First walk: when can I start walking with a newborn baby?

Upon returning from the hospital, young mothers immediately face many questions, the most common of which is when to go on a first walk with a newborn. Parents whose babies were born in winter are particularly worried. They are afraid that children may catch a cold and get sick. When can a child arrange his first walk in his life? What rules should be followed at different times of the year?

The baby, however, like his mother, is extremely interested in fresh air. Regular walks increase appetite, improve blood circulation, the newborn’s sleep becomes deep and calm. Temperature extremes on the street and at home contribute to the hardening of the child's body. Sunlight helps produce Vitamin D, which prevents babies rickets.

First walk

Although some mothers "go out" with the baby the very next morning after discharge, pediatric neonatologists recommend strolling outdoors only from the second week of a newborn’s life, giving him time to adapt to new conditions. You should start with a 15-minute exercise, adding ten minutes every day and bringing the total duration of staying out of the house to two to three hours a day. The duration of walks in the autumn-winter period is usually less than in the warm season.

In order for the first walk to become a real pleasure for the baby and mother, you need to take into account weather conditions, the health of the crumbs, as well as the time of year.

We walk in the summer

Many parents mistakenly believe that in the summer months you can walk with a child immediately after his discharge, without limiting the time spent on the street. However, in the hot summer, especially in the middle of the day, there is a risk of the baby getting a heat stroke due to overheating of the body. Do not forget that in children under three months of age, the heat exchange system is not yet mature enough. Therefore, you should take summer walks seriously and follow the basic rules:

• Choose clothing made from natural materials so that it does not irritate the delicate skin of the newborn. Avoid buying stroller mattresses made of synthetic fabric.
• If the temperature reaches 30 degrees, the time of walks should be moved to morning and evening, so that summer heat does not interfere with the child.
• Protect your baby's skin from direct sunlight. Put a cap on his head to avoid sunstroke.
• Walk several times a day, focusing on the schedule of feeding the baby. Long walks are not very convenient, because the child needs to be changed, and you will have other worries and troubles.
• Take a bottle of boiled water or a pacifier outside. If the child wakes up and cries, he can be distracted for a short time.

READ DETAILS: 10 rules for walking with a child in the summer heat

We walk in autumn and spring

In the off-season, the weather is often changeable: the bright sun quickly gives way to heavy rains. In the autumn-spring period, the child can easily catch a cold. To prevent a runny nose and cough, pediatricians are advised to follow simple rules:

• Do not walk in rainy weather. Special raincoats create a peculiar greenhouse effect inside the stroller, negatively affecting the baby’s health. A raincoat is convenient if you need to run home during a sudden rainfall.
• Even if the sun is bright outside, do not rush to undress the child to avoid hypothermia and the common cold. Use special demi-season overalls, they retain heat well, allowing the skin to breathe.
• If the weather is dry, sunny, the first walk can be extended up to 15 minutes. Bring the duration of the morning and evening promenade to one and a half hours.

We walk with the child in the winter

It is the cold season that causes the greatest doubts in terms of walking with young children. Due to severe frosts and a piercing wind, a child may for a long time be left without fresh cold air. But you still need to walk, most importantly, you must follow the elementary rules of child safety:

• In winter, it is better to organize the first exit of the child on the street on the 14th day after his birth. If the weather allows (-5 degrees below zero), then you need to walk 15 minutes. If the temperature drops to 15 degrees, then reduce the time of the first walk to 10 minutes.
• You can not go into the yard with a newborn in severe frost or a piercing wind. No matter how warm you bite the baby, his nose and cheeks may freeze. Replace the exit to the street by airing the nursery or a “walk” on the balcony.
• The total duration of a winter walk should not exceed one and a half hours. Go out twice a day.
• Pay special attention to baby clothes. Get a transformer jumpsuit. He will not only keep warm, but will allow him to change his clothes almost instantly without disturbing his sensitive sleep.

General recommendations

1. Get a special stroller for your newborn: it must be on wheels with shock absorbers, with a flat bottom, with a mattress made of natural materials (how to choose a stroller).
2. First you need to get dressed and get ready for a walk for mom, and only then - equip the baby so that he does not overheat and does not sweat, waiting until you are ready.
3. Go for a walk in between meals with your child. This will extend the time of joint trips and will not allow the baby to freeze, as well as improve his sleep.
4. Choose a quiet place for a walk away from roads and congestions of cars. The most suitable places are a square, park areas or a playground.
5. Do not forget to put a couple of dummies in the "traveling" bag. After all, if the baby cries for a long time in the cold air, then it can get a sore throat.
6. If the weather is bad, do not deprive children of the opportunity to breathe fresh air. An ordinary walk can be replaced with sleep on a glazed balcony or loggia. Of course, you should take care of the baby's safe sleep. Protect it from drafts, watch that nothing fell on it from neighboring balconies.

We also read: What can I take for a walk with my child?

When you can not walk with a newborn

Despite all the benefits of walking in the fresh air, sometimes they can bring harm to the baby.If he gets sick, he has a high fever, stay at home in any weather, constantly ventilating the nursery. By the way, the question of the first exit from the house with a sick or premature baby should be decided only with your pediatrician.

Avoid walking in adverse weather conditions: too hot (above +30) or frosty (below -15) weather, rain or a sharp cold wind will bring more negative than good.

Fresh air is vital for a newborn baby and his mother. Regular walks will strengthen the children's body, as well as improve your mood and give you the necessary physical load, which will help you to quickly get into shape after childbirth.

Video: How long and under what conditions does it take to walk with a newborn?