Add a new baby to the equation and you're into a whole new scenario. What was a simple trip in life-before-baby now assumes mammoth proportions.

Although the idea of staying at home has largely fallen by the wayside, some mothers swear by being housebound with their babies for the first few weeks.

On the flip side, many mothers adopt the stance that their offspring should slot into their lives and that this will be achieved with minimum fuss if the philosophy is implemented sooner rather than later.

For these moms, the prospect of six weeks at home with a newborn baby strikes chords of terror. For mothers who opt to get mobile as soon as possible, the best advice is probably to be adaptable.

How to do it
Probably the best advice from mothers who've "been there, done that" is to keep calm, relax, pack, plan, and don't get over-ambitious.

Once you're mobile, if you keep trips manageable and enjoyable, you're likely to be rewarded with a baby who can be taken pretty much anywhere.

New experiences for babies are also vital for mental growth, which occurs at a staggering pace between birth and two years. Trips out are a fantastic source of new experiences and sensations and, as your baby develops, a valuable learning tool.

Again, the emphasis should be on striking a balance: stick to trips with which you and your baby are comfortable, go home if over-stimulation threatens. And bear in mind that if your newborn spends the entire day out – being shifted from pillar to post – the result is likely to be a hysterical baby and equally hysterical mother by the end of the day.

Once you've conquered initial fears and nervousness, you'll find that it's quite easy to tote your newborn along for trips to the dentist or hairdresser, nursery or meeting friends for lunch.

It can be done – and the more you do it, the easier it becomes. And if you're thinking that first visits are fraught with pitfalls, there's always the prospect of tackling outings with mobile, active, inquisitive, forthright toddlers to look forward to.

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