It’s your first day home, you’ve left the hospital, strapped your newborn lovingly/carefully into their first car seat, and driven carefully/slowly home. Or you may have had a home birth and be cradling your newborn after a few hours of much-needed sleep.
Now what? Should you open the doors to a stream of (expected) relatives and well-wishers or spend some one-to-one time with your brand-new family member?
Whatever you decide, being a bit prepared can work wonders for your emotional and physical health.
What Should I Prioritise On My First Day Home?
For your baby, feeding, nappy changing and sleep will pretty much be the order of the day (and night). You’ll find they wake up, need a nappy change, feed, then fall asleep pretty quickly continuously. Sometimes they will need an additional nappy change (or two!) straight after feeding.
For you, focus on recovery, sleep and eating nutritious snacks. You’ll need that extra energy whether you are breast or bottle feeding as your body recovers from birth. And you’ll need to eat even more frequently if you are purely breastfeeding.
If you’ve had stitches, you may need a daily ‘sitz’ bath; if you’ve had a c-section, you will need help with lifting and practical things – even something like the kettle will feel heavy.
“Top tip: have high-energy snacks like granola, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, flapjack or bananas to hand while you are breastfeeding or recovering.”
-Liz, Team Happity
When Can Family And Friends Come To Visit?
That’s up to you. Relatives will often be keen to visit as soon as you are home. You may welcome a grandparent, close relative or friend coming in to help you out or visit for a short period of time, but may prefer to invite other guests only once you’ve got feeding and sleeping established.
Just bear in mind that even half an hour to one hour will be exhausting if you’re making conversation. Your physical, emotional and mental health is so important after giving birth, so give yourself time to recover.
“Don’t announce to anyone/everyone straight away when baby is born. You’ll get busy with messages and people wanting to visit – take some time just with your new family/nuclear family before ‘opening the floodgates’!”
-Emily, Team Happity
If you have a partner, they will also likely be exhausted after supporting you through birth on very little sleep, so remind them to go easy on themselves as well.
“We realised pretty quickly that we would have to alter our lifestyle. Popping out to meet relatives for a few hours just wasn’t an option when we were getting feeding established, trying to grab some sleep, and expecting follow-up visits from the midwife.”
-Liz, Team Happity
What About Unexpected Guests?
Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’! If a visitor calls casually and you’re not expecting it, remember it’s OK to ask them to come back another day. You may be sleeping or feeding, so this will often be up to your partner, friend or family member to field at the door.
If they do come in, try and limit their visit to a quick 10 or 20 minutes, particularly if they’re local.
Sometimes people just want to drop off a card, gift, or food to help you out, so having a photo of mum and baby to hand (on a phone or similar) can be helpful for your partner to have and show to any calling visitors!
“When you do start having people round, set your own boundaries – can people just pop in or do you want to know they’re coming? Let them know your expectations about length of visit and be prepared for you or your partner to say “thanks, but we’re tired so can we call it a day?”
-Emily, Team Happity
How Much Should I Sleep?
Never underestimate the power of sleep! Many experts will say ‘sleep when your baby sleeps’. While this may be possible if you’re breastfeeding, and both you and baby drop off after a feed, sometimes you can get drawn into doing other jobs.
If you have a partner, friend or relative around, try and get them to do the practical things like taking nappies out to the bin, doing a quick wash or tidy up, making cups of tea and sterilising bottles.
If you are bottle feeding (or want to express some milk for a bottle feed), see if your partner can do one of the feeds downstairs (placing your baby in a Moses basket or crib near them when they drop off) and head into the bedroom for a longer sleep.
You may be tag-teaming in those early days and weeks when it comes to sleep and food.
Check out the 5-5-5 rule for resting and sleeping here.
“Make sure your partner does lots of holding, nappy changes and skin time so they can bond (and you can rest!!)
-Lucy, Team Happity
What Time Should A Newborn Go To Bed?
A newborn doesn’t go to bed! This can be a revelation for many parents! They will be on a continual feed-nap-wake-nappy change-feed again cycle in the newborn stage! Once you come to terms with this and start viewing your day (and night) in 2-3 hour blocks, it will feel easier to cope with.
