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

If you use a pram you can really take them out no matter the weather as they are completely shielded from the elements. We have a baby sleeping bag in our pram - not one of the ones designed for inside sleeping, but a proper heavy duty sleeping bag, just smaller. A fleece or wool suit, a balaclava style hat (e.g. cintamani.is/vara/simbi-balaclava/) and the sleeping bag keeps baby cosy in subzero temperatures.

If you use a sling I would be a bit careful on days with very cold winds, or when it's raining or snowing, as you can't really shield their little faces very well.

I find a good snowsuit which is insulating, as well as being wind and water proof, is absolutely essential for the sling in the winter time but I live somewhere a good deal colder than the UK. I do not find them difficult to put on or take off at all - ours is really good, not stiff or bulky or awkward. I would not use a snowsuit in a pram, though, can't see the point in that.

Get out and about as soon as you feel up to it, even if you're feeling tired a short walk can really lift the mood. I was out within a week with both of mine, but it does depend how you are feeling. I remember walking to the park with my first and feeling like I was constantly about to piss myself because my pelvic floor hadn't really recovered yet - should have given it a few more days. So just do what makes you feel good, your focus should be on your baby and your own mood/wellbeing, not losing weight!

I think they suggest the number of layers that u would wear plus one as a general rule. Remember that a blanket folded in half counts as two layers. You won’t know exactly until baby is here how many layers to put in. My ds was a warm baby so tended to have the same layers on as myself. Also if your checking that the baby is warm enough you need to feel their torso not hands or feet.

Hope this helps

We have the Tuppence and Crumble baby star wraps which are a cosy fleece but no zips, poppers etc so easy to get a sleeping baby in and out when you get inside. They can overheat in a pushchair if too wrapped up.

Perhaps see how you feel once the little one is here? With my first I was keen to get out and about (winter baby) as we spent our first week in hospital so I had cabin fever but with my next I felt more relaxed about enjoying our first couple of weeks at home. Good luck!

*'They' meaning newborns in my post above. Wasn't clear, sorry.

OP I'm going to start with saying please don't put yourself under pressure to feel you SHOULD be up, dressed and taking baby out for a walk within hours of giving birth! There are many posters on here who were up and out within hours or days of giving birth but it isn't the case for everyone. WHEN you feel ready and able to go out for a walk, I was told an extra layer for baby compared to what you are wearing and layers are better than a really thick item. I favoured normal clothes, with a pram suit and if really really cold an extra blanket on top. As others have said, remove all outer clothing when you're inside even if baby is asleep.

I found coats/pram suits almost unusable with DD (born end October 2016) her tiny wriggly arms and legs were not interested in getting into them. The only one we had any luck with was one where you could un popper the legs and pop them together like a sleeping bag (from Gap).

Instead:

I lined her pram with a sheepskin (with a muslin over the head end to keep her face fur-free and protect the sheepskin from any spit. I didn't use an official baby sheepskin, I just for one of the £30 jobbies from John Lewis.

She wore a vest + tights + babygrow and then was wrapped in a light cellular blanket (like a light swaddle). She also wore a hat, ideally one that came over her ears.

Then I put a blanket over her, and the pram 'lid' on.

Pp's are also entirely correct about unwrapping them when you're indoors, it gives me the heebeegeebees when you see babies all wrapped-up in warm shops/cafes.

And although it's important to get out and about, your view on what 'out' and 'about' is may change, even a little wander around the park, or to the shops is a bit of an adventure when they are very little.

My mum had both my brother and sister in December. As long as baby (and you) are well wrapped up they will be fine.

DD spent a while in special care after a dodgy delivery but when we got out it was properly cold December weather. She was all snuggly and sheltered in the pram with the hood up, and was bundled up in a nice warm sleepsuit, cardigan, big hat, mittens and a lovely thick wool blanket we got from next.

