Babys First Year Blog
Grocery Shopping With A Baby
There's a baby in aisle four!
It’s amazing how much I have learned in the 2.5 months I’ve been a parent. Those first few weeks were a struggle – trying to figure out my baby’s signals and cues, and trying to figure out how to make our lives keep going with a new guy in tow. Since my husband works in an office during the day, it’s been mostly up to me to figure out how to integrate Cullen into our lives and our activities.
One of my biggest challenges? The grocery store. Prior to Cullen’s arrival, I did all the grocery shopping during the day or on weekends so that Casey didn’t have to be bothered with it after getting home from work. But with a new baby, I found the idea of taking him there on my own to be really overwhelming, as most things are at the beginning.
For starters, he HATES his car seat, so putting his car seat in a cart was like wheeling a bomb into the store. And the few times we did take him in the seat, we discovered that his seat takes up the entire cart, leaving almost no room for…groceries! Now that he’s a bit older and bit more predictable, I finally felt comfortable taking him to the grocery store by myself. We got the job done, but I also discovered that shopping with a wee one is quite the process!
Here’s how our outing broke down…
11:30am – Strap baby into car seat and head to store. He cries the entire way there.
11:40am – Arrive at grocery. Climb into backseat to remove baby from car seat and wrestle into Ergo carrier. Crying stops.
11:50 – 12:45pm: Shopping time! What normally takes 30 minutes tops now takes almost an hour. Having a baby strapped on the front is sort of like being super pregnant again – bending, reaching, and lifting are all much more complicated. Also, you must be bouncing and swaying at all times.
12:50pm: Checkout and head to the car. Nice employee offers to help load items onto belt, as strapped on baby is making the job quite difficult. Bouncing and swaying continues.
12:55pm: Unload groceries into the back while baby is still strapped on – not an easy task. Climb back into backseat and strap baby back into the car seat. Screaming begins.
1:00pm: Drive home with baby crying in the back seat. Try not to swerve into oncoming traffic or focus too long on the car seat mirror. Realize it has been over two hours now, and that baby is getting hungry.
1:05pm: Arrive home. Remove baby from car seat and head straight into the house for feeding. Groceries wait patiently in the car.
1:30pm: Baby is fed and happy. Put him down on playmat and head back down to garage to retrieve sweaty groceries. Move groceries from garage to just inside front door, so that time outside is minimized in case baby starts crying.
1:40pm: Groceries are now in the front hallway. Baby is crying. Run back up the steps.
2:30pm: Baby is not ready to nap, but is also refusing to be put down. Groceries continue to warm in the front hallway, while predatory dogs sniff the bags hoping mom will not notice.
3:00pm: Nap time! Baby is finally asleep. Head back down the steps and lug what feels like 200 pounds of groceries up a long flight of stairs. Fling groceries onto counter top.
3:10pm: Guess who’s awake! Dogs bark and wake him up, and now that nap is officially over. Salad greens are getting more limp by the minute.
4:00pm: Dad is home! Hurrah! Baby goes to dad for snuggles, while mom finally puts the last of the groceries away. We survived!
5:00pm: Order takeout despite kitchen now filled with groceries, because grocery shopping has drained all will to ever cook again.
Can you relate? Does it get easier as the babies get older?
Go Back To Babys First Year Blog
40 Comments
Steph@Dairyfreeomnivore commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:11 pmNope it doesn’t get easier- you just get better at it with more practice. :-)
Alyssa commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:12 pmI can totally relate! It does it easier I promise! However, a few weeks ago we went to the store, he was being crabby in the car so I put him to bed when we got home, and sat down to revel in the silence and eat some lunch. When he woke up 2 hours later, I remembered the groceries in the trunk! Thank goodness it was only 30 degrees!
Erica commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:16 pmMy now 6 mo used to hate being in the car seat awake so I always posted he would sleep through it. He enjoys it now, looking around, and sometimes I still keep him in the seat, mostly due to the laziness of in and out of the cat seat so we always maneuver the groceries around him. One day I will use that shopping cart cover though :) It all gets easier (some things at least!)
Kathy Rohrer commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:16 pmemily, can you imagine shopping with a 5 yr.old and aset of 2 yr.old twins and an infant? I did! And yes it was as struggle and took all day. But it did get easier as they got older! hallelujah!
a friend commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:17 pmLet the child learn to soothe himself. Quit picking him up. Bonding is one thing… Codependence is another. He has you trained well. He knows you will pick him up all the time. Not all crying needs to be fixed by you.