What Should I Wear?
It’s completely up to you! Some new mums find pyjamas, nighties and dressing gowns most comfy in those early days. Others opt for joggers, slouchy tees, maternity wear or feeding tops. Throw on whatever helps you feel at ease as you recover from the birth. And don’t feel you have to get dressed up for visitors! Of course, if getting dressed up gives you a boost, then go for it!
“Plan to live in PJs for a while! Perhaps buy some new ones to feel comfy in.”
-Emily, Team Happity
Will Any Health Professionals Visit Me On My First Day Home With Baby?
If you’ve just been checked and discharged from the hospital or checked over after a home birth, it’s unlikely you will have a home visit from a midwife or similar on that first day home.
If everything has gone according to plan, they will leave you for one or two days to get feeding established. Then, depending on how things are going, someone may visit you daily if needed or every few days.
What About Meals?
If you had time to do any batch-cooking and freezing of food before giving birth, now is an ideal time to tuck into those meals. If a partner or friend has the energy to cook, then great. Otherwise, give yourself permission to order takeaway, get in a recipe box, or accept meals from other people. Anything to make your life easier at the start!
“Arrange for someone else to ensure that all your favourite foods and snacks are ready at home.”
-Alex, Team Happity
Remember, food, rest and recovery (for both you and baby) are your priority in those precious first few days. You’ll find life moves at a different pace and that’s OK!
“Did you know that in some cultures (depending on wealth levels!), new mums will check into a “baby hotel” for R&R for 40 days – and/or have mums, sisters and aunties to help them out? So don’t expect too much of yourself – and if people are demanding too much of you (to visit etc.) you can just say “not yet”.”
-Emily, Team Happity
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Looking out the window and seeing that it’s raining, the last thing you may feel like is getting your toddler up, about and out of the house.
But did you know that being out in the rain is actually good for us? Ever wonder why rain can feel so rejuvenating? According to a recent study, the electrons in the air when it rains actually help us feel better, not to mention how great that fresh rain smell is.
You may actually return from a day out with your toddler with both of you in a much better mood!
Here are some ideas for days out when it’s raining. And a few indoor-ish ‘days out’ when it’s really coming down.
1. Visit A Local National Trust Place or Museum
With the National Trust offering passes this summer, what better time to join for a month and benefit from all those outdoor spaces and play areas? They’re also running their ‘summer of play’, with loads of family-friendly things to do. Those under five get free entry any time of year.
Even if it’s raining, you can go for a day out to stomp under the trees or in the garden and woods. It’s bound to be quieter as well. A real plus if your toddler doesn’t like crowds. You’ll get all that fresh ‘just rained’ smell of the roses and other flowers in the garden. Perfect for stimulating the senses. And there will be new puddles and paths to explore as well.
If the rain gets really heavy, you can always shelter in the cafe or have a wander round the indoor spaces/house. Sometimes the place will have indoor activities specifically for children to experience.
2. Jump In Those Puddles
Toddlers are fascinated by water and puddles, as well as what happens when you jump into or over them. If it’s raining, then you have a great opportunity to find new and exciting puddles in your local area. Just be prepared to get wet!
With decent waterproofs and wellies, this can keep them entertained for quite a while. For a bit of variety, take along a scooter or bike and try riding through the puddles. If you want to stay a bit drier, take along a light ball, paper boat, or grab some leaves and sticks and try racing/floating some objects in the deeper puddles.
Outdoor swimming pools can still be fun on rainy days if the weather is otherwise warm!
The beauty of zoos is there will be a mixture of outdoor areas and indoor enclosures. With a bit of map reading, you can plan your trip to the aquarium or butterfly house when it’s wet, and venture outside to see the other animals when there’s just a light drizzle!
Budding naturalists may notice how animals will act differently in raining. Why not take a sketchpad or colouring pad, and spend some time drawing the animals?
4. Stomp In The Forest
The benefits of ‘forest bathing’ have been widely publicised, and we’d argue that ‘forest wading’ has the same benefits for toddlers. Wrap up in waterproofs, grab a pair of wellies and wander through those leaves.
