Young mothers, whose children were born in winter, are especially anxious about walks. Many are convinced that it is safer for a child to be at home until it gets warmer outside. But fresh air is useful and necessary for the health of the baby. If you follow some of the rules of winter walks, they will not bring harm.
When to start walking and how long to walk with the baby?
The newborn does not yet have established thermoregulation, and temperature drops in the room and outside will expose his body to stress. Therefore, after discharge from the hospital, doctors do not recommend taking the baby out into the street in the winter for the first 10 days, and preferably 2 weeks. Breastfeeding counselors are convinced that it is best for the baby to stay at home for the first 5-6 weeks.
The duration of the walk depends on the air temperature. At temperatures not lower than minus 5 ° C, the duration of the first walk can be about 15 minutes. Every day, the time spent by the child in the fresh air can be increased by 10 minutes. If the thermometer shows the outside air temperature to minus 15 ° C, then the first walk should last no more than 10 minutes and then not exceed 30 minutes.
After a while, the duration of the walk will depend on your desire and how the baby behaves on the street. If the weather permits, and you both like to be outside, then you can walk for 2-3 hours.
Do not walk with a baby if there is a strong wind or snowstorm. And if it is more than 15 degrees of frost outside, then the walk will have to be postponed. Until the frost subsides, regular airing of the room in which the newborn lives will be sufficient.
How to dress your child for a walk?
The child must be dressed so that he does not freeze, but also does not overheat. It will be optimal to dress the baby in 3 layers. First, put on a vest, sliders, a cap, warm socks. The second layer will be a jumpsuit with closed legs and arms. And the last layer is a winter jumpsuit, a warm hat and a scarf.
Choose clothes for a walk that can be put on and off as quickly and easily as possible so that the child does not overheat even before going out. Slips, tights, overalls instead of undershirts, sliders, jackets and pants are very convenient for such cases.
It is also important to insulate the stroller. Be sure to raise the visor to protect your little one from the wind. Place a warm blanket on the bottom. You can use a cover. But do not completely cover the baby in the stroller. If you took the child out for a walk, let him breathe fresh air.
The temperature on the thermometer outside the window may not be entirely indicative. It can be around 0 ° C outside, but it is damp and cold. Therefore, rely on your feelings. If you are warmly dressed and are cold after just five minutes of walking, then your child is also cold. In that case, it’s better to go home. Remember that the walk should be enjoyable. It is under this condition that it will be useful.
