Feeling all cooped up, I bring baby out on average twice a week and during this time, I realized how important it is to visit baby friendly places. After trial and error from my own experience and frantic attempts, below is a list of notes I've compiled to make your life as a parent cool and easier!
Top 4 Things to Note (to make your life easier!) When You Take Your Baby Out
Tip 1: Always know/take note where the diaper changing stations are located
I have a whole compilation of diaper changing/nursing rooms in Singapore in this post.
Tip 2: Feed your baby and change his/her diaper before you have your own meal
As much as we love Alexander, we find the coincidence of him waking up and wailing like it's the end of the world while we are in the midst of our meals..highly annoying. One of us will end up leaving our meal to tend to him and always find our food cold by the time we are done. So now, we try to minimise that happening by letting him be so comfortable that he would fall into a slumber that is long enough to enjoy a 30-45 mins meal.
Tip 3: Always bring a few ziplock bags, foldable changing mat and (if possible) some pumped milk
Sometimes you just couldn't find a diaper changing or nursing room and have to make do in whichever location you are. I find myself changing baby's diaper on the car seat itself sometimes. Just simply place a changing mat on the car seat attached to the stroller and you can just change baby's diaper anywhere! Then dispose his soiled diapers in the ziplock bag and keep it with you till you find a trashcan nearby. Believe me, this will happen more frequently than you expect. For e.g: if you are shopping in places like H&M and the nearest diaper changing station is quite some distance away or in the middle of purchasing something in Mont Blanc like I was and have to make do with the couch in the store! And of course the pumped milk will come in handy too when you can't find a nursing room in time.
The portable changing mat can be as simple as a larger hand towel, or you can purchase the waterproof ones in various sites online. I haven't noticed one in the stores here, perhaps MotherCare might have. Kushies (http://www.kushiesonline.com/Kushies-Change-Pads-s/243.htm) or Skiphop Pronto (http://www.skiphop.com/product/jonathanadler.html) will be good options.
Drop me an email if you want one of these from the US, I'll be able to get it for you for at least 15%- 20% less than local retail price after shipping.
Tip 4: Use a baby carrier like Baby Bjorn or Ergo instead of stroller if baby is fussy
It is hard to soothe a baby in a car sear or stroller when they are being fussy. Carrying them in your arms may be exhausting over an extended period of time. I got a hand me down baby carrier (brandless) from a friend and tried it on lil Alexander, it worked like magic. It never failed to put him to sleep since he was 1.5 week old. The only concern is that the brandless carrier doesn't have safety locks so I don't feel very safe carrying him as he gets heavier. When he was 1 month old, we decided to purchase Baby Bjorn Carrier. I would suggest to buy one with Air Mesh material if you are staying in a humid/warm climate city as it can get quite hot for baby.
Most babies wil like the carrier whether being carried by mummies or daddies as the body contact and rocking motion soothes them. Alexander can sleep through even when we sat down so this is amazing for parents who wants peace and less drama when you are out with your little one.
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