on my right side while eating sushi with chopsticks in my left hand. That was a revolutionary moment!

Coffee shops, walk in the park with the Bjorn, museums, shopping.

I never liked malls before I had a baby (or since she was weaned) but FYI Nordstrom has GREAT huge bathrooms/lounges where you can nurse and change diapers and re-charge your batteries.

Some movie theaters have matinees for mothers and babies.

Bookstores are good too.

[Anonymous]

My baby cried non-stop as a newborn. We didn't get out much. I took her for a walk in the neighborhood and she started wailing. I was about 1 mile from home. I got a ton of stares and dirty looks. Hard to brush them off as a new mom. Same thing happened at a museum. Glad things are better now.

[Anonymous]

You may want to join a new moms group, either through the hospital you delivered at, or some other regional groups.

[Anonymous]

Get a good baby carrier---a moby is great, bundle up and get out and walking.

Honestly, I WISH I had gotten out more when DD was younger because now we're more tied to the house with naptimes.

[Anonymous]

Join a playgroup for sure! If you are in Arlington, check out the MONA website. That will give you time to talk to other moms at least a couple of hours per week. Maybe a PACE class, also?

I would make it a goal to leave the house for at least an hour each day. It really helps. Go for a walk with a Bjorn/Ergo/sling or stroller. Go to coffee shops, library, walk the malls. Try find another mom nearby to check in with and maybe workout with, if you can. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I am the mom of an 8 week old so I totally hear you! Winter is tough for sure. I do not know much but I have learned that you have to just do it and get out of the house, no matter what kind of a hassle it might be. It's totally worth it and it does baby good to get some fresh air, too. It took me a while to get out and do errands (still not great at grocery store, etc) but you learn that it doesn't matter if you can only get 10 things at the grocery store because baby's carrier is in the cart, it will give you the confidence you need to go back and try it again. Target is a great way to spend time too. Defintely connect with friends and try to schedule at least one thing a day, even if it's a trip to CVS or the doctor's office, if anything... you'll be much happier!