Tips for Going on Walks with Your Baby

You may be ready to get moving pretty soon after giving birth (I know I was!)

Looking back on my first few weeks as a first-time mom, I think I was a bit shocked at how much newborns actually sleep (well during the daytime at least!)

All 3 of my boys slept like champs the first 2 months – and this was a great opportunity for me to ease back into exercise.

I was suddenly very “unbusy” being on maternity leave – and having a relatively easy delivery, and easy baby, I felt ready for some walking after about the first 2 weeks.

Here are my tips for making those walks great!

Get a great stroller

There’s a big difference between walking with a good stroller and one that is hard to maneuver. It won’t be enjoyable if you have a difficult stroller. I know many of the better-quality strollers are pretty pricey.

Shopping second hand sites like Facebook marketplace or Craigslist will save you money. Personally, I have the Britax B-Ready and I think it’s great. I know there are tons of great options out there though – but I recommend testing them with a baby in them. The added weight can really throw off the stroller’s performance

Have a baby-carrier on back up

Newborns DO like to be held. Keep a baby-carrier like this Baby Bjorn on hand in case your baby gets fussy in the stroller and wants to be carried. PLUS – it’ll be great bonding time and the extra weight should help you burn more calories.

Check the weather

You won’t want to get stuck in the rain – or other unfortunate weather conditions. We live in Florida… and it gets hot here…and I’m not talking about the good hot. It’s stifling and miserable at times. I always planned early morning walks and always brought stroller fans and ice packs with me to prevent overheating. Also, a good sun shade in case the stroller seat was facing into the sun.

Bring Nursing Covers (or bottles if you’re not breast-feeding)

Newborns like to eat! I know I always felt a bit awkward nursing in public, and these covers helped me get over it! And it’s good to be prepared. I often had to stop and take a break to feed my newborn.

Turn Up the Music

If you have a phone that plays music, think about what you want to listen to. Something calming is probably a good choice. I use Spotify to stream music from my phone. And instead of listening with headphones, I play it out loud so the baby can hear too. Also, if I knew the song I would sing-along for the baby.

Pack Water/Snacks (for You!)

During the post-partum period I would get ravenously hungry and need to eat quite frequently. Some of my favorite snack ideas for walks are: apples, granola bars, nuts, and ice coffee!!

Wear comfortable shoes

Make sure you wear a comfortable shoe! Once you get moving, you might find your rhythm and not want to stop… some of my post-partum walks would end up being 4+ miles.