With the shelter of the canopy, you may find a wood or forest is a more pleasant place to explore than the local park. You can also try a spot of den-building for extra shelter to have your picnic. Throw in some bug-hunting and you’ll probably all forget that it’s even raining in the first place.
5. Join a Nature or Gardening Group
You’ll find lots of outdoor toddler groups still run during the summer months. They embrace all weathers, in all seasons. For some inspiration and the company of other parents, sign up to one of these and see what ideas your local class provider has for interacting with nature.
6. Sink Into Soft Play (And Take A Stroll Too)
Soft play centres can often be very busy on rainy days. Try to go for an off-peak time if you can. If your soft play is in walking (or scooting) distance, you could ditch the car and make the journey there part of your day out to see what it brings. If you opt for a park or quiet route, you may find your toddler gets the benefit of seeing trees, or picking up leaves and twigs on the way there or back – and a splash in the puddles as well!
Or if you have any soft play blocks at home, why not buddy up with a friend or neighbour and build your own soft play centre for a day?!
7. Go On A Scavenger Hunt
You can download simple scavenger hunts for toddlers and take them along on a walk to your local park or outdoor area. With all the variety of flowers and leaves out in the summer, your toddler should get quite a haul!
8. Try Out The Tent or Shelter
A rainy day can be a great time to try out any sort of tent, or shelter. Even an old sheet will do! If you have a garden, your toddler can enjoy sheltering and ‘camping’ in their new den. If you need to venture further for some green space, find a couple of trees and see if you can build a mini-house together (tie a sheet to some trees perhaps with a bit of string!) Collect some small sticks or twigs for firewood, and add some leaves for bedding. You’ll be amazed at how creative your toddler can be with just a few resources.
Den-building can also be moved inside. Cushions, sofas and sheets are great tent-building supplies! See more indoor rainy day activities here.
9. Build The Beach
If you live near the sea, or are on holiday near a beach, then don’t let a bit of rain put you off. When it’s raining, the weather can be perfect for building on the beach. Try a castle with moat and see how the rain dapples the sand or erodes the walls (great for budding scientists). Or try a pebble or shell-hunt along the seashore. If you have a sandpit at home, water and sand play can be done with extra containers for catching the falling rain. Adding a few small toys like dinosaurs can really spark the imagination too.
“Sand and water used to entertain our toddler for hours in all weathers. Add a few empty yogurt pots and animal figures, and he’d build all sorts of habitats, like rivers, pools and mountains!”
-Liz, Team Happity
10. Perfect Those Photos (Or Pictures)
When it’s raining, familiar places can look very different. Leaves are shiny, flowers are sparkling with water, and raindrops are dripping through trees. If you have a simple toddler camera, try taking some new and unusual photos. Or see if your toddler wants to sketch under a tree. You never know, you might both find a bit of colouring therapeutic!
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Having a baby is an exciting time. However, once you reach the age of 35 your pregnancy is labelled as a ‘geriatric pregnancy’, a term that feels rather negative for most women.
Thankfully, it’s a term that’s fairly outdated and many medical teams prefer the term ‘advanced maternal age’ today. Although it still makes women feel far older than they really are.
We’re joined by Kate Sheppard, who wrote this article to help reduce some of the stigma associated with pregnancy over the age of 35. She will discuss pregnancy in your mid-30s and beyond: the risks and benefits as well as stigmas, empowering you to have a confident pregnancy whatever your age.
What Age is a Geriatric Pregnancy?
Geriatric pregnancy is when a woman is 35 years old or older. Which really isn’t very old at all. Many women in their mid-30s and beyond successfully conceive and have healthy pregnancies.
Why are Women Having Babies Later?
If you’re wondering why age-related pregnancy stigmas exist, it’s because women are increasingly having babies later than they did just a few decades ago. And there are many reasons for this, including:
More effective contraceptive methods
Specific career goals
Desires to be more financially secure
Unaffordable childcare
Financial restrictions due to the rising cost of living
Disadvantageous workplace policies
Finding a partner and marrying later
Fertility issues and treatments
Religious or cultural beliefs
While pregnancy in a woman’s mid-to-late 30s or 40s carries a fair amount of social stigma, for many women it is a careful choice that helps them feel fully prepared emotionally, financially, and physically to be the best mum they can be.
