New to baby whispering... re:schlepping

[NatalyaW]

I've only read Tracy's latest book, so maybe I don't have the full picture here, but do we ever get to take our babies anywhere? My baby is 7 weeks old, so according to EASY, she's only awake (and not eating) for 30 minutes max at any point during the day. As a stay-at-home mom whose husband works two jobs, if I don't run errands, they don't get run! How can I keep my baby on the routine and take her places, too? By the time I put her in the car and go somewhere, it's time to start the naptime routine! :?

[Isom'smom]

Just make your errands part of your routine.  Set it around a certain time each day or once a week, and just go.  She's still at the age that she can sleep anywhere, and usually sleeping in the car is never a problem.  Now, go get some groceries! for all three of you.

Crystal

[gracie3]

I agree with Crystal- pick a time and do it.  When my kids were that age, I would wake, feed, pack in the carseat and head out.  I found that by the time I burped, changed and got stuff together, the awake time was just about over, so the baby would sleep in the carseat, hopefully during the drive and the errand!  If I was feeling brave, I could stretch the errand to a few hours and do two Easy's, KWIM?  I think as long as you don't do it every day, your lo won't associate sleep with the carseat.  Also, I would try to choose whichever nap was their weakest, so they still had strong naps at home in their bed.  You'll find as you get older it gets easier and easier to take them places.  Until they can ask for things, that is!  :wink:
Grace

[marlowho]

I feel the same way!  We don't go out of the house much b/c of it.  But, you do have to go sometimes.  And it's good for your lo to be able to nap in another place from time to time.  (Well, good for her and your sanity!)  Tracy's book is a guide- you have to do what works for your family. Welcome to mommyhood and Baby Whispering!

[EllieLock]

My dd goes everywhere, I generally schedule  time in the car round nap times cos I just can't keep her awake when she's in it.  She comes shopping, to the park, bbqs etc and we still stick to our routine more or less.  My other 2 girls (and I) would go loopy if we were stuck in all day through summer hols!

Cheers,
Ellie

[NatalyaW]

Okay -- I guess what you are saying is the routine isn't king (it's there for me, not me for it and there for the baby not the baby for it), right? Thanks for your responses.

[GG]

Natalya I felt the same way!  I read the book and wondered, "Where in here are errands discussed?"  There was no advice on getting out of the house, except to keep it to a minimum.

Well, once your baby is following EASY, there shouldn't be a problem with taking her out.  She should get used to being outside the house anyway.

As Crystal said, make it part of the routine ('routine' doesn't mean he has to sleep in the same place every time).  Depending on where I'm going, I either wait for DS to be awake or be ready to fall asleep.  If I know it's going to be a short errand, I leave the house after I feed him.  He can be awake for the entire experience and then go down for a nap when we get home.  If I have to go grocery shopping or do something that will take a long time, I wait until he's ready for his nap.  Then, I put him in the car seat and he falls asleep (usually) on the way there.  That way, he's sleeping for 45 - 75 minutes and I'm getting my stuff done.  I usually bring a bottle or am prepared to BF once he wakes up, though.

Trust me, it's best if your lo gets used to sleeping in a few different places.  At her age, you DD should be able to sleep long enough for you to get plenty of errands done.

[Mariek]

Hi Ladies

I'm moving this post to the EASY Forum. If you're unsure why please check out the announcement at the top of the Couch.

love