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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
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.
Shopping with an older baby or toddler
Once babies hit seven or eight months, their attention spans dwindle and shopping can become more difficult. Things can become even more challenging a few months later when your toddler starts walking. "I always had a bottle, blanket and pacifier handy," says Nancy Jambazian, mother to three-year-old Quincy. "Pacifier is the perfect word, it really pacifies your child."
Jambazian would also hang dangling toys from a portable infant car seat to help occupy her son. Once he got a little older, she decided to tire him out first. "Malls with indoor playgrounds are great," says Jambazian. She always plays first to tire out her son, then finds he's content to let her do her shopping. If there isn't a playground, the toy section of a store will also do the trick.
Shopping and breastfeeding on-the-go
One of the biggest shopping hurdles for new moms is breastfeeding in public. Most newborns need to be fed every few hours, which means short trips or finding a private place to feed if you don't yet feel comfortable nursing with an audience. "You have about 90 minutes if you don't want to breastfeed in public," says Venezky. "It took me a while to get comfortable breastfeeding around others. I usually fed my baby in the car before or after shopping." Venezky adds that many department stores have lounges in the bathroom specifically for breastfeeding. "It's a private place to take a break." (You can also check out our Baby Route map section for nursing friendly places in your area.)Shopping solo
If your spouse or a friend offers to watch your child for a few hours, it's a great opportunity to fit some shopping in. "Any time a new mom can get some time by herself, she should take advantage of it," says Margaret Shinnebarger, founder of A New Mom and mother to two children and two stepchildren. You'll be able to relax and get a lot more done with someone else looking after your baby. Jambazian says she tried to go out whenever her newborn went to sleep. "I would leave him with my partner or aunt and know I had about two hours to shop."Shopping for groceries
Online stores are a saving grace for some new moms, but Venezky warns that buying online groceries requires some advance planning. "You have to plan what you're going to eat a week in advance," she says. "I never got to that point." She finds Whole Foods to be one of the most kid-friendly grocery stores. "When I go to a more traditional supermarket, everything at eye level for my kids is loaded with sugar. Whole Foods doesn't tempt them with foods that are unhealthy."
Jambazian adds that she likes shopping at Whole Foods because of the carts. "Many of their stores have special carts with a fire engine or police car attached to the front. It's very helpful for keeping your child occupied." She also suggests Wild Oats because they have mini shopping carts your child can push. "I try to make my child a part of the shopping experience," says Venezky. "If he helps pick out the fish, there's a greater chance he'll eat it."
Shopping for clothing
Clothing is a lot easier to buy online and allows for time to browse while baby is sleeping. Venezky warns that sizes vary for kids' clothes from store-to-store, so she recommends repeat buying at one or two places so you can be confident in sizing. If you do head to the mall with your little one, Jambazian recommends looking for stores with family-sized dressing rooms that allow room for your baby to play while you try on clothes. But above all, Gumbinner advises to check for return policies. "Frenzied moms are prone to make a few mistakes."Meet our experts:
Liz Gumbinner is a mother of two and the co-editor and founder of coolmompicks.com, a great source for finding cool stuff for your kids. Margaret Shinnebarger is a mother of four and the founder of anewmom.com. Dina Venezky is a mother of two and the founder of highmaintenancemom.com, a shopping blog for moms.
