When can i go out with my newborn

When Can Newborns Go Outside? Safety and More

Hello, fresh air and sunshine! Exiting the hospital with your new baby can be a magical moment. Unfortunately, it may also leave you with a sense of panic as you realize that your little one is now entering into the real world.

You may have heard from a friend or family member that newborns shouldn’t be outside for the first couple of months of their lives. Is this true? Should you really keep your baby inside for the first 6 to 8 weeks after birth?

If your anxiety is rising just thinking about this, don’t worry!

We understand that being a new parent can be overwhelming, so we’ve gone through the research to help answer all your questions about taking your newborn out and about for the first time.

Most pediatric health experts agree that babies can head outside right away, as long as you use basic safety precautions. (More on those to come, so keep calm and read on!)

Generally speaking, there’s no need to stay inside with your little one for the first 1 or 2 months of baby’s life if you both feel up to getting out. In fact, some fresh air and sunshine can benefit you both, thanks to vitamin D and mood-boosting benefits.

One exception to keep in mind, though, is that some doctors prefer you wait a bit before taking your little one into crowded spaces where they may be exposed to high levels of germs — especially during COVID-19 surges.

It is true that your newborn’s immune system is still developing and may struggle to fight off infections.

There are precautions you can take, though — like hand washing and physical distancing — to minimize the chance of your little one developing an illness.

For most infants, taking typical safety precautions while outside is sufficient to keep them safe.

In rare cases where your child has a health condition that makes their immune system particularly susceptible to germs, your doctor may advise you to take extra precautions. These can include staying at home during periods of specific concern.

If you’re ready to take your little one outside, you’ll want to make sure to follow appropriate safety measures. These include:

Dress them in weather-appropriate clothing

Double-check baby’s outfit to make sure it’s weather appropriate. You’ll probably also want to have a spare outfit or blanket packed, in case of an emergency change or if extra layers are needed.

A general rule of thumb is to dress your baby for the weather and then add one extra layer. You’ll want to check to make sure they’re comfortable throughout the outing as well.

Have a sun-protection plan

A little sunshine can be nice, but baby skin burns easier, so you’ll want to make sure that it’s covered with clothing and a sun hat or hidden in the shade.

Because infants are at a greater risk of sunscreen side effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend keeping infants in the shade and out of direct sunlight. However, in a pinch it may be OK to apply small amounts of sunscreen to exposed skin. Just consult with your pediatrician first if your baby is younger than 6 months old.

Avoid crowds

Crowded places like malls, airplanes, or pools mean that there’s more chances for germs to spread.

Especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many experts encourage parents to avoid these places with their newborns.

If possible, it’s also best to avoid places like the grocery store and indoor restaurants where ventilation may be poor and you might have trouble physical distancing from other people.

Wash your hands — and make sure others do, too

Ensure that anyone who touches your baby has washed their hands. No one showing any symptoms of illness should come in contact with your newborn.

You may even wish to teach young siblings to touch only baby’s toes or back and not their hands or face. This may help reduce the risk of spreading germs.

Limit visitors

It might be hard to say no when well-meaning family and friends want to visit baby, but it’s good to limit who is allowed around your newborn.

Again, because of COVID-19, many experts are suggesting restricting visitors around you and your newborn until the pandemic improves.

Use a baby carrier

Babies can be irresistible! But wearing baby in a baby carrier rather than using a stroller can keep your little one close and help prevent other people from touching (or kissing!) them.

There are some times when you’ll want to think twice before loading baby into their car seat or stroller. You may wish to stay inside your home if:

Extreme weather conditions are occurring. Mail carriers may brave wind, snow, sleet, and hail, but your newborn should avoid extreme temperatures and being outside in bad air quality whenever possible.
Your child has a medical condition. If your newborn has special medical needs that leave them particularly susceptible to germs, you’ll want to consult with their doctor before taking them out and about.
It’s peak sunlight hours. The middle of the day can be an especially hard time to find shade and protect your baby’s skin. For this reason, you may wish to avoid excessive time outside when the sun is at its strongest.

If you do need to go outside with baby for any reason, especially in warmer weather and for longer periods of time, be sure to bring plenty of breast milk or formula to keep them hydrated.

Most doctors agree that there’s no need to wait until your baby is 1 or 2 months old to take them out and about. However, you also shouldn’t feel pressure to do it before you’re ready.

Newborn babies can seem so delicate, you might want to put them inside a bubble of protection (or at least never let them see sunlight).

The truth is some sun protection, weather-appropriate clothing, and distance from crowds will probably be enough to keep them safe.

If you have any questions about taking your newborn outside or if your infant has special medical circumstances to consider, you should never hesitate to speak with your child’s pediatrician.

When Can Newborns Go Outside? Safety and More

If your anxiety is rising just thinking about this, don’t worry!

