Spending time outdoors benefits the whole family, physically and mentally: improving mood, promoting calm and reducing stress and anxiety. Clare Winton, founder of Grow Wild, offers some practical advice on how to make it happen even if you have a small baby and older siblings in tow!
Published
Bringing a new baby into a family is a time of immense joy and excitement, but it also comes with challenges, especially when there is already a child in the household. Balancing the needs of a newborn with those of an older sibling requires careful planning and patience, You must remember to look after your own needs too. When you become a mother, your life undergoes a huge change – many women struggle with their mental health during this period. Being outdoors is essential for burning off the energy of older children, but when you have a small baby in tow, the very idea of getting outdoors can feel daunting.
Connecting with nature has been shown to benefit all of us both mentally and physically. Outdoors time does not have to involve strenuous activity and you should do the level that you enjoy – find your own adventure. Starting small is fine.
Aim for a core collection that you add to depending on the type of trip you’re making, perhaps keeping these must-haves in a pre-packed ‘outing bag’,
Preparation
Any time you are taking your baby out of the house—be it for a
supermarket shop, a walk in the local park, or to visit
relatives—preparation is key. And that means making a list. Just like a
packing list for a holiday, not everything in your first draft will make
the final cut. Aim for a core collection that you add to depending on
the type of trip you’re making, perhaps keeping these must-haves in a
pre-packed ‘outing bag’,
Think about your route: Is there shelter if there’s a heavy downpour?
Are there facilities like toilets or a café that can make
changing/clean ups/refuelling easier? What is the terrain of the route
you are planning – steep slopes, rough ground, likely obstacles
(fences/gates/streams)?
What would be easier a carrier or a buggy? Do you prefer the
agility of a carrier on unknown terrain to a bulky buggy? Do you like
being able to carry additional stuff in a buggy without having to think
about the weight of carrying baby and gear? There is no right answer, so
experiment with what works for you in different situations.
Always check the weather
The right clothing makes a huge difference to your comfort during
your outdoor adventure, and that means layering up. If you are using a
carrier, remember that your body is a heat source, and that the carrier
also counts as a layer (or multiple layers if using a stretchy wrap).
Merino wool is a good choice for baby clothes as it is a natural
insulator that helps regulate temperature and it stays comfortable even
when damp.
Avoid bulky clothing especially if you are using a carrier – there’s a risk for overheating and preventing the sling from being snug
against your body to provide the correct support. Walking and carrying
will warm you up. Wear a base layer top made from quick-drying fabric
underneath the sling and layer up with zip up fleeces/jackets – this
will give you more flexibility for temperature changes without having to
remove your baby from the sling.
There are various choices for staying dry when babywearing, from waterproof babywearing coats to sling covers. Babywearing coats
are an effective way of keeping your little one warm, dry and snuggled
in against you without having to worry too much about clothing layers.
The best ones will see you through pregnancy and leave you with a good
coat even when your little one is running ahead alone.
If you are out with a buggy or pram, the general rule for baby
clothing is one more layer than the adult is wearing. Babies in buggies
won’t be moving enough to generate much heat, so an additional layer
like a blanket or a pramsuit may be needed. In cold weather don’t forget
to keep the extremities warm – hats, mittens and booties!
Don’t forget suncream and UV-protective clothing on sunny days. Long
sleeves, high necklines and lightweight fabric are the way to go,
combined with a hat. Good luck with keeping the hat on!
If you are out with a buggy or pram, the general rule for baby clothing is one more layer than the adult is wearing.
Feeding and changing
If formula feeding, you’ll need to bring the required amount of
formula powder in a sterile container plus a vacuum flask of water
boiled just before leaving the house (it should maintain a safe,
bacteria-killing temperature of above 70° for several hours).
Alternatively, you could bring ready to feed cartons, or make up your
own in advance – this needs to be used within two hours if kept at room
temperature.
If you are breastfeeding, your choice of clothing can make things
much easier – whether that's wanting to be able to feed discreetly or
draft-free, or trying to nurse in a sling. Grow Wild bamboo breastfeeding tops have been designed specifically for comfort and easy access when out and about.
An outdoor nappy change is going to be required at some point. Having
something waterproof for you to kneel on can be handy. There are some
good portable changing mats that are lightweight and can be clipped to a
bag/sling, and will also hold wet wipes, nappy bags and nappies.
Every outing will be different, and you will find out what works for
you, so try not to stress if it doesn’t go to plan – it gets easier with
practice. Most importantly, don’t forget the snacks!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clare Winton is founder of Grow Wild clothing, inspired by Clare’s
love of outdoor adventures. Grow Wild clothes are specifically designed
for pregnancy, breastfeeding and babywearing in the great outdoors. Grow
Wild uses short supply chains and supports local UK businesses.
