Parents who have just had a baby are definitely looking forward to taking their baby out for a walk for the first time. Especially mothers, are definitely excited to bring their babies to see the world.
However, can babies, especially newborns, be taken for a walk? In fact, with the increasingly alarming COVID-19 situation, is it safe if the child is outdoors?
According to Hello Doktor, there are five important tips that parents must know before taking their baby out to see the world.
Here are some important tips to follow:
1. Limit sunlight exposure
Indeed, the sun can provide much-needed vitamin D by the body, especially newborns. Even so, babies are more prone to sunburn, if exposed to excess.
It is best to limit exposure to direct UV rays for only 15 minutes. For more certainty, talk to your doctor to determine the safe amount of sunlight for your baby.
2. Avoid touching and kissing
This is an important tip to follow if you want to take a newborn out for a walk.
You should always be vigilant and careful with the individuals around you because you cannot know a person’s health condition.
So, the best idea is to keep any contact between the hands and face of children or strangers from holding or kissing your baby.
With your own family members, you should also choose and not allow the sick to hold the baby. But it is advisable for you to do it in a prudent way. Avoid misunderstandings.
3. Selective about location
Not all places are good for taking your baby for a walk. Places like schools, doctor’s offices, hospitals, daycare centers, airplanes, or any other public transport are places known as ‘major germ centers’. So, preferably, avoid!
But if the situation requires you to bring the newborn to the place mentioned above, always make sure the baby is in a hug or placed in a carrier.
Make sure you always wash your hands after touching any surface or items or other individual hands before holding the baby.
4. Weather conditions
Also, note the weather conditions. If you want to take the baby out for a walk in the park, avoid wearing excessive clothing on the baby.
Usually, parents as well as grandparents believe babies always want to be wrapped in a blanket. The fact is, it depends on the weather.
Otherwise, it may make the baby feel hot and uncomfortable. Just prepare a blanket as a preparatory step.
5. Prepare the equipment
To take a newborn baby for a walk, even if it is just a walk in the park of the residential area, you still need to provide the baby equipment.
Clothes, clean diapers, napkins, breastfeeding, and wet wipes are among the items that should always be on the go.
If you feel embarrassed to breastfeed in a public place, maybe you can find a more comfortable place to breastfeed.
Source: Hello Doktor