by Lisa Lai

Created on: June 20, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

Visiting friends when juggling a whole new lifestyle can be stressful. Preparation is the key to calmness. It will give you the peace of mind that you won't be stuck in an awkward situation like realizing the last diaper you brought is currently doing it's intended job and is now giving off lethal fumes.

Try to run through your day at home, thinking of all the things that you use and need. Then pack accordingly.

DAY TRIP

Extra diapers. You can't be too rich, thin, or have too many diapers.

Ointments, powders, etc. The best way to keep rashes away I found was a cool rinse with fresh water after each diaper change, even if just urine. Then make sure completely dry before putting on a fresh diaper.

Wipes wipes and more wipes.

a few plastic bags for disposing offensive diapers as well for putting soiled burp clothes or shirts in until they can be washed.

Two changes of clothes for baby (if I brought one I needed two, if I brought two I needed neither go figure).

Extra blanket, including one to spread out on the floor for the baby. Also one extra bib, pacifier, towel, and toy.

If you are breast-feeding I would recommend you bring yourself an extra shirt. If possible a unisex one, often it is the dad who gets slimmed.

If breastfeeding maybe a water bottle for mom to carry with her.

If you are bottle feeding, bring the whole full container of formula and an extra bottle. If you don't have enough food, your child will somehow sense it and get even by going through an eating spurt like no other.

OVERNIGHT

If you are staying overnight, you will want to find out if there will be convenient access to a washer and dryer, space in the refrigerator for baby food or formula, a place to soothe a crying baby and a store for anything that might come up. Target or Walmart is the best and thankfully most areas have at least one if not both.

Pack a portable crib or if you have a bed big enough, my husband and I would take 4 towels and roll them into tight cylinder shapes. Then we would surround the baby them in a rectangle, putting the baby in the center up by our heads in between us. Then we would scoot down lower in the bed so our heads were by the baby's feet. It isn't the most comfortable if you are very tall but it works in a pinch.

You may need additional food, clothing, and blankets, depending on the length of your stay and the conveniences like stores, available to you.

After you are all done packing, stand back and have a look. If you aren't impressed with the amount of bags and stuff you have assembled, you may be unprepared. If you are unprepared your baby will find the hole in your planning and act accordingly, trust me. Murphy's law applies double to new parents.

And lastly, communicate any concerns you have with whom you are staying. Perhaps they have pets or rambunctious children. Or maybe their cleanliness level makes a city alley seem pristine. Ask questions and explain your concerns, with out of course mentioning you would like them to hire a maid service before you visit.

Being well prepared is where you get a lot of reward for little work. So put the time in before your visit and you will be in a much better position to enjoy your time with the people you care about.

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