EmilyBMalone commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:19 pmThanks, friend! There are times when he can soothe himself, and other times he needs to be held. In my opinion, two months is a little young to be crying it out.
Jessica commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:21 pmI’m not a mom, but I’m a long time Front Burner, er, Daily Garnish reader, and this article cracked me up! I love your sense of humor, Emily :)
RLR commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:31 pmI’m with Steph (the first commenter)! You’ll find your groove! Just like our children are constant changing, so are we!
My second wasn’t a fan of the carseat, but had to get used to it since her older brother was in preschool. But the summer was challenging – I often shopped with two carts, one for the kids and one for the groceries. Also, I took a cooler with me because I knew food wouldn’t get in the door right away. The toughest bit for me was when my youngest didn’t want to ride in the stroller, grocery cart, etc. That’s when she started preschool one day a week – so I could shop :)
Enjoy that adorable little one!
Katie KS commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:32 pmI tend to grocery shop at 10 at night or wknds while the kids stay with dad. I will take 1 of them for a quick trip but hate taking both because the cart is full of kids. M Is ok in his seat and it is more a pain to take him out plus he is getting so heavy to ride in a carrier (17 lbs)! I do let him cry a bit sometimes to finish stuff. But generally my husband is on unload and put away duty! So maybe change your shopping schedule to when Casey is home? It’s actually kind of peaceful to shop alone! LOL!
Emily commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:40 pmhaha try it with 2 babies ;) I usually take 2 carts, 1 for babies and 1 for groceries. and I usually let them scream while I unload the car and put the groceries that need to go in the fridge away…then the rest sits on my floor for a good hour or 2 until the babies are fed, happy and playing so I can finish up ;)
Jessica commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:42 pmOMG at the comment at quit picking a baby up at 2 months old. I hope you are not a parent, it breaks my heart to think of a baby crying and no one there to meet their needs.
LOL at your experience, Emily. Sounds like my life.
Jill commented on Jan 10 12 at 9:49 pmOh my goodness, I feel like I could have written this word for word! Ha ha.. I made the mistake of going to Costco with the baby once.. never ever again!!
pontificatrix commented on Jan 10 12 at 10:01 pmDoes the Ergo do a back carry? That would probably improve things. Also I rarely get thru a whole grocery trip wo a feeding. Taking 15 min to feed baby in the car before heading home generally reduces screaming for us.
And unfortunately, it does not get easier – it just gets harder as baby gets bigger and grabbier. But shopping w my 2 month old sure *seems* easier after having experienced shopping with my 2 year old!!
Meagan commented on Jan 10 12 at 10:03 pmI can just picture this happening to me in the future, except I anticipate worrying about how my yogurt will be pitifully warming up in the hallway and soothing baby, as well as my wilting veggies!!
Amanda commented on Jan 10 12 at 10:14 pmSo funny cause I’ve lived that a few times. :) It does get easier, but then they start to want you to buy stuff. Like stuff you didn’t intend on buying. Expect that from my 14 yr old, but now my 15 mo old is getting in on the action. I am proud to say she gets most excited in produce :)
autoclave commented on Jan 10 12 at 10:28 pmActually, studies show babies are more independent later the more you respond to thier needs now, so when he cries, pick him up! Otherwise you could end up with a clingy nervous kid! (But don’t forget to trust your instincts also)
SUE commented on Jan 10 12 at 10:28 pmI have the groceries come to me!
http://www.spud.com/about/whatsnew.cfm?msg=0#Logme
Carpas commented on Jan 10 12 at 10:53 pmIn response to “friend”- babies cry because it is one if the few ways they have to communicate. They do not do it to control or manipulate as they are not capable of that way of thinking. Mommies, like Emily are in-tune with their babies and are teaching them about love and trust. I commend you Emily! Very amusing post to which I can totally relate! Love the ending!
