The first time I attempted grocery shopping with my newborn, I thought, How hard can it be? I had a checklist, a car seat, and what I believed was a foolproof plan. Spoiler alert: it was anything but smooth sailing. Here’s what I learned along the way—along with some tips to make it (somewhat) easier.
The Preparation Phase
Before stepping out, I made sure the baby was fed, changed, and (hopefully) in a good mood. I packed my nappy bag with essentials—nappies, wipes, a spare outfit (just in case), and a muslin cloth. I even had a selection of essentials for myself. Feeling prepared, I headed to the shop.
One trick that sometimes works is timing the trip around naps. My baby often falls asleep in the car, so I planned to go shopping just as he nodded off. If your baby is the same, this can buy you some extra time—ideally, go at the start of a nap to maximise your window of opportunity before they wake up.
The Reality Check
The moment we arrived, things started to unravel. My baby, who had been peacefully napping in the car, woke up within a minute of us entering the shop. And not just a sleepy stir—he went from zero to full-blown meltdown in seconds. I had barely made it past the fruit and veg before I had to stop my trolley in the middle of the fresh meat section to try and soothe him.
Then came the logistics. Where do I put the baby? In a pram? In a sling/carrier? In the trolley? I tried using the pram, but it meant both my husband and I had to shop together since pushing both the pram and trolley alone would have been awkward. A sling/carrier felt more practical, but my baby isn’t exactly small anymore. In the end, I opted for a trolley. You can sit the car seat on top of it, and there’s plenty of space for essentials underneath—though steering it can be a bit tricky.
The Unwritten Challenges
- The ‘helpful’ comments from other shoppers:
“Oh, enjoy this time—it goes so fast!”
“You look tired, dear.” Thanks, stranger, I had no idea.
“Oh, someone is hungry!” (Even when they’re just yawning, stretching, or were fed ten minutes ago.)
- The checkout struggle: Trying to unload items onto the conveyor belt while keeping a fussy baby calm is like an extreme sport.
- Forgetting half my list: Despite my carefully planned shopping list, I still left the shop without at least three essential items.
Lesson learned: Go armed with a shopping list arranged by aisle or section, from the entrance to the checkout. This makes it far less likely you’ll forget things while rushing around.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Suffer Like I Did)
- Pick the right time – Early mornings or late evenings tend to be quieter and less overwhelming.
- If available, use Scan & Go – This saves time at checkout since you won’t need to unload and reload your trolley.
- Use click & collect or delivery – If possible, save yourself the hassle altogether.
- Bring a backup plan – A dummy, a teething toy, or a quick feed might help soothe an upset baby.
- Keep it short and sweet – This is not the time for a leisurely browse. Get in, get out.
- Accept that things won’t always go smoothly – And that’s okay.
Final Thoughts
Food shopping with a newborn might feel like a mission impossible at first, but it does get easier with time (or so I’ve been told). And if all else fails—there’s always online shopping.
What Are Your Top Tips?
Every mum finds their own way to navigate the chaos of shopping with a newborn, and I’d love to hear yours! Do you have any tricks that make the experience easier? Maybe a must-have item, a foolproof timing strategy, or a way to keep baby content while you shop?
Share your tips with me by emailing [email protected] —I’m sure we could all use the help!