We understand that being a new parent can be overwhelming, so we’ve gone through the research to help answer all your questions about taking your newborn out and about for the first time.

Most pediatric health experts agree that babies can head outside right away, as long as you use basic safety precautions. (More on those to come, so keep calm and read on!)

It is true that your newborn’s immune system is still developing and may struggle to fight off infections.

There are precautions you can take, though — like hand washing and physical distancing — to minimize the chance of your little one developing an illness.

For most infants, taking typical safety precautions while outside is sufficient to keep them safe.

If you’re ready to take your little one outside, you’ll want to make sure to follow appropriate safety measures. These include:

Dress them in weather-appropriate clothing

A general rule of thumb is to dress your baby for the weather and then add one extra layer. You’ll want to check to make sure they’re comfortable throughout the outing as well.

Have a sun-protection plan

A little sunshine can be nice, but baby skin burns easier, so you’ll want to make sure that it’s covered with clothing and a sun hat or hidden in the shade.

Avoid crowds

Crowded places like malls, airplanes, or pools mean that there’s more chances for germs to spread.

Especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many experts encourage parents to avoid these places with their newborns.

If possible, it’s also best to avoid places like the grocery store and indoor restaurants where ventilation may be poor and you might have trouble physical distancing from other people.

Wash your hands — and make sure others do, too

Ensure that anyone who touches your baby has washed their hands. No one showing any symptoms of illness should come in contact with your newborn.

You may even wish to teach young siblings to touch only baby’s toes or back and not their hands or face. This may help reduce the risk of spreading germs.

Limit visitors

It might be hard to say no when well-meaning family and friends want to visit baby, but it’s good to limit who is allowed around your newborn.

Again, because of COVID-19, many experts are suggesting restricting visitors around you and your newborn until the pandemic improves.

Use a baby carrier

Babies can be irresistible! But wearing baby in a baby carrier rather than using a stroller can keep your little one close and help prevent other people from touching (or kissing!) them.

There are some times when you’ll want to think twice before loading baby into their car seat or stroller. You may wish to stay inside your home if:

Extreme weather conditions are occurring. Mail carriers may brave wind, snow, sleet, and hail, but your newborn should avoid extreme temperatures and being outside in bad air quality whenever possible.
Your child has a medical condition. If your newborn has special medical needs that leave them particularly susceptible to germs, you’ll want to consult with their doctor before taking them out and about.
It’s peak sunlight hours. The middle of the day can be an especially hard time to find shade and protect your baby’s skin. For this reason, you may wish to avoid excessive time outside when the sun is at its strongest.

If you do need to go outside with baby for any reason, especially in warmer weather and for longer periods of time, be sure to bring plenty of breast milk or formula to keep them hydrated.

Most doctors agree that there’s no need to wait until your baby is 1 or 2 months old to take them out and about. However, you also shouldn’t feel pressure to do it before you’re ready.

Newborn babies can seem so delicate, you might want to put them inside a bubble of protection (or at least never let them see sunlight).

The truth is some sun protection, weather-appropriate clothing, and distance from crowds will probably be enough to keep them safe.

If you have any questions about taking your newborn outside or if your infant has special medical circumstances to consider, you should never hesitate to speak with your child’s pediatrician.

How to walk with a newborn in winter, how much time and how to dress a baby for a winter walk

Surrounding the baby with daily care and love, we change our plans and daily routine. One of the regimen aspects is walks.

How to walk with a newborn in winter? How many times a day? What to dress the child in? Is it possible not to leave the house at all if it is cold outside or the baby is in a bad mood?

Let's start with heat transfer

The physiological processes involved in maintaining the optimal body temperature of a newborn baby immediately after birth are not perfect. In a full-term baby, after birth, the temperature decreases by about 1.5–2.0 ° C, and then rises again to 37 ° C. Such a temperature difference is considered normal during the first days of life and is called transient hypothermia of newborns. nine0003

In immature, premature babies, the temperature most often drops below, and therefore, immediately after birth, they are placed under additional sources of heat, in incubators, until the processes of thermoregulation improve.

Also, the features of heat transfer in a newborn are: a tendency to hypothermia due to insufficient development of the subcutaneous fat layer, a tendency to overheat due to limited sweating and imperfection of thermoregulation mechanisms. nine0003

After the 5th day, body temperature remains very sensitive to fluctuations in ambient temperature. Body temperature changes slightly when feeding children, when swaddling, bathing and walking. If the baby is cold, supercooled, then the fastest way to warm him up is to ensure close bodily contact with his mother and attach to his chest.

