Walks with a Newborn: When to Start, How Long to Stay Outside, and How to Dress Your Baby

When can you go for the first walk?

After leaving the hospital, you can usually take your baby outside as soon as the next day, as long as your doctor has not given you any restrictions and you feel well enough yourself.

For example, we went for our first walk the day after coming home from the hospital. It was short and calm — no goal to walk far or stay outside for a long time.

How should you dress your baby for a walk?

A common rule is to dress your baby in one more layer than you are wearing.

For example, if you are wearing a sweater and a jacket, then in colder weather your baby may be comfortable in:

• a cotton sleepsuit,
• a knitted or fleece outfit,
• a warm season-appropriate pramsuit or snowsuit.

But it is important to look not only at the temperature, but also at the wind, humidity, sun, and how your baby seems to be feeling.

How long should the walk be?

In winter, you can start with 15–20 minutes and gradually increase the time to 1–2 hours, as long as it is not too cold or windy outside.

In summer, you can start with 20–30 minutes and gradually increase walks to 2–3 hours, as long as it is not too hot and your baby is comfortable.

The main thing is not to chase numbers. Sometimes a short, peaceful walk is much better than a long one that feels forced.

What temperature is okay for walks?

In winter, many parents use -10 °C as a general lower limit for newborns. For older babies, there are usually fewer strict limits, so it is better to look at the weather as a whole: wind, snowfall, bright sun, and how cold it actually feels outside.

We have gone out even at -15 °C, but we always focused not only on the number on the thermometer, but on the real conditions outside.

In summer, for newborns, I would personally keep the upper limit around +30 °C. There are no strict numbers here either, especially for older babies, but it is important to remember the risks of overheating and direct sun.

In hot weather, the safest time for walks is before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m.

How can you tell if your baby is uncomfortable?

Make sure your baby does not get too cold or overheated.

During or after the walk, you can check the back of the neck, the upper back, and your baby’s overall condition. If your baby is sweaty, very warm, red, unusually fussy, or, on the contrary, very sleepy or sluggish, it is better to move into the shade, go home, or make the walk shorter.

If you do not have the energy to go out, that is okay too

Daily walks are helpful, but they should not become something you force yourself to do at any cost.

If you are exhausted, the weather is grey and unpleasant, it is very windy, or you simply do not have the energy to get everyone ready, do not pressure yourself. You can open the windows, air out the room, or spend a little time on the balcony if it is safe.

That is a completely normal alternative to going for a walk.

And one more thing: you do not have to walk for 2–3 hours every day. Walk for as long as feels comfortable for you and your baby.

Sometimes walks outside are needed even more by the mother than by the newborn: to change the scenery, get some fresh air, leave the house, and reset a little.