Taking baby for a walk

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Ethan is 9 days old, and I'm dying to get outside to go for a walk. The weather here has been in the 50s, sometimes sunny, sometimes not. I have both a sling and a jogging stroller. My family tells me it's too cold, but I'm guessing he'd be fine on a short walk. However, since this is my first baby, I'm not sure how to dress him for the weather.

I know in the sling he'll have my body heat to help him. If we use the stroller, I have a "BundleMe" bunting thing that has no insulation but is fleece-lined with a windproof cover. And of course I have the usual assortment of blankets (receiving, fleece, fuzzy, afghan) and clothes.

Also... How windy is too windy? I'm obviously not going to take the little guy out in a gale, but I don't want to make him uncomfortable.

Help?

[skydancer]

My personal opinion:
I err on the cautious side. Regardless of what other people say, if I have doubts I don't take them out. When I do go out, I wear my infant in front and facing me, that way any wind only hits the back of her because her face is shielded against me. Generally, I dress her as I dress myself and then add one layer and a hat.

If you are not sure about outside walks, you can always find some indoor places to walk. Around me, malls are great for that (and I get to window shop too!). Either way, enjoy your time with little Ethan!

[Doberbrat]

jumping boards to say go for the walk. put an extra layer on him than you would yourself and go. fresh air is good for both of you. IMO A little exercise is really good for mental health

I had a late Oct baby last time in New England and we were out walking within days. if it was really cold (<32) I wore her under my jacket. otherwise I took a pram added a hat and a blanket or 2 and went on my way.

I also went to the mall, but given the choice between inside close to potential sick people breathing on us or outside in the cold, I'd choose outside.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Go for a walk! Bring a blanket, put a hat on the guy, etc. You don't need to bundle too much. You don't want to make him a sweatbox! I'd probably use the sling to protect his face and hands from wind.

[greeny]

Go for a walk! Bring a blanket, put a hat on the guy, etc. You don't need to bundle too much. You don't want to make him a sweatbox! I'd probably use the sling to protect his face and hands from wind.

I agree. I've been out walking a lot with babe in the Moby.

[Julia24]

We've been walking twice a day since the day she was born, practically! I mostly use the mei tai or the sling - and I just wrap her in a blanket and add a hat FIRST and then stick the whole bundle into the carrier......I also have this hooded/footed fleece pram by Carters that I use as a jacket- that's helpful as well....

DO it!!!! Cold never made anyone sick - it just lowers immunities so that if you're cold and EXPOSED to germs, you're more likely to get sick. That's it.

[tessie]

I took her out for the first time at about 10 days. In the pram, wrapped up warm. Blankets are better than a big coat/snowsuit - easier to add or remove if you go from warm to cold.

[tofutti]

we have been walking in the babyhawk since day.........5?

it is warm here though and my dogs and toddler pretty much demand it

[cristeen]

IMO, most people bundle their babies too much on average. Particularly if you're wearing the babe, you don't need to dress them as warmly (as if they were in a stroller), since they will be sharing your body heat. Wind is easy enough to combat, and 50s aren't all that cold.

With similar weather, I dressed my little guy in a short-sleeved wool tee, dipe and socks, swaddled him in a muslin blanket, and tucked him in the Moby (this was last night at 2 weeks old). I had a blanket over my shoulder for when the wind picked up, but even with just a cami and light cardigan, I was sweating after 2 blocks. If you put your jacket OVER the carrier, babe doesn't need a whole lot of clothing.

Of course, my little guy will also scream bloody murder if I bundle him too much... he's like his mama, and can't stand being overheated.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by cristeen

IMO, most people bundle their babies too much on average. Particularly if you're wearing the babe, you don't need to dress them as warmly (as if they were in a stroller), since they will be sharing your body heat. .

I couldn't agree more. One of my biggest pet peeves is babies in snowsuits in baby buckets or strollers while in the grocery store or the library. When you're there for an hour, they are just so over-heated to me.

[darcytrue]

We've also been going out almost daily, since she was about 7 days old. I've even taken her to the store several times already. I keep her totally covered in her carseat or I wear her. The temps are still in the 70's here pretty much. On the windy days we don't really get out.