Walking outside with baby

ewiley63 · May 2015

Since we are having summer babies, I'm wondering about taking walks in the heat. I'm in Texas so it will get hot but I have a dog and at some point I will have to take the baby and dog out at the same time. Can the baby be out in the heat for any extended amount of time?

aj1327 · May 2015

I live in Texas as well and am also worried about this. I have been told by many that the baby will be fine. I was thinking I'd go in the evenings, but then I worry about stupid mosquitoes. Hopefully you'll get some good responses!

Serenamarr · May 2015

I've thought about this too since I live on the beach and am planning baby/puppy boardwalk walks to be my main form of exercise. Luckily I have the breeze and no bugs to worry about, but I still probably wouldn't go out in the heat of midday. Maybe a 10 am walk and a 3 pm walk.

TLeec16 · May 2015

Baby will be fine. Just dress him or her lightly and go either first thing in the morning or in the evening. Fresh air is great for babies. Infact when mine were newborns we would take evening walks cause the fresh air would have them sleeping for hours afterwards.

esampson1983 · May 2015

amccoy129 said:
I live in Texas as well and am also worried about this. I have been told by many that the baby will be fine. I was thinking I'd go in the evenings, but then I worry about stupid mosquitoes. Hopefully you'll get some good responses!

I'm a FTM in TX as well and DH and I had this exact conversation on our walk this afternoon! We are planning to walk at night but worry about mosquitoes. DH mentioned that Off sells clips that maybe we can attach to the stroller? I haven't researched it yet to know if it's safe or effective for use with LO. Any advice from seasoned mamas would be appreciated

TLeec16 · May 2015

I believe they sell a mosquito net that goes over carseat/stroller. At least they did twelve years ago when my oldest was born. It was great.

staceyfern · May 2015

You can probably get a cover for the infant seat that will keep bugs out but slow you to see the baby.

TLeec16 · May 2015

Toys r us has them I just googled it

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

I thought about this too...and then I thought -- what about babies in India or Africa? They're not just hanging out inside in AC... I mean I'm not putting my child in direct sunlight on a boiling day but there doesn't seem to be a reason for them to be cooped up inside if dressed sensibly and with a hat on.

Frogger5 · May 2015

dancegurl1118 said:
I thought about this too...and then I thought -- what about babies in India or Africa? They're not just hanging out inside in AC... I mean I'm not putting my child in direct sunlight on a boiling day but there doesn't seem to be a reason for them to be cooped up inside if dressed sensibly and with a hat on.

Right, but those babies aren't going in and out of a/c all the time, either, they are just going with the natural warm up/cool down of each day. However, I was told at our baby class that if you are comfortable, the baby should be fine. However, however, I live in a place where it rarely gets above 80, so that doesn't really help most of you ladies and advice for hot climates is probably quite different.

I know we were warned against giving the baby any free water while breast feeding - I'd be interested in hearing if that still holds true if you are going to be outside where it's really hot.

Sammy K · May 2015

Make sure they're covered so they don't get too much direct sun since their skin is so delicate. Our pediatrician says no water, regardless of the heat. They get all the fluids they need from breast milk. I'd double check with your ped though.

aliciaspinnet · May 2015

Im a FTM so I have no personal experience but my thoughts are to start out slowly and see how it goes. Dress the baby lightly, put the sunshade up on the stroller, and maybe use a muslin cloth to keep direct sunlight off, then start with short walks in the morning or evening. If baby tolerates that then gradually build up.

rweaver8611 · May 2015

I'm in TX, too, and will still do walks, but more so in the evenings. We bought the Babyganics brand of bug spray for the baby. Supposed to be okay to use on little ones.

When we are out during the day, it will be poolside to keep cool.

