children backpack recommendations 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.
what is the best baby carrier for a 9month old baby?
Carla
I am thinking buying A BABY carrier for my 9 month old, thinking of using it for awhile. What is the best one out there?
Answer
Ergo.
it's a soft front or back pack...the newer model can also be used on the hip.
it is ergonomically designed for the wearer and the rider.
wearer - wears like a back pack, sternum belt, wide shoulder straps, thick lumbar supportive waist strap.
rider - baby sits in a more natural position where his/her weight is distributed across the butt and thighs... does not hang by the crotch like bjorns/snuggli type carriers
it goes up to 40lbs... though that recommendation is for the comfort of the adult, not because the straps, fabric, buckles can't hold anymore... one picture on their website is a 100lb woman in it!! I still use mine for my 44lb 4 yr old on odd occassions like when we've been at the zoo or the flea market for too long and she's tired, it folds down pretty well and I tuck it at the bottom of my backpack when we're having a big excursion like that.
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
ETA... for kelty fans - I can't tell, does the child sit in it - like in a real sitting position like the Ergo??
Ergo.
it's a soft front or back pack...the newer model can also be used on the hip.
it is ergonomically designed for the wearer and the rider.
wearer - wears like a back pack, sternum belt, wide shoulder straps, thick lumbar supportive waist strap.
rider - baby sits in a more natural position where his/her weight is distributed across the butt and thighs... does not hang by the crotch like bjorns/snuggli type carriers
it goes up to 40lbs... though that recommendation is for the comfort of the adult, not because the straps, fabric, buckles can't hold anymore... one picture on their website is a 100lb woman in it!! I still use mine for my 44lb 4 yr old on odd occassions like when we've been at the zoo or the flea market for too long and she's tired, it folds down pretty well and I tuck it at the bottom of my backpack when we're having a big excursion like that.
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
ETA... for kelty fans - I can't tell, does the child sit in it - like in a real sitting position like the Ergo??
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Title Post: What are some child friendly activities to do with an infant?
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