What do you do with your baby when...

[zazenist]

...you go somplace like the doctor or dentist and you're wearing your LO. Obviously, you're going to have to put them down at some point while you're being examined or getting your teeth cleaned or what have you, but where? DD is 2 months and I am about to be venturing out in the world for the first time solo now that DH is going back to work and my MIL is going back home. Surely I don't have to get a babysitter - but I couldn't really think of how to manage things like this.

So tell me - what do you do?

[Fujiko]

Well, for the dentist, if you can't bring something like a baby bucket or even a small bouncy chair, you're going to have to find someone (husband?) to watch your dd while you have an appt. She can't be with you if you get x-rays. Perhaps they can go with you in case she needs to be fed during your appointment. I've gone to doctor appointments before and it's okay, since there's usually not anything you need to be unattached from baby for more than a minute or two.

[GoGoGirl]

For me it depends on the situation and what I'm getting done.

I went to a few podiatrist appointments where I held DD the whole time. For the two times I've been to the dentist, I went on DH's lunch hour and he came to hold DD. I go to a chiropractor that I've been seeing since pregnancy, so I know and trust their receptionists. When I have appointments, they hold DD in the reception area for the few minutes that I'm getting adjusted.

[lifeguard]

A couple times I did find it awkward without a stroller or bucket or something when I needed to put ds somewhere for a moment. Before he was moving I would spread my sling out on a clean surface & put him there. I once had a nurse hold him while I had a blood draw. And several times I had him lie on me & nurse while having a pelvic exam!

[MommaShark]

I put mine in a stroller or bring a moses basket

[funkymamajoy]

I bring either the stroller or bucket. Now that the baby is 11 months and walking, I leave him at home.

[calpurnia]

When she was smaller I would have someone walk her around outside, or put her on a scarf/blanket on the floor (pre mobile!), or keep her in my lap. Now she's a rambunctious toddler I take the pushchair so I can contain her in that with a bunch of snacks to keep her distracted. But I try to leave her at home.

[JMJ]

I bring DH to the dentist and the optomitrist with me. My optomitrist gave me a break in the middle of an appt to nurse her when she was 3 weeks old. I was able to get an ingrown toenail removed with her on my lap.

[sanguine_speed]

I do not go to the dentist or doctor with a newborn and no extra hands. DP comes with me. My babes have been high-needs and could not have been counted on to not require my full attention during my appointments, especially something like a cleaning at the dentist.

[roses25]

I went to the dentist when my son was 6 weeks old. I sat him outside of the room for x-rays, but he was on me & nursing for the rest of the appt.

I'm going to add another similar question...

How do you get a haircut with your baby? Mine's mobile now, and I'm not sure how to do it (don't want a babysitter).

[Michigan Mama]

I've done most of the above. Take someone with me to the dentist, take the carseat in with me (babe is only 4 mo.). For haircuts with my older son, I'd buckle him in his stroller, give him a book, some crackers and juice, and he'd sit for the time it would take.

I wear my babe a lot at the doctor's office, especially if I know I might wait, but I usually take the carseat with me if I can, or schedule so I can leave the kids at home.

[sanguine_speed]

Originally Posted by roses25

I'm going to add another similar question...

How do you get a haircut with your baby? Mine's mobile now, and I'm not sure how to do it (don't want a babysitter).

I am fortunate enough to have a partner, so I leave my kids with him when I have a hair cut. If I didn't have a partner, I'd probably not get my hair cut with a mobile toddler! There is no way he would sit in a stroller for 20 minutes waiting without screaming very loudly and hurting the ears of everyone else at the salon.

[MittensKittens]

I had a root canal with a newborn on me (asleep) while my dentist was 9 months pregnant . No kidding. You tend to get really creative when you have to. Now that he's mobile and likely to grab stuff, I wouldn't attempt this kind of thing any more though .

[prothyraia]

Depends what I'm there for. I've had pelvic exams and eye exams while holding a baby.

[pixiepunk]

non-mobile babies are usually pretty easy. i always laid my sling/wrap out on the floor and laid the baby down if i needed to. and babies are cute and cuddly and often times people are more than happy to hold them for a minute as-needed.

but generally i tend to schedule those things when my DH can either be home with the baby or come along with me. it's nice to have an hour here and there when baby's not on me and i'm not the one primarily responsible. they manage to survive relatively well for the duration of a haircut or dental cleaning.

[anotherpeanut]

I'm super lucky to have lots of family available so if at all possible I left my kiddo with somene else while I get most of that stuff done. I also think dentists offices are a bit funky (all that tooth grime flying all over the place, yech)! My new OB office actually has on site child care...i've never used anything like that but I may if someone isn't around to watch him. I just can't focus when he's around, he's 2 and super busy!

[4Jet]

I always postponed the appt until I had someone to watch DD so I could go to an appt but do you know any teens you trust to watch your LO in the lobby while you go to your appt?

[Adasmommy]

Originally Posted by funkymamajoy

I bring either the stroller or bucket. Now that the baby is 11 months and walking, I leave him at home.

That cracked me up because I can just see him at home making himself microwave pizza . . .

I take someone with me to appointments like that or leave baby with someone. We don't have a stroller or a bucket.

I like the Moses Basket idea but dd wouldn't have put up with being put down anyway. Maybe I should get a Moses Basket just to take shopping with the new baby so I can try clothes on in dressing rooms . . . I really like not carrying stuff though!

[NickisDiapers]

For Dr. appts I typically get a sitter for DS1 (rambunctious 2yo) but I just ask a nurse to hold DS2 for me during procedures. Typically they're MORE than happy to oblige, and bring him to me if he needs me.