Courtnay commented on Jan 10 12 at 11:02 pmplease dont listen to friend that comment simultaneously breaks my heart and makes me so angry i want to scream!
also have you ever looked into having your groceries with spud! ? https://www.spud.com/index.cfm
i live in vancouver canada and being that you eat organic and healthy i find that the prices are comparable to the stores i usually shop at with one perfect angel singing difference… i sit in front of comp… take a whole week to “shop”
and they deliver it to me and will bring it into the kitchen for me if my husband isn’t home!
also. i have a 2.5 yr old a 14 mth old and i am due in march with our third… i have taken the time to teach them to behave in the store (which i really do believe is important, and you should still go on occassion… but when you want to eat good healthy food you usually need to shop at least once a week, which is a lot for Mumma and kidlets!) and they do…. however i hate having to put kids in the car (they hate it) spend the money/time on fuel (boo!) and then buy snacks while in store because inevitably i forgot to pack something yummy (or we had no food… hence the shop!!)
all that to say… look into spud!! i really do LOVE it :) (and i absolutely do not, never have, nor do i know anyone who works for them… i just love the company)
Hyman commented on Jan 10 12 at 11:18 pmThis is exactly what I do… Although my son is almost 5 mo old now and finds certain songs including “ocean waves” soothing :)
I love wearing him around the grocery store though. The only hard part is unloading the cart onto the belt/register while wearing him. But grocery workers always offer their help to unload and to my car… And I’m so thankful for that – plus I always tip them lol.
Ali commented on Jan 11 12 at 2:30 amI went grocery shopping wih my 8 week old for the first time today. One thing I found helpful was to put groceries into my reusable bags in the cart as I was shopping. Then when it came time to check out I pulled out the bags and unloaded them onto the belt. It made things a little easier!
Sejal M commented on Jan 11 12 at 3:25 amI don’t think it gets easier, maybe harder when they decide they want to grab everything and then when they refuse to sit in the cart. Just when you think it might be ok you have another one and the fun starts alll over- at least that’s what happened to us!
Michelle commented on Jan 11 12 at 4:13 amYou might spend some time during the day familiarizing yourself and the baby with nursing in the Ergo while doing stuff. That way, you can put him in the carrier when you get home, and let him nurse while you out away groceries. Or clean, do laundry, vacuum, etc. My baby enjoys it so much that I schedule grocery visits for while he is hungry, so he can nurse while I get my shopping done.
katie@newmamamac.blogspot.com commented on Jan 11 12 at 7:54 amI can totally relate. it gets a tad easier. my son (8 months) loves the grocery store now and it is a really nice way of breaking up our day. he sits in the front of the cart and loves to look all around at the people and the food. it is still annoying getting all the food in the house and in the car. i curse in my head often while i am doing it. i think we just have to realize that it is not going to be fun, just try and relax and take it slow. getting bent out of shape (like i tend to do sometimes) only makes it worse and more dreadful. cant imagine what it’ll be like with two!
katie@newmamamac.blogspot.com commented on Jan 11 12 at 7:58 amalso i read that you are not supposed to let baby cry it out until they are 4 months old when a bond has been formed. that is what my doctor told me too. i know every book and doctor says the same thing but that is what i did. i only let him cry it out at nap or bedtime though
Yomama commented on Jan 11 12 at 8:46 amIt doesn’t really get easier. Sorry. Just wait until he’s a toddler and wants to run around the store! I always go without my kids. Why make it harder on yourself? Maybe you just need something to write about for Babble? When husband gets home at 4, go then–without baby!
BB commented on Jan 11 12 at 9:12 amIt definitely gets easier! Once they can situp in the cart its pretty fun actually. My little guy loves to shake the noodles in the boxes (different noodles make different sounds). We always visit the lobster tank to say hello. Smell and feel the fresh produce we buy and talk about bumpy/ smooth, soft/hard, cold/warm, colors, shapes etc. Now that he is 2 sometimes he likes to “help” me push the cart and we are learning right turn, left turn, stop, go.
Hang in there!
Sandra commented on Jan 11 12 at 9:55 amI have to get this off my chest, bonding does not foster codependency. That’s dumb. I could not get my son off of me for about 5 months. Then he learned how to crawl and now I’m old news.
Ok, now, it totally gets easier! I could have wrote this post myself 6 months ago. My son is now 8 months and how shopping is super fun! He is 8 months now. Until he hit 6 months he HAAATED the stroller. Also he nursed once every 30 minutes. I live in NYC so I wore him everywhere, grocery store included. And since I was wearing him maneuvering things was difficult but a few things happen : 1) your mom skillz improve 2) they get used to it and 3) you can eventually put them in the seat or stroller and then its like a fun ride.
