There are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. Some doctors recommend that parents wait until their baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places (like malls, movie theaters, and airplanes).
The idea that babies have to stay inside the house for several weeks after they're born is FALSE. In fact, as long as your baby is healthy, getting some fresh air can be great for mom and baby if you take a few precautions. First, be careful not to overdress or underdress your baby when you leave the house.
According to most pediatric health experts, infants can be taken out in public or outside right away as long as parents follow some basic safety precautions. There's no need to wait until 6 weeks or 2 months of age. Getting out, and in particular, getting outside in nature, is good for parents and babies.
Most pediatric health experts agree that babies can head outside right away, as long as you use basic safety precautions.
When Can a Newborn Go Outside? If you've just given birth and are yearning for some fresh air, you may be itching to ask: “When can I take my newborn outside?” We've got good news for you: It's okay to take baby outside right from birth.
Babies need fresh air and light, and they need to get out. A healthy baby can go outside every day, even in winter, as long as the temperature is not too cold (down to about –12°C) and it's not too windy. She'll be stimulated and distracted, and get plenty of oxygen.
Many midwives recommend a full week of bed rest, but Brewer understands that a week isn't always possible for most women (especially if you have other children). Try for at least a few days, if you can.
The first night home with your baby is often spent awake holding, soothing and feeding. Your baby was held inside you for your entire pregnancy, and newborns expect nothing less immediately after birth! You and your partner will probably have to take turns holding your baby for comfort during that first night at home.
Yes, it's fine to walk outside in the fresh air, but because the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, it's critical that you avoid crowds and maintain a safe, physical distance with your newborn.
Smile, stick out your tongue, and make other expressions for your infant to study, learn, and imitate. Use a favorite toy for your newborn to focus on and follow, or shake a rattle for your infant to find. Let your baby spend some awake time lying on the tummy to help strengthen the neck and shoulders.
“Night one is a euphoric night,” said Jennifer Howting, a registered nurse in paediatrics based in Kingston, Ont. “But babies on night two wake up a lot more—they're more alert and are ready to feed. The second night is when the exhaustion really hits [for parents].” Night two can bring a lot of crying.
“Second night syndrome” is a perfectly normal response to being born, and most babies experience a bit of fussiness on their second night of life. It doesn't mean that anything is wrong or that your baby is starving. It can feel overwhelming, but there ARE some things you can do to help survive the second night!
The first few weeks are the hardest. Erin is a writer and educator born and raised in New Jersey. She writes about lifestyle, travel, women's health, and wedding and event planning. From the moment you share your pregnancy news, it seems that you're bombarded with (often unsolicited) advice.
Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed. This gives you a solid two weeks of focused intentional rest. It also helps to get your priorities in order when it comes to those eager visitors. They will get to see the baby, but they don't get to make the rules.
By waiting to give the newborn the first bath, studies show the newborn is better able to stabilize his or her blood sugar and temperature.
If you had an uncomplicated pregnancy and vaginal delivery, it's generally safe to begin exercising a few days after giving birth or as soon as you feel ready.
New sensations lead to brain development. New sights, sounds, smells, and textures are enjoyable and exciting for your baby. Even if they're strapped to your chest or reclining in a stroller, they receive all kinds of stimulation outside that they don't get when they're indoors.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is OK to take a newborn outside when the temperatures are between −15 F and 90 F. Anything beyond this range can be harmful to newborns.
Your baby should do it often each day. Start tummy time soon after birth. In the first few weeks, try tummy time for 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times a day. Your baby can build up to 10-15 minutes, several times a day.
But many first-time parents find that after the first month of parenthood, it can actually get more difficult. This surprising truth is one reason many experts refer to a baby's first three months of life as the “fourth trimester.” If months two, three, and beyond are tougher than you expected, you're not alone.
Although the newborn scent eventually fades (usually around six weeks of age) many parents (including this one) are known to take a deep whiff of their child's head (regardless of their age) and savor the unique scent and comfort it provides you.
Sleepless nights are common in new parenthood, but they do not last forever. Most babies will begin to sleep for longer periods at night from the age of 6 months old. Newborn babies need to feed every few hours until the age of 3 months. After this, it is normal for infants to feed once or twice during the night.
For formula-fed babies, you can think about phasing out night feeds from 6 months of age. If your baby is formula fed and aged over 6 months, they're unlikely to be waking at night because they're hungry. This is because infant formula is digested more slowly than breastmilk.