A change of scenery and some fresh air are absolutely a good idea for both you and your baby, even during their first month. So, when the weather is beautiful and warm, take them for a nice outing in their stroller or wrap them up in a sling and sit down on a park bench for a short time.

But is there anything I need to be careful of?

What do you need to be careful of when going outside?

Your baby’s internal temperature control hasn’t yet fully matured, so it’s very easy for them to get too hot or too cold if they aren’t dressed appropriately when outdoors (or indoors). On top of this, their skin is also very delicate and susceptible to sunburn, so you’ll have to take a few steps to keep them safe.

Now you also need to make sure your baby has had little exposure to any infectious illnesses such as cold or flu, which means heavily populated areas and children’s playgrounds might not be ideal walking spots at this time, but a nice walk in the park should prove entirely safe.

So, there are indeed one or two things to keep in mind when taking your baby outside of the home. And so long as you do, it’s entirely possible to take your baby out for a lovely walk in nature.

How do I safely take my baby out and about during their first month?

Avoid direct sunlight during the first six months. Don’t forget that concrete, snow, water, and sand will also reflect sunlight and cause burns. If your baby is out in the sun, put them in lightweight, light-coloured clothing and make sure they’re wearing a hat to protect their bare head and ears. Apply a small amount of sun cream to any exposed areas, but be sure to test the cream ahead of time on a small patch of your baby’s back, and be careful none of it goes into their eyes.

Keep your baby inside as much as possible if it’s cold and rainy out. If it’s uncomfortably cold and wet outside, try to stay inside. If you must go out, place a warm hat over your baby’s ears and head and make sure they’re wrapped up warm. Just make sure to take a few layers off if they’re sitting in the car for a long time.

Keep baby equipment out of the sun. In the summer months, baby equipment, such as car seats, can get hot very quickly, so much so that it can cause burns. Test the surface area of any objects and keep them out of the sun as much as possible. It’s a good idea to keep a blanket in your car to place over baby car seats, helping to keep them out of direct sunlight.

Use the one-layer-off rule. As a general rule of thumb, your baby will need one layer more than you do when it’s cold outside or indoors. Their hands and feet should be cooler than the rest of their body but not cold, and their chest should be nice and warm. If your baby feels cold, don’t just place another layer on and trap the cold in. Instead, take them to a warm room, offer some milk, and warm them against your body until they’re back to normal.

Use a sling to keep your baby cosy and snug. If using a sling, you have three options:

Wrap. A long piece of fabric wrapped around yourself.

Ring sling. A long piece of fabric that goes over the shoulder. It has two rings in which to wrap the fabric.

Soft-structured carrier. The sling has padded straps that go around your shoulders and waist.

Whichever you decide to use, make sure your baby is comfortable, that you can see their face at all times, and that you can kiss the top of their forehead.

How do I go outside with my newborn?

For our Unii Newborn Journey, we look at your first trip outside the house with your baby.