Taking your baby outside
If you’ve recently brought a new baby home, chances are you have or will find yourself craving some time outdoors to break up the magical but mundane tasks of newborn baby life. Good news, babies can spend time outside from birth!
The benefits for babies being outside are similar to those for older children and adults. Being exposed to natural light through time outside has been shown to promote a healthy sleeping pattern by regulating the internal body clock. This doesn’t mean they will magically sleep 12 hours, sorry! But exposure to the light/dark cycle of the sun can help little babies figure out night from day and begin to associate a dark or dimly lit space with sleep.
There are also many emotional benefits to spending time in nature. There is an undeniable calming and soothing affect of being outside, breathing in the fresh air and feeling sunshine on your skin. This goes for babies and adults, and what better way to soothe your baby than to calm and regulate yourself. Did you know that studies have actually shown that just looking at trees can make a person feel happier!? In addition to sleep rhythms and supporting emotional health, spending time outdoors and immersed in nature, can strengthen the immune system. So don’t be afraid to let your baby touch the grass, hold a stick (with supervision) or pop their feet on the sand.
Even when you want to get outside and know why it’s a good idea, it can be hard to make it happen. Maybe it’s your first baby and you’re still building confidence in getting out and about. Or maybe you’ve got toddlers or older kids and finding the time to get outside between the never ending household tasks has felt a little bit impossible. Totally understandable! Start small, no need to complicate things. In fact, just head to your own yard! A little stroll around the front yard or sitting and watching the trees and clouds out the back. You can absolutely enjoy the benefits of time in nature without having to pack a nappy bag, prepare the pram and try to get out of the house in between naps and feeds.
One way to fit in some outside time when you feel like venturing a little further is to go for a walk. Invite a friend, or get the older kids on their bikes or scooters and head out the door. Even if you only make it around the block, the fresh air and change of scenery is worth it. Another great option is packing a picnic and spending the whole afternoon or morning at your favourite natural outdoor space. It takes a little more planning than a quick walk or stroll in the garden but is well worth the effort. Baby can have some “tummy time” while you eat your lunch, then baby can take in the scenes around them while having a feed.
A couple of things to consider when taking especially young babies outside. Dress your baby in clothes suitable for the weather, and remember that babies can’t regulate their temperature as well as we can. It’s important to minimise baby’s exposure to direct sun - so choose a shady spot where possible and pick a time of day that suits the age of your baby and planned activity. For example, an early morning walk before the sun is too strong might be most enjoyable in summer. Or, waiting til the mid-afternoon sun has taken the chill out of the air might feel more inviting in winter months. There is no wrong or right time to go outside, but working out what is most pleasant for you and your family can help to maximise enjoyment.
Don’t forget to soak in whatever little moments you manage in nature during the rollercoaster of caring for a small baby. Those little bare toes in springtime.. their tiny rugged up body in winter.. nothing quite compares!
