I found out last week that one of my good friends is expecting her first baby. I am SO excited for her, and I can’t wait to sit down with her and talk about all the fun things she has to look forward to.
In other words, I want to give her advice.
After all, I’ve had a baby. And, so far, we’ve avoided any major missteps. So I must be an expert, right?
Okay, maybe not. And I will try to keep my unsolicited advice to a minimum. (Unless asked. Because then all bets are off, and Mary the Expert Mama is on the job!) But that minimum is definitely going to include tips for shopping with a baby.
Because though I anticipated the difficulty of feeding a newborn and I dreaded the middle-of-the-night crying (mine and hers) and I suspected diaper-changing would be a nasty business, I had NO IDEA how complicated running errands would become the second I had a baby.
I mean, I’m all for society pampering pregnant women, but I think some of those “Expecting Mother” parking spots could be transferred over to those of us with a cranky two-year-old. I’m just saying.
Today’s tips focus mostly on safety, but if you have tips for making shopping with children (or, heck, even with ONE child) easier, please share in the comments. Even this seasoned mother of one could learn a thing or two, I’m sure.
Safety Tips for Shopping with a Baby or Toddler
1. Park by the cart return. I cannot stress this enough. It will save you so much stress and turmoil. First, it helps to put the baby directly into the cart instead of lugging – or, eventually, dragging – the child into the store and then finding an empty cart. Your already-tired mom arm will thank you. Second, when it comes time to leave, you don’t have to choose between being a considerate shopper and returning your cart five spaces away or a conscientious parent and not leaving your child alone in the car while you walk five spaces away.
2. Keep wipes everywhere. You can use baby wipes or mild disinfectant wipes; it doesn’t matter. Just keep something wet and sturdy in the car, in your purse and in the diaper bag at all times. This will come in handy for wiping off the cart handle or cleaning spit up or other nastiness in the store. Or, once your child is old enough to grab things and put them in her mouth, you can just wipe it off and put it back on the shelf. {What? Like you’ve never done that…}
3. Beware the lap belt. Speaking of cart germs, this is less a tip and more a heads up. The seat belts in shopping carts are crazy gross. I don’t know. Maybe they don’t actually carry more germs than other things, but they kind of make me gag. Even worse? When my daughter, fascinated with all things that buckle, would start out clasping and unclasping the thing and then sneak the disgusting straps into her mouth. UGH! I don’t know the solution, especially if you have a child old enough (or smart enough, as I’m sure my daughter’s case was) to undo the buckle.
4. Consider a shopping cart cover. By the time I ever saw a shopping cart cover, Annalyn had experienced so many uncomfortable and filthy carts that I figured it was pretty much a moot point. But what a clever idea! They aren’t all this expensive, but I thought this polka dot print was adorable – and who can argue with extra padding?
5. Consider not using the cart at all. Apparently (yes, I did do a little research for this post), some experts advise against putting babies in carts at all. I knew they advised against putting the infant carrier in the top part (LIKE I DID ALL THE TIME), but they even suggest not putting babies who can sit up in the cart, because they can fall out and get hurt badly. The same experts recommend wearing your baby in a carrier (a skill I never mastered, hence the dangerous cart habits) or, once they’re old enough to sit up, pushing them in those obnoxious, hard-to-maneuver (but close-to-the-ground) car or truck carts.
Obviously, I have not followed this advice and may not start even now, but I wouldn’t feel responsible unless I told you what the real experts say.
6. On your bottom, face forward, legs through the holes. I may have already had to say this to Annalyn a few dozen times. Even though it goes against many kids’ wiggly nature, don’t let them try to climb out of the seat. Buckle them in and make sure they stay properly seated. And whatever you do, don’t walk away from the cart while they’re in it. Because they will – and yes, I am speaking from experience – try to climb out the second you turn your back!
7. Hold hands or wear a harness. I’ll admit it. Before I was a parent (yes, back when I knew it all), I thought kid leashes were horrible. I would never (NEVER!) use one of those! Umm … yeah. That was before I had a curious little girl who hates riding in the cart and loves darting out in front of other shoppers. If your threats lecture about holding your hand doesn’t do the trick, you might think about a harness.
I loved what essortment.com had to say about this: “If your child is too big for a stroller, then hold his hand, or invest in a little ‘buddy bracelet’. A buddy bracelet is a restraint, but for your child’s sake, let’s call it a bracelet. They may be purchased at most law-enforcement stores, or online. Some misguided idealists may see this as a violation of a child’s right to freedom, but a child small enough to be snatched at a mall may be OK to have their freedom infringed upon for an hour or so.”
