I don’t have a nappy bag as such. I have a fold up change pad with room for nappies and wipes that stays in the pram basket as back up and one of These which is attached to the pram and takes a couple of nappies, spare sleep suit/outfit, wipes, antibac, a Muslin cover, large rattle toy and space for keys, phone and purse. If I want to put in a couple more toys I can take out my purse and just take a card, or remove the Muslim cover and just wear a scarf. Whatever leaves my hands free. Utilise the pram basket, it helps to have fewer things to worry about.It sounds minor and silly but I tend to get quite overwhelmed with handling too much STUFF pretty quickly- before baby I'd never even go out with a handbag as I hate carrying lots of things around, so going out with baby is a whole new ball game.
We went to a music/singing type class when she was maybe 8 weeks and though she slept through much of them she loved the bits she was awake for and loves it still now. Gave me a reason to get out. It helps to have something that needs sticking too but is only an hour or so.
I’ve also got a season ticket for the local zoo so it feels like a proper day out but i’m really familiar with it & don’t have to worry where the next toilet is or anything. Being comfortable and familiar makes the world of difference. It’s all giving yourself one less thing to worry about.
At first taking her out and she cried if feel like everyone was looking at me thinking ‘she can’t handle her baby’ but it was really my own doubts. Now I guess they’re actually thinking ‘poor sod, I remember those days’. No one worth bothering with would judge a Mum trying to handle their tiny baby, if they do they either don’t know what they're on about or an hole.