Baby's day out: 5 tips for taking your baby out

We continuously ask ourselves whether our children must simply adapt to our lifestyles, or whether we should completely adjust our schedules to fit into our children’s routines and lives. As with all things “baby”, I believe it is important to have a good balance.

I am a firm believer that you should adapt to your baby as much as they should adapt to you.

It is important (and equally challenging) to find the balance between this give-and-take relationship. An example of this balanced relationship would be to concede that it is NOT ideal for a baby to be exposed to the noise, germs and stimulation of a shopping mall in the first two weeks of life. However, is it equally ill-fitting for an extroverted mother who might be struggling with baby blues to be locked up in her house all day, everyday in the first two weeks of her baby’s life.

Tips for going out with your baby

If you are visiting friends and family, follow the exact same bedtime routine as you would at home. Keep the rules consistent and the bedtime the same and allow your child to just sleep in a camping cot.
If bathing your baby at your friends or family’s house is out of the question, complete your bedtime routine at home and allow your baby to fall asleep in the car seat. Then take him or her out and place them in a bed once you arrive at the host’s home.
When travelling far distances, try to schedule your trip during the time that your child needs to sleep.
If you are travelling short distances, it is best if your child DOES NOT fall asleep for the 10 minute drive. Rather keep your child awake until you reach your destination where he or she can sleep uninterruptedly.
In a shopping mall, lower your child’s pram in a sleeping position and limit the exposure to the light or surroundings with a blanket or pram-cover that will allow your baby to fall asleep in the pram.

The wonderful thing about getting your baby into a healthy sleep routine, is that outings will be easier, as their circadian rhythms (their awake sleep cycles) will be in place and they will fall asleep easier in unfamiliar surroundings.

About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za