The first walk with a newborn baby

December 28, 2022

When we can go on the first walk with a newborn baby? How to prepare for such a trip, depending on the season and weather? How long should it last newborn's first walk? What to do to get your toddler used to being outside? Things to remember when planning first walk with a newborn in winter? If you ask yourself such questions, the following text is just for you.  

The first walk with a newborn baby is a real event, especially for "new" parents. There are many questions and concerns, and various, sometimes conflicting opinions about the first walk do not make it easier to make a decision - especially when you do not know how long to wait with your toddler's first walk, and at the same time we want to introduce small rituals to the child's daily schedule and we are wondering how to organize it.

When is the first walk with a newborn baby?

There is no single recipe for making your toddler familiar with walks. Decision about it when for the time first leave the house on walk with the newborn babydepends largely on the postpartum well-being of the parents and the aura which may be more or less conducive to such exits. Although there are different and very often divergent recommendations regarding the optimal temperature and the time we should spend outside with a newborn baby, it is also worth relying on your own intuition and common sense.

The most frequent recommendation is that in late spring, summer and early autumn, na the first walk with a newborn baby you can go already in the first week after the baby is born. In winter, it's worth it first get your toddler used to being outside through the so-called verandering. We then dress the baby as if we were to take it for a walk, place it in a pram close to the windows, which we open wide, or put the pram with the toddler on the balcony. After 2-3 days of getting used to the cold, we can take the child for a proper walk.

Alice Karney

Specialist pediatrician, Deputy Director for clinical matters, Head of the One-Day Hospitalization Department and Admission Room, Institute of Mother and Child

The expert advises:

There is no bad time of the year or bad weather to take a newborn for the first walk. Even children born in winter need to gradually and systematically get used to walks (as long as frosts are not very severe). Let's just take care of the appropriate outfit of our child, and going out, even for 15-20 minutes a day, will have a beneficial effect on their immunity.

What conditions are not favorable the first walks of the newborn?

Temperatures that favor staying at home with your toddler are heat waves exceeding 30 degrees C. and frosts below -10 degrees Celsius (-5 degrees C in strong winds). Unfortunately, a factor that we must also take into account when planning the first walk with a newborn baby - especially in winter - is air pollution (smog). The concentration of particulate matter and other harmful compounds in the place where we are currently can be easily checked, for example on the Internet or through dedicated smartphone applications.

With the level of pollution exceeding the norms, it is better to refrain from going outside with the child - the more so that the conditions can change for the better in a few hours.

How long should it last newborn's first walk?

In the beginning, it is a good idea to organize short walks of 15-30 minutes. Of course, we can extend them over time, as long as the toddler tolerates this type of expedition well. There are no specific recommendations as to the time of day itself for your first walks with your newborn, however in the summerin hot weather, better to give up the noon hours, that is the range between 11 a.m. and 15 p.m. Then the temperatures are the highest, which can be burdensome for both the baby and its parents.

In the first months of a child's life - it is better to avoid large clusters of people, such as shopping centers. Such places expose a toddler's delicate immune system to potential contact with infections. Intense noise also does not have a positive effect on the child's mood, who may simply not accept it. His objection will be manifested by crying, anxiety, and a problem with falling asleep.

How to dress newborn na first walk?

The clothes we choose for a newborn should be appropriate to the season and the current weather. It is much easier to dress a toddler for a summer outing, but the first walk with a newborn in winter should also not be a problem if we know how to prepare for it.

Na first walks with a newborn baby in the fall and winter it will be necessary to dress the toddler "on the onion":

  • we start with two layers of thin clothes, e.g. a body in combination with shorts and a sweater,
  • the next step is a one-piece jumpsuit, which should not fit too tightly to the body,
  • put a warm hat on the child's head (ears and forehead should be covered), and the handles and legs are additionally covered with a sleeping bag.

In summer, on warm days, a light bodysuit, socks and a delicate diaper are enough to cover the child (e.g. tetras or bamboo).

Recommended products

Anna Milewska

Senior specialist in the Department of Assessment and Cooperation Development, Institute of Mother and Child

Efficient preparation as a recipe for a successful first walk

Your toddler may protest while dressing, so it's best to choose clothes that are easy to put on. For example, snap fasteners or a zipper are perfect for this. Thanks to this, the preparations for the exit will go faster, and our child will not be discouraged. Find out more about the most comfortable types of clothing for newborns and babies here.

The first walk with a newborn baby does not have to be a difficult challenge, but a completely new experience. It is enough to organize it well, and it will become an opportunity to explore the world and a time of rest for both the newborn and his parents.

Author

Alice Karney

Specialist pediatrician, Deputy Director for clinical matters, Head of the One-Day Hospitalization Department and Admission Room, Institute of Mother and Child

EU funding
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