When is it safe to take my baby out in public

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 children in winter?

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01 May 2021 read 7-10 minutes

Winter walks can be beneficial for the child and be fun, but only if you prepare for them properly. We tell you what to pay attention to when collecting on the street.

Why go out into the cold at all

In winter, I want to stay at home. It's so easy to convince yourself that the child will be cold, he may get sick, but there is no sun and vitamin D, he still won't get it. nine0003

“In fact, it is enough to understand the general idea,” says GMS Clinic pediatrician Emilia Gavrilova, “with a child, you should strive to regularly go outside. But you can not take a walk at all one day, and take a walk several times the next. If the roads are covered with snow, it’s nasty snow and rain, or you just don’t feel like walking, you don’t have to do anything by force, you can sit at home for a couple of days.”

But winter walks are, first of all, hardening, a change of scenery and new incentives for a child to develop. Cold air clears the nasopharynx from apartment dust. Walking also helps to maintain vision, because on the street the eye muscles are trained when the child looks from a near point to a far one and back. nine0003

In winter, it is more difficult to move and more effort is expended due to the increase in weight and the difficulty of moving on the street. Therefore, even simple walking brings more benefits. And physical activity is the basis of a child's health. Children who sit at home for a long time are more likely to be injured, because they have nowhere to put excess energy at home.

“It is useful for a child, even a toddler, to walk both in summer and in winter,” reminds Emilia Gavrilova. - Even if the child is just lying in a stroller, during a walk he breathes fresh air, the sun's rays fall on him and, while he is awake, he examines the world around him at different distances (of course, if he is not disturbed by a blanket or a raincoat thrown over the stroller) . Walking usually helps parents relax too.” nine0003

If a child is sick without a fever, walking will help clear the respiratory tract of viruses faster, and physical activity and fresh air will speed up recovery. Even if the child is only sleeping outside, walking in the cold will still be more beneficial than the same dream, but at home.

Of course, in a snowstorm or severe frosts it is better to stay at home, especially if the child is very small. Usually, pediatricians do not advise walking with children under one year old if it is colder than -10 degrees outside, and from one to three years up to -15 degrees. nine0003

“At the same time, there cannot be any uniform norms,” explains Emilia Gavrilova, “for example, walk up to 0 degrees 40 minutes a day, from 0 to minus 10 - 30 minutes and so on. All these recommendations are artificially invented for convenience. To make a plan for walks in kindergarten or for pediatricians when they need to answer something to their parents on questions about walks. How much it costs to walk with a child in winter depends not only on the air temperature, because the child can be warmly dressed, but also on the strength of the wind. The stronger the wind, the shorter the walk should be. The strong wind waters the eyes, the face becomes weathered and the child freezes faster. If it’s windy outside, avoid open spaces: hills, embankments, bridges, and don’t carry your child facing into the wind.” nine0003

The most difficult thing is for parents of winter newborns, it is difficult to immediately determine when you can go outside with a small child in cold weather.

“If the weather is comfortable, you can walk from the first day and for a long time,” says Emilia Gavrilova. “But the more the air temperature differs from the comfortable one, the more gradually the walks should begin. The baby needs to get used to temperature changes, and parents need to adapt: how to feed and change the diaper in advance, how to dress, how not to miss overheating or hypothermia. nine0003

When walking, the main thing is that the child does not freeze or sweat. Often, inexperienced parents believe that it is necessary to dress the child as warmly as possible in winter, but overheated children can sweat and then freeze because of wet clothes.

“First of all, here you need to focus on age,” says Maria Rudnitskaya, pediatrician at the Fantasy Clinic. - It is quite difficult for a child in the first months of life to determine whether he is cold during a walk or not. But if the child is worried for no reason, takes a forced position to retain the maximum amount of heat, that is, curls up, then one can suspect that he is cold. A whitened nasolabial triangle and the appearance of white spots on the cheeks may also indicate this. In an older baby, we pay attention to the temperature of the limbs and nose. The temperature in the neck area can also serve as a marker. If it is cold and damp, then it is best to take the child to heat. You can also notice by a change in behavior or pallor of the skin. If the skin becomes pale, a wild healthy blush appears, then it is better to take it into the warmth. nine0003

How to dress a child

There is a simple principle of three layers:

Underwear. Toddlers who are not active on a walk can get by with ordinary cotton overalls, while running children are better off choosing thermal underwear - it removes moisture from the body and keeps warm.
Insulation. It is needed when frosts come or it became clear that without it the child is freezing. The most common option is fleece overalls with a zipper, this material is light, windproof and does not absorb moisture, so even an active child will not freeze in it. nine0050
Outerwear. The younger the child, the thicker and warmer the jumpsuit should be. It is better to choose modern ones: holofiber, isosoft and others. They tolerate machine washing well, do not roll like synthetic winterizer and do not cause allergies like sheepskin or down.

