After you bring a newborn home, you may be anxious to get back to your outdoor family activities, or at least get started exposing your brand new human to the wonders of the outside world. No doubt you’re wondering how soon you can venture out with your little one, and most importantly, how to be safe while doing so.
We have some tips on how to safely venture out with your newborn, and activities that the whole family will enjoy.
When is it safe to take a newborn outside?
Oh, the places you'll go! Where to take a newborn
When deciding on outdoor family activities, think simple. High-adventure activities are still far in the future, but there are still plenty of things you can all do together.
- A simple walk in the park or short hike through a wooded area will give everyone some fresh air time to perk spirits.
- A trip to the beach to collect shells and put your toes in the water is another way your family can enjoy time together. If you plan to spend time just laying out in the sun, take a beach umbrella to keep your newborn in the shade.
- Stroll through a farmer’s market or have a backyard picnic — and don’t forget the baby swing.
- A short camp-out — in either your backyard or a nearby campground — can provide fun while keeping you at or close to home.
- Walk through an art museum. You’d be surprised how mesmerizing and calming it is for a baby, just being amidst all those Monets and van Goghs.
Remember, whatever you do your newborn is going to benefit from just being with you and being loved — so enjoy these moments. “At no other stage in your child’s life are you expected to do nothing more than care for her,” Carla Wiking wrote for Mom.com. “And perhaps that is at the heart of why I love it so much, and miss it already.”
