Taking a newborn out in winter

[Hannabee123]

Hi everyone

Due to give birth Christmas time - first time mum.

I just realised I never had any advice on taking a baby out in the winter. It doesn't get much snow here but it can be bitterly cold.
Of course I know to ensure she's wrapped up warm but not to the point of overheating. When did everyone start getting out and about?
Only reason is I want to loose my baby weight as I feel like a bag of crap so I figured gentle walks around the park will start me off

[00100001]

Wrap up and get the outside as soon as you're able.


Being outside is good for everybody!

[Justbookedasummmerholiday]

Being outside in the cold is fine!! Just remember to take dc coat /snowsuit off when you get back indoors.
Even if they are asleep!!

[Jugoo28]

We were out at 6 days old in winter as I needed to get out of the house. Merino socks, merino singlet, thick baby grow, woolen Cardigan, woolen hat, wrapped in a shawl and sometimes a blanket as well.

[LizzieSiddal]

Both my babies were winter babies and we had very cold winters with both. I’d had Csections so didn’t feel like going for a walk for a couple of weeks, but if you feel ok, go for it!

[LizzieSiddal]

Yes good advice juatbooked.

I hate seeing babies fully wrapped up and inside in a warm building. I have to stop myself from going over and telling them to at least take the outer blankets/pram cover off!

[BertrandRussell]

"Only reason is I want to loose my baby weight as I feel like a bag of crap so I figured gentle walks around the park will start me off"
If you possibly can, try not to think of yourself like this. Your body is growing and nurturing a baby- of course it will be different. You're doing something amazing- be kind to yourself!

But take your baby out if you want to. I honestly think they sleep better if they get fresh air. If her neck is warm, so is the rest of her. Try to use blankets that you can take off without waking her, rather than too many underlayers you can't. Then you might get some time to yourself when you get back from your walk.

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

My DS was born in January and we were out for a walk in the sling by day 3. The baby will be absolutely fine whenever you're ready.

[WinterRose92]

Our son was born 13th Dec last year & on day 3 we went out for a walk. Just wrap baby up nice & warm, they'll be fine! It's good to get out & about when you feel up to it. But like other have said make sure when you get indoors to take layers off. I was really paranoid about him being too hot/cold, was constantly checking - first time mum, too! Good luck!

[koalab]

I also recommend using blankets rather than snow suits. Then you can go back indoors and take layers off without waking them. My December baby was taken out a lot as she would drop off in the pram. But if you don't feel up to it for a few weeks don't feel like you have to. I think I did a bit much and it affected my stitches healing.

[BroccoliOnTheFloor]

Get s sling and a jacket which goes over both! Then you can share body heat and regulate by unzipping the jacket when you enter a shop or a cafe. Warm booties and gloves and a hat.

[Wellandtrulyoutnumbered]

Hi I was out the next day. Also Christmas baby.Thin Fleece sleepsuits like these are fab to layer with normal sleepsuits when taking out in car seat and at home too. But don't put them down to sleep with them on.

Also we used sling and bamboots too keep warm. Good hat too.

[Wellandtrulyoutnumbered]

Ps he was my third ( all autumn /winter babies) and our collective fifth. We still worried he was warm enough. They soon tell you if they aren't. Better colder than overheating which can be dangerous.

[Thegirlinthefireplace]

My daughter was born 22nd December and I walked her home in the pray the day after she was born. There's no reason at all not to take baby out, just wrap it up.

I would second the poster who said blankets rather than snowsuit, while a snow suits seems like a fab idea,it is a blinking faff taking it off every time you go inside, especially if baby falls asleep on the walk.

[demirose87]

Just wrap up warm and go out, snowsuit, hat and footmuff,also put the raincover on the pram to shield from the wind. But having said that I would avoid extreme weather such as snow and ice where possible. My second baby was born early January and got bronchiolitis and was in hospital for a week due to cold weather and the doctors call it " bronchiolitis season".

[Hannabee123]

Thankyou everyone for the fab advice!! I've had loads of people tell me not to dare take her out in the cold
I do feel a little down on myself as I've put on so much weight due to work and not getting out and about much. Now I'm on maternity leave my time is being used to finally sort out baby's room and wash a couple of things, pack hospital bag and so on :)
My partner mentioned it this morning before he went to work (we both do love walking and before pregnancy I was quite active)
I realised I had no clue apart from parents friends and others saying not to take a newborn out in the cold. I can't remember it being covered in the antenatal class but I figured how does life go on for women who have given birth and can't drive ect.
I have noticed that alot of people like to stick their nose in and give unhelpful advice and put pressure on... even women who don't even have children have been giving me opinions and advice! (Not very good advice anyway)
Feel alot better to know I don't have to be stuck in the house too if I don't feel like it ☺

[Itsjustaphase84]

I'm expecting dc2 and have a silly number of snowsuit bought for me that dc1 never wore. I hated them and dc just looked uncomfortable. In them.

As a pp mentioned, fleecy sleepsuits, hat and baby carrier/wrap helped. I threw a fleecy blanket over baby's back when I held the carrier and baby against my body. They were nice and toasty against my body.

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

I had a December baby and we were also out day 3.
I had a nice stretchy Moby wrap. She was in her normal clothes (vest and sleepsuit I think) inside the wrap and my large jacket went over the top, done up. She had a hat on. She was always toasty and I think being so close helps regulate their temperature better than being in a pram, maybe? Might be wrong.

[Theresnonamesleft]

We was walking around the next day. Beginning of January. Hat, mitts, decent socks, and yes to the blankets. Could add/remove very easily.
We did the school run at 4 day, and I carried him and her wore a snow suit and I had a fleece on his back.

When needed we also used the rain cover. And yes to talking it all off when indoors. With blankets it’s easier.

When it was icy we stayed in.

The early walks were the school run and popping to the shop. Little things just to get us out.

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

Life does have to go on, especially when it's the second! I wouldn't have got through the newborn days if I couldn't have got out for a walk a couple of times a day. It can be very dull and lonely (especially after your partner goes back to work) so if getting out makes you feel better, you can do it as soon as you're ready to.

[wasMissD]

My baby is really warm blooded- he’s always hot, even now (he’s nearly 4 months).
Take baby out but it all depends on them how layered up they need to be!
Enjoy and good luck

[Caenea]

Ignore whichever dribbling idiot is saying don't take the baby out.

Take the baby out. Ours came along in November and we were out the next day and it was actually snowing. I think someone told me they should be wearing as many layers as you, plus one more. So my daughter went out in a thin sleepsuit thing, a fleece-lined big fluffy "teddy-bear" babygro, a hat, little gloves and then had a blanket over her in the pram. She was more than warm enough.

They will tell you if they are too warm or too cold :)

[Ecureuil]

DD1 was born in November. I wrapped her up and we went for our first walk at 24 hours old. I’m fact we spent most of that first winter traipsing the streets as she slept much better in the fresh air!
I’m fact I felt much happier keeping DD1 wrapped up and warm in the winter than keeping DD2 (born in July) cool and out of the sun. We stayed indoors far more with DD2.

[PonderLand]

I agree with previous posters about using really thick blankets, hats, mittens and cosy toes pram thing, rather than snow suits, getting a newborn in a snow suit must be a bloody nightmare! My son was 6 months in winter and it was difficult enough then.

[PonderLand]

Sorry just realised cosy toes probably won't be needed if you are using a carry cot.

[Addictedtohavingbabies]

I zip mine into a snowsuit like a sleeping bag when they are newborn as its hard to get their arms in properly. Keeps them nice and snuggy.