Can't Take Baby Out In the Cold

[orriskitten]

So the past 2 days I have been endlessly hearing from my family that you can't take the baby out in the cold. Obviously, I know if they are dressed appropriately it is fine, but is anyone else getting this from people?

My Dad and step mom freaked out on me that I would dare take Melody outside and on the evil subway. Forget about me taking my going stir crazy sil and her newborn across the street so she could have some food and fresh air after over a week of not leaving her house. Am I insane?

I'm also putting this up against the culture in dh's Icelandic family where from day one, the baby is bundled up and left to sleep outside in their carriage. The cold air is good for them and they are safe. (being from NY it was hard to adjust to this idea, but the baby is still right next to you and there are just no people around)

Melody was so bundled up yesterday that she was sweating in all her layers. I was also wearing her inside of my coat in the ergo.

I just don't get this fear. Can someone explain it?

Sent from my SGH-T959V using proboards

[bebeetmoi]

I hear this all the time too. The only time I really adhere to it is when she is sick and/or it's raining in addition to the cold. Other than that, we are outside almost daily. I just bundle her up like a little marshmallow and she's good to go. I use her snowsuit almost daily! I'm with you on the importance of fresh air!

[rjamz]

Jan 4, 2013 10:59:31 GMT -5 bebeetmoi said:

I hear this all the time too. The only time I really adhere to it is when she is sick and/or it's raining in addition to the cold. Other than that, we are outside almost daily. I just bundle her up like a little marshmallow and she's good to go. I use her snowsuit almost daily! I'm with you on the importance of fresh air!

Me too! J goes stir crazy if we stay inside. We haven't been going to the swings recently bc it's so windy at the park down by the river, but once his snowsuit arrives, we're going back!

[Dorothy Zbornak]

People are weird! Get out with those babies. H was a newborn in the middle of a very cold winter, and you bet your sweet labes that we went outside with her.

Sent from the future.

[JuliaGulia]

My mom sounds like a broken record. The last couple days it has been only 1 or 2 degrees outside and she will call me to make sure "I'm not taking the baby outside". So annoying.

[The Foozzler]

We go outside in the cold. We just bundle him up! I still keep reminding my grandma whenever she complains about it that you don't get a cold from being outside. You get it from a virus.

[Dorothy Zbornak]

Jan 4, 2013 11:05:10 GMT -5 JuliaGulia said:

My mom sounds like a broken record. The last couple days it has been only 1 or 2 degrees outside and she will call me to make sure "I'm not taking the baby outside". So annoying.

Tell her Germans have been known to bundle up babies and let them sleep in their strollers outside.

Sent from the future.

[JuliaGulia]

Jan 4, 2013 11:09:39 GMT -5 Dorothy Zbornak said:

Jan 4, 2013 11:05:10 GMT -5 JuliaGulia said:

My mom sounds like a broken record. The last couple days it has been only 1 or 2 degrees outside and she will call me to make sure "I'm not taking the baby outside". So annoying.

Tell her Germans have been known to bundle up babies and let them sleep in their strollers outside.

Sent from the future.

:Y: She would probably have a stroke.. I just try to yes her to death and hope the she eventually shuts up. ;D It's obviously not working so far.

[AndyCohen]

Jan 4, 2013 11:09:33 GMT -5 The Foozzler said:

We go outside in the cold. We just bundle him up! I still keep reminding my grandma whenever she complains about it that you don't get a cold from being outside. You get it from a virus.

OMG thank you! My H drives me nuts with this. "I got a cold because our bedroom was cold!" Umm what?!?

[Deleted]

I don't fan her out in the cold when she's sick. or if it's really cold or windy. But if dressed properly, it's not a problem.

[claralou]

Yep, we're outside every day, and I don't think it's been over 40* in over a month - usually in the 20's. The only time I even hesitated was when she was recovering from an ear infection and kept pulling her hat off. Otherwise, outside we go.

[Deleted]

Its gone down to -32 here.... thats -25F and I still go out!!!!! Bundle and go. Thats my motto.

[cat19]

I have to get Linz off the bus everyday. How would that happen if I couldn't bring the baby outside?

[bebeetmoi]

Jan 4, 2013 12:02:30 GMT -5 cat19 said:

I have to get Linz off the bus everyday. How would that happen if I couldn't bring the baby outside?

Yeah exactly. I still have to do kindergarden pick-up a couple times a week and other various errands, so there really isn't a choice in the matter!

[nilex0102]

Jan 4, 2013 11:09:39 GMT -5 Dorothy Zbornak said:

Jan 4, 2013 11:05:10 GMT -5 JuliaGulia said:

My mom sounds like a broken record. The last couple days it has been only 1 or 2 degrees outside and she will call me to make sure "I'm not taking the baby outside". So annoying.

Tell her Germans have been known to bundle up babies and let them sleep in their strollers outside.

Sent from the future.

This is how I grew up I am sure so now I am hesitant to go out when it is really cold. Lol

[devonpow]

We have no choice - I have to walk (half a mile each way) DS1 to school and back every day, and bring the baby. So, we are out no matter the weather. I just bundle him up - yesterday morning it was 7 degrees on our walk to school...the baby was fine.

ALso, I lived in Denmark for a while and it was so funny to see the babies left outside stores and restaurants sleeping in their strollers! So different than here... Scandinavia is definiitely all about cold air being good for the babies

[wildcatprincess]

I don't take mine out in the cold. Because I HATE the cold *grumble grumble*

Actually, he seems to dislike it as much as I do. DD LOVES to be outside no matter the weather, we were out swinging and sliding in the snow while DS napped today (UGH) but DS seems to run cold like me. DD is always hot, she runs around here naked and somehow remains warm to the touch in our 68 degree house. DS can be in 3 layers and still feel cold.

[erniebufflo]

I think it comes from literally medieval ideas that cold air can make otherwise healthy people sick. Babies, dressed appropriately, are quite good at regulating their body temp. Their brown fat keeps them toasty warm.