The process of heat transfer and thermoregulation returns to normal only after 1 year, and sometimes after 1 year and 6 months. Therefore, the room may be warm, but your baby's hands and feet may still be cool and damp. This is not out of the norm. And if you are worried about the baby, then you can additionally put on warm socks made of natural materials - cotton, wool. nine0003

Considering the process of heat transfer, it is worth paying attention to the fact that overheating a child is no less dangerous than hypothermia. Many parents, fearing hypothermia of the child, begin to wrap it up unnecessarily and thereby increase the risk of developing dehydration, which can lead to heat stroke or malfunction of the central nervous system, heart, and breathing.

When going for a walk with a baby, one should try to follow the rules and maintain an optimal temperature regime. nine0003

How and how long can you walk with a newborn in winter

A lot of conflicting information about walking can be a source of stress for new parents. In fact, you can walk with a baby at any air temperature, but there are subjective numbers of temperature and humidity at which a walk should be canceled.

Main rules:

1. Each parent is guided by himself when he is going to walk. For example, on the street it is pouring rain or a crackling 30-degree frost. It is not necessary to go for a walk with a child in such weather. It is better to enjoy the warmth and comfort of home. nine0003

2. If you are cold or tired from walking, then go home. Even if we walked for 20 minutes instead of the planned 2 hours. A child needs healthy and happy parents.

3. Pediatricians recommend starting to go outside with a child from the 3rd-10th day of his life. For the first time, you should walk for 10-15 minutes. Usually the first walk is a solemn discharge from the hospital.

4. In winter, with a child of the 1st month of life, it is recommended to start walking if the air temperature is not lower than minus 10 ° C. You can use the rule of pediatricians: for each month of a child's life - minus 5 degrees, but not lower than 15 degrees for any baby. nine0003

5. When planning the duration of the walk, you should focus on the breaks between feeding the baby.

6. For winter walks with your baby, do not forget about skin protection products. Use only high-quality baby creams and apply them to the baby's skin 15-20 minutes before leaving the house.

7. Always dress yourself first, then the child. The baby may overheat while waiting for you to be ready. Gather everything you need with you in advance - a diaper change, toys, a snack. nine0003

The benefits of walking for a child in winter

Walking for a baby and a baby over a year old in winter is not only physical health, but also the development of cognitive interest, communication skills and physical activity.

Winter air is more saturated with oxygen, therefore, thanks to winter walks, brain function is stimulated, physical activity of the baby increases and his sleep improves. Also, walking in the fresh air helps to increase appetite and better functioning of the respiratory system. Walking in any weather, and especially in the winter season, is the simplest and easiest way to harden a baby, which has a beneficial effect on his health. nine0003

Fresh air and sunlight can be fully obtained only on the street, do not forget about walking in the cold season to maintain normal vitamin D and phosphorus-calcium metabolism in the body. This is true for different regions, even for those where, according to statistics, there are few sunny days in winter.

How to dress a newborn outside in winter

When dressing a child for a walk, be guided by your feelings - dress the baby in the way that seems comfortable to you personally. nine0003

Babies under 1 year old should wear one more layer of clothing than themselves. Children of this age on the street sleep more often than they are awake, so it is better to dress the baby a little warmer. If your child is already making attempts to explore the world around him while walking, then choose clothes that will allow him to actively move. Take an extra blanket in case the child decides to sleep in the frosty air.

Walking for a long time, check if you have dressed the baby too warmly. The palms and nose of a child under 1 year of age are not very informative in determining whether the baby is warm. It is better to check the child's neck and the back of the head with your warm hand. If the neck and back of the head are wet, then the baby is hot. nine0003

Comfort during winter walks is provided by a good stroller with large wheels, which can easily overcome any bumps and snowdrifts.

How long to walk with a child older than 1 year in the cold season?

With a baby over the age of 1 year, the duration of walks will depend on the daily routine and the time of the walk.

If the walk is planned for the time of the daytime sleep of the baby, then it is better to dress him a little warmer. He will be able to sleep longer in comfort and warmth in the fresh frosty air. If your child is already actively exploring the world during winter walks, then provide him with the opportunity to actively move in winter clothes. Clothing made from modern and natural fabrics allows you to enjoy a walk for a longer time. nine0003

For a long walk with a baby over 1 year old, take with you replacement gloves, a set of toys (shovels for snow, a snowball, a bucket and molds for playing), a bottle of water and a small snack.

Usually, the walking time in winter does not exceed 2-3 hours, and most often parents are guided by their comfort.

The main thing during walks is to try to have fun and a charge of vivacity.

How long can you walk with a newborn baby? How to prevent hypothermia?

As soon as a long-awaited first-born is born to a young mother, she immediately begins to be overcome by questions: “When to start walking with a child?”, “How long to walk with a child?”. And the concerns of mothers here are understandable. The newborn is still too weak, and his thermoregulation mechanisms are not at all developed, which is why he can easily get cold and get sick. The first walks are of particular concern to those mothers whose children were born in winter. nine0003

Why do you need daily walks with a newborn?

