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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

2 hour walk with 6 month baby

120 replies

forageintheforest · 04/12/2022 19:57

My niece is staying with us from a hotter country. She takes the baby out everyday for a 2hour walk . All well, good for her and gets the baby some fresh air. However the temperature is due to be very cold this week, maximum 2 degrees some days. I say 2 hours is too long at this temperature. What does MN say?

OP posts:
WildOats5678 · 04/12/2022 19:59

As long as baby is wrapped up then there’s nothing wrong for going out for a two hour walk. At least baby is getting fresh air.

monsteronahill · 04/12/2022 19:59

Her baby or your baby?

Babies live in all countries, very hot and very cold. As long as appropriately dressed and kept an eye on, surely a 2 hour walk is all okay?

October2020 · 04/12/2022 19:59

Absolutely fine. Lots of layers. Babies sleep outside in lots of Scandinavian countries! We used to walk for hours and hours in lockdown Nov 2020 with my 2month old.

NuffSaidSam · 04/12/2022 19:59

I'd say it's none of your business.

If your niece is happy and her baby is safe and warm then all is good.

Are you concerned she's neglecting the baby? That it isn't properly wrapped up?

Lkydfju · 04/12/2022 19:59

Is it your baby or hers?

Zanatdy · 04/12/2022 20:00

Fine if baby is wrapped up. It is getting very cold at the end of the week, I’d probably think 2hrs is a bit long but it’s her choice obviously as the mother

TrotOnMinty · 04/12/2022 20:00

If it’s your baby, most people would be bowing down in gratitude for two hours of free childcare every day.

Lkydfju · 04/12/2022 20:00

If baby is wrapped up then no harm but if it’s your baby and you’d prefer not then that’s fair enough

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 04/12/2022 20:01

I used to do longer than this simply as I couldnt drive. Baby wrapped up, raincover over the pram to keep the heat in and she was always toasty. Babies are raised in the Arctic and Russia they are far hardier than we give them credit for.

Correlation · 04/12/2022 20:02

Where are you based? Can you send her my way?

luxxlisbon · 04/12/2022 20:02

Nothing wrong with a baby going on a long walk in the winter. It’s not even that cold, babies go for walks in places where it snows all winter.
Make sure baby is probably wrapped up with an all in one coat, hat and footmuff.

Is this your baby or hers?

Catsonskis · 04/12/2022 20:02

Don’t be ridiculous! I did 2 hour walks daily when mine was that age, there was nothing else to do (cheers covid).
olus she now sleeps outside (in a sleeping bag) at nursery 5 days a week and often sleeps for 2 hours! It’s good for them if dressed appropriately

atsusnaiboyz · 04/12/2022 20:03

Your baby or hers?

As long as the baby is well happed up I don't see the problem.

ItsNotReallyChaos · 04/12/2022 20:03

I walked and walked with baby DD as it was my ticket to a passable evening. You just need a sheltered pram and the right clothes (being careful not to overheat them).

Many people overdress their babies in winter. Several layers plus snowsuit while in a pram with a winter cover is too much. If they're a bit cold they'll be grumpy about it and let you know. If they're too warm they'll more likely be sleepy and appear content and won't let you know there's an issue.

MargaretThursday · 04/12/2022 20:03

Same as above. I didn't drive, so often did longer walks. The baby was normally warmer than I was. With dd2 I tended to put her in the sling and we were both roasting.

Hat, gloves (although they'll probably pull them off) and snowsuit/warm blankets and they'll be fine. I tended to put them in their sleeping bag (I had one the straps could go through) and more blankets as required.

lochmaree · 04/12/2022 20:03

I think its fine and have been out for similar time in similar temp with my 5m old. these are the best naps he has!

Bluelightbaby · 04/12/2022 20:03

Agree with others, provided baby is well wrapped up then 2hrs of fresh air is great !
my friend lives in Norway and they leave baby outside for all her naps, pretty standard apparently.
my kids were out in all weathers for hours whilst I did my horses !

AlwaysLatte · 04/12/2022 20:04

Whose baby is it? Yours, your rules. Otherwise up to her.

miltonj · 04/12/2022 20:05

My 3 month old is out of the house with me for the majority of the day. It's very cold where I live at the moment. But she's in the baby carry and wrapped up well. I wouldn't be able to get anything done if I decided 2 hours is too long.

surlycurly · 04/12/2022 20:05

I regularly did walks of this length when my two were wee. Cosy toes and well wrapped up and there's no problem!

MsMelody · 04/12/2022 20:06

I was often out for long walks in winter with my six month old. We had builders in the house and I needed to get outside. I think all fine and healthy if the baby is wrapped up properly.

89redballoons · 04/12/2022 20:07

I have a baby the same age and am very much still taking him out and about in the cold. You do need proper layers, though. In Scandinavia where babies nap outside in their prams in below freezing temperatures, they'll be wearing woollen base layers with layers of warm clothes on top and then warm blankets/sleeping bags on top of that.

Jellicoe · 04/12/2022 20:08

Baby is exactly doing any walking. Sit down

Skinnermarink · 04/12/2022 20:08

Oh for Christ sake. In a lovely padded pram suit with their heads covered, blanket and/or buggy sleeping bag thing, crack on. People are so very precious about children and cold.

Notanotherusername4321 · 04/12/2022 20:09

Yep mat leave this was my routine. Walk an hour to the nearest town, stop for a coffee/lunch/biscuit, get a few bits, walk home. By the end baby was usually asleep and I’d bring the carrycot in and have another hour to myself!

I put lots of removable layers on, so indoor clothes, then a fleece bag, then blankets. Then I could remove blankets and unzip bag when I got in so they wouldn’t overheat and wake up.