So what do you do when you go to the mall in the winter???

[clynnr]

DH, DD, and I went to the mall yesterday. I brought my BabyHawk Mei Tai and wore DD on my back. She loved it, and it was fabulous! (I am also 32 weeks pg, just fyi )

BUT... It was about 17 degrees yesterday. Brrr! Between the three of us we had three hats, six mittens, two adult winter coats, DD's blanket/quilt for to/from the car and in the carseat, and a stuffed diaper bag with diapers, wet bag, extra covers, wallet, etc. DH and I agreed it would have been nice to have the stroller--just so we could put all our stuff in it!!

So what do you do with all your stuff??

[Quindin]

**I have a super big coat which I can zip around both DS and I when I am wearing him on the front: that eliminates the need for winter clothes or blankies for him. Once in the mall, I unzip the coat , and we are fine

**My other kids wear their jackes only when we walk from the car to the mall: no need for mittens, hats and stuff like that - they would probably lose them anyways

**Diaper bag? Well... I am not at a mall for longer than 2 - 3 hours at a time, so I just put a well stuffed FBs on DS when we go to the mall. I changed him as soon as I come back to the car. Now... in the rare occasion we are out for longer than that, DH is usually with me so he carriers our Lands Ends Diaper Backpack or I do it myself... LOVE it because it is so roomy!

**Wallet, keys? I never would put them in a stroller anyways, so I have them either in my pocket, in a little bag I bring along or in the pocket of my carrier (some of them have great pockets!)

Now, when I was doing Holiday shopping, I just borrowed one of those strollers the mall has for my bags. When I shop for clothes I usually arrange for DH to come along so he can take all the kids for me

[clynnr]

Originally Posted by polihaupt

**I have a super big coat which I can zip around both DS and I when I am wearing him on the front: that eliminates the need for winter clothes or blankies for him. Once in the mall, I unzip the coat , and we are fine

Good idea, but probably won't work for us until I'm not pg anymore. I also get really hot, and I hate wearing a coat inside. Probably all the pg hormones, LOL!

Originally Posted by polihaupt

**My other kids wear their jackes only when we walk from the car to the mall: no need for mittens, hats and stuff like that - they would probably lose them anyways

Another good point.

Originally Posted by polihaupt

**Diaper bag? Well... I am not at a mall for longer than 2 - 3 hours at a time, so I just put a well stuffed FBs on DS when we go to the mall. I changed him as soon as I come back to the car. Now... in the rare occasion we are out for longer than that, DH is usually with me so he carriers our Lands Ends Diaper Backpack or I do it myself... LOVE it because it is so roomy!

Yet again...another good point. We have to drive at least half an hour to get to a decent mall, so I always change DD sometime in the middle of the trip. I could change her in the car--though it's still difficult when it's so cold... Right now she's in a "poo five times a day" stage, so I'm always afraid to be diaperless, LOL!

Originally Posted by polihaupt

**Wallet, keys? I never would put them in a stroller anyways, so I have them either in my pocket, in a little bag I bring along or in the pocket of my carrier (some of them have great pockets!)

I'm so strange...my wallet is huge, and I hate having things in my pockets. I should look through my purse stash ( Hi, my name is Chelsea, and I am a purse addict...) and see if I can find a smaller bag that would work for that!

Originally Posted by polihaupt

Now, when I was doing Holiday shopping, I just borrowed one of those strollers the mall has for my bags. When I shop for clothes I usually arrange for DH to come along so he can take all the kids for me

We considered doing this, but we were just ambling--no real shopping to do, just spring fever, LOL. DH carried all the stuff, and I carried DD. I don't think I've ever tried to do clothes shopping w/DD--ack!

Thanks for all the good ideas!!

[hopesmama]

I wear my baby in the mall, but still take the stroller to push the stuff around! I like having the stroller to carry all of my shopping bags and stuff.

[MikahsMomma]

I've got an almost 3 year old and we do use a stroller for her. It's a step up from an umbrella - just in that it has a basket and a snack bar. She rides in that and the baby gets slung. I'm still trying to figure out how to transition him from the car to the sling though when it's really cold out. Seems heartless to yank him out of his snuggly baby bucket out into the cold. Especially when I don't want to dress him TOO warm so he doesn't overheat in the sling. Can't wait for warmer weather!