How to grocery shop with a baby? Tips and Tricks!
Introduction
Parenthood comes with many nerve-wracking challenges, and it becomes difficult to perform routine tasks in the same way as you used to. The same goes for grocery shopping! When you are out of stock and need to buy personal, baby, and household essentials like diapers, post-partum pads, milk, food staples, etc. It could be hard to figure out how to grocery shop with a baby, as you wouldn’t feel good to leave them behind.
So, if you’ve decided to go grocery shopping with your baby, do not let anything change your mind. You can do this! It might seem strenuous, but shopping with a newborn is workable. It takes a little effort, and you might have to spend more time than usual, but in the end, you’ll be able to buy everything you’ve put on the list.
Are you still not convinced, huh? Let us guide you on how you can do grocery shopping with your baby!
How to grocery shop with a baby? Make a checklist!
Prepare a checklist of essential things before heading to the market, which will make your shopping experience with your tiny tot untroubled.
- Gathering essentials in the diaper bag, such as a formula or breast milk bottle, thin blanket/swaddle/baby wrap, wipes, diapers, pacifiers, a throwaway changing pad, extra baby outfits, a plastic bag, etc.
- You can also keep some toys to keep the baby engaged and distracted.
- Make sure to feed the baby enough to keep their tummy full.
- Before leaving the house, ensure the baby’s diaper is clean.
- Consider taking a baby carrier if you have that.
- Try to make the baby sleep; this way, you’ll be able to do shopping more easily.
Four Ways to carry your baby while grocery shopping: Pros & Cons
Going grocery shopping with your newborn can be intimidating. You have to make sure to buy everything off the list, be worried about keeping your little munchkin preoccupied, and check they don’t get fussy or tired.
Hence, to have a comfortable shopping trip, try these valuable ways to carry your baby comfortably and keep them cozy throughout the grocery shopping. Please note all have benefits and drawbacks, so pick the option wisely before heading to the grocery store to avoid trouble.
In a baby carrier
Pros
- Baby carrier is the easiest solution that could help you shop without much effort.
- Most babies love to remain snuggled to their mommies, so carrying them in a carrier keeps them happy.
- Through baby wearing, your hands will remain free, and you quickly move the trolley and pick everything you want from the shelf.
Cons
- Although baby wearing means ample cart space and keeping your hands free, you can still not have mobility.
- You might have difficulty bending over while picking anything from the bottom.
- You must always be attentive so you don’t bump your baby into the shelves or cart.
In a car seat
Pros
- You can enjoy a leisurely shopping trip if you have a Car seat + travel system stroller combo.
- If your newborn is secured in a baby wrap, leave them in the car seat of the stroller instead of taking them out, and place them inside the cart.
- You can cover them with shade covers so that they don’t get scared upon seeing strangers.
- The car seat can be a fantastic option if your baby is fast asleep.
Cons
- Avoid putting the car seat on top of the cart, as the car seat can put weight on it, which results in the baby tipping off.
- You can place a car seat inside the cart, depending on whether it has enough room for groceries.
In a shopping cart hammock
Pros
- A Shopping cart hammock is one of the best baby-carrying options for grocery shopping with an infant.
- You can easily attach the hammock to the shopping cart’s front and let the baby sit comfortably and safely meanwhile you stroll around the store.
- It not only frees up your hands but keeps your child entertained.
- It doesn’t occupy much space in the cart, making plenty of room to keep the groceries.
Cons
- Remember, it is only appropriate for younger babies and can’t be used after a specific period.
- It doesn’t fit every kind of shopping cart.
- It can lead to suffocation if it doesn’t fix adequately or if your little one is too big to be in a hammock.
In a baby stroller
Pros
- Baby stroller is one of the best techniques you can use while grocery shopping with the baby.
- You can easily pick the stuff you want, put them in the cart, and tow it along with moving the stroller.
- If you have just a handful of items to buy, using the baby stroller and removing the cart might be easy.
Cons
- You have to push the baby stroller and cart both at the same time.
- This technique could be hazardous if you are unaware of how to divide your focus between the grocery and your baby.
- You need to be alert while pushing the cart and stroller together, so you might miss out on the groceries you need to buy.
- You won’t be able to quickly move the stroller in smaller stores with packed aisles and other customers pushing to make their way.
- Some small-scale grocery stores might not allow baby strollers.
Valuable tips for trouble-free grocery shopping
Planning grocery shopping with an infant can be daunting. Therefore, if you wish to make your shopping spree enjoyable, try out these simple hacks!
Choose the right time
Leave for grocery shopping right feeding your baby so they don’t get hungry or cranky, which will eventually make them sleepy, and in the meantime, make sure you finish your grocery. Try not to go to the store when it’s crowded, and plan to go during any off time.
