 I have been holiday-ing in St Ives, Cornwall since I was 9 years old (24 years!) but my most recent trip was extra special as it was the first time I had taken my 11 week old daughter Malou. As you can imagine packing up the car with not just our stuff but Malou's too bought on a flurry of nostalgia as I was reminded of the most wonderful child hood holidays here. From building sandcastles on the golden sands of Porthminster beach, to looking for crabs along the rockpools at Porthgwiddon and surfing waves at Porthmeor, I was so excited to experience all of this again through a child's eyes. But with Malou being only 12 weeks old I am not sure she would enjoy building sandcastles quite yet , and it was important we adjusted the pace of our adventures whilst we were there. We had an amazing time and having a baby didn't stop us from doing anything - it just made us do it differently . So if (like us) you are heading to St Ives with a baby - here are a few ideas to keep you busy with your little human whilst you are there -
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 In the early weeks of having a newborn, getting out the front door can feel like the biggest challenge, especially if you have a baby during the winter months like me when the days are darker and the temperature is colder. I am 10 weeks into being a mum and have found fresh air and natural light gold to maintain good mental health during those wild first few weeks! I am by no means an expert but have learnt a little in this short time - so here are my top 5 tips to getting outdoors in winter with a newborn … 1. Invest in a baby carrier … If baby-wearing is an option for you it can be a great way to settle your newborn and get walking at the same time! In the early weeks Malou loved being close to my chest, the warmth, my smell and sound of my heartbeat really comforted her so she would settle very quickly in the sling compared to the buggy. Originally I had a soft wrap style sling which was fine when she was teeny tiny but I quickly found I needed more support as she got bigger, so I invested in a more ergonomic carrier with extra structure. We are all built differently and I have recently been told about sling libraries so you can try different types. 2. Winter babies are like onions - think about the layers …. Don’t forget if you’re baby-wearing, the carrier acts as a layer and you are sharing body heat so although it can be tempting to dress your baby like they are going skiing, think about the amount of layers they have around them so as not to over heat. Baby wearing coats can be a great way to add and remove an extra layer whilst you are out n about! Obviously it very much depends on the temperature you are venturing out in, so read up on how many layers are recommended before. 3. Good morning to you! If you can time your walk around a morning nap then do that! If I leave my walk to the afternoon the day can easily run away with me, and being winter the day light has gone before you can say poo-nami! Timing your outing with a morning nap not only means your baby is settled, it also means you have got that fresh air fix first thing, before anything else has a chance to get in the way of your time outdoors. 4. Stay local. Newborns can be unpredictable, who knows when the next nappy explosion is around the corner! Avoid putting extra pressure on your excursions by staying close to home, especially in the early weeks. Avoid getting in the car if you can and find circular walks that start and finish from your own home. There was one week where I got in the car to go places everyday and it broke me! Your body might also be recovering from the birth so don’t push yourself beyond what feels comfortable, listen to your body and be mindful to not push yourself. Taking a slow walk around the block might be enough at the start, close your eyes and breath in the fresh air around you. 5. Buddy up! Find a buddy to walk with. Agreeing to meet a friend of family member for a walk not only makes you accountable for your outing, it can also make it more fun! Whether it is a fellow mum who can also appreciate being part of the 'no sleep crew' or an old friend who you can put the world to right with - a walk and a chat is one of life’s simple wonders!  |
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