Need fast answer-baby stroller & food shopping question

[minniebride]

I'm amazed that you've never had to take her to the grocery store before now!

She's only 12 weeks old and for the majority of my maternity leave, we have been home with a car that I would only use in an emergency (it's on its last leg).

I have taken her to Costco & the grocery store on weekends with DH, where one of us pushes her in the stroller and the other pushes the shopping cart, but never without DH so far.

 

[minniebride]

Guess I should have put a baby carrier on my Santa list!!

 

[Christine]

Of course this was the dreaded 90s, but I took my son to the grocery store with me starting when he was about 2 weeks old. I just popped his infant carseat onto the cart. He generally slept the whole time. Both my kids hated those body slings/carriers so that was never an option for me. Plus, I never really wanted to tangle with getting them out of the car and into another contraption in the parking lot. The car seat worked just fine--but maybe they don't work like that anymore--what do I know.

OP, I have seen those pre-ordered dinners and they do come in boxes. They would not fit in the smaller carts that we have here.

 

[Aliceacc]

I haven't read all the responses.

But if all else fails, get one of the toddler carts--the kind with the fireman fronts. Put your baby, in her carseat "bucket" into the grocery section. You can probably fit some of the groceries around you. The rest of the groceries can go into the toddle, fireman section, on the seat.

Also, one more suggestion: when you're done shopping, the FIRST thing you do is put your daughter into the car, then worry about unloading the groceries. It always seems so very much safer than to leave her out in the cart (in December, no less) where a stray cart or car could cause a crisis.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Use the car seat. The stores are going to be a madhouse today.

If you need help ask a grocery associate to help you at their "Courtesy Counter".

I am sure they would be happy to assist you. They could even help you shop & maybe even get your items from the deli that you ordered.

 

[dogluva]

I feel you pain because 24 years ago when my son was born I hated food shopping! Even for just my husband and because the bucket type seats were not popular and we opted to buy a car seat he could use until he was three. We were so poor. Anyway I had to carry him and push the cart before he was old enough to sit in the seat. I had a front pack but he hated it. I have had five more and the best item I ever had was the bjorn. It was better than the ones from the 80,s were you gelt like the baby would fall out! I also snapped the car seat in-I had no idea it was a no-no now! Oh and two of my boys are one year apart-they hadn't made those bench carts yet and I had to shove both in the front seat! I so glad the baby days are over although the teen tears are pretty tough too!

 

[Mermaid02]

She's only 12 weeks old and for the majority of my maternity leave, we have been home with a car that I would only use in an emergency (it's on its last leg).

I have taken her to Costco & the grocery store on weekends with DH, where one of us pushes her in the stroller and the other pushes the shopping cart, but never without DH so far.

That's awesome! My husband would have looked at me like I had 2 heads if I'd asked him to go to the grocery store with us! Enjoy her first Christmas!

 

[minniebride]

Also, one more suggestion: when you're done shopping, the FIRST thing you do is put your daughter into the car, then worry about unloading the groceries. It always seems so very much safer than to leave her out in the cart (in December, no less) where a stray cart or car could cause a crisis.

Yup, that is definitely the plan!! You are talking to an overly cautious first-time mommy here!!!! BTW, I'm not sure if Whole foods has those shopping carts with the kid cars attached??

That's awesome! My husband would have looked at me like I had 2 heads if I'd asked him to go to the grocery store with us! Enjoy her first Christmas!

Really? LOL, my DH enjoys shopping, as long as it does not include clothes, shoes, TJ Maxx or TJ Maxx related stores hahaha

Thank you-we are really excited for her first Christmas!! So far, she has been enjoying looking at the lights on our tree!

 

[bethy]

Get a sling. It will make your life a thousand times easier in this and many other situations.

I agree to get some type of babywearing product - my favorites were the Ergo and the Hotsling. It makes life soooo much easier and also keeps baby happy to be right next to you and safe from germs, strangers, etc. I loved having my hands free!!!

I just want to give you a hug. I remember very well what it was like to relearn how to do even the most BASIC things once a baby was in the picture. You are doing a great job, mama! Merry Christmas!

