If you’re a new parent navigating grocery shopping with an infant in tow for the first time, I feel your pain. Between struggling to fit diapers, wipes, formula, and all the other essentials into the cart while keeping a squirmy baby happy, grocery trips with young kids can feel stressful and overwhelming.
You might find yourself rushing through the aisles, hoping to get in and out as fast as possible before your little one starts shrieking, or you forget something crucial off your hastily thrown-together list. But with a bit of planning and preparation, it is possible to make grocery shopping with a baby much more manageable.
In this post on how to grocery shop with infant, I’ll share some of the strategies I’ve learned over months of grocery shopping adventures with my daughter that have helped transform our trips from dreaded chores to much smoother operations.
What Will You Need?
Before you head to the store, list everything you’ll need. This includes the following:
- A sturdy diaper bag that can hold all your essentials
- A well-stocked diaper changing kit, including diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes
- Extra bottles or breastfeeding supplies, if needed
- Snacks (for both you and the baby)
- Baby carrier or stroller for hands-free shopping
- Reusable grocery bags to minimize plastic waste and make it easier to carry items
- A shopping list organized by department or aisle to save time and make sure you don’t forget anything
Once you have all your supplies gathered, it’s time to hit the store!
10 Easy Steps on How to Grocery Shop With Infant
Step 1: Choose the Right Time
Try to schedule your grocery shopping trips when the store is less crowded. This might be early in the morning or late in the evening. Additionally, consider your baby’s feeding and nap times.
A well-fed and well-rested baby will likely be more content during the trip. If breastfeeding, feed your baby right before you leave or even in the car before you enter the store. This can help ensure they’re content and less likely to get fussy during your shopping trip.
Step 2: Utilize the Baby Carrier or Stroller
Upon your arrival at the store, strap your baby into the baby carrier or place them in the stroller. This will keep them secure and free up your hands for shopping. Many have designated slots for infant car seats if you use a shopping cart.
Just ensure the car seat is secured correctly before starting your shopping. Never leave your baby unattended in the stroller, carrier, or shopping cart. Having your baby close to you ensures their safety and keeps them calm and entertained as they observe the colorful products and people around the store.
Step 3: Follow Your Shopping List
With your baby secured and comfortable, it’s time to get down to business. Follow your pre-prepared shopping list, navigating the aisles in an organized manner. If you’ve categorized your list by department or aisle, this should help manage your time efficiently and reduce the risk of backtracking.
Additionally, try to refrain from lingering too long in any one place to prevent your baby from becoming restless. Keep the trip as quick and efficient as possible, but remember, it’s okay if things don’t go perfectly. The goal is to have a successful shopping trip with your infant; take your time with the process.
Step 4: Keep Your Baby Engaged
Keep your baby engaged during the shopping trip to prevent them from becoming restless. Talk to your baby, explaining what you’re doing and what items you pick up.
The grocery store can be an exciting place for a baby, with many colors, shapes, and sounds. If your baby starts to get fussy, try giving them a safe-to-chew object from your diaper bag or a small, baby-friendly snack if they’re old enough. Remember, keeping your baby calm and entertained can make your shopping trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Step 5: Prepare for Possible Meltdowns
Even with all the world’s preparation, babies sometimes have bad days. So, always be ready for a possible meltdown. Pack a favorite toy or pacifier that might help soothe them.
If your baby starts crying uncontrollably, find a quiet aisle where you can try to calm them down. Having snacks or a bottle ready can come in handy, as these might help distract or comfort them. Remember, cutting your shopping trip short is okay if it’s just too much for your little one to handle. There’s always tomorrow, or you can try a delivery or pickup service if necessary.
Step 6: Use Self-Checkout If Available
If the grocery store offers a self-checkout option, this can be a great way to avoid waiting in long checkout lines, where your baby might become restless or fussy.
Self-checkout also allows you to pack your groceries at your own pace, ensuring fragile items like eggs or bread aren’t squashed and cold items are packed together. While self-checking out, ensure your infant is secure in their carrier, stroller, or shopping cart.
