best baby backpack for hiking image
Amanda
My husband and I like to take day trips, go to beaches, museums, galleries, amusement parks, etc.
We're pregnant but are exploring all areas of parenting and want to know what other parents do to stimulate their babies or if most people wait til toddler age?
Answer
As a newborn, they will really just sleep most places you go. As they hit about 6 months, they become both much more alert, and much easier to carry around, in my opinion (once they are sitting unsupported they can go in a backpack or sit on your hip in a sling). So around 6-7 months was when I started taking my dd places just because she might have fun there.
There are a couple things you have to remember with baby outings. The first is that your baby will probably only be able to be happily awake for a few hours w/o feedings and/or a nap (some babies nap well on the go, others don't). So for any longer excursion, you have to make sure you plan in stops/time for these things. Babies also usually have a pretty short attention span, so the best outings are ones where enough is going on to keep them interested, but not enough to by totally overwhelmign (like very loud or very crowded. I have found my dd does much better in overload situations when she is close to me in the sling, as opposed to in a backpack, in the shopping cart, etc). The final thing to consider is that babies are more sensitive to environmental conditions - they should not spend a lot of time in the sun or in extreme temperature conditions, esp since before 6 months sunscreen is not recommended.
So that said, I have found the best outings to often to be ones that can be done in just a few hours, between naps. Often these are very mundane things. Babies LOVE animals, so a trip to a local petshop can be a favorite outing. We also go to the library's children room/story time - besides reading and getting books, babies LOVE seeing other children. Many areas have science centers with special corners for young chilidren. My dd also enjoys the pool, going on hikes or walks (something we did since she was very young), going to the playground, and actually even going on errands (lots of people to see).
As far as the things you mention, amusement parks are overwhelming for young children usually, and while they like the beach, a few hours out in the sun is probalby enough at that age (plus you would need a ton of gear to keep the sand/salt/sun off). babies are pretty indifferent to things like museums - they would probably enjoy the people, its just a question of how bad you would feel if she was loud (babies are pretty unpredictable). So I guess my overall recommendation is to keep it short and local most of the time, while they are young. Longer expeditions like camping or the beach are possible, but tend to take a lot of planning, packing and vigilance, so most people only do day trips occasionally.
Of course there are tons of things you can do with your infant in your own house as well.
As a newborn, they will really just sleep most places you go. As they hit about 6 months, they become both much more alert, and much easier to carry around, in my opinion (once they are sitting unsupported they can go in a backpack or sit on your hip in a sling). So around 6-7 months was when I started taking my dd places just because she might have fun there.
There are a couple things you have to remember with baby outings. The first is that your baby will probably only be able to be happily awake for a few hours w/o feedings and/or a nap (some babies nap well on the go, others don't). So for any longer excursion, you have to make sure you plan in stops/time for these things. Babies also usually have a pretty short attention span, so the best outings are ones where enough is going on to keep them interested, but not enough to by totally overwhelmign (like very loud or very crowded. I have found my dd does much better in overload situations when she is close to me in the sling, as opposed to in a backpack, in the shopping cart, etc). The final thing to consider is that babies are more sensitive to environmental conditions - they should not spend a lot of time in the sun or in extreme temperature conditions, esp since before 6 months sunscreen is not recommended.
So that said, I have found the best outings to often to be ones that can be done in just a few hours, between naps. Often these are very mundane things. Babies LOVE animals, so a trip to a local petshop can be a favorite outing. We also go to the library's children room/story time - besides reading and getting books, babies LOVE seeing other children. Many areas have science centers with special corners for young chilidren. My dd also enjoys the pool, going on hikes or walks (something we did since she was very young), going to the playground, and actually even going on errands (lots of people to see).
As far as the things you mention, amusement parks are overwhelming for young children usually, and while they like the beach, a few hours out in the sun is probalby enough at that age (plus you would need a ton of gear to keep the sand/salt/sun off). babies are pretty indifferent to things like museums - they would probably enjoy the people, its just a question of how bad you would feel if she was loud (babies are pretty unpredictable). So I guess my overall recommendation is to keep it short and local most of the time, while they are young. Longer expeditions like camping or the beach are possible, but tend to take a lot of planning, packing and vigilance, so most people only do day trips occasionally.
Of course there are tons of things you can do with your infant in your own house as well.
Any opinions about baby backpacks and stroller systems?
army_siste
I don't have a baby yet but I might in the future. My question is about baby backpacks and strollers. Snuggli is one backpack I have seen. How useful are they? I saw one that said it could be used in the front for a small baby and on the back for a larger one up to 27 pounds. Are they comfortable and easy to get on and off? My concern was would my back start hurting after awhile? I have also seen some that have a metal frame that goes on the back? It looks kind of like the old hiking backpacks. Has anyone used that type? Is the soft Snuggli type better than the metal frame type?
On to strollers. I see alot of the stroller systems that come with the carseat carriers. Does anyone have an opinion whether they think the type that holds a carseat is better than just a regular stroller? I can see the benefits of both types. I would be a busy mom who be going on lots of walks and would also need to have one that would fold up nicely for the trunk of the car.Any other must haves for a baby?
Answer
Baby backpacks: I liked them okay. My husband loved ours. He would carry our daughter around all the time. They get in the way if you're trying to do something (and you really can't bend over) but they're nice for walking around and shopping if you don't want a stroller.
Stroller: Get one with a car seat carrier. They are so nice. You have to have a car seat anyway so why not get one that can snap onto your stroller. Its good for an infant because you know their head is protected in the carseat and you can see them at all times because you put the carseat on facing you in the stroller. Also, when your child is too big for the car seat, you can just use the stroller as a regular stroller. We have a 17 month old and have both kinds. Both fit into our trunk nicely. Our Jeep stroller (which is for older kids kind of a more expensive umbrella stroller) is great for going to the store. Her other stroller is nice if he needs a nap because she can lay down in it. Other things to have are a bouncy seat, a swing (our daughter absolutely loved hers), and for hen s/he can walk a stationary set so s/he can stand and play at the same time. We also liked our jumparoo but some people say they're bad for kids' legs. There are many good things for a baby, but it's all about what's good for you and your baby.
Baby backpacks: I liked them okay. My husband loved ours. He would carry our daughter around all the time. They get in the way if you're trying to do something (and you really can't bend over) but they're nice for walking around and shopping if you don't want a stroller.
Stroller: Get one with a car seat carrier. They are so nice. You have to have a car seat anyway so why not get one that can snap onto your stroller. Its good for an infant because you know their head is protected in the carseat and you can see them at all times because you put the carseat on facing you in the stroller. Also, when your child is too big for the car seat, you can just use the stroller as a regular stroller. We have a 17 month old and have both kinds. Both fit into our trunk nicely. Our Jeep stroller (which is for older kids kind of a more expensive umbrella stroller) is great for going to the store. Her other stroller is nice if he needs a nap because she can lay down in it. Other things to have are a bouncy seat, a swing (our daughter absolutely loved hers), and for hen s/he can walk a stationary set so s/he can stand and play at the same time. We also liked our jumparoo but some people say they're bad for kids' legs. There are many good things for a baby, but it's all about what's good for you and your baby.
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Title Post: What are some child friendly activities to do with an infant?
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