Whenever you feel up to getting out and about (and there's absolutely no rush) enjoy your walks as a proud new mummy rather than focusing on them as "weight loss". Some of my fondest memories are wheeling around tiny DD in her pram feeling like I was walking on air with pride 😊

All my babies (4) were winter babies. Totally agree with comments that don’t feel you have to go out. One of the lovely things about having a baby in the winter is the excuse to stay snuggled inside. What worked for me was the sling when they were very new - and a big coat that I could fasten up over them so wear them on my chest. My maternity coat worked well. So baby would have vest plus top layer plus cardigan (and tights for both boys and girls) and then little coat/outdoor suit. Always a hat, and always their faces into me against the skin of my neck so I could feel them. And fasten my coat or not depending on how cold.

Carrying the baby is better exercise too. And I always felt more free with the baby in a sling.

With my first from about 6 weeks I used to get the baby wrapped up and leave the house for a morning walk when DH left for work. So he could help me get out of the house (flat with lots of stairs). And I could go and get a coffee and feel like I’d done something.

We were in hospital fora week with DD (jaundice) and they kicked encouraged me and her out for a walk at 4 days old, in minus 12C. Its fine, just wrap up warm (both of you) and check babys temperature while you are out and about.

Babies don't get colds in a sling, under your coat.
I worked for a while in central China, where it often reached minus 20. A Chinese colleague showed a Brit colleague how to put Vaseline on her young baby's cheeks when taking her out to stop her skin chapping.

Definitely get out and about as soon as you want to.

Direct those who say not to take baby out towards the Nordic nations.

Layers and blankets is good advice - especially if you're going in the car first. Remember no snow suit in the carseat.

Thankyou everyone once again for the amazing advice!
I have a pretty big pram and a tiny car. My partner has a much bigger car but he will only be having 2 weeks off when she's here. My mother in law is around the corner if I need a car but ideally I live within easy walking distance of a lovely park and a town centre with a couple of shops.
My plan is to avoid using my car and have a walk out to the park or shops obviously as long as the weather isn't horrendous.

I will give myself time to adjust and recover. I'm just having alot of anxiety at the moment - letting people get to me and trying to put aside pressure from them.
I only have 4 more weeks until I'm due... I have everything prepared but I really don't feel ready! Maybe even a little daunted!

I think any first time mum who didn't feel a bit daunted at your point would be in cloud cuckoo land! 😘

Absolutely go outside, (when you’re ready to), I can’t believe people are telling you not to! I had a Dec 27th baby, and didn’t drive then so we were up and about as soon as I could. Not far mind, as it took me a while to recover, but short walks to the park round the corner, that sort of thing. Snowsuit, hat, blankets etc!

It’s completely normal to feel daunted. Wise, in fact. It is daunting.

There will come a time, probably a few days after the broth when it’ll really hit home, “this is it now, we have a baby” and even then it’s daunting.

Then there’s their first illness (babies get loads of colds) again, daunting.

And their first solid food (chanting “chew, chew, chew” while to mentally prepare to give them the Heimlich manoeuvre). Daunting.

Their first day at nursery. Daunting.

But it really is a fantastic roller coaster. There are hard times but there is unparalleled joy.

I'd definitely invest in a good babycarrying coat. Slinging is so much easier when they're small and the layers are on you too so you're more aware of overheating. A bonnet/elf style hat with tie to cover ears and stay put has really helped me.

Of course you feel daunted and maybe a bit anxious! It's a massive leap into the unknown.
DD was a December baby. In a pram they are shielded from the wind and rain. You can easily add or take away blankets to ensure they are the correct temperature. The only times I avoided taking her out was when it was horribly icy or snowy. It's very hilly here and I worried if I slipped over then I might let go of the pram!
It's good to get out and about. But don't feel you have to do so immediately. See how you feel. And baby weight? So not a priority. You have years ahead to tone up and get fit. For the early weeks and months? Just enjoy your baby and do as much or as little as you feel like doing. You never get that time back with your baby.
Good luck and enjoy the winter newborn snuggles!

I read in a parenting book when pregnant with my DD that a new born should be in 1 layer more than you when outside in the cold. That was the rule i followed to prevent overheating and ensured that I stripped her down as soon as we got inside anywhere. always had a spare blanket too in case the temperature dropped a bit more when we were out.