New Parents: Grocery Shopping

Gone are the days when you could jot down the few items you were running low on in less than a minute, make a quick run to the store, and pick up everything you needed in a jiffy. These days, your little one is riding along, which means grocery shopping may feel like Mission Impossible.

Figuring out how to go grocery shopping with a newborn can be challenging, but a little planning and organization can go a long way. The right strategy can make your next shopping experience less stressful for you and more comfortable for Baby.

Let’s explore how to go grocery shopping with a newborn and get everything your child needs until the next family grocery shopping trip.

How to Go Grocery Shopping with a Newborn

Grocery shopping can feel like a battle when you’re battling grocery store crowds and high prices while also tending to your little one. For parents wondering how to go grocery shopping with a newborn, here are a few tips.

1. Wear Your Baby

Using a quality baby carrier is one of the best ways to make your family grocery shopping experience with your baby less daunting. Look for a carrier with several carrying positions, like Abiie’s Huggs Baby Carrier, so you can wear your baby on the front or in the back, whichever is more convenient for you. It’s the perfect solution for those who want to master how to go grocery shopping with a newborn while freeing up their hands and cart space. 

The carrier should also be ergonomic, allowing your child’s bottom, legs, and hips to form the shape of an “M,” to prevent hip dysplasia. Pick a carrier that will last beyond your child’s infant stage: This will help your child bond with you in a special way during their formative years.

2. Bring the Bibs

Parents wondering how to go grocery shopping with a newborn should bring the right bibs along for the trip, too. A bib like the Ruby Wrapp bib from Abiie can make feeding a new baby on the road easier. Ideal for both toddlers and infants, this silicone bib is simple to clean and waterproof. It also comes with a big front pocket for catching spills so you can keep your feeding area and baby clean.

3. Bring Other Diaper Bag Essentials

Wondering how else to go grocery shopping with a newborn? Stock your diaper bag with plenty of must-haves for your baby, including the following:

• Pacifiers
• Wipes
• Diapers
• Changing pad
• Extra clothes for Baby (and you)
• Plastic bag for holding dirty clothes

Be sure to also pack a lightweight blanket. It’ll keep your child warm in the store and double as a makeshift burp cloth for cleaning spit-up.

4. Choose an Ideal Shopping Time

Another tip for parents exploring how to go grocery shopping with a newborn is to choose the right time for your little one. Start shopping right after your baby has eaten and wrap up before their next feeding to avoid dealing with a “hangry” baby at the store. Try to also shop during your child’s naptime to make things easier for you.

And to make the trip as quick as possible try to avoid going grocery shopping during peak hours. Google shows how busy most stores are at different times of the day. Simply search for the grocery store location you plan to visit!

How to Go Grocery Shopping for a Newborn

Along with exploring how to go grocery shopping with a newborn, let’s delve into how to shop for your new bundle of joy. You likely know what your baby needs, but here are some essentials you don’t want to forget on your family grocery shopping list.

1. Formula

If you’re bottle-feeding your child, don’t forget to get enough formula to last the week, next two weeks, or month depending on how often you plan to shop. Check the expiration date, and look at the formula’s lot number to check to see if it’s recently been recalled.

Not sure which formula to try? Pediatricians often recommend a product like Enfamil GentleEase, which can help decrease baby gas.

2. Diapers and Related Products

Have you decided to go “green” and use cloth diapers? Stock up on these reusable diapers and a few other items your little one will need to stay dry and comfortable in between changings. Items to add to your family grocery shopping list include the following:

• Barrier cream or baby ointment to prevent diaper rash (e.g., Aquaphor)
• Safety pins, Velcro, or snaps to secure your baby’s reusable diapers
• Washcloths or disposable wipes for cleaning your little one’s bottom

Use wipes for sensitive skin if your baby has trouble with eczema, baby acne, diaper rash, redness, and dry skin. Choose a 72-pack if you want the wipes to last you for a few months.

If your child uses disposable diapers, buy no more than a couple of boxes, as your child may outgrow them quickly. A popular diaper brand is Pampers Swaddlers since it offers stellar leak protection.

3. Baby Medications

Double-check to make sure your little one has plenty of medications and grooming/ health care products on hand before you embark on your family grocery shopping trip.

Invest in a top-quality baby thermometer for checking your child’s temperature when you suspect they’re sick. Choose one designed to produce minimal discomfort and a fast read-out. Rectal thermometers offer more precise readings for children ages 3 and younger.

A medicine spoon or eye dropper should also be in your baby’s first aid kit to make administering cough/fever medicine and eye drops, respectively, easier. Add a bulb syringe to the kit, too. Pick a silicone one designed for ears and noses. Avoid plastic syringes, as plastic has been linked with serious health issues, such as immune disorders, cancer, and infertility due to containing notorious chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA).

Scissors and nail clippers for infants are other must-haves for Baby. If you don’t have them or lose them, they should go on your shopping list.

Make Shopping Easier with Help from Abiie

At Abiie, we’re excited to help you master how to go grocery shopping with a newborn. With our Huggs Baby Carrier and Ruby Wrapp bib, taking your baby to town with you no longer has to be overwhelming. We also offer other top-tier, innovative baby products, like our Beyond Junior Y High Chair and Octopod baby suction dishware.

Get in touch with us to learn more about our products, and try them now!