Is Nature play for babies?

This is a question I have been asked many times. In my experience connecting families with play in the outdoors, it is common for adults to feel comfortable with older children’s play, but what about the babies?

I’ve heard a big long list of why NOT to bring the little ones;

• It’s too cold for them

• they’re too fragile

• it’s too hot

• there are too many choking hazards

• many carers of our youngest have a vague sense that somehow this fragile child will be harmed, even if they can’t give concrete examples of how or where this harm will come from

• they’ll be stung by insects or bitten by spiders

• they will reach for and try to eat all the wrong things!

• it’s too hard to put sunscreen on them and they will get burnt by the sun easily.

Thankfully, there is another way to view the beautiful connection that’s possible for babies and nature, that can begin in their earliest days. Here are some ways to connect your youngest child with nature - is safe and gentle ways, that can benefit them, you and the whole family.

From the earliest days

I will always advocate for safety and for protecting children, but there is a way to keep them safe AND have them outdoors, taking risks and being exposed to the weather. When you start from a young age with your baby, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your environment and support positive interactions and development for your child.

• Choose to walk near/through public gardens or parks. There is a lovely Botanic Gardens near where I live. I can think of many, many parks, bushwalks, waterfalls etc, in many suburbs/towns/cities I have visited. Do you have a river, a creek or the beach close to where you live? Take a walk with your baby in a sling or a pram. They will be rocked to sleep by the movement, and can be calmed by the sounds of birds, water flow and trees. Maybe there will be frogs to hear, eucalypts to smell or kangaroos to see too? You will have a chance to take a breather and benefit from the walk too. Be as slow as you need, depending on your birth experience, your body condition and your family situation. Older siblings can benefit from this too - on a scooter, in the pram or toddling along beside you (or running ahead with enthusiasm and energy you wish you had!). Just being around green space, hearing the sounds and seeing the greenery and the open space, can be beneficial.

• Picnic outside - whether this is tummy time for bub and a coffee for you, or a mealtime if your baby is starting on solids. Again, it’s time to just become familiar with the outdoors. Find a place that’s shaded from the hot sun, or protected from gentle rain and hopefully away from the mozzies!

• If this is all new to you, or if your baby is very small and you are still recovering from birth, start in small and gentle ways. Avoid the wildest, most windy days! Avoid the roughest grounds or the places most difficult to access. Don’t go out in the middle of the day in the middle of Summer! Don’t lie your baby down on dry, spiky lawns. Start simple and grow from there.

• keep your baby sheltered from harsh wind, sun and temperature extremes. Keep them (and yourself) well-hydrated and well-fed.

• If needed, start with short amounts of time as you become familiar with your local outdoor environments. As you become more comfortable, the time you both spend outdoors can increase.

• Listen for the birds, look for orchids or wildflowers or gum trees. Build your own knowledge of the world around you.

A few months on…

• When your little one is awake for an outdoor experience, hold them in the shade and see what they notice. Also see what you notice. My daughter and my niece (12 years apart) were both captivated by leaves blowing in the wind when they were only a few weeks/months old. As they got older, I found a walk outside, to look at and touch leaves on a tree, worked to calm them both in very gentle ways.

• Once they are at the sitting alone stage, find a comfortable outdoor space for a play or a meal. You might consider whether a spot under a tree with a million small seedpods is the most comfortable space?? (maybe not). Your child may or may not like the feel of grass, or sand or dirt. If they’re cautious and anxious, navigate your response with care. Give them some time to become familiar, but do pick them up if they’re demonstrating discomfort. Building tolerance can take time for some babies.

• Make a space where you feel comfortable - sit on a favourite picnic blanket or hold your baby in your own lap and share the meal with your partner/family or friends.

• We’ve had families at First Steps in Nature who have happily placed their babies on the edge of a puddle when they’re at the sitting stage. Often the babies like to lean forward and pat the water. We always stick close to the babies and the puddle doesn’t have to be very deep for there to be a of joyful fun!

• I’ve been a part of many a baby’s first mud experience. It’s interesting to see the different reactions. Some have appeared nonplussed, others curious, others just taking it all in their stride!

Starting to crawl

• This can be a fabulous age for outdoor play. In my experience, many babies have been more than happy to crawl into a puddle, to approach the dirt/sticks/mud and get involved. Paying close attention, in calm ways, can be a whole lot of fun! Have some small pots, cups or spoons close by. The children I’ve worked with have enjoyed pouring water from their earliest explorations. There have been a few shocked faces when the child accidentally tips a cup of water on themselves. Most are not upset by this though. Most have been curious and many have gone back to repeat this new experience again and again.

• View their play from a lens of exploration - and join them in ways that you’re comfortable with too.

Everything in the mouth phase

• What about the little ones who just put EVERYTHING in their mouths? This one is a common question, and can be a reason why parents/carers avoid outdoor play with babies. How you proceed will depend on your child and your own level of comfort! I’ve seen plenty of little ones making a watery/muddy concoction that they then test taste. I’ve seen many crawling bubs approach a muddy puddle, then lean in with their whole face to see what it’s all about! Others would happily sit and eat dirt, leaves, sand or whatever is close by. This “understanding the world by putting everything in the mouth” time a very important phase for babies. It does mean you need to be attentive and avoid some risks, but it’s also a great opportunity to learn and develop.

• I’m careful to use water that is ok for drinking if there’s a chance the little ones will drink it.. I’m also aware of the dirt around and considerate to avoid chemicals or fertilisers or other potentially problematic substances. Whilst I’m comfortable with playful exploration, there will always be a necessity for safe boundaries. Sharing this learning with your baby can be part of the experience.

• Look out for small seed pods or berries or other harmful plants. Choose the play space with these considerations in mind. Find the balance of risk/benefit in the environment you choose. You can repeat the message that some things are not ok to put in your mouth (I can hear my brother’s voice saying “non in bocca” many times over, to his little bub who is currently in this phase!). Learning about what is ok and what is not is an important part of parenting. Make sure there are plenty of things they CAN put in their mouths.