 

[Allison]

Only time to ever take a full-sized cart is if you're having like 50 people over and need to get everything in one trip.

Or you have a family to shop for or you don't go to the store every day or many other reasons..

 

[Minnesota!]

carry the kid on your side, use the other hand to push the cart. Or, put the carrier in the cart - either on the top or in the big part. It's not hard, I promise!

the hard part comes when they are old enough to ask for stuff and don't like hearing "no".

 

[mdsoccermom]

Chiming in with the 'no carrier at all?' thing.

Whole Foods - at least the ones here - don't have built-in seats, no.

I don't know why you want a cart? Just use a basket and either hang it on the handles of the stroller or use the pully one. That's what pretty much everyone who doesn't wear the baby does, heck that's what pretty much everyone does regardless, heh.

Only time to ever take a full-sized cart is if you're having like 50 people over and need to get everything in one trip.

Really? Everyone does that? Everyone?

The time to take a full size cart is when you are feeding your family and don't want to make multiple trips.

 

[minniebride]

I agree to get some type of babywearing product - my favorites were the Ergo and the Hotsling. It makes life soooo much easier and also keeps baby happy to be right next to you and safe from germs, strangers, etc. I loved having my hands free!!!

I just want to give you a hug. I remember very well what it was like to relearn how to do even the most BASIC things once a baby was in the picture. You are doing a great job, mama! Merry Christmas!

Thank you-I really appreciate that
The last time I posted a "first time mom" question on here, I got called weird I'm trying my best & my baby is an angel, so I must be doing something right!!

carry the kid on your side, use the other hand to push the cart. Or, put the carrier in the cart - either on the top or in the big part. It's not hard, I promise!

the hard part comes when they are old enough to ask for stuff and don't like hearing "no".

Carrying her on my side I think will work a few months from now, but right now her head is still a bit wobbly, so I'd be apprehensive to do that in a crowded grocery store

Really? Everyone does that? Everyone?

The time to take a full size cart is when you are feeding your family and don't want to make multiple trips.

Just an update:
I had a very successful trip to the store with my little one!!
I ended up putting her carseat in the large section of the shopping cart. My little girl slept the whole time.

I have to say though, those shopping carts at Whole Foods are so small!! I never noticed this before I had my baby. Her car seat barely fit in the "large" section of the cart. Nothing else fit in that section except a small bag of baby carrots so I had to just pile stuff in the front seat of the cart. The prepared foods people put my holiday order in a bag with handles, which was very helpful, so I made it work. It was also very crowded in there. I could not have maneuvered a stroller, a basket, & the bag with the holiday meal throughout the store.

I did ask the girl at the cart corral if they have carts with built in car seats and she said they only have one and it is likely in use.

I have to say, I felt like I was in WDW in the crowded store, with people stopping in the middle of the aisles and chatting or deciding what to get or arguing with their kids.....made me a bit jealous of not being in WDW, since we were there last year at this time on our honeymoon.

 

[tryin]

I shop with my 5 month old A LOT. Just the two of us. Mostly Target and the grocery store...she always hangs out in her Chicco carseat in the main compartment of the cart. I put my debit card, phone and keys in my pocket and leave my handbag/diaper bag in the car. You can fit TONS in the basket seat area of a shopping cart. You should have no problem fitting those items you mentioned.

Tip: Park next to a cart corral. Quick and easy in/out.

THIS!
OR

Now, I've never shopped at Whole Foods so don't know the size of the carts, but this is SUPER easy to do if you go into a store with smaller carts. Put infant seat in full size basket and then take a second cart and just pull the food cart behind you as you push the cart with baby in front of you. Tons of room and people will move out of your way!!!

I am a single mom of 6-I have some adoptive, bio and foster. I always put my Chicco(LOVE that carseat) in the main compartment and put food either in front basket of cart or around car seat. You should be able to fit all your items around the seat. Luckily, I have a 20yr and a 9yr old that sometime accompany me and can push an extra cart if needed. I would absolutely get a sling though. They are great for hands-free tasks, in the home and out.

Always put baby in car first when returning home and don't be afraid to accept assistance returning to your car from a store employee to help unload cart.

