As I soon discovered after our sweet baby boy joined our family, taking an infant out in public creates difficult situations and hassles that were simply not experienced prior to having children. Even as I write that sentence, I laugh, because it’s really an understatement. There is so much to think about. Will the trip coincide with nap time? Will the baby be hungry while we’re out? Do we have enough supplies and clothing changes to handle a diaper blow-out? Will we transport the baby via stroller or baby carrier? Do we have the right supplies to protect him from the heat/cold/sun/snow? It was pretty overwhelming to me as a first-time mom, and although I consider myself a decently intelligent person, I really didn’t get a fully workable system until our son was about 3 months old.
Feeling “trapped” at home with a baby is a risk factor for postpartum depression and contributes to a lack of social support and loneliness! Probably as a result of how overwhelmed I initially felt, I am always looking for great ideas to simplify my life (I am a SIMPLE mom after all). I recently tried a bottle by FuelBaby that makes trips with formula fed babies more convenient. 
In short, you premeasure the powder formula into the bottom third of the bottle, seal it up and secure it to the bottle body, and then measure the water into the top two thirds of the bottle (it holds up to 8oz of water). Throw it in the diaper bag and off you go. When you are ready to feed baby, the seal between the formula and the water is released by pushing on the bottom of the bottle and allowing the premeasured powder and water to mix (this feature has a patent pending – it’s pretty nifty). After shaking it up, it’s ready to drink!
This system is much easier, faster, and less messy than trying to measure the powder formula out and add it to the water on the go. All of the components are dishwasher and microwave safe. It also has an anti-colic air-flow feature and is BPA free. I really love the concept because I have had my pants covered in formula powder one too many times from trying to measure it out in the car. I think it will be especially useful in our church nursery, where the workers may not be as familiar with formula feeding as I am. It’s basically impossible to mess up, since everything is measured and ready to go! I definitely recommend it to formula-feeding moms as a way to make your day with a small baby just a little easier.
What did you find was the most difficult part about having very small children? Leave a comment and let me know!
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I found it difficult to manage my time between chores and bonding.
Getting enough sleep!!
Having enough energy each day to do anything but take care of them!!!
being fussy in public
Getting enough sleep to have enough energy the next day!
When I was a mom a long time ago….We had to boil our water or the bottle making which was not only a pain it was dangerous! I got 2nd degree burns on my chest while i was doing it….Thanks God my child wasnt around……
not enough sleep.and not knowing what they where crying for,very stressful
Feeding them on the run and knowing it was hard with bottles
Not difficult at all, loved every minute with small babies, it was when they became teenagers the difficulty began.
My biggest obstacle came before baby and that was trying to conceive. I was blessed with 2 beautiful children whom are biologically my aunt’s. I would have to say was not being prepared as much as I had hoped and adjusting to their needs as they are special. Every child is and some take a little extra care and patience which I aim to improve daily still.
After 16 years, I found that it was like being a first time mom, and the no sleep was very hard!
What I found most difficult was having to be somewhere at a specific time. Getting little ones ready and myself ready, and lets not forget helping daddy. There was always something I would forget. And this bottle would be perfect and easy to use no matter your outing. How clever!!!
My sister is pregnant with her first. This would be great
Car rides were always a task with small babies. Constantly needing to stop to nurse and feed them. Change them. Etc.
Coping with chaos. Maybe coping i general lol.
Having multiple children of different ages trying to manage everyday chores and depending on their ages and schedule for each one when they are very young.
My biggest obstacle is learning to pick my battles!!! Some things you just to have laugh off.
For me it was trying to stay on a schedule. I had to learn to adapt to any situation.
For me, it is hard to keep the routine for everything because my little one is a picky eater and light sleeper. I spend most of my time to cook many meals and try to put him in the bed in time!
I was really worried about doing everything wrong but I’ve learned in life you make mistakes but you learn and grow from them
The hardest part to me is knowing what they want when they cry~!
Baby/child proofing every thing was difficult! As was doing “boring” tasks like running errands and buying groceries.
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Ashley C
Sleep. I couldn’t get them to sleep and I couldn’t get any sleep.
The most difficult part was changing diapers. I coped by giving my niece back to my brother or grandpa/my dad. 🙂
with a newborn getting adjusted to sleeping hours lol those were the worst
I find it most difficult to get my shopping done. I always seem to forget something even with my list. It’s hard to get most anything done with a little one because when they sleep you have time to get things done but that’s also the only time you have to rest so you have to choose!
So true! I usually end up going somewhere in the middle…working a little and resting a little…but not doing either as much as I’d like. 😉
Trying to get anything done the day after shots. Is horrible. I make husband take the day off. I need help because little one wants to be held all of the time.
Having 3 kids under 5 hasn’t been easy by any means but getting a routine down was the hardest part
My biggest obstacle was getting enough sleep, but I overcame by sleeping when baby sleeps to get the extra I needed.
After my first baby was born I was a train wreck waiting to happen…lol…then the second baby arrived I was so much more prepared…I simply always kept a supplied bag in my car and anytime I use something out of the diaper bag I immediately replaced it.. And patience one of the most important factors of being a parents…
My biggest obstacle has been to make sure everything is childproofed, things you don’t think need to be child proofed need it!
I haven’t found a way to overcome yet… She’s about 5 months old now lol. It’s so hard to not be able to just run to Target or the Grocery store!
Keeping everything organized and surviving on so little sleep!
I hated having to carry so many things….just in case!
Keeping up with everything they needed and being organized.
I think that anticipating their wants is a challenge. Usually getting to know each individual baby helps you read them better and thus anticipate their needs.
For me is establishing a new schedule.
I would say being patient and maintaining a routine.
I love routine…I think my baby is so much happier when he knows what to expect. It can be challenging to maintain though!
It would have to be if they fall. I was so scared they would hurt themselves. They did fall and lived thru it. 🙂
For me it was staying organized and keeping up with everything around the house. My husband was a great help with this!
just need to have a lot of patience for sure
Looks so smart and useful. Could definitely come in handy with my baby due this fall.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Yes, I’m a fan of anything that makes those first few months a little easier. 🙂
I have a 14 month old and a 20 year old in the same house and just lack the patience with the old and energy with the younger.