Leaving the house can seem like a hassle more than a good time after giving birth, especially for first-time moms. It’s common for mothers to feel separation anxiety at the thought of leaving their newborn whether this is the first child or the second or third.
Some mamas find it hard to leave the house for at least the first month since their bodies are still trying to heal from labor, especially if they had to experience a c-section.
It is important that you don’t put a timeline on your “bounce back” or force yourself to step out before you’re ready. Instead, take the time to enjoy the alone time with baby and having a reason to stay in. Allow others to help run errands for you to save you unnecessary trips with baby.
When you are good and ready to attend your first event, here are some tips on how to be prepared.
Children allowed
Events such as kid’s birthday parties, family get-togethers, a day out at the zoo or amusement park is a great way to dip your toes in the water to see if you’re comfortable being out and about with baby.
While some moms can’t wait for a special date night out with girlfriends or their significant other, other moms would prefer to spend every minute with their newborn until they feel comfortable enough to leave them at home with grandma or a sitter. Not only are these the perfect opportunities to leave the house, but it’s also a chance for you to practice getting baby out of the house too.
Packing a diaper bag can be worrisome the first couple of times since you can’t help but feel you’re forgetting something. The more practice you have, the better you’ll get.
Some basic items to pack in your diaper bag include:
- Diapers, wipes, and cream
- Change of clothes
- Binkies
- Burp cloths
- Bottles and formula
- Nursing cover
- Changing Pad
- Hand sanitizer
- Blankey
- Any medications
Another handy item to bring along with you is a baby front carrier so that your baby can be right in front of you for the entire time, allowing you to be more mobile and mingle with friends and family without feeling constrained to one spot.
No children allowed
Events such as weddings, bridal showers, co-ed baby showers, and other occasions where the hosts would prefer children to not be present is a good time to have some adult time and mingle among other adults without a baby joined at your hip.
While you may feel excluded not being able to bring your little one with you, the host usually has you in mind as the parent. Without kids, you’re able to enjoy yourself a lot more and let loose for the remainder of the event.
If you have one coming up and would like to be prepared, be sure to find a sitter for your newborn with ample time. It’s also smart to have a backup to that sitter in case something should happen and your original sitter has to cancel last minute.
Whether it’s a grandmother, a professional nanny, a best friend, or your sister, be sure to have them scheduled.
When leaving your little one in the care of someone else for the first time, it’s okay to feel untrusting, anxious, and worried. Let your sitter know about how you feel and ask them to send you pictures, videos, and updates periodically while you’re away. Also while you’re away, try to enjoy yourself and be in the present as much as you can.
If you feel you need to cut it short, let your host know so that they can empathize with you and accommodate you as a guest in any way that they can.
Take a deep breath mama, you’ve got this. And if for some reason you feel like you can’t do either one, let your hosts know and try to send a gift in replacement of your presence. It may not be as good, but at least they can appreciate the gesture.
