Trying to connect with your spouse after having a baby? Here are 25 great date ideas with a newborn!
It can be hard to come up with dates you can go on with a baby. After our first baby was born, my husband Josh and I quickly learned how important it was to prioritize date night. We got creative and found dates that worked for our new little family of 3.
My advice is that you read through this blog post and find a few date ideas to try out. If one doesn’t work for your family, don’t get discouraged. Try something else! The key is to find what works for you. Every baby is different and each phase they go through changes the circumstances so much. Don’t be afraid to adapt to the ever changing needs of your new family.
- Why is date night important for new parents?
- Adult activities with a newborn
- Date night ideas after having a baby
- Date ideas with newborn at home
- Outdoor date ideas with newborn
- Date ideas with a 1 year old
- Anniversary ideas with a baby
- Frequently asked questions
- Final thoughts on date ideas with newborn
- Pin it!
Why is date night important for new parents?
It doesn’t take long to realize that your new baby requires a lot of your attention. It can be so easy to get caught up in the demands of your new baby.
Don’t get me wrong: you should give your baby a lot of attention. They are so little and helpless, especially at first.
But you can’t forget to prioritize your spouse. If you don’t, you risk your marriage becoming more like roommates.
Adult activities with a newborn
Before we begin, I want to point out that there are a lot of adult activities that can be done with a newborn. Here are some tips to consider:
- Have a change of clothes (for everyone!)
- Bring all the baby essentials (diapers, wipes, bottle, etc)
- Wear your baby in a comfortable carrier
- Bring your stroller so the baby can nap in their car seat
Date night ideas after having a baby
Go to a restaurant
When our son was first born, the sounds at a restaurant were like white noise to him. We went out to eat a lot those first few months because he slept so well!
Our trick was to choose a spot that could accommodate our stroller. Our baby would sleep in his car seat that attached to the stroller.
Board game night
Board games are a great way to have fun and connect with your spouse. You can wait until your baby is asleep or place them nearby with some toys to entertain them.
Here are our favorite board games we like to play together.
Go to a brewery
Breweries are very popular right now and most are family friendly. Feel free to call ahead and make sure it’s a suitable location for your baby before you go.
Some breweries have food trucks. It’s a great way to try new food and a good drink with your spouse.
DIY spa night
You’re exhausted and your body needs a break. Take turns giving each other massages and facials. End the night with a relaxing bubble bath.
Take a cooking or mixology class online
Learn a new kitchen skill together. There are a lot of classes you can do online while your baby sleeps.
Date ideas with newborn at home
DIY photoshoot
Get creative and have a photoshoot as a family! Dress up in different outfits and have fun editing the final pictures together.
Family storytime
Bring out lots of books and take turns reading to your baby. It’s never too early to instill a love of reading! If you don’t have many baby books yet, check out your local library and pick a few out.
Use this as an opportunity to talk to your spouse and learn more about them. Here are some questions you can eask each other:
- What were your favorite books when you were younger?
- Did your parents read to you as a kid?
- Which kid’s books do you like and why?
Family yoga
There are a lot of great yoga poses that you can do with your baby. However, experts recommend waiting until baby is at least 6 weeks old. Until then, you can do yoga together while your baby has supervised floor time on their back or belly.
Create a family tree
Having a baby can really make you think about your lineage. Sit down and create a family tree together. You might just learn more about your spouse’s side of the family.
Cook a meal together
Put your newborn in a safe spot nearby, like a pack ‘n play, and cook a meal together. It’s never to early to instill family meal times!
Want more date night ideas at home? Then you’ll love this post with 75 ideas for date night at home.
Outdoor date ideas with newborn
Fresh air can do so much good for all of you. If baby blues have gotten you down, being outside could help lift your spirits.
Go on a walk
Exercising comes with a lot of benefits and is a great way for mom to move her baby after having a baby.
We went on so many walks when our son was first born. The walks seemed to lull him to sleep and we were able to talk.
Have a picnic
Pack your favorite foods and go outside for a picnic. You could even do this in your backyard.
Pick a shaded spot and lay your newborn on a clean blanket next to you. Your baby will have so many things to look at while you and your spouse talk and connect.
Visit a botanical garden
Botanical gardens are great for dates because they are relaxing and beautiful. Use a carrier or stroller to bring your newborn along. Try your best to hold hands or touch in some way while you leisurely walk around and enjoy the beauty.
