What things will definitely come in handy for a walk with your child. Universal advice for mums to babies, babies 1-3 years old and children 4-6 years old
Collecting a child for a walk is another quest. On the street, there is sure to be an irreplaceable thing that you did not put in a stroller or bag. Especially in summer, when walks become longer and you want to spend more time outside. In order not to forget anything, experienced mothers always advise to make a list of "walking" things. Start with basic guidelines, and add whatever you need most as you walk. So you can not carry too much with you, but always be ready for an emergency.
Child from 0 to six months
Up to six months, children on a walk sleep almost all the time / istockphoto.com
At this age, babies tend to sleep a lot. Therefore, when planning walks with babies you don't even need to consider the baby's sleep schedule. Most likely, once in the stroller in the fresh air, the baby will certainly fall asleep sweetly, and the walk will be as calm as possible. Nevertheless, be sure to put a few changeable diapers and a pack of wet wipes in the stroller: many babies are uncomfortable in a "full" diaper, and they wake up from this. By the way, in the roast, many mothers prefer to "walk their children" without diapers. If you are one of them, do not forget to put several sets of spare clothes and diapers in the stroller (at the rate of two changes per hour).
If you are planning a long walk, you need to consider that the child will be hungry. Take a bottle of water, a thermos of formula or expressed milk (if you are embarrassed to feed your baby outside). If you have a pacifier in use, be sure to take a spare one with you. If one is lost and there is no replacement, the walk will most likely be ruined.
In the summer, be sure to put a set of dry wipes in the stroller to get your skin wet if your baby sweats. You will also need a diaper or a light blanket to cover your baby when the weather changes. Do not forget that in summer there are often sudden rains: have a raincoat and a mosquito net in the stroller at all times. And be sure to pack a couple of your favorite baby rattles with you in case your toddler wakes up and needs to be entertained.
Child from six months to a year
Baby will be active outdoors after 6 months / istockphoto.com
At this age, children become much more active, they already know how to roll over, sit confidently, and some even take their first steps. With this in mind, to the list above, in the summer you need to add sunscreen and a panama hat. Do not forget that delicate baby skin is very vulnerable and can easily burn, so smear the baby's nose and cheeks with special products. Also, put some protection against mosquito and other insect bites in the stroller. How to choose it for very young children, you can read in our separate article.
If a child is active on the street and sleeps a little, he will definitely want to drink and get hungry. A bottle of water is required for a walk (have a supply of baby water with you so you can add more). Also take a bottle of infant formula or some food (if the child is already eating complementary foods). Cookies, sliced fruits and vegetables are well suited for snacking on the street for children. Let a bib and some kind of "marching" spoon lie in the stroller during this period: if you forgot about food, you can buy cottage cheese or mashed potatoes in the supermarket and quickly feed the child.
From toys at this age, you can take rattles. If a child is actively teething, a rodent will become indispensable for a walk. Again, do not forget about the main and spare pacifiers. Sitting in a stroller, children often throw a dummy on the road while driving. If you do not notice this in time and do not find the loss, a form scandal will break out in 10-15 minutes.
Child from 1 to 3
From one year on, the child will have to take a whole arsenal of toys / istockphoto.com
This is the period when the baby learns the world around him in active movement. Therefore, absolutely everything should be in a stroller or in a mother's backpack. Without laying out diapers and / or change of clothes, a bottle of water and walking snacks, be sure to add a mini-first aid kit to the backpack. It should contain an adhesive plaster, an antiseptic (preferably hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine in the form of a spray) and a bandage in case of minor injuries and cuts. You can also put in betadine. Be sure to take with you for a walk a large pack of wet (possibly antibacterial) wipes, and a package of dry wipes. A water bottle will also come in handy in case you need to wash your hands or rinse your broken knee. Don't forget about sun protection: cream and panama hat should always be in your bag in the summer.
Toys at this age are an indispensable attribute of any walk. If you are going to the playground, you will have to take a small toy arsenal with you: buckets, shovels and molds for beads, a ball, asphalt crayons, soap bubbles. It is better to have for such cases a special set of "street toys" with which you walk and do not get them at home. Otherwise, after the site, you will have to thoroughly wash everything over and over again.
Also, at this age, you can't hide anywhere from the need to take children's transport with you. All kinds of wheelchairs will come in handy for Godovasiks, with which it is easy to practice walking skills. From about two years old, a child can already be transplanted from a stroller to a scooter. However, it is better to start such experiments with short walks in the playgrounds near the house.
Child from 3 to 5
Do not forget to bring a first aid kit with older children / istockphoto.com
Finally, the age comes when my mother's backpack no longer resembles a backpack for hiking. From it you can already lay out a good half of the things. When going for a walk with your child, take one set of changeable clothes (in case the baby gets drenched or dirty), bottles of water (one for drinking and one for hygiene), lots of wet wipes, a first aid kit, and a light snack (fruit or cookies).
Toys at this age can be very different - they need to be collected on the street with the child. Then there will be no question: Mom, why didn't you take my doll or car. Those who like to take the street “everything and a little more” will be useful to give an assignment: he collected the toys himself - you carry them to the playground - you collect them yourself after a walk - you yourself wash away the sand and dirt. So you will develop independence in your child and gently discourage the desire to take a lot of toys and other things useless on the street out of the house.
You will also be interested to read:
How to get your child for a walk for the whole day: tips from experienced mothers
When you can't walk with your child: 5 important reasons
