Outdoor play Jane Kemp When you first come home with your baby, you may want to stay indoors for a while to enjoy your new arrival. But the great outdoors offers plenty of opportunities for fun and games - and showing your baby off!

Birth to six months

Once you're ready, it's good to get out at least once a day, even if it's just to pop to the local shop. A change of scene will make you feel better, while your baby benefits from fresh air. You may even find that the motion sends her off to sleep.

Easy rider - wear a baby sling for quick outings. It's easy to slip your baby into one and it'll leave your hands free.

Look at this - if you have a garden, take your baby outside and walk around talking softly to her about what you see. In the park, show her the leaves and flowers, and point out people and animals.

Light and shade - in warm weather, lie your baby on a rug in a shady part of the garden or park, and let her enjoy the patterns of light through the trees. Lie down next to her and chat or sing.

The essentials - if you're going out for any length of time, pack a bag or rucksack with a change of baby clothes, wipes and a couple of nappies, plus a bottle of milk (if bottlefeeding) in an insulated holder.

Six months onwards

Once your baby can sit up with confidence, she'll take more of an interest in going out. Instead of lying back and looking at the sky - she can see things the way you do.

Toy time - take some of your baby's favourite toys outside and put them on a rug in the shade for her to play with. An activity mat or baby gym works just as well.

Chit-chat - keep talking to your baby about what you see and hear as you walk along, anything from the noisy bus to the magpies squabbling in the trees. She'll love hearing your voice and will take in all the information you give. You'll also be helping her speech to develop.

Make waves - in warm weather, take a bowl of water outside and let your baby play with small toys in it. Splashing in a shallow paddling pool can be fun too. Make sure you stay with her all the time.

Blow bubbles - use washing-up liquid or a bottle of bubble mixture to create shimmering bubbles in the air, then watch them float away. Show your baby how to touch them - and see them pop!

Always put a sun hat on your baby

Always put a sun hat on your baby. If she gets used to wearing a hat when young, she's less likely to make a fuss about wearing one later on.

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