Baby Ibby First Outing

It was such a good day, you know, birds chirping, sun beaming kinda day, the day that you just had to be out. So, me being an optimist an all, decided last Saturday morning that we should bring Baby Ibby out for his first outing, although secretly I, the mother, was super stoked to finally be able to go out after 30 days of my confinement period.

Days before the outing, I was already imagining where to go, what  to buy, where to eat; 30 days of being trapped in the house made me feel like a caveman, who was somehow disconnected  to the outside world. The only consolation I had was online shopping, true story.

I told my husband days ahead, I want  to have a stroll in the park early Saturday morning, then perhaps a little retail therapy sesh at KLCC, and good hearty lunch at Dolly dim sum; it was all perfectly planned out, I even mentally prepped our outfits for the day. We would all wear denims, and we would look so cute, duhh.

Actual event day- Saturday(30th June 2018):

We woke up at 10 a.m. with the sun above our head, way late for an early morning stroll, which is not a good sign. The only good sign that day was Baby Ibby was in a good mood, although we had no idea it would last for about, 5 MINUTES. 

Naturally, me and my hormones made a scene and sulked by the bed because my plan didn't go well. Although in my defence, I must tell you that I'm not the sort of woman who sulked over such small matter, it's the hormones, not me.

I complained to my husband (who's the baby now?) and (I don't know how it happened) he cajoled me into going to AEON instead, to get baby wipes and some groceries. I mean, c'mon, Aeon instead of KLCC, and baby wipes, what is this ridiculousness?

I wanted to sulk more, but like I told you, I am not that kind of woman, so I decided to just be game for it; AEON it is.

AEON is actually just a short distance away from our house, but the preparations needed before we attempt the short trip is similar to preps for balik kampung, except all the luggages are filled with Ibby's stuff. 

Here is a list of Ibby's things we prepped, it was non exhaustive: 

1. Stroller

2. Nursing mat

3. Nursing cover

4. Swaddle

5. Hankies

6. Diapers (5 of them, in case he poops like 5 times in an hour)

7. Baby wipes

8. A change of clothes, mitts and booties

9. Toy of any sort

He is exclusively breastfed for now, so we did not have to deal with the milk bottles, milk formula, hot water tumbler and all that for this outing; but I am sure that day will come soon enough.

After making sure Ibby was all comfy, we got into the car. All the way to AEON, he was such an angel, slept for a good few minutes before waking up for milk, and dozed off with my nipple still in his mouth.

We strapped him securely to the stroller, and prayed hard as we enter the supermarket. So, from getting myself new tops at KLCC, we settled for getting Baby Ibby's wet wipes instead, how my life had changed.

I pushed the stroller, whilst my husband lead us to the baby aisle, stocking up as much baby wipes we need to last us a month. By the way, on the topic of stroller, try to get a light and compact sized stroller if you are a petite-sized mother like me, because it will be easier to maneuver and well, it just makes your life easier, trust me.

Everything went well, when suddenly Baby Ibby started to put on a show and cried his lungs out. Ahh, of course, he decided to poop when we were out. I scooped him out from the stroller and consoled him, while my husband struggled to push the stroller and carry the grocery basket overflowing with baby wipes. Ibby stopped crying, he loves being carried around; and we raced to the payment counter. After paying for our items, we searched for the nearest nursing/diaper changing room and found one.

We were apalled with how poorly maintained the room was: the door knob was missing and in its place, a huge hole; the room was humid hot without a fan or cooler and the place just looked miserable. I quickly changed Ibby's diaper, cooing him as I do, scanning the room wondering if there is a hidden camera anywhere in case he needs to feed.

What I learned from this outing was:

1. You have to prepare for the inevitable when you are out with a baby/toddler. 

What I should have also brought with me is his belly oil and more soft pillows for his stroller.

2. Make a list of things you want to buy, and make it fast.

Time is not on your side anymore, and you don't have the luxury to scan through nutritional contents and do price comparisons when you are carrying a child with you. Do it at home instead, and stick to your shopping list, grab the things you need as fast as you can.

3. For the first few outings, make it a short trip nearby, not a whole day event.

For a first time mother like me, handling a baby while out shopping can be both overwhelming and nervewrecking. If you are like me, awkward to start with around your baby, and starts to panic when they cry, better start with a short trip nearby, familiarising yourselves on how to handle your baby when you were out before planning to proper whole day trip.

By the way , although I planned to take a pic of us on our first outing, all cutesy and stuff, we did not manage to do that because I was panic the whole time, but here is a pic of Ibby when he was in a good mood:)

Happy after pooping