Time spent planning your outing or travel schedule is never time wasted. The younger your baby, the more you will have to plan. In the first few months, your baby’s feeding schedule won’t necessarily be very predictable, so you’ll need at least one spare bottle if you are not breastfeeding and, of course, whatever changing equipment you normally use. Lightweight baby bags containing a portable changing mat are wildly available. Plan your route so that you know where you can stop, where you can change your baby, and where you can feed him without embarrassment or inconvenience. If you’re planning to stop, it is even worth calling up stores to find out if they have a mother-and-baby changing room and avoiding those that don’t.
With a very young baby, it’s simply not worth undertaking a very busy outing where you will have to walk a great deal, carry heavy loads, or make lots of changes of transport. Be easy on yourself. Try to take a friend or your partner with you if you can, so there is always an extra pair of hands and someone to help you should a problem come up. Your baby can go with you anywhere so long as you’re well enough prepared and have something in which to carry him- a sling, stroller, or car seat.
