Say no more, to the old tale of keeping your newborn inside the house. No matter how recently your baby was born, bringing them to get fresh air outside and under the proper amount of sunshine is very good for you and also the newborn. In fact, there is no medical reason that restrict you from bringing the newborn outside. It is just the precautions that you have to know while bringing your baby out, to come back home safe and healthy. Below are some guidelines which would be helpful for you and your baby.
Limited sun exposure.
We all know that the sun provides us with the best Vitamin D, which help in reducing the risk of having flu and also gives a healthy bone. Aside from that, it also helps the newborn from getting allergies. However, newborn has the softest skin which could absorb heat faster and this causes sunburn. As for that, limiting the time to 15 minutes for your baby to get the full exposure is more than enough. At the same time, don’t forget to protect your baby with sunscreen or cover them with umbrella, cloth, or a cap. The best alternative is to ask for doctor’s advice on your newborn health and how much sunlight that is safe for them.
Stay away from those Germs.
Okay! Get yourself ready for this, because this is the most important tips that you have to know. You wouldn’t have any idea on who is having what each day. So in general, it is a good idea to keep your baby’s face, hands, and mouth safe from getting touch by other children.
Not only children, but make sure to not allow any strangers to touch or hold your little one. Strangers might not know your baby’s health, so try to not getting themselves closer to the baby. The best way is, just hold your baby to yourself and firmly or politely say no to anyone who asked to hold the baby.
Choose your location wisely.
Not all places are safe for your baby; even the hospital isn’t one. Avoid bringing your newborn to places such as school, daycare, hospital, or any events with so much crowd. If you are in a stage where you can’t avoid the situation, make sure to keep your baby in your arm or a carrier. Use the protective cover on your carrier or stroller to avoid your baby from having outside contact. Aside from that, wash your hand frequently and stay hygiene with hand-sanitizer as you might have touched a lot of things or any person.
Know the heat and cold.
Never overdress or underdress you newborn while bringing them outside. Know the temperature outside and dress them accordingly. The old wives have this believes that babies should be bundled up. Not to say that it is wrong, logically, it should depend on the weather. If you bundle up your baby in a very hot weather, it might cause your baby to overheat. So keep a close eye on your little one to make sure they are not too hot or cold.
Look for your baby’s clue – if their cheeks turn flushy red or there’s little sweat on the hairline, it’s time for you to remove a layer of bundle on the baby. Babies don’t cry all the time only for milk. Sometimes they will cry if they feel cold. So this is the right time for you to bundle them in a blanket together with their hands and legs tucked in too.
Time to get home.
After having all the fun time outside with your baby, never forget to do this when you are home. Make sure to wash your baby’s hands and feet as they could have been touched by anyone. Also, wash your hand before holding your baby to avoid transferring any germs to your baby. Why not just bath your baby as many parents prefer to bath their baby after getting home from crowded places or even supermarkets.
So now you get the tips on how to, when and what you should do when you’re bringing your newborn outside. Meanwhile, stay tuned for more parenting guide, tips and tricks on our blog. Don’t forget to check out Motherhood.com.my for all the baby items you need!