“The younger the child, the more imperfect his thermoregulation,” says Emilia Gavrilova. “Babies are easily overcooled and also easily overheated, you can’t say what could be more dangerous. Therefore, it is important to find a balance in how to dress a child: nine0003

first, in the cold season, the baby is put on a layer of clothes more, for example, if the mother put on a T-shirt, jumper and coat, then the child needs to wear a bodysuit, thin overalls, warm overalls and an outdoor envelope.

gradually parents begin to feel their child. If he is cold, they dress a little warmer, and if he returns from a walk sweaty and red, then it is colder.

when a child gets older and begins to actively move on the street, they begin to dress him like himself or even colder - it depends on the characteristics of the child. nine0050
When dressing a small child, make sure that the clothes are not tight, so that they cannot squeeze anything.

dress yourself first up to outerwear, and then dress the child so that he does not overheat while you are dressing.

if it's cold outside, the less you stop, the better."

When choosing overalls, you need to look at the amount of insulation. Up to 100 grams - demi-season overalls, and from 250 grams overalls are designed for severe cold or sedentary children. nine0003

It is also worth paying attention to whether there are thongs, a snow skirt and how tightly the jumpsuit fastens around the neck and the density of the cuffs. Well, if the coating material is waterproof.

When choosing the right size, do not forget that many manufacturers mark winter clothes +6, that is, such overalls are larger than other standard size clothes. This is necessary so that the child can actively move, there is a small air gap to keep warm and the overalls last until the end of winter. Therefore, you do not need to buy a jumpsuit two sizes larger, a child can drown in it and a walk will not give him pleasure. nine0003

When choosing winter shoes, the main thing is that they are waterproof, warm and comfortable. Therefore, winter membrane boots are a universal option. And for severe frosts, you can take felt boots with rubber soles.

It is better to take shoes one size larger, then you can safely warm your foot with an extra sock or warm insoles. But if you take two sizes more for growth, then the child will not feel the surface of the earth with his foot and may often stumble and fall. This is especially dangerous on stairs and slides. nine0003

How to choose a cold cream

If you plan a walk at temperatures below zero, then it is better to use frost cream. Especially in children under two years of age with delicate skin that is prone to rapid frostbite.

“You need to apply the cream 20-30 minutes before going outside, if there is no water in its composition,” advises Rudnitskaya. - If we are talking about moisturizers, then they need to be applied 40-45 minutes before going out, because the composition includes water and it needs time to evaporate from the skin surface. But it is better for winter to choose some kind of anhydrous nourishing cream, where only oils and waxes will be included in the composition. It's good if the composition does not include alcohol and parabens, but usually manufacturers try not to use all these substances in children's frost creams. nine0003

Also, do not take a cream or hygienic lipstick if it contains glycerin and petroleum jelly, especially if they are in the first or second place in the description. These substances can increase frostbite.

But you should not rely only on a protective cream. If there is a strong wind outside, then it is better to additionally protect your face with a scarf or scarf. It also needs to be washed off after returning home so as not to irritate children's skin.

nine0008 What to do with frostbite

Children rarely suffer seriously from the cold on a walk, even if it drags on. But this can happen if the child walks in tight shoes or outerwear is not suitable for frost. And a child who has played too much may not immediately notice discomfort and pain.

If, nevertheless, the child complained of pain and cold, or the parents noticed white spots on the skin, then first of all it is necessary to return to warmth. You can’t rub your cheeks or fingers in the cold, as this can damage frozen skin and subcutaneous vessels. nine0003

With first-degree frostbite, there will be pain, redness, and slight swelling of the affected limb. In this case, it is better to warm the child in the bathroom, gradually increasing the temperature from cool to warm. After that, it is worth dressing the child warmly and giving something warm to drink to improve blood circulation.

If blisters, red spots appear on the surface of the skin, and the injured limb is severely swollen, it cannot be warmed with water or in other ways. These are signs of second-degree frostbite and you should seek immediate medical attention. While waiting for help, you can only apply a heat-insulating bandage of several layers: a bandage, cotton wool, a bandage and a film or a plastic bag. It is needed to restore blood circulation and warm the affected area from the inside. nine0003

Winter walks are good for vision, physical and mental development.
You can check whether the baby is comfortable on the street by touching the neck. If it is cool, then the child needs to dress warmer, and if it is hot and wet, then cooler.
The principle of three layers will help you dress your child quickly and according to the weather.
Winter overalls should be made of modern materials and with the right amount of insulation for winter.
The best option for winter shoes is membrane boots or felt boots for frost. nine0050
If you walk at -5 or colder, you must apply frost cream in advance.
In case of mild frostbite, do not rub the skin.
If blisters and other signs of severe frostbite appear, see a doctor immediately.

