Outdoor Activities with Your Baby

During your newborn's first year of life, taking time to explore and enjoy nature together is one of those most satisfying moments you can have with your baby. Each stage is uniquely gratifying for both baby and mom. Your outdoors time together provides the kind of fresh air, serene environment and a change of pace for your bonding time with your little one. It's not only calming and stimulating for the baby but also serves to greatly boost your mood.

Before venturing outdoors, ensure that both you and your infant are well-guarded from the potentially-harmful sun rays by using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing. You may also consider avoiding the outdoors during the hottest moments of the day.

Below we describe particular outdoor activities based on your baby's age:

Between Birth and 3 Months

During this early stage of your little one's life, apart from your own fluctuating hormones, a lack of sleep arising from attending to the baby’s frequent needs can cause a roller coaster ride to your emotions as a mom. But you need not worry even if everything seems a bit emotionally overwhelming during these first 3 months. Take each day with motherhood pride. Every single moment brings a new learning experience for both of you. Always remember that this is a joyous motherly time, with each passing day strengthening the love bond between you and your baby.

Outdoor Activities to Partake:

Create time for engaging in short walks with your little one in a stroller or a baby carrier. Even some 10 minutes at a time can be quite advantageous.
Both body exercise and some fresh air outdoors are beneficial for your own post-partum health as well. Remember, if you are upset or stressed, your baby is capable of sensing that. So, create time to make yourself happy alongside your little one.
Newborns can be soothed by white noise, i.e. that which mimics sounds they hear while in the womb. Such beneficial noise can be from the wind blowing trees, rain dropping on a rooftop, a babbling brook, etc.

Between 3 and 6 Months

It's at this stage that your baby can now smile, babble and coo. Additionally, he can now see his surroundings much more clearly. Although he may not yet be crawling or walking, you’ll see him often crane his neck curious to see more of the exciting environment around him.

Outdoor Activities to Partake:

Point out for him the surrounding trees, flowers, and grass as you pronounce their names several times. Though he may not be able to repeat the words right now, he’s capable of absorbing what he sees and hears.
Take time to enjoy the baby's smiles and bewilderment. As his eyes widen with amazement, so will your own.

Between 7 and 9 Months

Typically, your little one has already developed head control at this stage. He's also stable enough to sit up on his own now. Little explorers are now bursting with the urge to get up and craw around. In the meantime, most moms will also feel like it’s their most appropriate time to be mindful of their own personal health by doing more physical exercises.

Outdoor Activities to Partake:

Get some jogging strollers and a fitting baby backpack/trailer that you can easily tow on the back of your bike as you cycle outdoors.
During your exercising routine, ensure your baby is securely in place and get your heart pumping.
He may also take a nap as you workout, meaning he’ll be rested for later playtime.

Between 10 and 12 Months

It's at this stage that your baby has begun recognizing which words and names refer to which specific objects. In addition, this is the age when “object permanence” is now fully intact, meaning that the toddler is now aware that things still exist even when they are out of his sight.

Outdoor Activities to Partake:

Spread out a duvet or blanket on the lawn and have an outdoors' picnic.
By this time, your little one can now eat a wide range of solid foods. Bring with you some of his favorite treats as you go out. Don't forget some nice-themed books to read together.
Get some natural objects like a smooth rock, a dandelion or a pinecone and cover them up with a sheet before asking your baby to find them. It'll be delighting to see him discover their whereabouts on his own.
Close your day out by bringing bubbles to blow; it's a classic pastime that never fails to please any baby!