SarahBaby87 · May 2015

I live in Texas. STM. I took DS1 out in his stroller in the evenings and would put a light blanket (like the muslin Aiden and Anais ones) over the stroller. It still allowed for air flow but I didn't have to worry about Mosquitos.

ngaines27 · May 2015

The netting to cover the infant seat and the OFF fan clips are great ideas for bugs. Otherwise, dress your baby appropriately, shield him/her from the sun and go for a walk. Breastmilk/formula is all newborns need for fluid, water isn't necessary. It also isn't necessary to gradually build up. If your baby gets too hot, he/she sweats just like we do to cool them self off.

pixieprincss · May 2015

Yes, take your baby outside. The option for staying inside with AC is such a new invention in the course of humanity. Stay in the shade (save for some vitamin D time), stay hydrated, stay aware of your baby's needs. I find this is best done by babywearing in a breathable carrier (for me, this is a cotton woven wrap) so there is easy access to the breast for nursing and I am very aware of baby's temp vs. baby being in an unbreathable plastic carrying device and not right next to me. Often, I'll put baby just in a diaper and sun hat in the carrier (though note that having skin-to-skin when sweaty doesn't feel good, so having me clothed feels better). Wiping us down with water is very refreshing. DS2 was born in August and we were out and about quite a bit in the first month in the swampy, hot realities of D.C. (staying inside just isn't reasonable with older kids in the family) and we've done tropical and beach vacations with babies, as well.

janinebean84 · May 2015

Buy the mosquito netting for strollers. They are less than five dollars.

kbbtah · May 2015

We will walk early in the mornings or after 8pm with netting over the stroller. Summer babies are the best!

lshylko · May 2015

You can buy mosquito nets for the stroller that double as a UV shade - they are available at most baby stores and are cheap.

queequeg09256 · May 2015

The off fans aren't the best as they are designed to create a bubble around you but if you are moving they aren't the greatest. I think the netting is the best choice on this. I plan on walking in the morning and evening with lo and doggie. I got a nice sun hat for mine and am planning on having her in that and then light clothing with a blanket to cover against bugs

swimbabyswim · May 2015

Amazon also has a pad/ liner you can put in the car seat to keep the baby cool and they have clip on fans for the car seat or stroller. I'm sure you can buy them at other stores too.

mrs1374a · May 2015

swimbabyswim said:
Amazon also has a pad/ liner you can put in the car seat to keep the baby cool and they have clip on fans for the car seat or stroller. I'm sure you can buy them at other stores too.

But you're not supposed to use anything in a car seat that doesn't come with the car seat, so only use this for walks, not for actually driving.

I've been thinking the same about the baby, our first was born right in the middle of winter. We have cold cold winters and hot hot summers. We plan on using our pool and going to the beach a lot since we live in a beach town. We drive on with hubby's truck, so we also have a big shade tent we use. I think she will be fine. We usually go in the morning and stay long enough to grill lunch out there, then head home.,

Cateash77 · May 2015

I live in Australia and it can get very very hot! Perhaps just judge dependent on how you would feel being outside, then one less layer for baby, so maybe if hot, even just singlet and nappy while in the pram. I used to take my baby for walks in the heat but would go earlier morning, late evening and occassionly put a damp light muslin over the pram and you can get 'pram fans'. If you avoid the hottest part of the day, dress baby lightly, make sure they are shaded and hydrated (breast feed, formula feed before you go) then you should be fine! If it gets much past 30 degrees celcius (not sure of F?) and is also quite humid, I would personally avoid being out in the heat any longer than you really need to in the first few months.

aliciaspinnet · May 2015

Cateash77 said:
I live in Australia and it can get very very hot! Perhaps just judge dependent on how you would feel being outside, then one less layer for baby, so maybe if hot, even just singlet and nappy while in the pram. I used to take my baby for walks in the heat but would go earlier morning, late evening and occassionly put a damp light muslin over the pram and you can get 'pram fans'. If you avoid the hottest part of the day, dress baby lightly, make sure they are shaded and hydrated (breast feed, formula feed before you go) then you should be fine! If it gets much past 30 degrees celcius (not sure of F?) and is also quite humid, I would personally avoid being out in the heat any longer than you really need to in the first few months.

