Do you take your baby for a walk even if it's raining?

[merrynelly]

I feel bad keeping my baby cooped up in the house all day but I can't bring myself to take him for a walk when it's raining. With the British weather, that would mean I don't take him very often. Should I just be sucking it up and taking him regardless?

[SquigglePigs]

DD was born in December. I definitely didn't go out every day in those first few winter months. To be fair I couldn't walk more than about 10 mins in those days anyway but even so.

[sylbunny]

Oh thanks everyone! I've had a particularly lazy day and I was feeling a bit bad that I've done nothing with him! He sleeps and eats 90% of the day though! He's my second and I think I was pretty much stuck to the sofa until about 4 weeks with my first!

[LolaSmiles]

sylbunny
You're not a bad mum at all. Everyone recovers differently from birth. At a couple of weeks old a baby isn't going to know. Post-birth recovery is very much a you do you thing.

[otterbaby]

Yeah, if I felt like going for a walk that day. I used to put mine in the sling and go out with a big umbrella. Although I wouldn't if it was super windy.

[NuffSaidSam]

A 2.5 week old is not going to know whether they're inside or out. It really doesn't matter at that age!

[BertieBotts]

@sylbunny You defo do NOT need to be going for daily walks - your pelvis needs to go back together which means a minimum of activity!

Actually nobody needs a daily walk unless they want one, I think my main point in responding to OP was not to feel trapped in the house because of rain if she would like to go out.

[KeepSmiling89]

Following for interest. I'm due DC1 in November and live in Scotland so weather will be very unpredictable.

Light-moderate rain I think would be fine but not in a heavy, gale-force storm! Some babies like rain and the sound on their pram covers (just make sure irs waterproof of course!)

[Lemonelderflower]

sylbunny I think ds was about three weeks before I emerged blinking and confused I am sure you are a GREAT mum!

[BiddyPop]

I had dd right in the depths of winter, and while not a snowy one, it was a very wet and windy one that year.

We still went for at least 1 walk everyday. Her pram had a raincover and I had a coat. She also had a good snowsuit so wasn't cold.

It was good to get fresh air and for me to get some exercise.

On very bad days, I would turn on the immersion so there was hot water when I got home, we could have a middle of the day bath if need be or I could have a hot shower while she napped.

[Spudlet]

@sylbunny

My newborn is only 2.5 weeks old but I've not taken him for a walk every day. We haven't been out at all today because I'm tired and it's miserable weather. Feel like a bad mum now! I'll try and go out every day from now on.

You’re not a bad mum at all, and when DS was that little I certainly wasn’t walking all the time, not least because I couldn’t due to residual PGP! It wasn’t until I was over that that I was ready to take over dog walking duties again and get my boots back on. You do whatever you need to do to get through - if you want to go for a walk for your own health and happiness then do, but don’t drag yourself out if it will make you miserable or cause you discomfort because you feel like you ought to.

[Lelophants]

What age? I'd say more for you and your metal health when they're little. When toddler you just have to go out! I'd have the odd day not going out, but mostly at least one walk each day.

[Lemonelderflower]

I sympathise, the weather is terrible here. We went out this morning but it’s so chilly and wet. Thank god Ds is asleep now!

[HumunaHey]

@sylbunny

My newborn is only 2.5 weeks old but I've not taken him for a walk every day. We haven't been out at all today because I'm tired and it's miserable weather. Feel like a bad mum now! I'll try and go out every day from now on.

Don't compare yourself to others. At 2.5weeks, your DC will spend most of his time asleep so he's hardly missing out.

Walks are nice but I don't personally feel you have to go for one everyday. There's plenty of other things you can doo that are good for them - reading, singing, etc. And at his age, plenty of cuddles!

[MonkeyPuddle]

@sylbunny you are not a bad mum. You had a baby 2.5 weeks ago! Do not compare yourself to anyone else, do what is right for you and your child not what random strangers on the internet do!
DD is 6 months, we’ve been out on walks about 3 times and each time I found it tedious and dull. Some people find it invigorating and fun. There is no right or wrong way, only the way that suits you.

[1990shopefulftm]

Yes I do, he was born in November and I live up north so I would be stuck indoors for a couple of days at a time if I didn't.

[sylbunny]

My newborn is only 2.5 weeks old but I've not taken him for a walk every day. We haven't been out at all today because I'm tired and it's miserable weather. Feel like a bad mum now! I'll try and go out every day from now on.

[RedMarauder]

Yes when she was a baby and now as a toddler.

Worse as a toddler as she would jump in puddles and splash me. So I dug out my waterproof trousers and got new wellies.

[whatswithtodaytoday]

Yes because I hated being stuck inside all day, it made me feel crazy. Get some wellies and a practical coat with a hood, it makes life a lot easier!

[NewYearNewTwatName]

yes I did, as long as you've got a good coat with hood, and shoes that dont leak then it's fine.

If it's truly tipping it down and blowing a gale then no I wouldn't
.

[HumunaHey]

@MonkeyPuddle

Do I fuck.
Dragging myself out in the pissing rain for a walk with an infant who will likely just sleep? No thanks. She can sleep inside where I can drink tea and watch Downton.

Same, minus watching Downton.

[MonkeyPuddle]

Do I fuck.
Dragging myself out in the pissing rain for a walk with an infant who will likely just sleep? No thanks. She can sleep inside where I can drink tea and watch Downton.

[NuffSaidSam]

I avoid going out when it's actually raining, but I will always try to get out on a 'rainy day'. It's rare that it rains non-stop all day long, you can usually find a gap where it's dry/just light drizzle.

[TiggeryBear]

I struggle to find suitable clothing for myself tbh. Both DC have puddle suits / waterproof trousers & coats with wellies so it's not so bad if it has been raining & they're content to jump & splash in puddles. But mostly we've exhausted all our local walks during last years lockdowns to the extent that I can't bring myself to drag them out in all weathers

[Poppypye]

When I was a nanny years ago I went out for our daily walk no matter what , to be honest at first I thought you got to be kidding when it was part of routine but in right clothes it was great.

[SamanthaVimes]

Absolutely not! I’ll happily go for a walk if it’s a nice day but not if it’s raining unless there’s something I have to go out to get or unless I’m really desperate to get baby to nap and it’s not working in the house.

I’ve always thought that walks were more for mums good than for baby (mine didn’t care if we went out or not but I sometimes feel better having a change of scenery) if it’s not cheering you up then don’t do it.