Ever since you began to think about parenting, you knew how important outdoor time would be for you and your child. Now that your precious baby is in your arms, you look out the window and wonder how to safely spend time with your baby in the natural elements. A snowfall may look beautiful, but the biting cold is surely not good for an infant. In the summer, the sun feels lovely, but its harmful UV rays could hurt baby’s sensitive skin. And what about insects, wind, and rain?
Before you decide to hole up indoors until your baby is older, introducing your baby to the great outdoors can be safe and rewarding if you follow these tips. Remember that experiencing the outdoors is done with the senses, and children use their senses to gain knowledge. Going outdoors can be a wonderful bonding time for you and your baby.
1. Safety first. It goes without saying that you will do everything in your power to keep your baby from harm. This does not mean you become a hermit and remain indoors all the time. It does mean taking precautions to keep your baby from getting sick or injured. For instance, when taking baby out in the stroller, keep him sheltered from direct sunlight and gusty winds by putting up the stroller cover. Keep him warm, but not too warm. The basic guideline to follow is dress your baby in one more layer than you yourself need to keep warm. Also, avoid crowds. People love to coo over a baby, but those different faces and different germs being breathed into your baby’s face might be too much for him. Steer clear of crowds of insects, too. A swarm of mosquitoes is not a good thing for you or baby.
2. Soothing the Senses. Think of a place that is soothing to you, and ask yourself what it is about the place that calms you. Is it the sound of waves lapping onto the shore? Is it the abundance of birds chirping and flitting from tree to tree? Is it the feel of cool rock against your skin as you rest? Although your baby will likely think and react differently than you, a good place to introduce the outdoors to your child is a place where you yourself are at ease. Let your baby experience your favorite place!
3. Take Nap Time Outside. A bit of outdoor air can be invigorating for a baby, but when combined with a stroller ride or a walk in a baby carrier, it could be the recipe for a lovely nap. This a win-win opportunity. Your baby gets her rest, you get some exercise, and you both get a healthy dose of fresh air.
4. Even Shy Moms Can Nurse Outdoors. With so many cute nursing covers on the market today, there’s no reason you and baby can’t enjoy an extended period of time in a park or beach together. When your baby needs to nurse, find a quiet spot to sit, cover up, and enjoy the moment.
5. Dad Can Take Baby Outside, Too. In fact, this is a great father-baby bonding time. Take a stroll, walk around the block, or just carry baby around in the backyard, pointing out to him all the different trees and bushes and flowers growing there. Mom can take a well-deserved break in the house.
6. Learning Happens. When you talk to your baby, you are communicating with her. Your baby communicates with you in different ways, too. She might smile, shake her fists, let out a squeal, or cry. You and baby learn to communicate together and understand each other even though you don’t yet speak the same language. You aren’t the only thing your baby is learning from, though. She also learns from her environment. She becomes familiar with her crib, and it is a safe place for her. She hears familiar lullaby music and associates it with a sleepy feeling. She feels a breeze on her face and knows she is not in her house anymore. Gradually, as your baby learns more and more about the world around her, learning through her senses, she becomes familiar with certain things and places. You can familiarize your baby with the outdoors by taking her there often, following similar paths, and sitting at the same bench. As your child grows, you may decide to have more familiar spots, expanding out, and exploring. Going outdoors with your baby is the beautiful beginning to a lifelong love of the natural world.