Let’s Have A Big Baby’s Day Out

You’ve got all the essentials — the bottles, the diapers, the wipes. Maybe you watched some social media posts of well-stocked diaper bags or asked your best friends what they always have on-hand. But we’re going to offer you a few more favorite products to bring along with you as you and baby head for your big day out. (And remember, if the “big day out” is going to the grocery store and then grabbing an iced coffee from the drive-thru, it totally counts. Congratulations! You did it!)

You’re going to want to take a million pictures of your day out with baby — and let me make it clear, I think you should. But don’t get caught up in social media or doomscrolling — the Camp Snap Camera is a screen-free digital camera that you simply charge, drop in your bag, and use whenever you want. It can take up to 500 photos with one charge, and you can easily upload the photos to your computer or phone whenever you want. The quality is so fun and lovely, too, and it’s the best way to start documenting your motherhood journey.

OK, everyone has a favorite stroller — but nothing is going to make you feel more confident heading out on your own than the Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew 2-in-1. The bassinet really makes it feel less scary to buckle a baby in, and the Bugaboo truly folds up beautifully in your car if you need to drive somewhere first. Plus with the storage on the bottom and the seamless pushing ease, you’re going to feel like a whole Real Mom as you go about your day, and it’s going to make you feel a million times more secure.

So much of the anxiety surrounding going out with your baby is how you’ll get them to nap. But listen — a walk in a stroller almost always works. And if you need reinforcements, grab the Love to Dream Sleep Machine. It’s a travel white noise machine that will help you get baby relaxed, following their “normal” sleep routine while on the go, and it’s a major help in the car if you’re driving and baby’s feeling a little fussy.

I learned very quickly that back-up clothes need to be simple and comfy. Throw a few packs of these Little Navy ribbed bodysuits on your list and you’ll never stress again about a spit-up moment gone majorly wrong or a giant blow-out.

Whether it’s extra warm and stuffy out or you just want to keep a steady flow of air on baby while hanging in the stroller or out for a picnic, the Veer Flex Fan is a must. It’s portable, lightweight, and can bend to fit wherever you need it. It’s also extra helpful for you, the one who’s sweating through her clothes trying to get baby to nurse in a busy restaurant.

If you’re nursing and anxious about spilled milk or just leaking and want to save the precious gold (and your clothes), try tossing these Munchkin silicone breast milk collectors into your bag. These are great if you’re struggling with supply and want to make sure you don’t miss a drop, but I also just love them for helping raise your confidence in nursing while out and about.

OK, the way you will use this Skip Hop car backseat organizer for literally everything. Throw in extra diapers and wipes, hand sanitizer, a set of back-up clothes, an extra baby carrier — whatever you can think of. Then you don’t have to carry it all in a bag or around on your day out, but you’ll know it’s all there, ready to grab in the car. This thing also cleans like a dream and isn’t at all bulky strapped to the seat.

Some babies are super picky about their pacifiers, but if you’re looking for one to have on-hand for days out, I love the MAM pacifiers. Not only are these highly recommended and from a very trusted brand, but they can attach to pretty much any type of pacifier clip, and even come with their own case so you can keep them clean and ready to go.

Listen, pacifier clips are a must. Clip these Infantino PaciGrips to the car seat straps, to the stroller strap, to the diaper bag — just put them everywhere. They stay exactly where you clipped them with zero slip, and they work well with every pacifier I’ve ever tried.

Car seats seem to be a major source of stress for new parents, and it’s not hard to see why — it’s overwhelming to find one. But if you want a car seat you can trust, that doesn’t feel super complicated to install (or clean!), the Maxi-Cosi Pria all-in-one convertible car seat is fantastic. This one will last from newborn all the way up to your baby becoming a big kid in a booster, and it has the 1-click LATCH system that makes installation so easy. It doesn’t slide around, it feels nice and secure, and it’s going to make you feel way safer about strapping your baby into the backseat.

Baby carriers are incredible inventions, especially when you’re taking baby out on your own. But so many of them feel overly complicated to use and are a little bit terrifying. If you want a baby carrier for your day out with babe, try the WildBird Aerial carrier. It comes in a million colors and patterns, and also has inclusive sizing so every mom can feel totally confident wearing baby. It’s also made from a great breathable linen, so nobody’s going to be getting overheated and sweaty — and it’s super easy to put baby into all on your own.

OK, maybe this isn’t a necessity — but it’s never too early to grab some board books for your diaper bag or to keep in the car. The Little Feminist board book set is not only easy to travel with, but the bright illustrations have a lot of contrast and are great eye candy for even the littlest babes.

Picking your baby’s first lovey is so fun, and GUND never gets it wrong. The Oh So Snuggly Littles hippo is soft and adorable, but it’s also the perfect size for being on the go — not too big, not too small, and can be stuffed into any stroller. I just love the idea of taking baby out on a fun adventure and making sure their brand new bestie is always with them.

You know what’s scary? Driving with your brand new baby in the backseat. The DoHonest baby camera monitor has a ton of great reviews and is super simple to install in your car so you can always keep an eye on the road and baby. Bonus: you don’t need any tools for installation, and it’s easy to customize the view you want.

