Being able to go out and travel with a baby is not something I take for granted, it is with much training and determination and exploration before I finally found the balance of not over bring or under bring what i need for her and myself!
So here is a list of MUST have when I am moving around with baby S!
1) Diaper Backpack!
Not just any diaper bag, but really a diaper backpack! I have tried a tote one which is side carried and also a sling one, but I really find that the best is still a diaper backpack! Having a backpack allow for more mobility with the baby and also your hands can be free without fearing it swinging or sliding off. So yup not just any bag, but a backpack!
You can be fancy and choose one with many mummies chase after; the Ju Ju Be BFF or Minibe or BRB. Else a Skip Hop Diaper backpack is good also. If all else fail, you can simply choose a backpack which have many compartments and is waterproof! So really the choice is your!
(Minibe for mummy who are breastfeeding; direct latch and a BRB for mummy who are bottle feeding; express or formula)
2) SSC aka Soft Structure Carrier.
Baby wearing has been around for ages, in fact in the olden days parents baby wear their babies and continue working in the farm after the child is born. In our modern days today, we see baby wearing becoming more common and trending in the recent years. To me, baby wearing is a life-savior! Not only does it give you the mobility you need after one whole month of confinement and staying at home, it also helps sooth the baby to sleep when they are all cranky!
I shared about baby wearing in a post earlier on; Baby Wearing Baby S. In the post i share about how I tried different option and come to conclude that an SSC suits me the best.
So yup when I am out, my SSC follows me wherever Baby S and I go! I am using an ErgoBaby 360 and ErgoBaby Adapt now.
Having a carrier allows you to walk around freely with the baby while the baby sleeps. It also give you the hands you need to shop, eat, and carry stuff! So definitely a must have!
3) Diapers!
You baby may poop when they are out, else on average a diaper change is due every 3 hrs or so. So having diapers for your trip out with your little one is a must! There are diaper changing station in many shopping areas! To locate nursing room at shopping malls search from bumblebeemum blog.
Diaper is cheaper if you buy in bulk! Buying from Redmart or Qoo10 sometimes give good discount and cheap deals!
I personally use Goo.n Japan Edition. Which can be purchase in cartons from qoo10!
Buy From Qoo10 --> Link Here
4) Wet Wipes
Wet wipes is super important, I can't stress enough how important it is and how I have regretted not bringing enough on soooooo many occasion.
Having tried soooooo many different brands of wet wipes including Huggies, Jeju Baby Wipes, Pigeons Wipes, Goo.n Wipes, ISOO Monster Wipes, L.E.C 99.9% Pure Water Wipes and more! My favorite is still the Jeju Baby Wipes which can be purchase from Qoo10 --> Here.
Having tried soooooo many different brands of wet wipes including Huggies, Jeju Baby Wipes, Pigeons Wipes, Goo.n Wipes, ISOO Monster Wipes, L.E.C 99.9% Pure Water Wipes and more! My favorite is still the Jeju Baby Wipes which can be purchase from Qoo10 --> Here.
5) Changing Mat
A must have especially if you are going to places which may not have changing station. Even with a changing station, you may wanna have your mat on before you put your baby on for hygiene purpose. Public changing station may not be as clean as we think!
I have a few changing mat, with a basic one given by Thomson Medical Center upon discharge. But my favorite one is the one below, one with compartments to store other diaper changing stuff.
A must have especially if you are going to places which may not have changing station. Even with a changing station, you may wanna have your mat on before you put your baby on for hygiene purpose. Public changing station may not be as clean as we think!
I have a few changing mat, with a basic one given by Thomson Medical Center upon discharge. But my favorite one is the one below, one with compartments to store other diaper changing stuff.
Can be purchase from Qoo10 or Taobao
Qoo10 Link --> here
6) Nursing Cover
An essential for direct latch mummy, and honestly I prefer doing so as i do not need to bring around bottles or warm water or whatsoever as I AM THE FOOD!
So in case there is no nursing room, or your little one is hungry right in the middle of meal, to save the trouble of having to find a place to nurse, just bring out the cover and nurse your baby there and there. But of cause baby are not cooperative all the time (there are times when they just dont want to be covered), but for most occasion it helps!
There are many types of nursing shawl. poncho and covers in the market, find one that you like!!
An essential for direct latch mummy, and honestly I prefer doing so as i do not need to bring around bottles or warm water or whatsoever as I AM THE FOOD!
So in case there is no nursing room, or your little one is hungry right in the middle of meal, to save the trouble of having to find a place to nurse, just bring out the cover and nurse your baby there and there. But of cause baby are not cooperative all the time (there are times when they just dont want to be covered), but for most occasion it helps!
There are many types of nursing shawl. poncho and covers in the market, find one that you like!!
7) Extra Outfit; Socks and Romper & for mummy too!
In case of emergency, your honestly never know when your baby will poop all over herself or when will their diaper leak all over you or when they will puke on you! So an extra outfit helps!
In case of emergency, your honestly never know when your baby will poop all over herself or when will their diaper leak all over you or when they will puke on you! So an extra outfit helps!
8) Wash Cloth
Little towel to clean them up with! As you may not wanna use just wet wipes! It also helps to clean their face when they drool a lot during the teething stage! They are really cheap and can be purchse easily from Qoo10 --> Link here.
Also you can bring along a Muslin Swaddle which can also act as a blanket or a cloth. Also can be easily purchase from Qoo10 --> Link here.
Little towel to clean them up with! As you may not wanna use just wet wipes! It also helps to clean their face when they drool a lot during the teething stage! They are really cheap and can be purchse easily from Qoo10 --> Link here.
Also you can bring along a Muslin Swaddle which can also act as a blanket or a cloth. Also can be easily purchase from Qoo10 --> Link here.
9) Water bottle (for mummy)
I was never someone who brings water bottle out, but after I started breastfeeding, this becomes a must, cause sweet drink don't quench your thirst. And buying mineral water is lame. So bring your own bottle, trust me you will need it!
I was never someone who brings water bottle out, but after I started breastfeeding, this becomes a must, cause sweet drink don't quench your thirst. And buying mineral water is lame. So bring your own bottle, trust me you will need it!
10) Toys and/or Pacifier
Lastly, sometimes baby is just cranky and needed distraction from the stimulation around. So having her toy or even her pacifier helps to sooth her and keep her distracted or calm for the moment for you to devise a plan or take the next move. There are times when Baby S cry on the cab and I wish I really did remember to bring her pacifier; even when she really don't eat it and hates it.
But do not bring a huge toy, a small rattle will do!
Lastly, sometimes baby is just cranky and needed distraction from the stimulation around. So having her toy or even her pacifier helps to sooth her and keep her distracted or calm for the moment for you to devise a plan or take the next move. There are times when Baby S cry on the cab and I wish I really did remember to bring her pacifier; even when she really don't eat it and hates it.
But do not bring a huge toy, a small rattle will do!
All in all, these are some of the essential items I bring along when I am out with Baby S now, hope this is helpful for mummies who are new and also hope this gives you the courage to bring your little one out of the house and continue an active lifestyle!