8. Attach your name and contact information to your child’s clothing. This tip was one I picked up from my research. I’d never even though to pin my name and cell phone number on Annalyn when we go shopping. But how smart is that?! (Of course, you should also couple it with the reminder to never go anywhere with strangers, even if they know Mommy and Daddy’s names…)
9. Watch what your child touches – and puts in his mouth. I swear, my daughter has Go-Go-Gadget arms. I can be in the exact middle of the aisle (sorry, fellow shoppers) and still she manages to reach something she’s not supposed to. And don’t even get me started on the sample ladies who like to offer food to my child. Food on toothpicks. Or with peanuts. (Not that she’s allergic to peanuts, but, you know, some kids are.) I’ve actually gotten in the habit of taking a sippy cup of water and one toy into the store with us. That way she’s distracted (in theory) and avoids these temptations.
10. Take another adult with you. Okay, this is the best and the worst tip of all, in my opinion. Yes, of course, it’s easier to shop with someone else around. Let’s face it: it is impossible to give your child 100% of your attention when you’re doing something else. Especially if that something else involves navigating the supercenter while trying to figure out where they put the bread this week. And in the split second you take your attention off her, your child can be injured or wander off or have any number of things happen to her. {I’M NOT SAYING IT WILL HAPPEN. I’M JUST SAYING IT COULD.}
So, sure, having another adult is ideal. But it’s not always doable. I know in my world, it’s darned near impossible most weeks, with our crazy schedules. While it would be best for shoppers to keep a 2:1 adult-child ratio, I’m pretty sure we’d all better just focus on the other nine tips.
The truth about shopping with babies and toddlers (and, I imagine, any age kids) is that it’s no more or less dangerous than any situation you find yourself in. But when you’re shuffling coupons and juggling groceries and trying not to sweat as you unload and reload and unload the cart again, it’s easy to forget these basic safety tips.
What tips would you give a new or expecting mom about running errands with her child?
For more information about shopping safety, visit:
http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/tips/shopping-cart-safety/
http://stayathomeparents.suite101.com/article.cfm/shopping_with_toddlers
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-06-13-shopping-kids_N.htm
http://www.essortment.com/family/safetytipstodd_shtp.htm
http://www.essortment.com/family/childsafetytip_snln.htm
http://www.babyzone.com/safety/article/shopping-safety-tips
This post will be linked to Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.com. Images not of Annalyn are by Amy Jeffries and USACE Europe District.
Parking near the cart return is essential. Who wants to lug a cart across the parking lot, after an hour of shopping, with a cranky and tired toddler/baby. No me.
Also, bringing tons of snacks and juice, to ward off any spontaneous melt downs. Yours or your kids.
Oh yes. I have had more than one meltdown at the store!
Ok, my absolute favorite tip – leave the kids at home!!! Haha:) I know that’s not always practical, but when it is I take full advantage of it … very every reason 1-10 that you listed;)
I wish I could. Our schedules just don’t allow for it during the week – and on the weekend, I want all our time to be family time, even if it’s the stressful shopping type of family time!
speak to the manager of the store about the condition of the carts- the cute toy car type carts at my store are always gross- I told the manager I would not return to his store to shop until they were cleaned up- beware of using the Clorox wipes stores offer if your baby mouthes the cart
Oh, I should have said that about the Clorox wipes. Thank you!
I am so glad the “wipes” made your list. I park by the cart returns, grab a cart and then procede to wipe down the whole front with a antibacteria wipe. Then I give it a little spray with some travel Lysol. I know, I have issuses… but people are gross and we didn’t get the flu last year, so I’m ok with the stares. So far, no one has been brave enough to call me a germ-freak…at least not out loud. I also take crackers and drinks… Sometimes Im a really bad Mom and stop at Sonic on the way get us a coke. That makes for the BEST shopping experience. So, if ya’ll are ever in TX and see a freaky germ wash-down in the Walmart parking lot, followed by a happy toddler holding a giant coke and chomping on crackers…It’s ME and it was a bad morning… I just didn’t feel like saying “No… sit down… stop hollering…give me my list… Please, don’t touch that…” So the coke won!!! Have a blessed day!!!