Many botanical gardens have paved paths and wheelchair-accessible routes, making them suitable for strollers.
Visit a farmer’s market
This is a great time to eat healthy. Both of your bodies are working hard (and at all hours of the night!) to take care of your newborn. Farmer’s markets might motivate you to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Put your newborn in a carrier or stroller and take a slow walk through a farmer’s market.
Explore playgrounds
Your newborn might not be ready for playgrounds just yet, but you and your spouse can have fun visiting them in the meantime!
Drive around and find a few that you like. Take note of them for future reference. Use this as a chance to connect with each other by asking each other questions:
- What do you like about this playground?
- What do you think is more important: proximity to our house or quality of the playground?
- What do you think our baby will enjoy the most (slides, swings, sandbox, etc)?
Date ideas with a 1 year old
A one year old definitely isn’t a newborn anymore but they’re still not quite a toddler. That’s why I wanted to give you a few ideas on how to incorporate your one year old into your dates.
Visit a petting zoo
For our kids’ first birthdays, we took them to a petting zoo. They were fascinated! And frankly, so were we. 🙂
Take a scenic drive
If your one year old is still lulled by drives, take advantage of it! Go on a scenic drive and enjoy the opportunity to talk to each other while your little one naps.
Have a family day at the beach
Beaches are basically giant sand pits for babies/toddlers. They love the sand! You can bring fun snacks, find some shade, and relax on the beach together.
Find an indoor play area
Indoor play areas are becoming very popular right now. Our area has a few with some tables where you can sit and watch your kids play too!
Having something new to play with is always helpful with a one year old because it’s going to catch their attention. While they’re distracted, use that to your advantage and talk to your spouse. You can also bring a coffee or tea and share a drink together.
Take a scenic train
Trains can be a fun and easy way to explore new places. Even if your one year old doesn’t nap during the ride, you’ll enjoy seeing their awestruck face when they see the train!
Anniversary ideas with a baby
Happy anniversary! If you can’t find a babysitter (or can’t afford one), here are some ideas to still celebrate your special day.
Dinner while baby is asleep
After you put your baby down for bedtime, have a nice dinner together. You can light some candles and put on soft music to set the mood.
Depending on your preference, you can either cook a nice meal together or get takeout. Either way, do whatever makes you both feel a bit more special.
Professional photoshoot
Hire a photographer to take nice photos of your new family. You can order special prints as your anniversary presents to each other.
This is a really nice way to commemorate the change in your marriage.
Book a weekend getaway
If you want to go all out, take a nice trip together! Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean you can’t travel. Work around your baby’s schedule and plan some fun things for all of you to do together.
Recreate your first date
You can also choose to recreate a special moment from your relationship.
Plan a day trip to a nearby town
If you’re not ready to do an overnight trip with your baby, you can plan a day trip to a nearby town. Have fun exploring the local parks, restaurants, and shops.
Frequently asked questions
When should I have my first date night after having a baby?
Your first date night after having a baby will depend on your comfort level. You’ll need to take into consideration:
- Whether you’ll bring the baby with you
- If you bring the baby with you, is the date suitable for the baby?
- If you leave the baby with a sitter or family member, will you feel comfortable having someone else watch them?
- What is your baby’s schedule like? If your baby already sleeps through the night, you could have a sitter come over after the baby is asleep.
How can I be romantic with my newborn?
Just because you have a newborn doesn’t mean you can’t be romantic with your spouse! I would suggest following some simple guidelines for romance.
If you’d like to learn more about romance, read my interview with a romance coach!
What are the first couple weeks with a newborn like?
The first couple weeks with a newborn are exhausting, but wonderful. You’ll quickly learn how much work and attention they require.
That’s why you should prioritize self care and your marriage from the beginning. It can be so easy to get caught up in everything that the baby needs.
Final thoughts on date ideas with newborn
Your marriage is important. Prioritize date nights, even if you have to bring your baby along.
I’m passionate about helping couples strengthen their marriages after kids. I hope you found some ideas that you’d like to try together for your next date night!
I’d love to hear what tricks you and your spouse do to connect when you have a newborn. Let me know in the comments below!
Pin it!
About the Author
Melissa is a wife of 8 years and mother to 2 young kiddos. She has a passion for helping couples prioritize and strengthen their marriage after having kids. She knows firsthand how difficult it can be to connect with your spouse when you have little people running around, demanding all of your attention.