I'm in Australia too, up in North Queensland, and Im so glad to be having a winter baby!

finchfeeder80 · May 2015

queequeg09256 said:
The off fans aren't the best as they are designed to create a bubble around you but if you are moving they aren't the greatest. I think the netting is the best choice on this. I plan on walking in the morning and evening with lo and doggie. I got a nice sun hat for mine and am planning on having her in that and then light clothing with a blanket to cover against bugs

I was about to mention the same thing. I learned the hard way last summer that those Off clips are meant for sitting around, not being up and moving. Mosquitoes love my ass, so I thought the clips would be great for short periods of yard work instead of hosing myself down with spray for just a half hour or so. Nope. I was their walking buffet.

britneythebridexo · May 2015

I always did with my first and he was an August baby. I dressed him light put a hat on him and carried him in the front carrier. We weren't out for over 30-40minutes and the walking put baby to sleep.

jessieR358 · May 2015

Frogger5 said:

dancegurl1118 said:
I thought about this too...and then I thought -- what about babies in India or Africa? They're not just hanging out inside in AC... I mean I'm not putting my child in direct sunlight on a boiling day but there doesn't seem to be a reason for them to be cooped up inside if dressed sensibly and with a hat on.

Right, but those babies aren't going in and out of a/c all the time, either, they are just going with the natural warm up/cool down of each day. However, I was told at our baby class that if you are comfortable, the baby should be fine. However, however, I live in a place where it rarely gets above 80, so that doesn't really help most of you ladies and advice for hot climates is probably quite different.

I know we were warned against giving the baby any free water while breast feeding - I'd be interested in hearing if that still holds true if you are going to be outside where it's really hot.

No. No free water! Only breast milk or formula. You could really mess up their electrolytes by doing that.

pixieprincss · May 2015

jesshrou said:

Frogger5 said:

dancegurl1118 said:
I thought about this too...and then I thought -- what about babies in India or Africa? They're not just hanging out inside in AC... I mean I'm not putting my child in direct sunlight on a boiling day but there doesn't seem to be a reason for them to be cooped up inside if dressed sensibly and with a hat on.

Right, but those babies aren't going in and out of a/c all the time, either, they are just going with the natural warm up/cool down of each day. However, I was told at our baby class that if you are comfortable, the baby should be fine. However, however, I live in a place where it rarely gets above 80, so that doesn't really help most of you ladies and advice for hot climates is probably quite different.

I know we were warned against giving the baby any free water while breast feeding - I'd be interested in hearing if that still holds true if you are going to be outside where it's really hot.
No. No free water! Only breast milk or formula. You could really mess up their electrolytes by doing that.

Ditto! No water. Your breastmilk is amazing. It will actually make itself more watery if needed to best meet baby's needs.

agapeflower117 · May 2015

Also, no sunscreen on a newborn! I think sunscreen is okay after baby is six months.

Mommaswizz · May 2015

Saw this today regarding giving babies water.. Serious no-no

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/30/baby-dies-water-toxicity/26670583/

Frogger5 · May 2015

Mommaswizz said:
Saw this today regarding giving babies water.. Serious no-no

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/30/baby-dies-water-toxicity/26670583/

Oh, that is so sad. Also the part about a quarter of families living in poverty diluting formula to stretch it out.

I feel the need to reiterate that I was told never to give a newborn water, and I never doubted that, I was just wondering whether it was the same if you lived in a really hot place say without a/c, where the baby would be hot and sweating more.

laurendutch · May 2015

My Aunt worked as a sales rep for a formula company way back in the day. In the 90s, when the droughts were really bad in Ethopia, her company sent over a ton of formula. Because they were so poor and the water wasnt the cleanest, they ran into major issues. Mothers would dilute formula and babies were getting water Bourne illnesses. That is why the WHO recommends breastfeeding until the age of 2, especially in developing countries. Mothers breast milk in most cases filters water Bourne pathogens.

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