Top Five Tips on Getting Out of the House As a New Mom

Top Five Tips on Getting Out of the House As a New Mom

Being a first-time mom is exciting, exhausting, and everything in between. It can become difficult in those early days when you’re tied down at home with a newborn. You used to have the freedom to leave whenever you wanted, but now it’s far more complex when you have a little one who needs to go with you. 

I remember feeling overwhelmed during postpartum that leaving the house took a detailed roadmap of steps just to make it out the door when it used to take just a few minutes and very little effort. I learned that motivating myself to venture out with my daughter, even if in short bursts, improved my mood and confidence. 

Whether you’re on maternity leave or trying to make the most of your time with your baby on the weekends, having a loose schedule or an idea of what you want to do and where you want to go with your baby can provide some much-needed structure to your day. Just “winging it” can work sometimes, but having a predictable plan to fall back on when things go awry can save the day and your sanity. 

Start Small

Make you and your baby’s first outing simple and quick. Start small by popping into a store close to home to grab a couple things. Keep it short and easy. As time goes on, you’ll become more confident and able to do longer outings. 

Time It Right 

Time leaving the house between wake windows and after you have fed, burped, and changed your baby. This ensures you’ve done everything you can to make your baby as comfortable as possible and (hopefully) won’t get stuck having to pull into a parking lot for a feeding. 

Dedicate Time to Prepare

Spend 10 minutes the evening before getting bags and bottles organized. Put everything together next to the door so you can grab it on your way out. I always like to put the stroller in the car the night before so we can get out the door quickly the next day. Practice a little self-care at the beginning of every day, even if it’s just a quick shower, makeup application, or face mask. Don’t forget to eat and fill your water bottle, too. 

Be Flexible 

Not every day will go according to plan. Know that it’s okay if your day gets derailed sometimes. Have a plan B (even if it’s just in the back of your mind) when you need to shift gears. 

If you have to unexpectedly go out at a time when your baby is sleepy, consider babywearing. Babies fall asleep so easily in carriers, at least in my experience. If it is raining and your walk gets canceled, head to a coffee shop and relax for a bit. Having a routine is great but your baby will adapt in these situations. Remaining flexible allows for more freedom and autonomy in your day.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Commit to getting out of the house with your baby 1-2 times per week at first. Continue to build on that and your confidence will grow. You will eventually get much better and faster at it the more you do it. I remember how scary it was in those early days taking my daughter out all by myself, but I realized the more frequently I made the effort to get out, the easier it got.