First trip to the grocery store with a newborn in tow

I remember the very first time the thought of grocery shopping crossed my mind.....oh no, how am I going to cope with grocery bags and a newborn baby? Mind you the weather in Auckland at the time didn't help either. It was the start of winter and with my partner at work, I was tasked with picking up a few odds and ends to keep us going until the big weekend shop.

At the time, we were living in Mt Eden, Auckland and the closest grocery store, Foodtown, was only a 5 minute drive or 15 to 20 minute walk. Let's see, my baby is sleeping ... maybe now is the best time to go??

What I learned quite quickly, is that even the smallest of road trips require planning & preparation. In fact, keep these tips in mind when taking a similar trip by car or 4 wheel drive to the local grocery store. These tips will give you peace of mind and although obvious to some, can be overlooked!

First thing is first (If you can, prepare in advance - the day before perhaps..)

1. If you know a visit to the grocery store is on the cards, determine your list of items beforehand and stick to it (less is best, do not by any means deviate from the list)
2. Find out how long the drive might take from home to the grocery store, from the grandparent's house to the grocery store, from a friend's house to the grocery store etc. www.wises.co.nz
3. Check your account/s for purchasing power
4. Be sure your vehicle is mechanically sound, tyre pressure is good and sufficient petrol/diesel & oil is in supply
5. Check that you have a baby on board sign fixed to your rear window of the vehicle
6. Check you have a sun shade fixed to the car window where baby is to be positioned or a sunshade is fixed to the infant capsule, especially if the sun is shining bright that day

Next (It's now time to go shopping, make it happen..)

7. Travel with your newborn shortly after a feed and nappy change. He or she is likely to sleep on route, possibly settled when in the grocery store and most likely to sleep on the way home
8. Double check the safety of your infant capsule when baby is fixed in for road travel
9 Always travel with a nappy bag full of essential items (prepare for the unexpected) - nappies, change of clothes, formula (if not breastfeeding), toy or toys, baby wipes
10. Take a deep breath, hop in the drivers seat and turn on the ignition. It's time to drive!

Don't forget to congratulate yourself, smile and relax everything else will fall into place, your instincts will take over. The key to a successful road trip, both short or long, is COMFORT....both baby's and yours.

Useful Tip

*Some grocery stores have special trolley's that allow your infant capsule to fit within, other grocery stores have trolley's that already have an infant capsule attached.

My preference

*At newborn stage, a full snap n go system when shopping is ideal. It is light weight, with an easy transfer of baby in an infant capsule from car or 4 wheel drive to snap n go stroller (perfect when baby is sleeping as there is no need to wake him or her) and has sufficient space to store groceries, keys and drink holders (preferable cool drinks) too. The snap n go stroller is not only light weight, it is easy to assemble and dissemble in 1 quick and easy motion.

At the beginning of this blog is a picture of my partner, Rob, with our daughter Siena. I want to give you a real life visual of the snap n go system I'm referring to. Understandably the photo I've chosen does not show us in a grocery store, however I'm sure you might agree a camera down a grocery isle is quite odd hehehe. This picture was taken at the LaCigale markets in Parnell, Auckland. Siena was 4 weeks old.

Share your tips with others & support new parents with your own comments.

Cheers and enjoy your adventure!