Potential Benefits of Having a Baby After 35
While there are pros and cons to having a baby after 35, you might be surprised by the number of benefits. Depending on your situation and your reasons for having a baby later on, you could potentially enjoy the following benefits:
More Financial Stability
The older you are, the more financially secure you are likely to be. Parents Magazine says, “If you have extra childless years, you’re more likely to finish up your degree and put time into developing your professional career. So, it makes sense that you’re more likely to earn a higher salary than a younger parent who had a child before establishing their career.”
Opportunity to Progress in Your Education and Career
Whether we want to admit it or not, having a baby and a career can be difficult. Even if a woman has a baby and returns to work, it can be harder to progress professionally in the ways she was prior to having children.
Mothers who wait until they’re a little older to have children are given more opportunities to freely progress in their educational and career goals. This leads to a higher feeling of fulfilment, helping women feel happier in themselves before becoming mothers.
Better Prepared Emotionally
Maturity tends to come with age. If you think back to being a teenager you probably cringe at some of the things you did or said. As you’ve grown older, you’ve lived through many of life’s ups and downs and you’ve gained a lot of experience, hopefully growing wiser in the process. This makes you far more emotionally prepared to raise a child.
If you are currently pregnant and you don’t feel emotionally prepared, don’t worry – you’re not alone. There is plenty of support available, from parenting support classes to walk and talks that provide a safe space to share your concerns and receive emotional support during this time.
Physically Healthier
Being that little bit older than you were in your twenties, you’ve had more time to nourish and look after your body in preparation for pregnancy.
Whether taking yoga classes, running, swimming, lifting weights, or doing pilates, many women enjoy the benefits of taking care of themselves and this carries over into motherhood, helping to support post-pregnancy wellness and faster healing after birth.
More Settled Situationally
Having a baby later in life means you tend to be more settled. You might own a house, have lived in the same place for many years, or be permanently settled in a particular location.
This situational stability is extremely important and beneficial for children as they grow, providing a strong foundation they can rely on as they face challenges, particularly during their developmental years.
Successful Children
Children of geriatric mothers, because of the reasons above and many more, tend to be more well-adjusted. As a result, they tend to stay in education longer, going on to college, and getting great results in tests.
This is because the emotional and financial stability of their parents has provided a reliable foundation from which they can grow and develop confidently, leading to much success later in life.
Potential Risks of Having a Baby After 35
Many women having a baby after 35 worry about the potential risks of pregnancy at this age. It’s important to note that if you are worried about your pregnancy or if you have any concerns, it’s best to speak to your doctor or midwife. They will provide support that’s right for you.
However, as a general overview, what follows are some of the potential risks of having a baby after 35.
Gestational Diabetes
Mothers having a geriatric pregnancy are more likely to be affected by gestational diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes can manage their symptoms. The key, of course, is prevention. You must be careful to control your blood sugar levels, eat nutritious meals, and prioritise low-impact exercise.
Multiple Pregnancies
When having a geriatric pregnancy, you can increase your chances (or your risk, depending on how you look at it) of conceiving twins. This is because as women age their follicle-stimulating hormone levels increase. This boosts the chance of two eggs being released at the same time.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition that typically affects those having a geriatric pregnancy (usually in their 40s). Although the exact cause is unknown, preeclampsia is thought to be caused by a problem with the placenta.
According to the NHS, “If you’re thought to be at a high risk of developing pre-eclampsia, you may be advised to take a 75 to 150 mg daily dose of aspirin from the 12th week of pregnancy until your baby is born.”
Miscarriage
For many women hoping to get pregnant, miscarriage is a very real worry. Whether you’ve had a miscarriage before or seen friends walk through it, there are few women who haven’t been affected by miscarriage in their lives.
Unfortunately, as women age their risk of miscarriage increases. According to the NHS, once a woman reaches 35 her risk of miscarriage rises from 1 in 10 to 2 in 10. And if a woman is over 45, her risk of miscarriage increases to 5 in 10.
