Tips & tricks for getting out & about with your baby

We asked the experts (our OHbaby! readers), what their number one tips and tricks are when getting out with baby. Here are some of their helpful ideas. Don’t leave home without them!

ü Always be prepared when you leave the house… extra snacks and bottles! And loads of water. Can always prevent a breakdown!

ü Carry an extra set of clothes in case of any accidents and kids music in the car always helps.

ü Invest in things that make life easier, such as a quality pram as you will use it more than you realise. A nappy bag that your hubby or partner won’t be ashamed to use.

ü Couple of books and a toy in the car has always been a winner for us!!

ü I always like to take a spare top for me as well as my children just in case.

ü Always take more than u need. U never know what’s going to happen. I make sure I have plenty of snacks and milk for bubs. Along with a spare set of clothes.

ü Always have a packet of tissues in your pocket!!

ü Have a buggy sleeping bag for winter - little feet can’t kick it off and it means you just have to pop your little person in and zip em up - voila a warm little lady or man happy and content while you head out and about!!

ü I keep a zip-lock bag with 1 or 2 nappies and a small pack or wipes in the bottom of the pram pocket all the time in case my nappy bag gets low and I forget to top it up (baby brain) and always keep a spare top for myself in the nappy bag – burping can be messy.

ü Make sure you take a rain cover for the stroller, never know when you are going to get caught in the rain!

ü Use make-up bag or clutch within your nappy bag for your personal items (keys, wallet, hair ties etc.)

ü Don’t forget about yourself! Pack some fruit or a muesli bar and bring a spare top for you too.

ü Keep baby wipes in the car at all times! Always have a book or toy or snacks for a distraction when out and about and kids get tired/upset/bored. (eg. shopping, cafes, long walks).

ü Wear a light scarf whenever you go out – good for all kinds of Wellington weather and it’s easy to get breastfeeding with it as a cover, without needing to get it out and arrange it when baby needs to be fed straight away!

ü Keep a bag in the car with the essentials so you don’t have to think about it when you’re just popping out for a quick trip.

ü FEK (Food Emergency Kit)! ALWAYS ALWAYS have food in the car! This needs to be nonperishable and unopened………aka ‘DON’T open unless it’s an emergency’. Things can include: Bottled water, low salt rice/vitawheat crackers, low sugar muesli bars.

ü Always have a ‘quiet’ distraction in your bag for little ones……finger puppets and little board books was a favourite of ours.

ü A small activity bag that belongs in the pram has been a lifesaver for us. It normally contains a snack, a book and a toy. Also a blanket attached to the stroller will also make sure you’re ready to go!!

ü Snacks and water is a must! But I always have a muslin blanket as well. Comes in handy for so many things!

ü Have child friendly apps / songs on your phone – can never go wrong!

ü I would say if you are bottle feeding or expressing, get your baby used to cooler or cold milk then you don’t have to worry about heating it up! Worked a treat for us.

ü Pack babies things the night before when they’re sleeping - saves so much time in the morning when they’re awake and need attention.

ü In summer always make sure there’s sunblock sitting in every bag you own.

ü An ice cream container with a hand towel, small packet of wipes and a plastic bag inside with the lid on kept under the seat seems like it has been sent from angels in emergency spew incidents.

ü When getting little people out of the car and still unloading a baby or other things from the car, tell the older child they must keep their hand on the petrol cap, or side of the car to be safe. Put a sticker on the car that they have to keep their hand on so they don’t run out into car parks or wander off.

ü Use a zip lock back to store a change of clothes for bub. It keeps them all together in your nappy bag and gives you something to store the poohie wet clothes when you’ve changed them.

ü I bought a wrist key ring which I couldn’t be without so can get Mr 2 out of the car and don’t misplace my keys.

ü Plan to leave ten minutes before you need to, so you have time to change their shoes, jumper, blanket, get a cookie that isn’t broken etc. Best case you’ll be early, but at least you won’t be late.

ü Take a water bottle that everyone can drink from (preferably leak-proof).

ü A to go bag that has essentials in it including a mini first aid kit and little recyclable bags that can be used asap for those mum emergencies that can cause you to have a mini melt down when some liquids escape and you’re on the go and not in home base.

ü Always pack a lunchbox even if you think you aren’t going anywhere.