Pediatrician

Source ePharmacy

November 21, 2022

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How often you need to walk with your child

Walking with a child is good for the whole family! When to start walking with a newborn? How much and when is it better to walk with a small child? Find out what pediatricians recommend.

After discharge from the maternity hospital, parents have doubts: is it possible to start walking with the baby? This is especially true in the cold season, when many mothers mistakenly consider walking even harmful. But this is definitely not the case.

Of course, walks in cold weather are shorter than in warm ones. In a newborn baby, the ability to thermoregulate is formed gradually. Therefore, regardless of the weather outside the window the first rule for parents is to prevent both hypothermia and overheating of the child.

The second is time for a walk. In no case do not leave a walk with a child for “later”. Household chores and worries can wait, but the benefits for the whole family will be great. Make walking with your child a mandatory daily item in the schedule, choosing a convenient time slot.

Why take a walk with a child? To strengthen the immune system and stimulate the physical activity of the baby. And then walks will help strengthen the child's cardiovascular system, develop coordination and vision, and train the muscular system. nine0003

How to properly organize your time for walking with your child. Let's study.

When to start walking with a newborn

The only correct answer to this question is: as early as possible! If the baby was born healthy and the mother feels well, then fresh air will benefit both.

You can walk with a newborn from the 2nd week of his life. Start with 15 minutes outdoors, adding five to ten minutes daily. Gradually, the duration of the walk can be increased to 2-3 hours (depending on the weather, the possibilities and wishes of the parents). nine0003

When is the best time to go for a walk with a baby? Best place: park, forest, city square, shady places. Do not leave your baby in direct sunlight!

Before meals or after? The ideal time between feedings is approximately 30 minutes after eating. A well-fed baby will be more calm, besides, after eating, the body always warms up.

How to walk with a child in winter, spring, summer

In the cold season, you can go outside at a temperature not lower than -5°C. Also pay attention to air humidity. The duration of a walk in winter will depend on whether you are doing it for the first time or the child’s body is already strong.

Check out this helpful article about stroller accessories to make your walks with your baby comfortable at any time of the year.

Stroller accessories

In spring and autumn, walk with a newborn for no more than 15 minutes (first time). The duration of walks can be gradually increased by 10-15 minutes.

In summer it is also recommended to start walking from 15-20 minutes. Too hot days are dangerous for the baby overheating.

How to properly dress a child for a walk

Let's start with the fact that a child gets sick not because he is cold, but because he sweats. In winter and summer, it is better for parents to dress a child for a walk correctly than in spring and autumn. It is difficult to guess with the weather and properly dress the child, so the risk of a cold is higher. nine0003

Remember that young children have much more energy than adults.

The baby makes more movements per walk than you, so he also has a higher heat transfer. Recommendation: dress your child the way you dress yourself and even a little less.

Who to walk with the child

Traditionally, this part of child care falls on the mother. But she also has a lot of household chores, and I want to pay a little attention to myself. As a result, sometimes you have to sacrifice walking with your child as something less important in order to do everything. nine0003

How do you organize yourself? Start by going for a walk in the morning, as soon as the baby wakes up and has a good meal. This will teach you and your child to a certain regimen. In addition, after the first walk in the morning, the child will be less capricious throughout the day.

Since there must be several walks in the fresh air, one of them must be taken by mother. Mom also needs to breathe fresh air, get a healthy blush in the cold in winter and a beautiful even tan in the sun in summer, walk a lot to be always in great shape. nine0003

Do the same for the second walk after dinner. And here you can already connect relatives to help. Involve dad, grandparents in walks with the baby. This does not mean that you need to shift the upbringing of your baby to them. Let grandparents with their beloved grandson or granddaughter enjoy a few hours of walking in the fresh air.

How to diversify walks

Choose an interesting toy! We have several ideas for a good gift for a baby. nine0003

The best toys for children up to 1 year old

Take a ball, wheelchair , a bucket with spatulas.

Parents who prefer to walk alone can take a new book with them or download an audiobook, take headphones with them. If you are engaged in needlework, you can also take all the accessories for it with you and settle down in a quiet place on a bench.

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