You may think that bringing a baby outside isn’t going to do much, but the outdoors can offer them a lot of health and developmental benefits. The Nature Conservancy’s write-up on getting kids outdoors explains that time spent in nature can strengthen their immune system, heart, and sensory development.
Traveling outdoors with your baby can be an amazing bonding experience (plus get both of you out of the house), but things can quickly go south when the fussing and crying begins and you aren’t prepared for it. To have the best outdoor experience for both you and your baby, bringing these essentials with you is a must:
Extra supplies
Ensuring you have all the necessary items to care for your baby is much more difficult when you’re away from home. No matter how long you plan to spend outside, it’s best always to bring another set of everything. Before you leave the house, pack another change of clothes, extra diapers, a full bottle, and a couple toys.
That may seem like a lot of stuff to bring, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. You can put all these things in a sturdy and secure bag like the Béis Backpack Diaper Bag with its deep and spacious interior that’s large enough for all the essentials you need to take with you. And I love having diaper bag straps so that I can easily connect it to my stroller and not have to worry about carrying the weight around!
A well-built stroller
Carrying your baby while outdoors is often not the easiest way to bring them around; chances are both parent and child will grow more uncomfortable after an extended time. A stroller can help you and your baby move around with ease so you can maximize your time outside. And you can also have things like a stroller foot muff to help keep your baby extra warm in the winter.
Of course, if I can recommend splurging on anything baby-related, it’s your stroller. You will use this at least every day (possibly multiple times a day so you want something that is going to work for you and your family.) The strollers created by iCandy showcase quality designs, and their ultra-compact multi-functional travel systems are made with growing families in mind. Their Core Pushchair and Carrycot are designed for longevity and durability to adapt to every stage of your child’s development, so you’ll only ever need one stroller.
Protective gear
Your baby’s skin is very sensitive, so prolonged exposure to sunlight might damage their fresh new skin. Besides spending more time in the shade, you can bring accessories or put them in clothes that can shield them from the sun’s harmful rays.
You can dress your baby in a long-sleeved shirt or use a lightweight blanket if they’re in a stroller to keep their skin covered. A hat is also a great way to protect them from skin damage and prevent light from hurting their eyes. A wide-brimmed one is perfect for the outdoors, especially if your baby is more active and is starting to walk around more.
The Green Sprouts I play Brim Sun Hat provides coverage for your baby’s face, neck, eyes, and ears, and is also lightweight and quick-drying. As much as possible, it’s best not to keep your baby out in the sun for too long. However, if you’re spending a lot of time outside, it’s best to have the right gear.
I hope you found these recommendations for outdoor essentials useful! Let me know if they helped, or if you’re still expecting, you can also check out my post “DIY Outdoor Maternity Photos”.
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