How to get out of the house with a newborn

If the idea of going out with your baby makes you anxious, you’re not alone. With this handy guide and our tried-and-tested advice, it’ll be less stress and more fun

When you’re a new parent, it can be tempting to just hunker down and stay home with your baby. Things like ducking out for a quick coffee now involve hours of preparation and the precise timing of feeds, naps and playtime, just so you can savour two minutes of peace to sit down and drink a latte. It can all feel Just. Too. Hard.

But trust us: it doesn’t have to be that way. Getting out of the house is truly one of the best things you can do for your health and for your sanity.

Fresh air, exercise and human interaction can shake up the day, shift your mood and give you a sense of accomplishment. The key is setting yourself up for success with the right kit so you can grab and go, knowing whatever happens on your outing, you’re prepared.

We’ve gathered together 15 things that make getting out the door a whole lot easier. Best of all, they fit into a handy nappy bag.

The essentials

If you’re leaving the house with a newborn, you’re going to need to be carrying it, driving it or pushing it, which means you need a great stroller or baby carrier and – for when walking isn’t an option – a safe and secure car seat. When it comes to car seats, children up to six-months-old must be secured in a rearfacing seat or capsule. After that, you’re legally allowed to turn them forward, but many experts recommend keeping them rear-facing until around two years of age.

Because car seats can be expensive, it definitely helps to get one which is convertible (ie, starts off rear-facing and can be switched forward when the time comes) and does the job from birth to at least four years.

A good stroller is crucial. As with car seats, there are some designed to be used from birth and others for when bub is sitting up on their own at around six months old. Take it from me: for a newborn stroller, don’t skimp on features. This is going to be the place your child sleeps, the place you put your baby so your arms get a break, the thing that carts all your groceries back from the shops… it’s going to be your best friend. Whether you decide to go for a traditional pram or a jogger or something in between, make sure it’s lightweight but sturdy, steers easily and is simple to put up and collapse. (Because when you have a screaming child desperate for a nap, there’s nothing worse than a stroller that won’t clip together!)

You might also want something simple for short trips to the shops or walks in the park with the dog. A baby carrier is handy, practical and portable and definitely makes life easier. You don’t even have to be leaving the house – I used to strap my son into mine and do the dishes! They can be used from newborn right up to preschool and they come in a range of different fabrics and materials.

Finally, the big non-negotiable is a nappy bag. Because, as this list proves, babies come with a lot of stuff. While a regular old handbag will definitely work, it’s a good idea to get yourself a designated baby bag that is just for outings with your bub: one with plenty of space, storage compartments and added extras like built-in wet bags and drink bottle holders. If yours doesn’t have a built-in wetbag, definitely consider picking one up, because there’s nothing worse than soiled clothes leaking through all your clean, dry belongings. We’d recommend a backpack over a handbag, simply to keep your hands free.

The baby settlers

When you’re out of the house, you don’t have your regular creature comforts, which is why it’s great to stash a bunch of stuff in your nappy bag to keep your bub busy, calm and cared for while you’re on the go.

Baby food pouches are an absolute lifesaver. They’re nutritious, filling, don’t take up much space and best of all, don’t need to be refrigerated (until opened). They also come in a huge range of flavours to suit fussy tastebuds. Stash a couple in your bag whenever you’re heading out for the day and you’ll never face a hangry meltdown again.

Other than food, it’s a good idea to bring some familiar sensory elements with you when you leave home. My son would not sleep unless he had some sort of noise or music playing, so a portable sound spa was a must-have. It clipped onto the car seat or the pram and was an instant trigger for him that it was now time to nap.

A muslin wrap (or two) will never go astray because they have so many uses. They can be a quick changing pad if there’s an unexpected blowout, a breastfeeding cover if you need privacy, or a blanket to keep bub warm and cosy.

Finally, we recommend something stimulating. A toy that clips onto the pram or the car seat is perfect, that way it can’t get lost, but might provide a bit of distraction.

The change time champions

Unfortunately, until they’re toilet trained you have to pack everything you need to keep your baby clean on the go. That means nappies, wipes, bibs and a change of clothes. Pro tip: always pack more than one spare because the day you decide you won’t need it will be the day your baby has a massive nappy blowout.

There are plenty of wipes on the market. Some are flushable, some are scented, some have soothing oils in them and some are simply made from water. You can never have too many and they are one of the true essentials.

The same goes for nappies. A good rule of thumb is to always have three spares when you leave the house. I guarantee there will be times you’ll be glad you brought an extra. When it comes to the best brands or cloth vs disposable, it comes down to what you like best. Expect to trial a few before you find your favourite.

As with spare nappies, you’re going to need some spare clothes and bibs on hand if you’re planning to get through the day. It’s not just nappy blowouts – it’s spilt milk or food or upchucks, especially if you have a baby with reflux. You can’t go wrong with Bonds Wondersuits – they’re easy to get in and out of, perfect for summer or winter and take up minimal space in a bag. Always keep two or three spare when you head out.

The sanity savers

You’ve packed everything for bub, but what about you? Here are some tips to make your own life easier when you’re out and about.

Make your stroller into a perfect hub for business or pleasure with stroller accessories. We’d recommend a drink and phone holder to keep that essential coffee upright and within easy reach, and keep your phone close for calls or for controlling that perfect pavement-pounding playlist.

The other thing that comes in super handy is a set of stroller clips and hooks. Stroller clips will keep a muslin wrap secure when your bub needs some privacy and stroller hooks will keep belongings safely attached.

Finally, we always recommend packing a change of clothes for mum. We’re not talking about a full outfit, perhaps just some clean leggings and T-shirt. Because while priority is always getting your bub fresh and clean after an accident, there’s no reason you need to smell like vomit all afternoon!

This might feel like a big list, but trust us: once you’ve got it all together, it’ll be second nature to just grab and go before you head out the door and outings will truly become less of a stress and more of an adventure as you and your bub set off to explore the world.