Going Out With A Newborn Tips for New Parents
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As a new parent, going out with a newborn for the first time can be extremely nerve-wracking. I remember worrying about things like:
Honestly, they’re all valid concerns. Here you are with this big responsibility of caring for this little baby and you don’t want to make any mistakes!
Trust me mama, I feel your worry!
No need to worry any longer, I’ve compiled my top tips & answers to those common worries, for successfully going out with a newborn!
Going out with a newborn common worries
When Can I Take My Newborn Out in Public?
This was actually a question I asked our nurse and doctor in the hospital before going home.
Our little dude spent some time in the NICU so I was just super paranoid.
However, we were informed we could take him out immediately! In fact, because he had some jaundice, they actually encouraged us to go out and get some sunlight and fresh air.
I used my baby carrier whenever we went out (which I’ll talk about more below) & it made everything better for all of us!
Now there are some precautions you should be taking such as:
- Keep baby close & safe to mama or daddy (and away from sick or germ-filled hands).
- Don’t keep baby in direct sunlight – their skin is still very sensitive and could get sunburnt in as little as 10-15 minutes!
- Be careful about leaving your baby in their car seat for too long when NOT clipped into the base. Car seats are meant to be snapped in position. By placing the car seat on the floor, chair or table, it could be too upright for baby with little neck control, posing as an airway risk.
- Keep the weather in mind. A rule of thumb is however many layers of clothing you have on is likely the amount your baby would need too!
How to soothe a crying infant in public
If your baby begins to get upset, try to see if you can figure out why!
Typically, babies always have a reason for why they’re crying (considering they can’t talk to us).
I do have to say, we were so lucky that our little man hasn’t many outbursts in public. He’s always been asleep or is well behaved which definitely helped my anxiety!
Some things to rule out could be: Is your baby hungry? Does your baby need their diaper changed? Maybe your baby is tired. Baby could be gassy.
If you can figure out what’s wrong, then soothing becomes a piece of cake!
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t figure out what’s wrong, it’s best to go home where your baby may be more comfortable.
Recommended FOR YOU>> How to get your baby to sleep THROUGH THE NIGHT!
What temperature is safe to take baby outside?
Believe it or not, things have to be pretty extreme outside to warrant baby staying in all day.
If it’s below freezing or a heatwave, then use your judgment in those regards as to whether it’s too hot/freezing for your baby.
And if you’re ever in doubt just stay home! Plus, it’s not like your little sleepyhead will mind either way 🙂
Tips For Successfully Going Out With A Newborn
Below are some super simple and convenient ways you can have a successful outing with your newborn baby! Not to mention, keep them safe and cozy all at the same time!
Babywearing Newborns Out in Public
Babywearing has been one of the biggest lifesavers when it comes to taking our little one out in public. I only wish I began babywearing him sooner.
Not only is babywearing a soothing method of going out and traveling with baby, but it also allows you to be completely hands-free! Which, by the way, is my favorite part!
If you’re sitting there wondering ok well, there are A MILLION baby carriers out there. Which one is the best for me? I’m so glad you asked! Below are my top suggestions of baby carriers to check out:
- Lille Baby Carrier – a great option for those looking for a lightweight carrier with extra back support.
- Ergobaby Omni 360 Carrier – awesome for versatility and high quality from newborn to toddler stage!
- Baby Tula Baby Carrier – An affordable and ergonomic option to carry your little one around all day long!
- Baby K’tan Wrap Carrier – A baby wrap that isn’t 800 feet long, lightweight and very easy to use!
- KeaBabies Baby Wrap – An affordable baby wrap that’s soft, comfortable and will keep baby snug all day long!
No more carrying around a bulky baby car seat or pushing your baby around in a squeaky stroller.
Another reason babywearing is so great is it almost eliminates people’s urge to try and touch your brand new adorable newborn during your first outing with baby!
There’s nothing worse than mustering up the courage of going out with your newborn just to be totally freaked out (and enraged) when some random stranger decides to come up and try to touch your little baby.
Yeah, that’s a big NO from me, hands-off Felicia!
Recommended FOR YOU >> Things NOT to do after giving birth!
Avoid Large Crowds for your First Outing with Baby
Contrary to popular belief, most newborns are professionals at sleeping through almost anything during those first few weeks.
I remember my husband and I would go out to dinner, do our grocery shopping and even took nice strolls around the neighborhood with our dogs meanwhile our baby was sound asleep.
The downside to larger crowds is that you do still run the risk of baby possibly waking up or becoming agitated by unfamiliar surroundings.
Though it isn’t the end of the world, it can be very overwhelming as a first-time parent with a fussy newborn out in public.
Another reason I prefer to avoid large crowds is that it seems like everyone is sick or has a cold these days. While your little one’s immune system is still developing, it’s best to not expose them to too many unnecessary germs.
Lastly, going out in general after having a baby can feel like a big overwhelming task.
Take things small and work up to both yours and your baby’s comfort level.
Eventually, taking your newborn out will feel like the back of your hand!
Make sure you know what to pack in a diaper bag
Packing your diaper bag does not need to be stressful (although, as a new parent, everything can totally feel really overwhelming).
When preparing for your first outing, make sure you have all the diaper bag essentials for baby (you can adjust this basic list as baby gets older):
- Diapers (4-6 count)
- Baby Wipes (you can never have enough as they’re great for multi-use purposes, my favorite is Target Up & Up Cucumber Travel Wipes)
- Dirty Diaper Bags – I really like having these diaper bags on the go because that baby poop can smell SO bad & nobody deserves to smell that poop.
- Portable Changing Pad
- 1-2 Spare Baby Outfits
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Hand Sanitizer
- Pacifier (if you use them, keep 2-3 on hand)
- Burp Cloths (keep at least 3-4, you never know when the baby will spit up)
- Blankets (light-receiving blankets or plush blanket depending on the weather)
- Nursing Cover (if you breastfeed, this one is my favorite!)
- Baby Bottle & Formula (if you formula feed)
- Small toys (rattle or a light-up toy to keep your newborn preoccupied)
That concludes my Top Tips for Going Out With a Newborn for New Parents!
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