Make it quick
Take a short and quick trip to the grocery store before the baby gets fussy.
Park your vehicle close to the cart stall
With the baby, find the best parking spot next to the shopping cart return area. This way, it will be easy to put the shopping cart hammock and the baby on a cart and carry the diaper bag. Also, dropping groceries in the cart and returning it where they belonged would be easier.
Create a list
Being well-organized is a significant step to grocery shop with a baby trouble-free. Thus, before going to the store, it’s better to prepare a list of essential things like setting up a diaper bag, making a list of things you need to buy from the grocery store, and things you want to be done before stepping out of the house.
Take another person along with you
If you have second thoughts about going alone with the baby, consider taking someone with you.
Take it easy
You don’t need to get hyper or tense; relax and take a deep breath! As a new mother especially, it won’t be accessible to grocery shop the first time with a baby, and things might not go as you’ve planned. Baby crying inconsolably, not getting everything from the list, baby throwing tantrums, etc., things like these will happen, which is fine; you don’t have to stress about it. Anything first time with a newborn will scare you off, but as you become habitual, it will get easier for you.
What are the alternatives?
If you are not prepared to go grocery shopping alone with an infant, that’s okay! You can always get a helping hand, and it’s not something to be embarrassed about. There are other alternatives, such as taking your partner with you, but if you are a single mom or your partner isn’t available for any reason at that moment, it will be best. You can ask for help from someone you know, family, friends, or neighbors.
You can also do grocery shopping online, and you will be just one click away from getting all the required essentials at your doorstep. Or plan grocery shopping once a month and store everything so you don’t have to revisit the grocery store.
The bottom Line
First-time grocery shopping with the baby won’t ever be manageable! No matter how much you try or plan, some things will happen unintentionally, like diaper leakage, baby wailing, getting disrupted by any stranger who wants to pull your tiny tot’s cheeks, making them cry, and suddenly remembering something important you forgot to bring. So, all of this cannot be under your control; you have to go with the flow and learn how to grocery shop with your newborn.
It will take time, but at some point, you’ll get used to grocery shopping with your little munchkin. Even some experienced mothers who go to the grocery shop with babies, toddlers, or even grownups, get anxious sometimes. So, calm down, learn from your grocery trip experience, and then see how easy it will become to grocery shop with your baby.
FAQS
Can I take my newborn to grocery shopping?
Yes, why not? Though it would be scary the first time, you can take your cute baby to grocery shopping.
How do you take an infant to the grocery store?
There are a few tried and tested ways that can help you take your newborn to the grocery store with you. You could put them in their baby car seat and choose a cart to hold the seat. Secondly, you could wear your newborn in a carrier and keep your hands free. Lastly, you could choose a baby shopping cart hammock to keep your little one happy and secure.
When can my baby sit appropriately in the grocery cart?
Usually, most babies start to sit a little bit when they are around 7 to 8 months old or some earlier than that. We recommend you always check the suggested weight range mentioned on the cart seat and fasten the straps closed and securely around the baby.
What to expect if I take my newborn and toddler together to grocery shopping?
Usually, mothers of two kids need help if they take both of them grocery shopping. They mostly struggle to buy things when toddlers get in a huff if they see something attractive and want it immediately. Baby having cravings can also create a stressful environment for a mother who is already handling the tantrums. So, keeping snacks and toys with them is always a good idea, and this way, both children will remain distracted and won’t create a fuss. But if your toddler can walk, it might be more nerve-wracking for you as they can grab and throw things from the shelves or run here and there.
How can I shop easily with an infant?
Just follow these simple tips for an easy-breezy grocery trip!
- Prepare a diaper bag
- Feed the baby before heading to the grocery store.
- Choose the time wisely or grocery shopping; make sure it is your baby’s nap time.
- Find parking next to the cart return stall
- Shop at nearby stores or familiar ones.
- Take an adult with you.
Can I go grocery shopping with my 1-month-old?
Typically, taking your 1-month-old baby grocery shopping with you is okay. Nevertheless, following some precautions for your baby’s safety is necessary. For instance, it’s better to consider babywearing your little one rather than putting them in a hammock, car seat, or stroller. Moreover, always keep a bottle of formula or breastmilk in case the baby gets hungry.
Can I take my 3-week-old grocery shopping?
Yes, you can take a 3-week-old baby shopping if you need to buy essentials urgently. Otherwise, getting them online or asking someone to do it for you is better.
Can I put a car seat in the grocery cart?
Please avoid putting a car seat in a shopping cart as it can boost the chance of a baby falling, which can cause some severe injuries. However, if you’re keen on doing that, look for any cart with a safe dock option that allows you to put the car seat on your shopping cart safely.
