How to Grocery Shop With a Newborn for the First Time

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How to grocery shop with a newborn is not something that I even think about now that I have 3 kids.

However, when I was a brand new mom, the thought of taking my tiny squishy baby with me to the grocery store was entirely daunting.

And I bet I’m not alone in that.

I bet that before kids you would have thought asking about how to take a newborn grocery shopping was a stupid question, but this is real life.

There’s something about becoming a mom for the first time that just turns your world on its head.

Things that were mundane and barely thought about before now are a BIG DEAL and you’re just not quite sure how to tackle them.

So that’s what this post is for. I’m gonna share with you the very best tips for grocery shopping with your baby so that it can be as stress-free as possible.

How to Grocery Shop With a Newborn

I’m going to make this post one that is full of tips to help new parents feel more confident about heading out to the grocery store with their newborn.

Can I take my newborn to the grocery store?

This is a valid question because taking a brand new baby out into the world of bugs and germs is a bit scary.

Your instinct is to protect them and keep them safe from all harm.

However, you definitely can take them to the grocery store and you can keep them all safe and free from germs at the same time.

I’ll share more about how to do that further down in the post, but for now just know that yes, it is possible and you are capable.

And remember, it is totally okay if your baby cries and makes a fuss while you’re there. I know it seems stressful and you feel as though the WHOLE WORLD has their eyes on you, but it is going to be okay.

You’re not doing anything wrong and you will get more and more comfortable going out with your baby.

So now let’s get onto the tips.

#1 Figure Out How You’re Going to Carry Your Baby

This is the part that is quite important because it will impact both the practicality of your trip as well as the protection of your baby. Putting your baby in the grocery cart may not be something that you’d like to do, and that’s totally okay. There are other option!

I’ve included several different options for carrying your baby in, but there are two main ones that I love and recommend.

Babywear

This is the option I chose a lot of the time because it meant that I had use of the full cart space but my hands were mostly free.

I’m not big into babywearing except for when it is practical and this is definitely one of those times. It’s a good idea to make sure you have a baby carrier that is comfortable for you and works well for your baby.

Below are some of the babywearing options that I recommend.

I’ve personally loved using soft carriers for my newborns such as the Moby Wrap. The Solly Baby wrap was my favorite baby carrier and one of my must-have items when my third newborn came along.

Baby wearing is also helpful because your baby will likely sleep well being close to you and they’ll be protected from nasty germs and bugs.

People are far less likely to touch your baby when they are so close up to you.

Newborn Shopping Cart Hammock

I kinda wish I had known about this product a lot sooner because it seems fairly genius!

You attach the hammock to the cart and lay your baby in it.

The benefits are that it is super light and easy to bring with you, plus you don’t have the infant capsule taking up most of your cart space.

However, there is no way to cover your baby (like you would with a capsule) and you’d have to just check that the angle your baby is at is safe for sleeping (i.e chin OFF chest).

You can find them on Amazon HERE. Like I said, I WISH I had known about them!

Infant Car Seat

One of the easiest ways to keep your baby safe and secure during your grocery shopping experience is to have them stay in their infant capsule.

That way if they’re sleeping they are less likely to be disturbed.

The one downside is that if you can’t get a cart with a designated space for an infant capsule to sit, it is going to impede on your cart space a lot.

The other thing to keep in mind is the angle of the seat. Make sure that it is adjusted to the correct position for the age and weight of your baby.

​If you have a toddler, you’re going to want to make sure to look for double shopping carts so that there’s a spot for them to sit as well.

Capsule Cover

The one thing that I have LOVED and USED over and over again with all of my babies is an infant capsule cover.

They are perfect for keeping them protected from the elements and allowing them the opportunity to sleep.

They’re also really good for keeping nosey parkers at bay.

You can get the kind I like right HERE for FREE. Seriously, just enter the coupon code CK50OFF at check out and it is yours. 🙂

The Shopping Cart

Some shopping carts come with a built-in infant seat available. This can be a great way to go grocery shopping with your newborn baby and very well could be the easiest option. However, you’ll absolutely want to make sure to invest in a shopping cart cover. A child seat is a great option but it’s definitely not the most hygienic. Using a blanket to cover the seat is also another good option but cart covers are worth the investment if you’re going to use them often.

Grocery Shopping with a Stroller

Some moms like to bundle their newborns into a stroller and do their groceries that way.

Can I just say that I DON’T KNOW HOW THEY DO IT!

How on earth they manage to wrangle both a stroller AND a cart is beyond my comprehension.

What I’m essentially saying is to just forego the stroller this time. It is going to be really tricky to use unless you are just grabbing a couple of things.

Although, if you need to walk to the grocery store then a nifty hack would be to take a baby carrier with you.

