One purchase many new mothers spend a lot of time and money on is a quality rocking chair. While rocking chairs are classic, and you may want one in your nursery, you should consider investing in outdoor furniture like a swing as well. Outdoor swings offer a large seating space for your comfort, allowing you to hold your baby or lay them next to you. They also take all of the classic benefits of rocking and puts them outdoors, where you and your baby can enjoy sunshine and natural stimulation. 

Get The Health Benefits Of Being Outside

Regular time outdoors offers many health benefits for both new mothers and their babies. The main benefit is an increase in vitamin D. Babies under one year of age are at risk of rickets from vitamin D deficiency, especially if they are breastfed, according to the CDC. While a vitamin D supplement is recommended, you can also increase your baby's production of vitamin D by ten to twenty minutes of indirect exposure to sunlight each day. 

The same sunlight that is keeping your baby's bones strong can help fight depression. Sunlight increases natural serotonin production in adults, which may help you avoid serious postpartum depression. Even if it is not particularly sunny, having a change of scenery and fresh air each day can help you feel less stressed about constant diaper changes and midnight feedings. It may even help your baby understand the difference between night and day sooner. 

Patio furniture may be set up just a few feet from your back door, but the act of dressing yourself and your baby and going outside can make you feel accomplished in the first few days at home. 

Mitigate The Risk Of Communicable Disease 

Many people are under the impression that you should not take a baby outside due to risk of disease. However, if the baby is adequately dressed for the temperature, he or she will not get sick just from being outside. What does increase your baby's chance of falling ill is being in enclosed areas with many people, or allowing many people to touch your baby during the first two months of his or her life. 

Having a pleasant patio setup in your private yard allows you to take your baby outside without exposing him or her to sick kids at the park or well-meaning adults who assume they have the right to pat, stroke, and hold your baby.  

Soothe Your Baby With Swinging 

Baby swings are commonly used to both entertain babies and help put them to sleep. However, due to the constraints of baby swings, it is recommended that you limit your baby's time in one to two thirty minute sessions a day. Since you will be holding your baby or allowing them to sprawl under your close supervision, you do not have to limit your time on a garden swing. If you have a fussy baby, you can place him or her next to you while rocking gently and actually get some personal time to read a book. 

As your baby grows up, rocking and swinging can actually stimulate them to a higher level of alertness. This alertness inspires more productive and independent play, which can make you a happier mother. 

Spending time outside with your baby is a habit you will want to develop as soon as you feel well enough to dress and move around. You and your baby will enjoy the benefits of fresh air and the mild exercise of walking around your yard. A comfortable patio swing makes your yard an exciting yet relaxing destination that both you and your baby can enjoy.