Tiny babies can’t have sunscreen, but don’t let that stop you from taking your kiddo out on a picnic or a sunny walk. The H&M baby sun cap has UPF 50 to keep your little one safe from the sun, and it’s honestly so adorable. Just keep it in the diaper bag or car organizer when you’re not using it, and you’ll never have to worry about making sure it’s on hand.

Taking baby out for the day isn’t the time to bring heirloom blankets or heavy quilts. But you can keep a pack of these Cloud Island muslin cotton swaddle blankets in your bag or car and then you always have something — whether you need it for nursing, for extra sun coverage or even cleaning spit-up. They’re so versatile, cute and light, and so easy-to-wash.

For first-time moms, grabbing a whole diaper bag stuffed to the brim is totally normal. But you may be feeling confident and ready to venture out with just a few essentials, and the Skip Hop Pronto Signature changing station is so good. Not only does it look cute, it has everything you need to change your baby anywhere you need to — because becoming a mom means realizing quickly that not every place has a changing pad in the bathroom.

And then let’s be honest — you deserve to go out feeling like the best version of yourself, not just the most-prepared mom (although you are 100% her, too, don’t let anyone tell you they’re separate identities). Going out postpartum is wild — the entire world feels different — and having some items that make you feel your strongest, most confident self will really have you feeling good and like you can do anything. Coffee? HomeGoods browsing? A walk in the park? Anything is possible because baby’s snoozing in the most epic stroller with a white noise machine and a cozy blanket and you’ve got the following products on hand.

I know water bottle culture is wild, but nothing makes you really focus on staying hydrated like having a baby. And I am obsessed with HYDROJUG. Not only do they come in tons of cute colors and styles, they do. not. spill. Close the top, throw it in your diaper bag, and you don’t have to worry about a puddle of water at the bottom. And a 40-ounce tumbler is perfect for a day out with baby so you aren’t peeing 8,000 times in public restrooms with a stroller.

It’s not that you aren’t ready for “real” pants, it’s that “real” pants aren’t ready for you. But Aerie has the perfect high-waisted crossover leggings. Not only do these not slide or roll down, but the crossover top really feels like it helps my posture (I know, hear me out) and when you’re getting used to your postpartum bod, something that reminds you to stand up straight and walk with confidence is the best.

Chances are you’ve got a diaper bag already, but the JanSport Unphased crossbody is the perfect addition to your day out. Fill this with the stuff you need, not baby, and then you don’t have to dig in your giant diaper bag for a new postpartum pad or a lip balm or hand sanitizer or anything. It comes int ons of cute colors, is super easy to clean, and so comfy to wear.

One of the stressful parts about going out with baby is making sure you have a fully charged phone for everything from pictures and directions to calling your partner and using Apple Wallet. I love the heyday multi-hub base — keep it at home with four power banks charging and then just grab one on your way out the door. No more worries about your phone dying.

One of the things I really wanted to do when I had a newborn was stay off my phone — but have you ever tried to hold a book while nursing a baby or rocking them to sleep? My wrists could not. Enter the Kindle Colorsoft. I kept mine in my diaper bag and anytime there was a moment of baby sleeping or waiting in a pediatrician’s office or just enjoying my coffee in the car while baby finished a nap, I pulled it out to read. You panic about how you’ll hit your reading goals as a new mom and then you get a Kindle and realize.

One of the best things I did for myself when I had each of my children was buying all of my favorite body butters and lotions. When postpartum hits, it hits, and having something that makes you feel like yourself and clean and smelling good is a must. The Tree Hut whipped body butter is literally so soft and fluffy, and swiping it on your body before heading out for the day is going to make you feel like you’re ready for anything.

These aren’t necessarily marketed as postpartum underwear, but I love the Woxer Baller Padliner briefs. These feel tight enough to give some minor compression on your legs and butt (which I loved postpartum), and also have a wide padliner area that you can double up with your own pads, too. It just made me feel a little more human than mesh undies when I wore something like this, and I love how it helps you feel more confident when going out — no leaks or accidents happening here.

Make-up as a new mom? It’s not always easy. And when you’re trying to get out the door to get your coffee before baby loses their ever-loving mind, you just have to throw something on and run out the door. Well let the GrandeMASCARA conditioning peptide mascara be the thing you swipe on. It gives you that “clean girl” aesthetic with zero clumps or mess, and it will 100% make you feel like you’re fresh and ready to go, even with zero other makeup on.

We’re not doing a whole skincare regimen right now, but babe — we need sunscreen. Throw the TULA Protect + Go sunscreen into your bag so it’s on-hand anytime you’re out and about. A few quick swipes on the face and neck and you’re good to go — plus it gives this nice, dewy glow that makes you feel all fresh and sunkissed.

If you want a dress, you really want the Halara backless cut-out activewear dress. It has those easy built-in shorts so you can pull them down to go to the bathroom without taking off the entire dress, and you can totally go bra-less in this — even if you’re breastfeeding! It has great support, the open back is so cute, and the entire dress seems perfectly designed for the postpartum mom who wans to wear something flirty and fun.

One thing we’re not about to do on our first day out with baby: spend a million dollars. The Bogg Brr Half Cooler is the perfect size for loading up with your own snacks and drinks so you can sit with your baby outside the library, wander around town, or even just go for a walk and not worry about the price of anything. If you have a Bogg bag, this cooler fits neatly inside, but it’s perfect for toting around on its own, too.