Once at the store, you could put the baby in the carrier and use the stroller as a cart.

#2 Pack a Light Diaper Bag

You do not want to be hefting around a massive diaper bag while you’re doing your groceries, but there are a few essentials you should pack.

List of Items

These are the essential items I would make sure you’ve got:

I wouldn’t bother bringing anything like small toys. Newborns really don’t need them and having excess smaller items to keep track of can be difficult. Just stick to what you really need.

#3 Time it Right

The very first thing that you want to consider is the timing of your trip to the grocery store. Planning your grocery trip for off-peak hours is wise. Going into crowded stores with a newborn is stressful at the best of times.

Aside from trying to avoid rush hour there are a few other things that can help so that your baby is settled and happy during your trip.

Go During Naptime

I only recommend this for when your baby is super small and is happy to sleep basically anywhere.

If you know they’re about to settle in for some sleep, make the most of it and do your shopping.

You might be concerned that all the noise and activity will wake them up, but in my experience, it all actually seems to lull them into a nice sleep.

Nap time works really well when they’re tiny and new, but not so much as they get older.

After a Feed

Always feed before you go. There is nothing worse than a hungry screaming baby that you can’t feed right away.

It’ll send your stress levels through the roof!

Feed your baby, burp them well and then head off to the store.

Have a Routine

I know that there’s a certain school of thought out there that you can’t (and shouldn’t) put a newborn on a routine.

I’ve already proved that wrong with three children, so I don’t feel the need to argue the point.

What I will say is that it is helpful to start working on a flexible routine from the get-go so that you can plan your day around your baby’s schedule.

Of course, there are going to be disruptions, but it’ll still be a lot more helpful than if you have absolutely no idea as to when your baby is going to need to eat or sleep next.

#4 Make a List

Always be prepared with a list.

Mom brain is a real thing and I find that mine is far worse when I’m sleep deprived as well.

If you have a newborn you are almost certainly going to have some level of sleep deprivation. Take my advice and write down a list!

If I’m just making a short trip then I will usually have it in the notes folder in my phone, otherwise I use regular paper.

I actually have an amazing shopping system that I’ve been using over 3 years now and it saves me so much time!

You can find that HERE.

#5 Park Near a Cart Return

Once you actually get to the supermarket, be sure to try and get a parking close to a cart return. The best parking spot is one that’s easy to get in and out of with a stroller or baby car seat, plus is close to the trolley return.

That way you can get your baby settled in the car and not have to walk far to return the cart at all.

Personally, I think it is a lot safer for children to remain in the vehicle while you return the cart (provided it isn’t far) than it is for you to be trying to hold onto them while also returning the cart.

I often park right next to one if I can.

#6 Make Use of Parent’s Parking

I know that this option isn’t available everywhere, but if you can then take advantage of it!

Often these parking spaces are wider and so it is easier to get your baby in and out of the car. Otherwise it can be a bit of a mission.

Also, they’re often closer to the door which makes them safer as well.

Like I said, I know not all places have them, but if you come across them then take full advantage.

#7 Use Online Shopping

My last tip is to online shop!

I started doing this almost a year ago and it has changed my world.

Shopping with just one child (or even two) isn’t all that much of a challenge.

However, once we welcomed our third baby I was just done…and online shopping became my knight in shining armour.

Using my quick and simple meal planning/shopping system, I do all of my shopping online ONCE a month and have my husband pick it up on his way home from work.

We did use the delivery option when grocery day fell in the very early postpartum days.

Now my shopping takes me all of 15-20 minutes once a month and that includes meal planning, stock take AND the actual placing of the order.

Final Thoughts

My days of heading to the grocery store with a newborn or even toddlers are long gone, but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember just how overwhelming it felt.

There are many parenting hacks that can make life easier for you, but one of the keys is just to get out there and do it. Going to new environments with your newborn will seem daunting at first, but the more you do it the easier it gets.

Each shopping trip will be a little less daunting and if all else fails, you can try again next time.

I hope these helpful tips give you some confidence in venturing out on your grocery trip with your newborn. Before you know it, they’ll be all grown up and carrying the groceries into the house for you (cue the tears!).

Hi! I'm Christine - a homeschooling mom of three. I see homeschooling simply as another facet of parenting. Just as you teach your child to tie their shoes, you can also teach them how to read and do arithmetic.
As a second-generation homeschooler, I know the endless benefits that homeschooling offers. I went on to complete a Bachelor of Nursing and have now chosen to stay at home with my children (while also running an online business).

I have a heart for mothers that feel as though they are just existing from day to day and are longing for more. You can find out more about me and my family over on my 'About Me' page.

As well as the abundance of posts you'll find on my blog, you can also find me over at iHomeschool Network and Today Parenting.

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