As a parent, taking your baby out for the first time is an exciting thing. However, first-time parents may be anxious due to safety concerns. Don’t worry—it’s perfectly normal to be overprotective of a baby but for their social well-being, they have to be taken outside at some point.
While the thought might be overwhelming, you only need to plan well and understand your baby’s needs before heading out. For example, you must study the weather, dress your baby accordingly, and ensure they’re full before going out.
Additionally, it’s important to understand whether you’re in a position to carry the baby for a prolonged period. If not, you might need to bring their pram along for comfort and security. Here’s a detailed guide to taking your baby out for the first time.
Seek Your Doctor’s Advice
Before taking your baby out for the first time, it’s vital to seek your doctor’s advice, especially if the baby is too young. Your doctor will advise you on whether it’s too early to do so or not. If they find it okay for the baby to go out, they’ll advise you on ideal places to go and avoid and what to do and not to do.
Pack The Changing Bag
After your doctor has permitted you to take the baby out, the first step will be to pack their changing bag. Regardless of whether you plan to stay out for long, you should never ignore bringing along some baby essentials. You might never know when your baby will require changing; hence you should always be prepared.
Among the things you should pack in the changing bag include spare diapers, baby wipes, nappy rash cream, and disposable diaper bags. Don’t also forget to include extra clothes. If you’re lucky to have a baby changing bag with a travel changing mat, well and good. However, if you’re unlucky, make sure to pack one as well.
Bring Along Their Pram
As mentioned, there might be a huge chance that you’ll have trouble carrying your baby all the time while strolling outside. Luckily, this is where baby prams come into play. Besides eradicating the need for you to carry the baby around, it provides maximum comfort. Additionally, it enhances the baby’s safety since they remain secured by the straps; hence the baby is unlikely to fall over.
Feed The Baby Before Going Out
Before heading outside, ensuring the baby is correctly fed is vital. This is because small babies don’t know how else to communicate when hunger strikes besides crying. You don’t want your baby to attract people’s attention because of excessive crying.
While some people may be understanding, some would find a crying baby annoying. So, if you don’t want to spoil the fun, it’s best to make sure that your baby is full before going out. Aside from that, you have to pack extra milk in case they go hungry before you get home.
If you’re breastfeeding, you might need to pack extra clothes and blankets to make breastfeeding sessions more comfortable while you’re outside. If possible, visit an establishment that has breastfeeding areas in it.
Begin With Small Trips
When taking the baby out for the first time, it’s crucial to make it short. Avoid taking your baby on a long-distance trip, especially if they’re still too young. This is because you might never know how your baby might react to different conditions, and they might get uncomfortable when they’re staying too long in a car.
Considering that, taking your baby out for an hour at most during the first outing is advisable. Also, ensure you don’t go too far from your home to ensure you can get back home immediately if necessary. Additionally, if the baby is too young, avoid visiting crowded places since their immune system might be still weak.
Cover-Up The Baby
Since you’re taking the baby out for the first time, their body and skin are still delicate and sensitive. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure the baby is covered to prevent them from feeling cold or being exposed to harmful sunlight rays. When covering the baby, it’s essential to use a breathable cover that doesn’t provide too much heat. Otherwise, you’re likely to make the baby uncomfortable due to overheating.
Pack For The Weather
Weather conditions are unpredictable. In one minute, the sun might be blazing, and in another, the rain might be pouring. It’s therefore essential to pack an umbrella and some warm clothes just in case it rains or gets cold. On the other hand, if you’re going out on a cold day, pack some light clothes since sunshine can appear anytime.
Conclusion
That’s it! Taking your baby out for the first time isn’t as challenging as it sounds. With proper planning and understanding of what to and not to do, you can have a successful first day out with your baby that will leave you yearning for more outings.
