The outdoors has many things to explore, different sounds to listen to, and various sights. Spending time outdoors with your child can greatly help with their development.
You and your baby can immediately head outside. Many experts suggest keeping babies away from crowded areas since germs are prevalent there.
However, as long as you take the proper precautions, protecting your baby outside can be extremely easy.
Here are some of the best ways to protect your baby outside.
Avoid Crowded Areas
It is normal to take your baby to a quiet park, on a stroll around your neighborhood, or out in the yard. You will also have to take your newborn to their first well-child visit in the first week.
However, when going outside, you will want to avoid crowded areas for the first couple of months of your baby’s life.
Keep in mind that your baby’s immune system is still immature while they’re still very young. An immature immune system makes them more vulnerable to picking up germs from other individuals and nearby unclean hands, sneezes, and coughs.
When your child reaches 2-3 months old, their immune system will greatly mature. With this, you will not have to worry anymore about exposing them to other individuals.
On the other hand, if you have to take your baby to a crowded area, ensure you place your child inside a protected baby bouncer seat.
Protecting Your Baby At The Playground
If your child can sit up without help and has excellent neck and head control, you can try out the bucket swings at the park.
However, you need to stay as close as possible to your baby when you do this. Don’t leave your baby unattended when playing at the park.
Also, during the summer months, the plastic, rubber, and metal utilized on playground equipment can get extremely hot. This is particularly true if they’re under direct sunlight.
Before you put your baby to play, test the equipment using your hands first to see if it is hot or not. Doing so will help you prevent your child’s skin from getting burned.
Protect Your Baby Against Bugs
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, when your baby is under 2 months old, you must avoid using insect repellents with DEET.
If your child is older than 2 months, you can utilize an insect repellent with 10-30% DEET. You’ve got to ensure you read the product’s label since DEET concentrations vary.
Also, you should know that insect repellents with different DEET percentages work the same. The only difference is how long they last.
To prevent mosquito bites, cover your child with socks, pants, and long-sleeved shirts to avoid mosquito bites. This is particularly true during times when a lot of mosquitoes are out.
Furthermore, do not use products that feature an insect repellent/sunscreen combination. Keep in mind that you have to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. On the other hand, you don’t have to reapply insect repellent.
Why is it important to use insect repellent for your baby? Well, the reason for this is that it can help avoid insect-related illnesses.
For those who don’t know, insects can easily transmit diseases such as the Chikungunya virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Lyme Disease, and much more.
Also, don’t let your child get a hold of insect repellent and other dangerous items. Thus, it’s best to place hazardous items inside a safe from a reliable, safe manufacturer.
Protect Your Baby Against Natural Elements
So, when is it too wet, cold, or hot to take your child outside? This is perhaps one of the most common questions parents ask.
Well, the answer greatly depends on what season it is outside. There are several different things you can do.
Buy a baby snowsuit when protecting your baby against the snow. Keep in mind that snowflakes are magical to a child. Letting them play in the snow can be fun for them.
If it is incredibly windy outside and your baby appears uncomfortable, it’s best to take her inside your house. This is particularly true if you’ve got nothing to protect your baby against the strong wind.
When the weather is cold or wet, ensure you dress your child in insulating socks or shoes, mittens, a warm hat, and a couple of thin layers of clothes.
Also, try to stick your hand on your baby’s skin under her clothes to ensure your child isn’t getting overheated. If your baby is too warm, get rid of one layer.
The general rule for babies is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult will wear in similar situations.
During winter, the days can get dark so early. You want your child to be in a bright room as much as possible. To do this, consider installing an smd2835 LED light in your baby’s room.
Conclusion
As a parent, you want your baby to be as safe as possible. This is especially true when going outside. Luckily, all you’ve got to do is follow the tips above.
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