We've just discovered a new adventure – going out with a baby. No longer can we just hop into the car to grab a gelato at Coogee Beach at the drop of a hat, the same trip now requires:1. Coming up with the idea hours in advance.
2. Realising the weather will be too cold for Anna so changing the plan for the next suitable day
3. Breastfeeding her whilst eating our dinner so that we'd finish at the same time and be ready to head out
4. Coaxing her to sleep in the car without success so we drive around for an extra ½ hour until she finally nods off
5. Carefully move the baby capsule out of the car so that she doesn't wake up
6. Enjoy ice-cream until the lack of movement wakes her up, time to go home again
And this is on top of the many baby things that we need to pack with us into the car: nappy bag with nappies, wipes, change mat, nappy rash cream, a few change of clothes; pram; baby sling; swaddle wraps; and why not throw in the Baby Bjorn carrier for safe measures.
One of the new destinations when we're out is the Parents' Room. I've always wondered what I'd find in these rooms and I'm happy to report that these are always very well thought out. There's always an extra large toilet so that you can push your pram inside, some even have a small kids toilet so you can do your business with your toddler side by side. There are also breastfeeding cubicles with comfy sofas and a little curtain for extra privacy. Change tables are always plentiful and clean, and most rooms also have microwaves and bottle warmers just to cover all feeding requirements. There's even a particular Parents' Room at Bondi Junction Westfields (for those of you who want to check it out, it's the one on the level 5 food court) which has a view of the harbour! You can't ask for more.
One of my favourite ways to pass time while feeding in the cubicles is to listen to all the conversations around me. So far I've heard parents exchanging reviews on the latest kids movie (apparently 'Up' was a little too deep for a 2 year old, and 'Cloudy with a chance of meatballs' is very entertaining and offers many life lessons for the little ones); a dad asking his wife for the 10th wipe while changing a particularly pooey nappy; a little voice asking to see 'SAAANNNNNTAAAAAA' after her nappy change; a dad arranging where to meet his wife after the feed (I thought David was the only who went to Borders to read magazines to kill time).
2. Realising the weather will be too cold for Anna so changing the plan for the next suitable day
3. Breastfeeding her whilst eating our dinner so that we'd finish at the same time and be ready to head out
4. Coaxing her to sleep in the car without success so we drive around for an extra ½ hour until she finally nods off
5. Carefully move the baby capsule out of the car so that she doesn't wake up
6. Enjoy ice-cream until the lack of movement wakes her up, time to go home again
And this is on top of the many baby things that we need to pack with us into the car: nappy bag with nappies, wipes, change mat, nappy rash cream, a few change of clothes; pram; baby sling; swaddle wraps; and why not throw in the Baby Bjorn carrier for safe measures.
One of the new destinations when we're out is the Parents' Room. I've always wondered what I'd find in these rooms and I'm happy to report that these are always very well thought out. There's always an extra large toilet so that you can push your pram inside, some even have a small kids toilet so you can do your business with your toddler side by side. There are also breastfeeding cubicles with comfy sofas and a little curtain for extra privacy. Change tables are always plentiful and clean, and most rooms also have microwaves and bottle warmers just to cover all feeding requirements. There's even a particular Parents' Room at Bondi Junction Westfields (for those of you who want to check it out, it's the one on the level 5 food court) which has a view of the harbour! You can't ask for more.
One of my favourite ways to pass time while feeding in the cubicles is to listen to all the conversations around me. So far I've heard parents exchanging reviews on the latest kids movie (apparently 'Up' was a little too deep for a 2 year old, and 'Cloudy with a chance of meatballs' is very entertaining and offers many life lessons for the little ones); a dad asking his wife for the 10th wipe while changing a particularly pooey nappy; a little voice asking to see 'SAAANNNNNTAAAAAA' after her nappy change; a dad arranging where to meet his wife after the feed (I thought David was the only who went to Borders to read magazines to kill time).
To wrap up, I'd like to share one of the nicest things I've read this week: 50 reasons why it's fun to be a parent. And here's a photo of our smiling Anna. Enjoy!
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