Melissa commented on Jan 11 12 at 10:08 amFriend, you sound like my father-in-law, who is convinced that I am coddling my 3 month by picking him up when he cries! (Seriously FIL- is that you?) At this point I believe that picking up a crying baby aligns with teaching self soothing- by crying, he is asking for what he needs. Maybe this isn’t true by 6 months, maybe his needs will have changed by then, but I guess we will see when we get there! Emily, I also grocery shop while babywearing and I don’t know if this is true for you but one reason it takes so much longer is that lots of friendly shoppers want to stop and chat about the baby, ask me how old he is and tell me how cute he is! Turns grocery shopping into a slightly more fun experience although a lot more complicated as well.
Kristin commented on Jan 11 12 at 10:13 amSaturday mornings are my big grocery day once a month – the baby (now 5 months) cuddles and plays with daddy while I head out at 9 am to beat the weekend rush. If it’s a quick trip, we’ll strap her into the bjorn facing out. She LOVES to shop (groceries, target, the mall – all of them delight her to no end), but I like grocery shopping all by myself :).
Molly commented on Jan 11 12 at 10:39 amHa, that is EXACTLY how our weekly trips go even though Connor is 5 months. If I think he is too hungry to hang out alone when we return I will give him a quick feed in the backseat of the car before we head home. Then when we get home I always load him back into the Bjorn while I put everything away. Otherwise I also risk spoiled groceries or a crying baby. Good luck!
Lindsay commented on Jan 11 12 at 3:40 pmIt doesn’t get easier, but you get used to it. And then shopping with a toddler, and then with more children, becomes even more interesting. And then you stop taking your kids altogether and grocery shop on a Friday night, when the husband is home with the sleeping children. And that Friday night grocery trip becomes the most peaceful part of your week!
Love reading about you and Cullen!
Bridget Graham commented on Jan 11 12 at 8:11 pmLike everything else, it gets easier. My son is 5 months now and I’d say by 5 months he liked the store. The colors, sounds, and balloons are always a big hit. Just give it a little more time and you’ll be reassuring other moms that there is always a silver lining.
Lisa commented on Jan 12 12 at 4:11 pmI am so glad to read I’m not the only one who has ordered takeout right after grocery shopping with a kid because I’m so exhausted!
One thing I do occasionally is order my groceries online from work. After work I call the store on my way there, they meet me at the curb with the bags, load them in the car, and my shopping is done!
Kim commented on Jan 13 12 at 10:43 amMaybe try the bojorn now that he is a little older. Mine love facing out and seeing all the stuff at the store… and it is SO easy to get on and off. And, while I absolutely agree that 2 months is too early to cry it out, he will be okay if he cries for a min or two while you bring groceries upstairs. I did the same with my first but once you have two or more, someone is going to have to wait for a min for Mom. Or, keep him on while you bring up the groceries (one or two bags at a time)… great workout!
Lynn commented on Jan 13 12 at 8:47 pmThat is my day in a nutshell. Thank you for reminding me I’m not the only one.
Jackie commented on Jan 16 12 at 3:53 pmTake a friend to help entertain him! I discovered this by accident when my sister had my nephew & we didn’t have a lot of time to spend together–but we both had to grocery shop so we did it together. I co-shopped with my sister until my nephew was two or so; now I co-shop with my bestie & her 3.5-year-old every Saturday morning.
Jenny commented on Jan 21 12 at 12:10 amI have a 4 month old, so I am in the same boat too. When I need to take my little drooly bear with me to the store, I try to bag my refridgerated items seperate. I can at least grab the perishable stuff right away, and go back later for items that can sit out in the car. Works great! It’ll get easier with time. : )
Piper commented on Feb 06 12 at 10:29 am…your kitchen is upstairs?
Ella commented on Apr 17 12 at 7:11 pmthis is hilarious! I love how it literally took up your entire day (because I know the morning was packed with feeding, diaper and clothes changes, soothing/playing, and the ever elusive “getting yourself ready”). Isn’t it amazing how ONE task a day is absolutely exhausting with such a little baby?
Add your take:
Note: Babble is a supportive, diverse community. We encourage a range of opinions,
but any unduly hostile comments will be removed.
Comments are delayed up to 15 minutes
Lauren Jimeson 
Lauren Hartmann 
Emily Elling 
Meredith Carroll 
Emily Malone 
Molly Thornberg 
Selena Burgess 
Casey Mullins 
Madeline Petersen 
The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.
40