Key Points
- It’s generally recommended to wait a few months before taking a newborn outdoors, but no official guidelines exist.
- Both you and your baby can venture out and get some fresh air, just as long as you take the necessary precautions for your safety.
The newborn bubble is a wonderful feeling, but the time comes for every new parent when you want to get back outside and start getting life back to normal. One of the best things for sleep-deprived parents is fresh air! Getting your baby out in public can also help them learn the difference between day and night, which can help their circadian rhythm.
So, when is it to take your baby out for a walk?
Content In This Article:
- When Is It Safe To Take My Baby Out In Public Places?
- What Are The Benefits Of Taking Your Baby Out For A Walk?
- How To Keep Your Baby Safe In Public?
- How Should You Dress Your Baby For An Outing?
When Is It Safe To Take My Baby Out In Public Places?
The answer to this question has divided the nation for decades. Some believe you shouldn’t take your baby out in public for the first few months to prevent them from catching any illnesses. However, others think getting out for a walk with your baby as soon as you feel ready is best. Walks can improve parental bonding, as well as the mental health of new parents.
There are no strict guidelines from health professionals detailing the answer to this question. It ultimately comes down to the parents and what they feel comfortable with. Adhere to basic safety precautions to keep your little one safe if you want to take your baby for a walk.
What About Their Immune System?
The main reason why people advise against taking babies outside within the first few months of life is because of their immune systems. Newborn infants and babies have a weak immune system, making them susceptible to illness. Taking them outside, where other people outside your household reside, might increase their exposure to germs.
Most pediatric health experts advise parents to wait a few months before venturing outside into crowded areas. Still, there are no fixed guidelines for when you should allow people to begin interacting with your little one.
A newborn’s immune system has not developed for the first few months of their life, so they’ll have a lower ability to fight off infections and illnesses. You can avoid them getting ill by using extra precautions: keeping them away from people outside your household, always ensuring visitors wash their hands, and preventing people from kissing your baby.
Contact your doctor if you’re still unsure about taking your child outside or if you want to learn more about their immune system and how to keep them healthy.
What is the recommended vaccination schedule for babies in Australia?
*we shouldn’t assume everyone will vaccinate here, so be careful with wording – also before listing the schedule, make it clear that this is the recommended schedule and it is not mandatory
What Are The Benefits Of Taking Your Baby Out For A Walk?
There are many benefits to taking baby your baby for a walk outside. Parents know their babies best, so you can decide when to take them out. We’ve detailed the benefits of getting out and about with your little one below:
1. A Walk Offers Stimulation For Your Baby
Imagine seeing a tree for the first time, or a pond with swimming ducks! Everything in this world is new to your baby, and that’s exciting! Outdoor environments stimulate your baby’s senses, promoting cognitive and sensory development. Your child has likely never seen a tree or park before, so taking them on a walk allows them to explore their new surrounding for the first time.
2. A Walk Exposes Your Little One To Vitamin D
Vitamin D comes from sunlight, an essential nutrient for growing bodies. Most babies are deficient in vitamin D, so taking them out in the sun is great. Babies who have Jaundice can also benefit from exposure to sunlight.
However, it is important to remember that babies need from direct sunlight, so protect them with a stroller canopy or a sun hat. Ensure they’re not dressed in too much clothing for the weather to avoid overheating.
3. A Walk Offers A Bonding Experience For You Both
Becoming a parent is magical, but it’s also stressful! You can get too wrapped up in sleep patterns, feeding, and nappy changes to appreciate your fleeting newborn moments. So, getting out for some fresh air with your baby is an excellent way to connect with nature and bond.
Exposure to natural light can also lift your spirits and reduce stress levels. Bonding with your baby in those very first few weeks and months is crucial; taking them on a walk is a simple and amazing way.
4. A Walk Promotes Physical Activity For Parents
Physical activity can also boost your mood and reduce stress levels. Taking your baby on a walk, either by pushing a stroller or using a baby carrier, can promote postpartum recovery and help you to stay active. Be sure not to make yourself too hard too soon, though!
How To Keep Your Baby Safe In Public?
When taking your baby out in public, you should always consider their safety. For example, keeping your baby in a stroller or a pram keeps them in a safe space while you’re navigating through crowds. A baby carrier is also excellent for keeping them close and away from strangers.
We’ve detailed some ways of how you can keep your baby safe in public below:
1. Practice Caution Around Strangers
We wouldn’t recommend allowing any stranger to touch, hold, or kiss your baby. Your baby is used to your household germs, but they’re not equipped to handle strangers’ germs. Ensure anyone touching your child washes their hands and maintains the guidelines you set for them. Remember, you’re the parent! When you say no kissing the baby, that means no kissing the baby.
2. Protect Them From Direct Sunlight
Use your stroller’s canopy or a pram umbrella to protect your little one from the harsh UV rays of the sun. You should also dress them for the weather in lightweight clothing, which is easy to layer should the temperature change while you’re out.
3. Avoid Crowded Places
Germ exposure is much more likely if you take your newborn into crowded areas. We recommend taking them to a quiet park for their first walk or walking around the block. Minimise your contact with other items on your short walk to prevent yourself from picking up too many new germs. Take hand sanitiser to maintain proper hand hygiene if you need to touch anything.
How can you handle different weather conditions when walking with a newborn?
*be brief and to the point here
The importance of monitoring a baby when on a walk or out in public
Final Thoughts On Taking Newborn Babies For A Walk
There are many conflicting opinions on when you should first take your baby out for a walk, but the decision ultimately comes down to the parent. Whether you want to take your little one out soon after they’re born or wait for a few weeks or months, that’s your decision. As long as you are confident in protecting your baby while out for a walk, there are many benefits to walking with your newborn.