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!
A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
One SIMPLE reader will win a FuelBaby bottle in the color of your choice! Enter to win below via rafflecopter. One entrant per household.
Carmen Rudnick
March 26, 2017 at 11:32 pmI found it difficult to manage my time between chores and bonding.
Mira V
March 26, 2017 at 11:24 pmGetting enough sleep!!
Denise Hauer
March 26, 2017 at 11:13 pmHaving enough energy each day to do anything but take care of them!!!
jennifer dunkelmann hon
March 26, 2017 at 11:06 pmbeing fussy in public
Anna Tillou
March 26, 2017 at 10:39 pmGetting enough sleep to have enough energy the next day!
Julie Ferguson-Gould
March 26, 2017 at 10:31 pmWhen 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……
jeanettesheets
March 26, 2017 at 10:26 pmnot enough sleep.and not knowing what they where crying for,very stressful
kelly Wach
March 26, 2017 at 10:24 pmFeeding them on the run and knowing it was hard with bottles
Lynn Simons
March 26, 2017 at 10:23 pmNot difficult at all, loved every minute with small babies, it was when they became teenagers the difficulty began.
ADRIEN BEATTY
March 26, 2017 at 10:20 pmMy 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.
Jennifer Bay
March 26, 2017 at 10:17 pmAfter 16 years, I found that it was like being a first time mom, and the no sleep was very hard!
Dawn Handzus
March 26, 2017 at 10:05 pmWhat 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!!!
Natasha Taylor
March 26, 2017 at 9:56 pmMy sister is pregnant with her first. This would be great
Kelsey vinson
March 26, 2017 at 9:51 pmCar rides were always a task with small babies. Constantly needing to stop to nurse and feed them. Change them. Etc.
Anne Hanson
March 26, 2017 at 9:44 pmCoping with chaos. Maybe coping i general lol.
Kelli Bryson
March 26, 2017 at 9:35 pmHaving 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.
Tasha Wilkerson
March 26, 2017 at 9:10 pmMy biggest obstacle is learning to pick my battles!!! Some things you just to have laugh off.
Lisa Coomer Queen
March 26, 2017 at 8:57 pmFor me it was trying to stay on a schedule. I had to learn to adapt to any situation.
Fiona N
March 26, 2017 at 8:46 pmFor 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!
Dana Marie Germain
March 26, 2017 at 1:00 pmI was really worried about doing everything wrong but I’ve learned in life you make mistakes but you learn and grow from them
Stephanie Phelps
March 26, 2017 at 12:03 pmThe hardest part to me is knowing what they want when they cry~!
Ashley C
March 26, 2017 at 9:02 amBaby/child proofing every thing was difficult! As was doing “boring” tasks like running errands and buying groceries.
addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
Ashley C
pamela j
March 26, 2017 at 7:43 amSleep. I couldn’t get them to sleep and I couldn’t get any sleep.
tracee
March 26, 2017 at 1:42 amThe most difficult part was changing diapers. I coped by giving my niece back to my brother or grandpa/my dad. 🙂
bea miller
March 25, 2017 at 7:55 pmwith a newborn getting adjusted to sleeping hours lol those were the worst
Alexandra Oller
March 25, 2017 at 5:03 pmI 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!
Emily
March 25, 2017 at 5:52 pmSo 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. 😉
Jill Rivera
March 24, 2017 at 4:58 pmTrying 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.
Andrea v
March 24, 2017 at 1:05 pmHaving 3 kids under 5 hasn’t been easy by any means but getting a routine down was the hardest part
Angela Saver
March 24, 2017 at 12:29 pmMy biggest obstacle was getting enough sleep, but I overcame by sleeping when baby sleeps to get the extra I needed.
Amy Tolley
March 24, 2017 at 12:22 amAfter 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…
Kayla Klontz
March 23, 2017 at 11:31 pmMy biggest obstacle has been to make sure everything is childproofed, things you don’t think need to be child proofed need it!
Eliana
March 22, 2017 at 11:20 amI 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!
Renee Walters
March 20, 2017 at 12:28 pmKeeping everything organized and surviving on so little sleep!
Marci
March 20, 2017 at 10:36 amI hated having to carry so many things….just in case!
LeAnn Harbert
March 17, 2017 at 11:21 pmKeeping up with everything they needed and being organized.
Nancy
March 15, 2017 at 11:11 amI 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.
Patricia
March 14, 2017 at 5:21 pmFor me is establishing a new schedule.
Edye
March 14, 2017 at 2:13 pmI would say being patient and maintaining a routine.
Emily
March 14, 2017 at 2:35 pmI love routine…I think my baby is so much happier when he knows what to expect. It can be challenging to maintain though!
Peggy Nunn
March 14, 2017 at 8:32 amIt would have to be if they fall. I was so scared they would hurt themselves. They did fall and lived thru it. 🙂
Dagmar
March 13, 2017 at 8:40 pmFor me it was staying organized and keeping up with everything around the house. My husband was a great help with this!
KENNETH OHL
March 13, 2017 at 6:06 pmjust need to have a lot of patience for sure
Jen Olson
March 13, 2017 at 1:52 pmLooks so smart and useful. Could definitely come in handy with my baby due this fall.
Emily
March 14, 2017 at 2:36 pmCongratulations on your pregnancy! Yes, I’m a fan of anything that makes those first few months a little easier. 🙂
Wendy Browne
March 13, 2017 at 1:49 pmI 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.