Having a baby reorders everything on the priority list and adds new demands to your life. So it’s not surprising that many new parents suddenly find themselves living a lifestyle they don’t recognize.

Especially with my first, there were days I felt too tired, too unpresentable, and too busy to step outside my house. Prior to having a baby, I would have never spent an entire day in the house unless I was severely ill.

On the days I did stay inside, I wasn’t at my best. Although I was happy and enjoying my time with my baby, I also felt lethargic, unproductive, and sometimes lonely. On the days I got outside, I felt more awake, healthier, more entertained, and more connected to the world around us! And my baby experienced those benefits, too!

We all know that getting outside and into the fresh air is good for us. What we forget is that there are countless ways to enjoy the outdoors. How, where, and with whom you want to spend time outside can change from day to day. Luckily, whatever mood strikes you, there are tons of local outdoor options for you and your baby!

Here are 9 different scenarios that call for different types of outdoor activities with your baby:

1. Feeling tired but your baby’s ready for fun?

• Put a baby swing in your backyard so you can entertain baby in the fresh air without much effort and without even changing out of your pajamas, if you prefer. Or, check out the swings at a neighborhood park. How cool would it be to swing together on this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx9Iz2lGCcQ
• Visit one of our amazing parks here in the Portland Metro Area. Westmoreland Nature Park and Laurelhurst Park in SE, Gabriel Park in SW are a few of our personal favorites, but there are so many great parks in our area you could pick a new one each week.

2. Ready to get moving and enjoy nature?

• Go hiking! You can discover a new trail or follow a familiar path. Check out www.hikeitbaby.com to join others on a hike, lead your own hike, or get inspiration for where to go on your own. Hike It Baby’s website and Facebook pages have lots of information on how to get started, hiking safety, hiking gear and clothes, and baby carriers. Plus, it’s a great social connection to other local parents focused on spending time outdoors with their baby.
• You can also take a leisurely neighborhood stroll. Obviously, it can be your neighborhood, but you can visit other neighborhoods if you want a change of scenery. Maybe you enjoy checking out home architecture or landscape ideas. Maybe you want to discover new neighborhood parks.
• With all the babywearing options and impressive strollers available, you can exercise or take part in activities that fulfill your personal interests while also incorporating your baby. Find a good carrier that works well for you and your activities.

3. Feeding time – for you or baby?

• Whether breastfeeding or bottle feeing, set up a comfortable spot in your yard with a favorite tree or flower in view and bring out whatever chair, blankets, or pillows you need to enjoy this relaxing spot for a while. I think breastfeeding on my back deck with the sun shining on us and birds chirping is one of my favorite memories from my first summer with my daughter.
• Have a picnic! You can simply bring some healthy snacks out to your own yard or pack a basket of goodies and visit a park or any place you can sit with a view. Pick a quiet place for just you and baby to relax or invite others to join you.
• Have a couple restaurants or cafes in mind that are baby friendly and offer an outdoor seating area. Whether you are hungry, thirsty, or just want someone else to serve you for a change, there are lots of great options in Portland and surrounding areas. Here are just a few:

• Poa on N. Williams offers an enclosed outdoor patio that local parents love. They are planning a new natural play area with sandbox and toys for the kids which is tentatively scheduled to open this June.
• Café Au Play on SW Division caters to kids and parents. They have an enclosed and covered patio that is open year-round. The outdoor area boasts kid tables and chairs, a play house, covered sand boxes, toys, tricycles, a rain garden and snap pea garden (coming this summer), as well as natural trees and rocks to play among.
• Laughing Planet has three locations that all have outdoor patio areas. Babies, toddlers, and kids all enjoy their signature dinosaur toys found on the tables. The SW Vermont location is the only one with a back area that is fenced off from the street, so when at the other locations toddlers should be kept from approaching the street or parking lot.
• Hop Works Brewery (HUB) is a local favorite among parents. While the indoor area offer more toys and activities for little ones, they have two outdoor areas that also welcome kids. The outdoor areas are not fenced.
• Pied Piper in Sellwood has an outdoor area that is not entirely enclosed but is fenced on three sizes. Their outdoor area is open most the year and includes play houses, a slide, and several tables and picnic tables.
• Lucky Lab
• Ava Roastaria has outdoor seating at their Beaverton and Progress Ridge locations. Little ones enjoy looking at the water features.

4. Nap Time?

• Does baby need a nap? I know you do. Taking a nap outside is a special treat. Set up a hammock, blankets on the grass, a lawn chair, or any other comfortable arrangement with baby either safely by your side on a blanket or in a pack-n-play or bassinet. It may just be a brief rest or snooze, but you might want to set an alarm just in case you are lucky enough to fall into a deep asleep so you and baby don’t get too much time in the sun.

5. Ready to start exploring?

• Pick out different textures for your baby to feel, smell the flowers, or point out colors you see. Nature is a wonderful classroom and talking about what you see is great for language development and also supporting your baby’s natural inquisitiveness.
• You can watch ducks in the water, birds flying, or airplanes in the sky – all of which babies enjoy.
• Visit the Portland Zoo to get in a good walk or a relaxing stroll while watching the animals.
• Visit one of Portland’s many Fountains in the parks! You can sit and take in the calming effect of these beautiful fountains or help your baby dip their toes, sit, and splash in the water with the other kids.

6. Enjoy shopping?

• Bridgeport mall is outdoors and there is a children’s play area with fountains in the center of the shops.
• There are several local streets with great shops of all kinds so you can window shop or pick up something you need or want while delighting in an urban stroll.
• The Farmer’s Markets are great for parents, babies, and kids. You can simply walk through and get something delicious to eat or get your weekly shopping done while you’re there. Visit www.portlandfarmersmarket.org to check the schedule of a market near you. Beaverton Farmer’s Market opens on May 2^nd.

7. Love to garden or need to do yard work?

• With baby on a blanket near you, you can enjoy some sunshine while you get some work done in the yard. As our little ones grow, they truly love getting their hands dirty alongside us and learning from the planting, growing, and harvesting process.

8. Focus on your mindfulness or enjoy serene beauty

• Portland and our surrounding areas have so many beautiful and tranquil places to visit. I spent lots of time at the Japanese Garden with both my kids. There is also the Chinese Garden, Rose Garden, several local flower festivals, the Audubon Society, and more.

I now get outside with our baby (now an active toddler) and my older son (when he isn’t at school) EVERY DAY! Because no matter what we’re in the mood for, or how we are feeling, or who we are with, etc., etc., there is always something we can enjoy while getting fresh air and joy from the outdoors.

Lauren D. Booth, MPA, Certified Wellness Coach

Lauren is a certified Family-based Wellness Coach and owner of Healthy Roots Wellness, LLC. She enjoys exploring all that Portland and Oregon have to offer, hiking, yoga, camping, swimming, and anything outdoors. She strives for daily health and happiness with her husband and their 5-year-old son and 18-month-old daughter. You can learn more about family-based wellness at: http://healthyrootswellness.com or at www.facebook.com/HealthyRootsLLC