Am I doing this right? going out or not

I don't get out with Amy and Matthew as much as I used to and I feel bad. From the 2nd month to the 4 month I went out every day -ususally to BRU or the like. But now I don't feel getting al the stuff packed and yada yada yada.....

I think my problem is switching from th easy big basketed snap n go to the BJCS. I had gotten so good at packing 2 diaper bags and feeding on the go in the snap n go. I used one bag for clothes and diaper changing and another for bottles and RTF pull top cans fof formula. It had gotten so easy. I sould easily get at the bags because that basket was so big and open. Then the change to powder and BJSC and I don't have as much desire to go out. I even stopped taking the jogger out of the car so now I even limit the times when I just stroll around the neighborhood. I got so used to being out all day and doing many feddings whereever I went..

What do you all do? How often do you go out? car trips? neigborhood? car and stroller? parks? alone/ with a helper?

I need to see/ know what others are doing.

 

Hello! My girls are 4 1/2 months and we try and get outa little everyday, even if it's just for a short walk. They like the fresh air and it is good for my sanity. But it is a pain in the butt to load up the car, bring everything you need x2, and sometimes, the minute we get somewhere, they start screaming!!

Jen

 

At that age mine took a lot of naps in the stroller -- that was our exercise time. I tried very hard to avoid situations where we'd need to give them a bottle away from home, because (as you said) it was a PITA. It does help to have a diaper bag with a large insulated compartment -- if necessary, you can mix two bottles ahead of time, get them nice and cold, and put them in there with a freezer pack, and they'll be fine for several hours. Actually feeding them is a bit more challenging unless you have someone to help, since they're not as firmly situated as in the infant carriers.

In general, one of the things I found most challenging about the first year was that just when I got something figured out and got a nice routine down, something would change and I'd have to figure it all out again! But getting out and getting some exercise is important, so it's worth playing around with it to see what works.

 

Don't feel too bad. I remember not wanting to bring my guys places at that age either. Even now it is still hard to get out. Try and take them for walks instead and then you won't have to bring all the stuff with you and they will still get outside.

 

I think that part of the probelm is that I got so good at being out and about that I would be out for hours and hours. Sometimes after a mall trip or BRU I would go to SIL house and stay for dinner. So I got used to having many bottles and formula with me whenever I went out anywhere. I haven't done many short trips without the 2 full diaper bags. The fear of not being prepared is paralizing me.

I need to research smaller diaper bags and try to pare down what I carry when out with the b-jogger. Maybe I won't feel so intimidated. I can't believe how much I used to go out!!! Now it seems like I avoid it. I don't think it's fair to the babies. ssssssoooootoday i got us all ready and then spit up happened and 3 outfits had to be changed. ,...then it started to rain....aaarrrggghhh. I am so down about it.

 

I was out almost every single day for the first several months. I do remember around 6 months we added our third solid meal and the girls finally settled into a nap schedule so we started staying home - a lot. I also remember the feelings you are having. They should pass though. Maybe start off with little trips here and there...Wal-Mart, Target, etc. then work your way up. It is definitely doable but it certainly does change. Once I figured out our new routine, I felt better about leaving again and get out a lot more than I did between 6 and 8 months.

 

We don't go out as much anymore either, but it's because the babies have settled into a nap schedule and I only have about 1 1/2-2 hours between the am and pm naps. They don't seem to sleep well in their car seats anymore so I try to be home. It is a pain to pack up all three kids also so the days of quick errands are over and I wait until I have several things I really need or DH comes home. I probably won't have as much as a problem running errands with just the twins, but my 3 year old doesn't fit in the double stroller and I'm constantly have to chase her.