How do I go out with a baby?

Ahhh, summer. It’s the season of late night barbeques, weddings, and days spent at the beach - it’s the season I live for. Single me loved those days. When I became a mom, however, I had a complicated relationship with special events for a while. It made me ask questions I didn’t see coming.

Thoughts like, 

How do I breastfeed on the beach when the wind is blowing my cover off every 5 seconds?

How in the world am I going to stay awake this late when I know I’m going to be up half the night?

Where am I going to put baby down to sleep?

I guess I have to pump and dump if I want to avoid the champagne.

Hmm … do I prefer the option where my little one gets to bed on time, but freaks out being put to bed by a babysitter, or loses it from a late night with me? Tough choice, tough choice.

That powerful cocktail of overstimulation and overtiredness leaves our little one a not-so-hot mess and it leaves us reeling.

However, while having late nights or especially stimulating events will cause disruptions with sleep, it doesn’t have to be a lose-lose scenario. 

Here are a couple of tips to avoid the hangover and recover well:

Keep things especially calm leading up to events. I’m talking, sticking to those sleep routines and wake windows, avoiding scheduling appointments or stressful situations, and getting in relaxing connection time with your little one.

Keep a close eye on baby’s sleep cues on the day of the event. Overstimulation might mean that baby’s body is ready for sleep earlier than usual.

If baby hits those walls of overtiredness, then support them by co-regulating. Remove them to a quiet space; go outside and point out birds; cuddle them close and do some deep yoga breaths; even turn on the TV for a few minutes as a distraction and cuddle together. Then get them to bed!

Have the next day be a down day. Let’s make it completely chill with no abnormal activities - and get right back into their sleep routines and typical wake windows.

It may take a day or two to recover (depending on the magnitude of the event), but in my opinion, these events are so worthwhile and can be enjoyable when you are set up for success.

Are you planning on taking a trip in the near future? Check out my Travel Guide here: and my tips for flying with littles here:

Happy celebrating,

Anna