Step 7: Load Your Groceries and Baby Into the Car
Once you’ve completed the checkout, it’s time to head back to the car. Start by loading your groceries into the trunk or backseat of your vehicle. If you’ve used reusable grocery bags, ensure they’re secured so they don’t tip over during the drive.
Now, carefully remove your baby from the carrier, stroller, or shopping cart and place them in the car seat. Make sure they’re properly strapped in before you start driving. Safety is paramount when handling an infant, so take your time and ensure everything is secure.
Step 8: Return the Shopping Cart and Baby Gear
Once your baby is safely secured in the car and your groceries are stowed away, it’s time to return your shopping cart. Most grocery stores have designated places for returning carts, so leave them there. If you’ve used a store-owned baby carrier or stroller, return it to the appropriate location. It’s essential always to return these items to maintain a clean and organized environment for all shoppers.
Step 9: Drive Home Safely
With your baby and groceries securely in the car, it’s time to navigate back home. Remember to drive safely and cautiously, remembering you have precious cargo on board. Stay calm and focused on the road if your baby starts crying or gets fussy during the drive. Find a safe place to pull over and attend to your baby’s needs if necessary. Remember, getting home safely is the most important goal.
Step 10: Unload Groceries and Settle Baby
When you’ve arrived safely home, your next task is unloading your groceries and settling your baby. Depending on your baby’s mood, you should do these tasks precisely. You can unload the groceries if your baby is content or asleep.
If your baby is fussy or hungry, you may need to settle them first. Take your time and do what feels suitable for you and the baby. Once you’ve unloaded your groceries, put them away immediately, especially perishable items. Last but not least, give your baby some attention, whether feeding them, changing them, or putting them down for a nap. Shopping can be a big adventure for a little one, and they may need some time to wind down.
Following these steps, grocery shopping with an infant can be a manageable and enjoyable experience. You can accomplish your shopping trip while keeping your baby safe and content with proper preparation, organization, and patience.
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
- Plan Your Trips Around Nap Time: Try to schedule your grocery trips around your baby’s nap times. A sleeping baby is likelier to stay calm and content during shopping.
- Use a Baby Carrier: A baby carrier helps keep your baby close to you and comfortable and frees up space in the shopping cart for groceries.
- Have a backup plan: Always be prepared for the unexpected. In emergencies, keep extra diapers, wipes, and clothes in your diaper bag.
- Shop During Off-Peak Hours: Shopping during off-peak hours typically means fewer crowds and less noise, creating a more calming environment for your infant.
- Consider Grocery Delivery or Pickup Services: If grocery shopping with your infant becomes too stressful or isn’t feasible, consider using grocery delivery or pickup services. Many supermarkets now offer these services, which simplifies the process.
With these additional tips, you can feel more confident and prepared to tackle grocery shopping with your infant.
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Avoid Rushing: Always allow plenty of time for your shopping trip. Rushing can lead to mistakes and stress, which your baby can pick up on.
- Avoid Overpacking: While being prepared is essential, try not to overpack your diaper bag to the point it becomes a burden. Only pack the essentials that you will need for the trip.
- Avoid Crowded Times: Avoid going shopping during peak hours when the store is crowded. A quieter shopping environment will be less overwhelming for you and your baby.
- Avoid Feeding Your Baby New Foods: It’s not the best time to introduce your baby to a new food in the grocery store. Stick to familiar snacks and foods to prevent potential allergic reactions or dislikes.
- Avoid Leaving Your Baby Unattended: Never leave your baby unattended in the shopping cart or car. Always keep your baby within sight and reach for their safety.
By avoiding these potential pitfalls, you can ensure a smoother and safer grocery shopping experience for both you and your infant.
Conclusion
All in all, how to grocery shop with infant can be a challenge, but it can be done! Don’t feel like you have to give up your pre-baby life; just plan before you go and be prepared for the inevitable event when groceries are involved.
Remember that not all trips to the store need to end in a disaster, and sometimes, the best thing you can do is stay calm and have fun with it. Plus, if your baby falls asleep while cruising through the aisles, that’s a win, too. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed while shopping with your little one, take a step back and remember: you got this!
So gather your list and diaper bag, and head out the door knowing that everyone has their shopping “triumphs”—even if they come along as small victories!
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