Speak with Your Doctor
If you are over 35 and contemplating starting a family, it’s likely you have questions about what that looks like, what fertility support is available, and how it might affect your or your baby’s health. We always recommend raising these questions with your doctor who will be able to provide valuable advice and support.
We hope this article has been helpful.
Thanks To Our Guest Author Kate Sheppard
Kate Sheppard is a mum of two who loves to share insights about the joys and challenges of parenting. When she’s not spending time with her family, you’ll find her exploring the countryside.
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
New parents: How good is that feeling when you manage to get that first sip of tea in an otherwise chaotic morning?
As a new parent, navigating the challenges and joys of raising a child can be overwhelming. Among the sleepless nights and never-ending nappy changes, those moments of peace and self-care feel even sweeter. One of those sweet moments can come in the form of a well-needed cuppa.
We’re joined by Annabel Kalmar, founder of Tea Rebellion, who is offering her guide to her top 5 teas for new parents. From soothing chamomile blends to quick energy-boosting brews, discover how tea can become your go-to companion during this incredible journey of raising a child.
Get ready to sip, relax, and recharge with our essential tea tips for new parents.
What Are The Benefits Of Tea For New Parents?
Tea has been cherished for centuries across diverse cultures, not just for its delightful flavours but for the tons of health benefits it holds. Let’s explore all the advantages of drinking a solid cup of tea (especially as new parents).
Enhancing Overall Health and Vitality
Tea is a treasure trove of antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds that play a pivotal role in fortifying immunity and combatting illnesses. For new parents grappling with sleep deprivation and stress, integrating tea into their daily regimen can offer a much-needed pick-me-up. The antioxidants in tea, such as catechins and flavonoids, contribute to cellular health and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Boosting Energy Levels
A standout benefit of tea is its capacity to give you a gentle (but sustained) energy lift. Unlike coffee, tea boasts a moderate caffeine content that aids in augmenting alertness and concentration without the edgy side effects. This quality makes tea a great choice for new parents who want for that additional push to navigate through the day’s demands. Certain types of tea, like matcha powdered green tea, provide a gradual release of energy and help you to avoid energy crashes.
Promoting Relaxation
Beyond its invigorating properties, tea has calming effects that aid relaxation and stress reduction. The act of brewing and enjoying a cup of tea can serve as a mindful interlude for new parents to unwind and rejuvenate, even if only for a brief moment. Teas containing L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves, are particularly noted for their relaxation-inducing properties by promoting alpha wave activity in the brain, fostering a state of tranquillity.
Supporting Mental Well-being
The ritual of enjoying tea can be a form of self-care and mindfulness, offering moments of solace and reflection amidst the whirlwind of parenting responsibilities. Some herbal teas (such as chamomile and peppermint) are renowned for their soothing effects on the mind and body, aiding in stress relief and promoting a good night’s sleep.
There are ton of benefits of drinking tea, from improving your health and vitality, giving your more energy, and overall helping you to feel more relaxed. By fitting a solid cuppa into your daily routine, new parents can take those extra little steps that nurture both the physical body and the mind.
The Benefits Of Crafting A Tea Ritual
Carving out moments of peace and doing something for yourself is well-needed when you become a parent. And creating a personalized tea ritual for yourself offers a small window in your day to do that. By dedicating time to savouring your favourite brew, you not only nurture yourself but also create space for mindfulness and reflection.
Take time to choose the right tea and explore which blend is best for you. From soothing herbal blends to invigorating green teas, the world of tea is vast and different blends are available to suit your personal needs. Experiment with different varieties to discover your preferences and expand your palate.
Creating a tea ritual can also be a mindfulness exercise. Focus on each sip, savouring the flavours and aromas that dance on your palate. Allow your thoughts to settle as you immerse yourself in the present moment. Embrace the ritual of preparing and enjoying tea as a form of self-care, a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
The Different Kinds Of Tea
Tea has been a beloved beverage for centuries, cherished not only for its taste but also for its numerous health benefits. Here are some tea varieties that not only provide natural energy boosts but also contribute to overall well-being.
Energizing Tea Types:
Green Tea: Known for its high antioxidant content, green tea is a great choice for a gentle energy boost without the jitters.