ETA: I see you posted an update while I was perfecting my post, lol! Hopefully, this will help you in the future though. Congratulations on your first solo shopping trip!

 

[laura.anne]

Really? Everyone does that? Everyone?

The time to take a full size cart is when you are feeding your family and don't want to make multiple trips.

I was going to say... I live alone and only shop for myself (and some food for BF when he comes over) and I use the big buggy every single week.

 

[kwelch10377]

Chiming in with the 'no carrier at all?' thing.

Whole Foods - at least the ones here - don't have built-in seats, no.

I don't know why you want a cart? Just use a basket and either hang it on the handles of the stroller or use the pully one. That's what pretty much everyone who doesn't wear the baby does, heck that's what pretty much everyone does regardless, heh.

Only time to ever take a full-sized cart is if you're having like 50 people over and need to get everything in one trip.

I just shop for myself and I typically always get a cart for my weekly shopping trips to Whole Foods and my local farmers market.

If everyone just uses a basket I wonder why stores have so many carts, seems like a waste of money for the stores, heh.

OP, glad you worked it out.

 

[lizabu]

I just shop for myself and I typically always get a cart for my weekly shopping trips to Whole Foods and my local farmers market.

If everyone just uses a basket I wonder why stores have so many carts, seems like a waste of money for the stores, heh.

OP, glad you worked it out.

I always get a cart too. Unless I'm getting bread and crackers most grocery items are too heavy.

OP- I'm glad it worked out for you. I'm a Mom of 4 and that's all I ever did was plop the car seat in the big part of the basket. It doesn't leave a lot of room for food though. Sometimes if it's just a few things the regular baby stroller will work. You've got the basket underneath and if it's reclined theres a little space around baby...no frozen items though...too cold...lol.

 

[sasywtch]

Really? Everyone does that? Everyone?

The time to take a full size cart is when you are feeding your family and don't want to make multiple trips.

My ex from NYC was like that. Grocery shopped daily as there was no storage so they used the carriers instead of a cart.

I showed him the wonders of filling up a cart for a weeks worth of groceries LOL

Here, most only get the carriers if they are getting a few items. More than 5, most grab a cart.

Edited to add: I see you made it through your trip. Just had a thought for next time. Saw this while shopping on the base commissary and do it ever since. Buy a couple of the cloth bags for your groceries with handles, take them with you. On the cart closest to you in the front, it has upside down U shapes. You can hang a bag or two on those upside down U's and fill up the bag. The bags may sway into your belly a time or two while pushing your cart but it's a storage area. Back in the old days when we bought a 6 pk a soda or beer with the plastic holders, you hung it on the side so 3 were on the inside of the cart, 3 on the outside.

 

[mdsoccermom]

My ex from NYC was like that. Grocery shopped daily as there was no storage so they used the carriers instead of a cart.

I showed him the wonders of filling up a cart for a weeks worth of groceries LOL

Here, most only get the carriers if they are getting a few items. More than 5, most grab a cart.

Edited to add: I see you made it through your trip. Just had a thought for next time. Saw this while shopping on the base commissary and do it ever since. Buy a couple of the cloth bags for your groceries with handles, take them with you. On the cart closest to you in the front, it has upside down U shapes. You can hang a bag or two on those upside down U's and fill up the bag. The bags may sway into your belly a time or two while pushing your cart but it's a storage area. Back in the old days when we bought a 6 pk a soda or beer with the plastic holders, you hung it on the side so 3 were on the inside of the cart, 3 on the outside.

When I was young, I lived in NY. Though I lived in Queens and not The City, so for some here, that doesn't count for much. We walked to the grocery store and brought our own cart. It was pretty sizable and my mother would buy at least a week's worth of groceries as there was no way in hell she was going to spend her time going back and forth to the store.

For someone to say there is no reason for anyone to ever get a cart unless you are having 50 people over is just stupid. She should try feeding a family, and then get back to us.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I live in NYC and always use a cart at Whole Foods! It's a mini-cart, but I always grab one. So much easier than carrying the basket around as I do my shopping.

We have no kids, but I try to only do one trip to Whole Foods a week - to save on money and time.