A baby, like a mother, needs fresh air. In a newborn, after walking in the fresh air, appetite increases, sleep becomes calmer and deeper, blood circulation improves, temperature changes contribute to hardening and training of thermoregulation mechanisms. Thanks to sunlight, vitamin D, which is so necessary for the child, is produced, the lack of which leads to rickets.

Do not forget that a change of scenery leads to new impressions in a child, which has a beneficial effect on his mental and emotional development. On walks, the child first sees birds, clouds, tree crowns, other people, and at this time his brain is working hard and trying to analyze all these new things, to establish the first connections between them: dogs can bark, and birds can fly. nine0003

When should you start walking with your child?

Before answering the question: How long to walk with a newborn, you should answer the question: When to start walking with a child? In summer, you can start walking with a newborn as early as 7 days after birth, but in winter it is better to postpone the first walk for several weeks.

Wrong reasons not to walk with a child in winter

Some mothers make a huge mistake by not walking with a child in the winter or by reducing such walks to a minimum. Let's dispel some of the myths associated with the winter walks of newborns. nine0003

Many mothers, and especially grandmothers, mistakenly believe that a child can get sick if they breathe cold air. This is not true. By itself, breathing cold air will not lead to illness, the child becomes ill when hypothermic, as well as from bacteria and viruses. At the same time, many viruses and bacteria die in the cold, and those that are alive have virulent activity, i. e. the ability to infect is greatly reduced. Therefore, on the street in winter, the chance of catching the virus is much less than at home. The main thing is not to get sick on the street, you need not to overcool. But we will talk about this in detail below. nine0003

Many young mothers do not like winter walks, because in winter it is boring, there is nothing to do, there is no reading a book on the bench. Plus, the child has to be dressed for a long time, she herself has to dress warmly, and it is more difficult to manage a stroller in winter. But here you just need to overcome laziness and set yourself up that winter walks with a newborn are vital for him, which means you just need to pack up and go out.

It is also believed that it is impossible to walk with a child in winter, as he will definitely get hungry, and it will not be possible to feed him. At the same time, you can feed the child before going outside, where in the air he will instantly fall asleep and sleep for at least 1-1. 5 hours. This time will be enough for you to walk slowly and return home. nine0003

Really bad weather in winter is extremely rare. More often there is a slight frost and clear sun. Therefore, most of the winter days you can and should walk with the baby on the street. And a walk on the balcony is not a complete replacement for a walk on the street. This is a temporary solution if mom is sick, she has a lot to do, or it’s really bad weather outside. One or two days you can take a walk on the balcony, but then you must definitely go outside.

How much to walk with a child

It is desirable that the first walk with the child last no more than 10-15 minutes. Daily walking time should be increased by 10 minutes. If it is cold outside (the temperature is below minus 15C), then the first walk must be canceled altogether, and if it is warm (the temperature is above +15C), then the first walk can be increased to 30-40 minutes. In summer, a one-month-old baby can be outside almost all day, but in winter, the total duration of a daily walk should be at least 1. 5 hours, and it is better to break it into several shorter walks of 30-40 minutes each. You should not increase the duration of walks too quickly, because. getting used to the new in the child should occur gradually. nine0003

How to properly dress a newborn for a walk

So, we have learned how much to walk with a child, now let's talk about how to dress a child for a walk in such a way that both the baby and the mother will enjoy it. There is a basic rule: first the mother dresses, then she dresses the baby. Otherwise, the child will sweat and freeze on the street. At the same time, it must be remembered that both hypothermia and overheating can be dangerous for the baby. Previously, mothers were advised to monitor the condition of the child by the color of the skin on the face: if they are pale, then the child is cold, if red, it is overheated. They also said that it is necessary to feel the child under clothes from time to time. But these "grandmother's" methods, firstly, are inconvenient, secondly, they are not accurate, and thirdly, they are dangerous for the child, because opening a wet child, you can catch a cold. nine0003

Fortunately, today there is a more modern and technologically advanced way to monitor the condition of the baby on a walk, namely, to use a RELSIB WT52 thermometer or a RELSIB WH52 thermohygrometer. These devices must be put in the baby's clothes in the area of \u200b\u200bthe legs. The device will transmit temperature or temperature and humidity readings to your smartphone. But you don’t have to look at the smartphone screen all the time either; you can set the correct and lower limit for temperature and humidity, and the smartphone itself will notify you with an audible alarm. If the humidity alarm goes off, then the child has peed himself and you need to return home or, if it is summer, change clothes to dry on the spot. The devices are very small, only 33 mm in diameter and therefore will not cause discomfort to the baby, his sleep in warmth and dryness will, on the contrary, be deeper and calmer. Thermometer RELSIB WT52 and thermohygrometer RELSIB WH52 are made of medical plastic and are absolutely safe for the baby.