Black Tea: With a moderate caffeine level, black tea can provide a more robust pick-me-up, perfect for a morning boost.
Matcha Tea: This powdered green tea is rich in antioxidants and provides a sustained release of energy, ideal for long workdays.
Chamomile Tea: This is a go-to for its calming properties. Chamomile tea can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, making it a perfect bedtime drink.
Peppermint Tea: Refreshing and soothing, peppermint tea is great for alleviating tension and aiding digestion, contributing to overall well-being.
Lavender Tea: Fragrant and calming, lavender tea is a wonderful choice for unwinding after a hectic day, promoting a sense of tranquillity.
Lemon Verbena: Less well-known but nevertheless an amazing herbal tea for its soothing qualities as a post-dinner, pre-bedtime tea
In Conclusion
One thing that we as parents often let slip is our self-care to look after our overall well-being. One simple, yet effective, way to nurture yourself is by incorporating tea breaks into your daily routine.
These moments of tranquillity provide a much-needed pause in your day and offer numerous benefits for your mental and emotional health. By embracing tea time as a moment of relaxation, mindfulness, and rejuvenation, you not only nurture yourself but also cultivate a deeper connection to the present moment. So, brew a cup of your favourite tea, take a deep breath, and trust that you will master the unknown challenges of early parenthood.
Thanks To This Month’s Partner: Tea Rebellion
Sustainable, fairtrade, and (side-note) delicious – Tea Rebellion’s range of bag, loose leaf and subscription teas will delight tea-lovers everywhere. We love their total commitment to transparency, and making a difference in farming communities they trade with.
In the moment of calm before the storm, when the day is just beginning, treat yourself to a phenomenal tasting cuppa that you know has been made with love.
Disclaimer: Tea Rebellion are our partner brand for August 2024. This partnership will help us in our goal of connecting more parents with classes and to help find support near them.
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
How do you entertain your baby or toddler when you’re out for dinner?
Chances are if your baby is in the newborn, sleepy phase, you may have gone for a few easy café breaks or lunch out while your baby is napping in the pram. But what about when they stay awake for longer? Or if you want to go out with a partner, friend or family for a longer meal? Your baby or toddler may not be ready to be left with a babysitter just yet or it may be you love having social meals with others as part of your family lifestyle and culture.
To navigate mealtimes with ease, follow our handy tips for some easy activities to entertain your baby or toddler when out for dinner – without reaching for your phone.
1. Take A Grab Bag of Colouring Pens, Stickers and Crafts
Many pubs and restaurants supply colouring pencils, but for a younger baby and toddler you will need to have some activities up your sleeve when you’re out for dinner. Always have a grab bag of entertaining goodies ready to go. Baby toys and a few Duplo bricks for little ones, and for older children add mini pencils, crayons, colouring books, paper, play-doh and stickers.
Water painting is mess-free and reusable. You just need the book, a brush and a bit of water in a cup,
“A lot of our stuff came from pound shops, but also for stickers I would use the rolls of dots or stars you can buy from Rymans. We’d get our children to draw something on paper and decorate it. Or do target practice. They love trying to get the sticker on the spot.”
– Sara, Team Happity
“My friends have a ‘pub bag’ which contains a few mystery items like colouring books and toys for the kids. They don’t all have to be new things, it’s more the anticipation of what’s going to be in the bag which seems to work really well.”
– Lisa, Team Happity
2. Minimise the Waiting Time
Order the adult starters and mains to come together, and try to order the kids’ food first whilst people are still deciding. But then delay between the main and dessert for the kids. Ice cream is usually a strong incentive for waiting at the table!
3. Space Out The Snacks
Bring a not-too-filling snack that you can string out to fill the time whilst waiting. Some parents swear by multigrain hoops for this, and will give them out one at a time…
4. Try Simple Hand Games
Anything where you can use minimal resources is great to have up your sleeve! Young babies love a bit of ‘peek-a-boo’ while toddlers will be fascinated with ‘table mouse’. Use your hand to pretend to be a mouse running across the table and hiding behind the cutlery or condiments or under a napkin. Or your hand could be a spider or a dinosaur.
