Guest Post by Clare Winton, founder of Grow Wild
My first trip out of the house with a newborn was just a GP appointment a few miles away, but it felt like embarking on a major expedition. Going out with a baby does need more planning and extra supplies, and can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but there is no reason you can’t build up to the outdoor adventures you used to love, whether a gentle walk along the river, or a hike up into the hills.
Being a lover of the wild outdoors, I have compiled a guide to help you get out and about with your new baby, as it is important for both of you to get outdoors. When you spend time outdoors in nature, it has been shown to benefit you both mentally and
physically. Connecting with nature can:
- improve mood
- increase feelings of calmness
- reduce feelings of stress and anxiety
- help with depression
Spending time outdoors does not have to be an extreme hike or strenuous activity, instead do the level of activity that you enjoy and find your own adventure. Feel free to start small – just having a cup of tea in the sunshine while listening to the birds can be a huge boost to your mood.
Walking is an excellent low-impact postpartum activity to help you regain strength and get your body moving again. While we fully advocate the post-birth “one week in bed, one week on the sofa” recommendation, going out for a walk once you feel ready will benefit you mentally and physically. Walking helps to:
- improve sleep quality
- improve mood and relaxation
- tone your muscles
- boost your energy levels
Bear in mind that during pregnancy your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles have been seriously stretched, and your joint ligaments have loosened and are less stable. Your amazing body has worked hard creating your new baby! So do start gently and give yourself time to see how your body feels as you exercise.
Preparation
Preparation can really help – if you can get things ready by the door in advance of your planned outing it takes the pressure off the actual “getting out the door” phase. Have a list, gather what you need when you have the chance, and if you can keep a ready “outing bag” packed with some of the essentials it can make life a lot easier to grab and go.
Schedule, plan and be flexible
It can be really hard to take that first step, but if you choose a specific date, it makes it more likely that you will get over the threshold. It gets easier from there! Pick a location and/or an activity you are really familiar with, so that the only new aspect is
the baby. If you can go in company even better, whether that’s a friend coming with you or joining a local parent and baby walking group.
Whether you don’t feel up to doing as much as you’d planned, or the weather takes a turn, or you have an enormous poo explosion to deal with – choose an activity/route you can bail on if you decide it’s all a bit much. And allow yourself to say “Actually, I’d rather head back to the café for a hot chocolate today” – how much outdooring you do is entirely up to you.
Weather and logistics
Is it going to change while you are out and about? How sheltered is the route/activity you are planning? Is there an indoor escape option nearby if needed? The right clothing makes a huge difference to your comfort during your outdoor adventure, but you still don’t want to be caught out in a stormy downpour, miles from anywhere, with a baby. Check out where you are going in advance (the internet will tell you most of what you need to know) – can you park nearby easily? 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)?
Decide on how you are getting around with your baby. What would be easiest – a carrier or a buggy? The points mentioned above may help, and it does come down to personal preference. Do you prefer the agility of a carrier on unknown terrain, rather than having to manoeuvre the bulk of a 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.
Make wise clothing choices
Pick your clothing carefully – the right layers make a big difference for how comfortable you and your baby will be. If you are babywearing, be aware 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 stays comfortable even when damp.
Avoid bulky clothing like snowsuits – these are a risk for overheating and preventing the sling from being snug against their body thus providing the correct support. Choose lightweight options that you can layer, like Grow Wild’s merino wool baby onesie.
Walking and carrying will also warm you up – expect to sweat! Wear a base layer top made from quick-drying fabric underneath the sling, such as these bamboo maternity and nursing tops, and layer up over the top with zip up fleeces/jackets – this will give you more flexibility for temperature changes without having to remove baby from the sling.
Staying dry – there are various choices for staying dry when babywearing, from waterproof babywearing coats to sling covers. Babywearing coats are a fantastic way of keeping your little one warm, dry and snuggled in against you without having to worry too much about baby’s clothing layers. The best ones are versatile enough to see you through pregnancy, different stages of babywearing and leave you with a good coat even after your little one is running ahead alone.
Keeping your baby warm – if you are out with a buggy or pram, then 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 depending on the weather, an additional layer like a blanket or a pram-suit 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 the sunny days (we do still get them, even in the UK). Long sleeves, high necklines and lightweight fabric are the way to go, combined with a hat. Although the older your baby gets, the more luck you’ll need to keep that hat on…
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, again your choice of clothing can make things much easier – whether that’s wanting to be able to feed discreetly or draught-free, or trying to nurse in a sling. We have bamboo breastfeeding tops that have been designed specifically for comfort and easy access when out and about. I have personally used these Grow Wild tops to nurse in forests and up mountains, and I love camping in them too (no more chilly night-time feeds).
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.
Have fun
Enjoy your time outdoors with your baby, no matter how small you start. Start slowly and consider bringing a friend or family member for moral support and extra hands. 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. Each item has been precisely designed with features for mums from pregnancy onwards, to facilitate their active lifestyle, because Clare believes that high quality, technical outdoor clothing shouldn’t be too much for active mothers to ask for.
Grow Wild uses short supply chains, supports local UK businesses and has small production runs with minimal wastage, in order to provide products for outdoors-loving women as they enter their adventure into motherhood.
Website – https://www.growwildoutdoorwear.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/growwildoutdoorwear
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/growwildoutdoorwear/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-winton-9678071ba/
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@growwildoutdoorwear
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI9jqs6N_M8HLAj4iiObkXQ