Hey, you may have issues, but at least you’re clean! Besides, the germ phobia might be a teensy bit weird, but you totally redeem yourself with the Coke. :)
Your germ worry isn’t excessive, but Lysol is poison!
http://www.toxicfreecleaning.com/#!1–lysol-disinfectants/c1wh4
Fill a small spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide (from the drugstore) instead. It kills germs but is quite safe–it can be used as mouthwash–the only risk is if you swallow a big mouthful.
Since I’m only a year into this gig, I need to learn from all the experts too! it is soooo true that errands are much more difficult the second your child is born!!! The tip about not putting them in the cart is actually one I’ve found to be true. I’ve usually used a baby sling which really helps when I’m running an errand that takes a while…like grocery shopping. My baby usually just falls asleep or looks around while hanging in the sling. Much more stimulating for him in my opinion. Plus there’s room for my coupon binder in front of the cart :) But, he’s getting much bigger now so we may need to find a new solution!
I never did the sling thing, but I do miss those days of a baby who would sleep through any errand I took her on!
I’d say, the minute they are old enough for Cheerios, never leave home without them. Life goes a lot more smoothly when you can shove something in their pie-hole to keep them quiet.
Also – don’t go out during naptime. This might SEEM like a good idea, but in reality it will make you want to stab yourself in the eye with a fork.
Oh yeah, Cheerios are a MUST! We do fruit snacks (with real fruit juice, of course), too. And no. I don’t go anywhere during nap time!
I also like to park near the cart return. You may be glad to know that I read an article that said there actually were not that many bad bacteria in shopping cart seats — far worse were sand boxes, if that’s any consolation. I think the best tip is to leave the kids home, whenever possible. I also liked to use a jogging stroller and stow the purchases below.
I found the link to the study about bacteria in carts and other places:
http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/which_has_more_germs_-_a_restaurant_tray_or_a_park_sandbox/
Cool! Thanks! I’ve heard that sandboxes are awful. I’m going to go get the details in that article now…
Great tips, i love it. I couldn’t agree more with #1, I will walk an extra 1/2 mile to the store just to park by a cart return :)
Me, too! Walking with a baby in a cart is WAY better than less walking while carrying her!
So, it seems that everyone agrees, but I always, always, always park by a cart return. It just makes my life easier.
I’ve started writing each of my girls their own lists when we go grocery shopping. (They are 3 and 5) I draw pictures of a few quick items, and then they cross of the things on their lists. It helps us get through the store more sanely.
(Stopping by the Starbucks on the way in for scones for the girls and a latte for me also helps my shopping sanity!) :)
GREAT idea about giving them their own lists! I’m going to try that with Annalyn on our next trip!
Like another person said, I go without them whenever possible! But obviously, that isn’t always an option.
We have 5 kidlets now, so their different ages require different things. The comments about the sling works well for the baby (4 months old), the whole post applies to my almost 3 year old. But, with my 6, 8, and 10 year old I let them hold the list and read what we need, or help choose what flavor or color of something we get…..it definitely helps keep them interested and feeling like they’re helping. Now I’ll even let the 10 year old go get something for me in another aisle and it makes the shopping go by faster.
One of my favorite things to do (with or without kids in tow) is to buckle my purse into the cart. If a kid is with me, I just put the strap though the purse handles first before buckling the wee one in. It’s one less things to hold, and if someone were to try to snatch it while my back is turned they’d have a hard time quietly getting away trying to drag a whole cart behind them.
Smart strategy with your purse! I’d never thought of doing that!
Parking by the cart return works wonders . I have a 2 and 4 year old and as often as possible I jsut take in the double stroller. I put whatever I am getting in the basket underneath and checkout.
I also prefer to miss sleep to goto the grocery after everyone is in bed, including my husband. Its totally worth it…one missed cold or flu from a grocery cart and I’d do it for a year:) Miss less sleep in an hour a week than during one illness with a baby. Once you have two they don’t fit in the cart anyway, so I just was never comfortable with my 2, 3 and now 4 year old walking beside the cart while I shop since the baby was occupying the only cart seat. I don’t trust either one of us enough to pay attention.
My latest issue is that both my kids have outgrown the stroller…the pedi says they will be 6 feet tall one day, and I think it may be next week. There is nothing like having your two year old act their age in a store and people give you looks becasue well they are wearing 5T and look at first glance at least 4 years old:( A 4 year old in a diaper no less.