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Top parenting stories this week
Shopping with Baby
Whether it’s popping out for milk or looking for a new dress, here’s how to make shopping easier for you and your baby.
by: Nancy Ripton
In This Article
Shopping with Baby
- Removable cars seats are ideal for newborns because most babies will fall asleep en route to the mall.
- A sling or carrier leaves both arms free while you shop.
- Tire your child out first with a trip to the park (or the toy aisle).
- Online stores are great for clothing, but require advance planning for groceries.
- When shopping for clothes, stores with large change rooms and good return policies make the whole process much less painful.
arning to all self-proclaimed shopaholics: thanks to an unwilling shopping companion in the form of a fussy newborn or tantrum-prone toddler, even the most devoted bargain hunter may experience symptoms of reluctance for a task they once adored. Are all new moms destined to turn from shopaholic to shopaphobic? The truth is, shopping does become more difficult once your newborn arrives. But the good news is a little planning can make your shopping experience efficient–and even enjoyable–once again.
Shopping with a newborn
"When my kids were younger than six months, it was a lot easier to go shopping," says Dina Venezky, founder of High Maintenance Mom and mother to two boys. "I could put the youngest in the snap-and-go and he was entertained by looking around." Even occupying her older son was easier when her youngest was a newborn. "He was proud to help out while we shopped."
To help you shop hands-free, removable car seats that can be placed in a snap-and-go or a shopping cart are ideal because a lot of newborns will fall asleep on the drive to the mall and stay asleep while you shop. Other moms prefer using a sling or carrier to hold their newborns. "I found it was too difficult to push a stroller or cart and shop," says Liz Gumbinner, co-founder of Cool Mom Picks and mother of two. Carrying your baby will let you concentrate on what you need to buy.
