Book Recommendations for ACTIVE parents?

MandaJo9 · April 2009

My husband and I have always lead a very active lifestyle - going out, spending time at friend's cabins, boating, biking, camping, etc. Anyway, with the arrival of our LO, we're hoping to maintain our before baby lifestyle, the only change is we'll have the baby with us. I know it may sound odd but I do not plan on becoming a hermit because I've got a baby.

Does anyone have any good book recommendations containing information on the do's and don'ts with a new baby - what sunscreen can we use? What can be applied for mosquito bites? Camping gear recommendations? Ideally, there'd be a book called, The Active Parents Guide to Parenting, sadly I have yet to find it. TIA!

Mrs.Rose · April 2009

I don't know of a book, but I would get ready for absolutely everything in your life to change.

lauren&matt · April 2009

ditto the pp. We were also very active but a baby changes everything!!! And you should accept that. Sleep and nap times are very imp and if you think you can just take you baby anywhere and they'll just nap on their own... well, I hope you're right! And if you're that lucky, tell me how to do it!

As far as sunscreen and bug spray, I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to use any of that until they're 6 months old. ?Sorry, not what you're looking for, I know.?

laurandjim · April 2009

You might be in for a shock. You will have to change your very active lifestyle for the next, oh, 18 years. You won't have to stop it, but it will change. Hopefully you won't see your DC as an inconvenience when that happens. That said, none of us "plan on becoming hermits" because we have babies.
DH and I are very active--rock climbing, running, mountain biking, hiking, etc.--but we can't do all of them with our 4 month old. Can I take him to the climbing gym? Yes. Can I take him up a multi-pitch route? No. See? Changes to lifestyle.
Some of my best friends have older kids than I do and they continue their active lifestyles, too. But instead of spending a week in the backcountry, they'll stay in Yosemite tent cabins or camp and climb at J Tree for a few days. It's still fun, but not the same. You have to be okay with changes when you have a baby.

As far as gear for your new family goes, I can speak to that because I was in the outdoor industry for 10 years. You need family camping gear--big tents, comfy Thermarests, a goofy Coleman stove, the works. You need to make camping fun at first so it doesn't turn your LO off to the whole gig. Just go in to REI and say "I need family camping gear" and they'll set you up.
Regarding sunscreen: babies under 6 months old shouldn't wear it. Til then, put a big hat on your LO and make sure they're not stuck out in the sun. I would not have them in mosquito country, either. There are several kid-friendly repellents (most use eucalyptus and lemon) but they're not as effective as DEET and even then I wouldn't use them on a baby. At the same time, remember that babies are extremely vulnerable to West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases, so you have to be careful.

Your kid will be lucky to have active, outdoor parents, but you have to be realistic!

MrsL.inMarch · April 2009

Good luck with that.

iowandfw · April 2009

our ped. siad no sunscreen till the kid was 6 months. I'd imagine she'd say the same thing about insect repellent.

We too were active before becoming parents, and we still are, just in a different way. If you think that people whoare parents CHOOSE to become hermits, you have a lot to learn. I do things differently now for the safety of my daughter. When the time is right (and it will be again) we will resume our "normal" lifestyle. FWIW though, I started taking her to outdoor soccer games at 7 weeks and as soon as it was "too cold" for her, we left.

But, please, don't think that you are the only "active parent" - I see tht classification as bull sh!t.

whitehead15 · April 2009

Sorry, but I'm giggling right now. ?Sounds familiar....

You don't have to be a hermit. ?Take you kid everywhere and anywhere....just be prepared for a MAJOR lifestyle change.?

mega6_vancouver · April 2009

I don't know about book recommendations but we are also very active parents. We traveled for business every week while the traveling far distance has stopped we go out all the time with baby in tow. I started going out with her very early and she loves the mall and to be out and about and she will pretty much sleep anywhere we go as long as she has her blanket and my boob she is good. Its hard in the beginning but make sure you have a good diaper bag with lots of diapers and wipes and if you are formula feeding you have that and if your breast feeding you won't need anything but you. It takes some practice being out with a newborn but its very possible not always easy. I would also suggest getting a really good carrier so that you can put baby on you. I have a buckle mei tei and love mine. If you have questions about this feel free to email me at mega6_vancouver @ yahoo dot com.

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