How To Grocery Shop With a Newborn: Full Guide for New Parents

Before you have a baby you are free to walk out the door whenever you please. After you have your baby, things can get a little tricky and you can’t just up and leave the house in two minutes.

Eventually, you’ll have to leave though, you need to get food right?  I suggest you take baby steps, (get it baby steps). Let’s talk about how to grocery shop with a newborn.

---

How to grocery shop with a newborn

There are a couple of tools or rather say necessities that every parent should have to freely go grocery shopping with a newborn. I would recommend a hammock due to the fact that you can place it on top of the shopping cart, and it will allow you to maneuver the cart while holding the baby safely.

When is the right time?

Most parents debate about the topic of when is the best time to start taking their child outside. Personally, the first time I left the house with my baby, it was a little less than a mount old. I have seen parents taking their week-old baby outside for a walk, and once I even saw a baby that was less than 3 weeks old at the airport.

Generally, it is not a good idea to bring your baby to crowded places until its immune system starts getting stronger. This is somewhere after the baby is 3 mounts old. As long as you keep your baby safe and warm you’ll have no issues.

When it comes to you being ready, then it becomes a different topic. There is no set time on when you should be ready to go out with your baby. It can be scary just thinking about it.

What if it starts crying? What if something happens? What if it gets hungry or needs a change? If all these though are storming through your head, you’re not alone, every parent thinks like this.

Take your time, there is no rush. You will take your baby out when you feel ready.

Explore the reasons why your baby’s lip may be quivering. Understand the common causes and potential solutions for lip quivering in babies and ensure the well-being of your little one

Things to consider

Before you take your baby to the grocery store make sure you come prepared. Here are some things that you need to consider.

Time

You need to choose a time when there are not that many people in the grocery store. This is usually around 1:00 to 3:00 PM, because most people are at work, and the early birds that shop early in the morning, more often than not senior citizens, are already gone.

Crowded places and loud noises can be a trigger for your baby, especially if it’s used to being in the comfort of your quiet home. Also, they might not be used to seeing many people around and can it get scared.

Less crowded places might also save you from having an anxiety attack when your baby starts crying and you can’t get it to stop.

People often tend to give you strange looks when your baby won’t stop throwing a fit, but this should be the last thing on your mind. Your primary focus should be your baby and its safety and comfort, so take your time.

Since we are talking about time, it’s good to take your baby with you to the grocery store after feeding and during nap time. If it can sleep through the entire trip, then you’re winning at life. 

Efficiency

Let’s face it, you can’t spend your entire day in the grocery store sniffing candles if you have your newborn with you. Make sure to make a shopping list and stick to it. Also, pick a grocery store you know the layout of so you don’t waste your time aimlessly wandering through the aisles.

If you’re going with your car, make sure to park close to the entrance where they leave the shopping carts so you can be in and out as fast as you can.

Things to pack

People often ask me how to go grocery shopping with a newborn and what to bring. Let me tell you, I have brought more stuff with me to a grocery store while shopping with my newborn than a week-long vacation to Greece.

Here is a not-so-short list of all the things that I used to bring. Depending on the nature of your shopping trip you may not need everything, but it’s good to have it on your mind.

Diapers

Yep, the number one that you always want to have with a newborn is a spare diaper. You never know when your baby needs to go and it’s a good idea to always be ready.

Wipes

Every change requires a clean-up. Not only that but babies are messy, so it’s always a good idea to have a pack of wet wipes in your purse.

Changing pad

Public changing pads are not the most sanitary, so bring your own.

Pacifier

If your baby uses a pacifier bring it with you to the grocery store. It will most probably end up on the floor after a few minutes so maybe bring an extra one.

Food

No, I don’t mean a granola bar. Make sure to bring a ready-made formula so you don’t have to use tap water from a restroom in the supermarket. Those can have old water pipes that can contaminate the drinking water. If you nurse, you can bring a nursing cover.

Travel buddy

While it’s a good idea to have someone with you when you go grocery shopping with a newborn, this is not the kind of buddy I am talking about. I am talking about something that will hold your baby and keep your hands free.

Stroller

Chances are that you already have a stroller, so it’s a good idea to put your baby in one. Most strollers can also serve as a shopping carts because they have plenty of storage space. Having a stroller will free up your hands so you can get what you need while your baby is safe in its seat. A lot of strollers like this one come with a detachable travel system which can also come in handy.

If you have more than one baby, then a stroller will be your best friend for sure. Makes sure to get the ones that are longer with the seats one in front of the other and not the wide ones with the seats next to each other. You don’t want to be pushing stuff off the shopping wracks in small aisles.

Hammock

Getting a hammock is very handy when grocery shopping in your house is your responsibility. If you often visit the supermarket with your newborn you should look into getting a hammock. It’s lightweight and very simple to use, plus it will keep your baby safe and comfortable.

Baby wrap

When your baby is still very young you want to keep an eye on it at all times. This is why I suggest baby wraps or kangaroos as some people call them, that goes on the front of your body like these ones, instead of those that go on the back.

A baby wrap however will limit your movement if you need to bend over to grab something, but never the less they will keep your hands free.

Car seat

Some parents will recommend you take your newborn to go grocery shopping in a car seat, but personally, I don’t recommend it. If your baby is very young, I just don’t see it sitting in a car seat the entire trip.

A car seat is also big and will leave no space for groceries in your shopping cart. You can try carrying it by hand, but this is very uncomfortable.

If you are planning to get a car seat however I recommend you get an adjustable one, because you will need it more when your baby becomes a toddler.

Understand how toddlers perceive pregnancy and how they may react to it. Learn about the appropriate ways to talk to them about it and how to prepare them for the arrival of a new sibling

Conclusion

Before I had my first baby I would always ask any mother I met in the store how to grocery shop with a newborn. Truth is, you will figure it out as you go so don’t stress.

Don’t be in a rush to achieve a milestone before you are ready and take your time. Make a plan, write down a list, check the parking, picked the time, and do everything you feel like you need to do to feel prepared.

Learn about the safety and feasibility of jogging with a regular stroller. Understand the risks and benefits of using a regular stroller for jogging and make an informed decision based on your child’s safety and your own needs.