Getting outdoors with your baby and your mental health

Can getting outdoors with baby your improve my mental health?

Being outside can improve your mental health. ⁶⁸ UC Davis Health list these benefits of being
outdoors:

• Nature can help decrease your anxiety levels and can help lessen stress and
  feelings of anger. Exercise can also help this, but it’s even better when you’re.
• Regular access to green spaces has been linked to lower risks of depression and
  improved concentration and attention.
• Being outside allows us to be social and come together with family, friends, or
  even people you don’t know who are also looking for a great hiking trail, for example.
• Additionally, you may find that you sleep better when you are regularly
  Daily exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep/wake cycles. By
  making sure that you get outside in sunlight every day, you can improve your
  ability to sleep at night.
• Does being outdoors benefit my baby? A study in Denmark showed that “children who lived
  in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of mental disorders later in life.” ⁶⁹

Here are some reviews of equipment that might be useful for your outdoor adventures.

Let’s go for a walk!

• During the first few weeks post-partum, especially if you had a C-section, a nice
  walk outside will be perfect.
• Every few days you can add a little distance to your walk or try a new park.
• There are over 120 miles of paved trails in Anchorage, so I’m sure there is one near
  your house.
• You might want to put baby in an infant carrier, or a stroller.
• A simple stroller for paved trails will be fine.  If you get adventurous and want to
  go off-the-paved-trail with your older baby, there are lots of fancier (and more
  expensive!) strollers to choose from.
• Several people recommended the three-wheeled strollers for rougher or unpaved
  trails. If it is mosquito time in your neighborhood, consider a net to cover the
  stroller.

Cycling Outdoors with Baby

• If you enjoyed cycling before you had a baby, you don’t have to stop now that you are a parent.  REI has a fabulous article explaining the difference between a child seat that attaches in front or behind you, or a child bike trailer that you tow behind.
• Helmets are recommended by the Academy of Pediatrics for all children on bicycles or in trailers. Kristen at Rascal Rides reviews your options for biking with children and also discusses how soon a family can cycle with baby.

What about winter and cold weather?

• It is summertime in Alaska right now, but what about when it gets cold?  A wonderful resource for Alaskan parents who want to be outdoors in winter, is the book Babes in the Woods by Alaskan author Jennifer Aist.

Hiking with Toddlers

• My cousin Margo had her kids outdoors and learning to hike at a young age.  For those kids that can only hike a bit and need to rest, she recommends a waist-belt type hip carrier, that allows the kid to hop on and off easily.  She says this encourages them to participate and get stronger on each hike.

 This equipment is expensive!

• It sure is.  Once you have decided which equipment you might like, let the grandparents know that you would like it as a family Christmas gift, or save your PFD to purchase it.  If you are part of our Life Lessons program, check out the Mini-Depot each time you come in as we often have very nice used strollers and baby carriers available.

We are here for you! Did you just find out you’re pregnant or you just had your baby and are a little afraid – no problem, we are here for you. Give us a call at 907-337-9292 to get help or learn more.