Other favourites are ‘guess the animal hand puppet’ shape or link your hands together and do some old-fashioned tricks like ‘wiggle your finger’ (maybe one for the grandparents!) Hand or finger puppets are also a hit with younger children.
Older toddlers may even be able to have a go ‘rock, paper, scissors’ or ‘cat’s cradle’ if you have a bit of wool or string to hand.
5. Try Singing And Signing
If your baby or toddler goes to signing classes, this could be a good time for a gentle rendition of something like ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ or anything else they’ve learnt. Depending on the ambience of the place you are in, repetitive songs like ‘Wheels on the Bus” or “Old Macdonald” where they can join in and suggest new lyrics also work.
6. Keep Them Puzzling
For babies, take along a regular chewy teething toy or small wooden toy (these can often clip onto the side of their chair etc.) or something that swivels and turns like a small wooden puzzle or toy. Older toddlers may enjoy using a fidget popper or Rubix cube.
Keys are always a favourite with little ones. You could get a bunch of old ones if you don’t want to hand over your actual car keys (!) or get some wooden ones.
“We have a giraffe with wooden legs on strings which move when you press a button. It always kept our toddlers busy and you could even make it ‘talk’ or ‘dance’.”
– Liz, Team Happity
7. Go For A Walk – Even If It’s Just Round The Restaurant
Use the environment to whet your child’s curiosity. If they’re properly in the ‘just starting to walk’ toddling phase, regular short walks to another part of the restaurant or toilets may be enough to keep them entertained. It’s amazing how fascinating a new step or slope can be to a toddler!
If you’ve chosen a family-friendly venue then there will be other families doing similar things – and children always find other children fascinating as well.
8. Find the Garden And Smell The Roses
We all need a breather from time to time, and young children are no different. If your baby or toddler is feeling a bit fractious, a short walk or standing in an outdoor space may be great for a reset. Looking for insects, smelling the flowers or following a garden path may help burn off some of that excess energy so they can come back to the table and eat something.
9. Try Traditional Word Games
Try ‘Simon Says’ and I Spy with a twist (use colours instead of letters, e.g. ‘something that is red’). Play ‘What Am I?’ and describe an animal. This is really funny when toddlers try to do it!
For older toddlers and children, you can play ‘Who Am I?’ with cartoon or book characters that they know. The ‘yes/no’ game (or 10 questions) is a variation on this, so you think of an animal or character and the other person can ask up to 10 questions with simple yes/no answers to try and guess who you are.
Simple card games can also be a winner with children.
10. Take Turns To Eat Vs Entertain The Children
If you’re with friends or other family members, you may find that an older sibling, cousin, friend or adult is skilled in keeping the children entertained without resorting to a device. For a longer meal in a pub, there may be a garden or play area someone can take the children to in between courses.
11. Embrace The Boredom
Rather than using a phone or tablet the minute your children get fidgety, you’ll be amazed what they will notice or invent to entertain themselves if left to their own devices (no pun intended!)
We know you might reach for a screen at some point to play a favourite song or simple game, but try not doing it straight away and see what happens. It can be freeing (for you and the children) to ditch the device!
“…we would end up using screens to placate the children at some point… especially if the service was really slow. However, I think the small pockets of time where the kids had to entertain themselves for a bit and experience some boredom was really good for them in the long run, and it stopped them badgering us for phones as the default option… there were plenty of times that the food came fast enough that they weren’t needed!”
– Sara, Team Happity
Bonus Option: Go For An Outdoor Picnic Instead
Finally, if your baby or toddler finds it really hard to sit at the table for any length of time (and let’s face it, most of them do!), make life easy for yourself. Go down to the local park with a ball and have a picnic, so they can run/roll around as much as they like!
“Persuading your friends to meet for beers/picnics in the park rather than restaurants and pubs is a real winner. Kids are so much happier when not strapped into a high chair, and when everyone else is at their eye level.”
– Lisa, Team Happity
You’ve Got This!
As with everything, the more you practice and your children get used to it, the easier it will be! When you’re out for dinner, there are a few ways to occupy and entertain your baby or toddler. It sometimes just takes playing around and seeing what works for you.
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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