Chapter 2 – The Benefits of Being Outdoors

If exploring is good for children, exploring the outdoors is even more beneficial, because exposure to sunlight promotes the synthesis of vitamin D, (1) which is essential for growth and bone development. It also helps synchronize their internal clocks with the natural day-night cycle, boosts their mood, and encourages play and movement. The more time is spent outdoors, the lower the risk of respiratory infections, which tend to circulate more in enclosed, crowded spaces.

How soon can a newborn go outside? If the baby is healthy, there are no contraindications to being outdoors, from the very first days of life. In fact, it might actually be riskier to always stay inside, especially in overheated or overly dry indoor environments. About thirty years ago, experts used to recommend waiting about 20 days before taking a baby out, starting with a 30-minute walk and increasing it by 15 minutes each day. Today, there are no specific guidelines—just a few good common-sense rules.

As long as extreme conditions are avoided, it’s best to get babies used to going outside and having daily contact with fresh air and natural light from the very beginning. This promotes healthy growth and brings multiple benefits in terms of relaxation and sensory stimulation.

With appropriate clothing, it’s possible to go outside even in cold weather. Cold alone does not cause illness. The same applies to rain, which can even help clear pollutants from the air. On hot days, it’s important to avoid the central hours of the day, choose shaded paths for walks, and protect the baby’s delicate skin from direct sunlight using light-colored clothing, a bit of sunscreen, and a hat with a visor. It’s also important to ensure good air circulation around the baby in the stroller or pram.

Once it’s clear that there’s no reason not to take a newborn outside—and that getting sick is not directly caused by the weather—here are some recommendations for a pleasant and healthy walk:

• Choose a comfortable stroller, ideal for promoting the baby’s sleep and ensuringproper posture.
• Favor routes away from traffic and pollution. Scientific literature is clear: children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults due to their physical characteristics—higher metabolic and respiratory rates, rapidly developing tissues and organs, and immature systems (metabolic, immune, nervous, reproductive). Height also plays a role: a UK study (Global Action Plan) showed that children’s shorter stature exposes them to 30% more smog due to proximity to car exhaust and fine particles that settle lower. Exposure to these particles can have both immediate and long-term health consequences.
  Keep in mind that keeping children indoors is not the solution. While it makes sense to stay home on particularly polluted days, being outdoors provides many health benefits. Ideally, walks should take place in parks or green areas, which can reduce exposure to smog and pollutants by up to 2.5 times. Avoid going out during rush hour and choose open roads rather than narrow ones where air circulation is poor.
• Avoid crowded places like shopping malls, where viruses and bacteria spread more easily.
• Avoid temperature shocks. In winter, ensure the baby is well covered and remove layers when entering heated indoor spaces. Dressing in layers (“like an onion”)—from lightest to heaviest—makes it easy to adjust based on the situation. To check if the baby is comfortable, place a finger on the back of their neck: it should feel warm but not sweaty.
• Always bring the essentials: a diaper bag with changing supplies, a blanket, a pacifier, and, if the baby is not breastfed, some water and an extra bottle.
• After the walk, leave the stroller base outside the house to avoid bringing in dirt and germs.
• Ventilate the stroller and regularly wash the inner lining and mattress.