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The great outdoors

Here you can find advice on camping, outdoor activities and walking in the UK and abroad.

Original poster

I want to go out with toddler and newborn..!

12 replies

OdaBear · 14/07/2013 15:39

Help please! I'm a little OCD (maybe?). I have two sons, one is 5 weeks old, one is 19 months old. My eldest is climbing the walls as I'm feeding his brother on a constant basis. However, when the window of opportunity arises (rarely), I would like to take them both out for a stroll just to break up the day a bit. However, I'm really concerned about the heat out there for a newborn. By the time it gets cooler, it is my eldest son's bedtime. Is anyone else taking out their newborns in this weather? (I'm a nurse, so I'm well aware of risks of dehydration, heat stroke, sun burn, I know to cover the stroller and to give extra feeds when necessary). I just can't gauge whether I'm being too paranoid about getting out or not. I'm thinking from about 3? It still seems too hot at that time in my opinion when it's up near 30 degrees.

Before anyone suggests, I do have a husband who could take our eldest out, but let's just treat him as though he doesn't exist (needs a lot of prompting to take him out, likes to watch TV, be indoors, and is too tall to comfortably push the stroller, which I do understand...). Too much hard work to coerce him into going out.

Thanks in advance x

OP posts:
Sulis · 14/07/2013 15:41

You're being paranoid Wink

Babies grow up in far hotter heat than we have now in the UK all the time. your little one be fine for a short walk, or even longer! Just make sure you take the precautions you suggest. Smile

Also a nurse and a mum of four and had a baby and a toddler three times over!

BoysAreLikeDogs · 14/07/2013 15:45

Try to get out earlier, say before 11 am? After 4 too. Quite right to stay in between those hours.

The stuff about your husband deliberately using avoidance tactics to swerve parenting duties DOES need addressing at some point.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 14/07/2013 15:46

Ha, opposing views, love MN!

AnythingNotEverything · 14/07/2013 15:50

And get a stroller your husband can push. That's a very convenient excuse.

StealthToddler · 14/07/2013 15:53

Am on my 4th baby now, so 3rd time with a toddler. Get out as much as you can. Go to the park. Take a picnic and blanket and set up under a tree so that you can lay baby in the cool. I use a very large thin muslin to cover the buggy or cover baby. Take a few small toys to amuse the toddler or try to get toddler to nap outside in the shade. I find that is actually cooler than being in my house. I hung out at the lido all day on Friday - kids could run around all day, I could see them, go to them as needed and baby was carried around/asleep in buggy in shade. Takes a bit of practice but doable.

Original poster
OdaBear · 14/07/2013 15:53

Thanks all! Yes, agree re: husband! He's hard work at times, but also very lovely at other times. He'll be missing out soon when I'm taking our two boys out to run around and have fun. Lead by example - but just need to get through the newborn days without getting cabin fever!!

My sensible head does say that people live in far hotter climates - but they also probably have aircon as standard and probably do avoid the hot time of day. I'm mostly feeling REALLY sorry for my boisterous and active toddler who feels thoroughly abandoned by mummy and is wondering what his new little brother is doing clinging to my chest all day and night. (BF is doing my head in during the day - why can't it just be for during the night?!).

OP posts:
Original poster
OdaBear · 14/07/2013 16:12

Anyone want to make some donations towards a tall stroller, will let you know bank details!

We're on our third one now!

I did take the boys out yesterday morning in the double buggy (too hot to carry bubs). It was around 10am, and we all got too hot. Little one went red and got very angry - had to feed him outside the local leisure centre, to be met with attempts at staring by a couple of men (really, a baby attached to a tit isn't sexy). Will endeavour to get them out early in the day - by the time we're all ready to go, someone usually becomes unhappy!! Kids, eh?

OP posts:
DoodleAlley · 14/07/2013 16:16

Could you set up an airer or chairs and sheets in garden as makeshift tent?

We have slightly different ages but one is 12 weeks old and to be honest it's been too hot for both to be out anyway.

We've had indoor picnics and lollies indoors too

MsPickle · 14/07/2013 16:16

If you live close enough to a park-in the heat we regularly pack up our tea into a picnic and go to the park for a picnic tea (whatever we'd be having at home) and then play until it's home for bedtime. Baby gets some air and a kick around on the blanket without frying, ds burns off energy and us grow ups have a lovely time too. The walk home can be a bit fractious if we're late but it's short so bearable!

DoodleAlley · 14/07/2013 16:18

He might be a teeny bit too little but could you do an indoor treasure hunt? So clues to next thing e.g it's on a radiator.

Do them on bright paper he brings to you while feeding and you read next clue. Prize at end of lolly or colouring book or extra tv time?

Original poster
OdaBear · 14/07/2013 16:50

Anyone want to donate us a garden... ?? (Oh god, we seem like we have very inadequate facilities as parents - moved into a lovely spacious high street flat as a newly married couple - not quite as good for little kids - whoops!).

Also I think everyone else must have normal toddlers. Mine is currently having great fun sitting inside his (clean) potty and using a thermometer to take his temp (via his belly button).

Hubby just took him out for brief walk and visit to shops. He came back looking very pink in the face!

OP posts:
DoodleAlley · 14/07/2013 18:17

Your toddler sounds perfect!

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