how long did you wait?

hbrooks88974 · January 2014

How long did/will you wait before taking your newborn in public? I am lurking ahead (LO due in 7 days) and with this being cold & flu season I am worried about who to let see LO and when it will be safe to take her out. I have read 2 months, 6 weeks, etc.

Who do you plan to let come to your home to visit your newborn? I am tempted to make people wait to come and visit other than close family.

mrsseguin · January 2014

Our LO was a preemie (34w6d) and is only 10 days old. We've gone out once with her. It's getting crazy staying at home not doing anything, but we don't want her out right now. With my other kids, who were also born in the winter, we were out right away...didn't think about it much. We plan on keeping her home as much as possible. We also haven't had many visitors. Most people that would come see us are sick right now.

chemily8 · January 2014

We went out at 5 days old and go out regularly. I keep her in a covered car seat or a wrap...if someone STILL tries to touch her I block them and kindly ask them not to touch....

CDMay2006 · January 2014

6 days. We took care to cover him (in car seat) or wear him, and avoid crowds/preschool age kids, sick people, etc. (we still do, at 3 mo, but even more so early on).

tisunge602 · January 2014

Probably about two weeks. We only let close friends/family hold him and everyone has been very respectful of not coming near him if they are sick. We are pretty laid back parents though. Do whatever you feel comfortable with.

cocopuff09120 · January 2014

I took LO out the day after we returned from the hospital (so three days). We made a trip to target and it was wonderful. Go out when you feel like you need to and just don't let anyone touch your baby.

Ninjamama86 · January 2014

We've been going out since we brought her home. Just keep LO in the car seat or baby carrier, it will def do you good to get out of the cage you call a house.

lollipoppoop · January 2014

We are waiting until 6 weeks, only three more to go. There's no need for us to take her out anyways so it's pretty easy to keep her home.

dunvilles · January 2014

I get not letting people touch the babies, but what about airborne illnesses spread through sneezing/coughing.

With DS1 we didn't take him out until he was 5 weeks old (kept him covered etc) it was mid winter at the height of a horrible flu season.

This time though, DS1 is in preschool and I'll have to take LO with me to drop him off/pick him up. I also can't imagine keeping a 4 year old inside exclusively for 5 weeks.... praying illnesses stay away (and taking precautions like PP's have said!)

ASmallWonder · January 2014

Do what you feel comfortable with but second (or more) time moms know that staying in is a first time mom luxury and you do the best you can. You keep them covered and don't sit in the ER for funsies contracting illnesses

But really - the sickest, grossest person my younger son comes into contact with is his big, pre-school attending brother. Urgent care would probably be less germy.

taraleanne · January 2014

dunvilles said:

I get not letting people touch the babies, but what about airborne illnesses spread through sneezing/coughing.
With DS1 we didn't take him out until he was 5 weeks old (kept him covered etc) it was mid winter at the height of a horrible flu season.
This time though, DS1 is in preschool and I'll have to take LO with me to drop him off/pick him up. I also can't imagine keeping a 4 year old inside exclusively for 5 weeks.... praying illnesses stay away (and taking precautions like PP's have said!)

I wouldn't worry about this too much, with your husband coming and going and especially your DS1 in preschool, she'll be bringing back germs into your home too. take the precautions like PP's have said and all should be fine! Are you breastfeeding? If you are, your baby will get antibodies from the breastmilk and likely be able to ward off any bugs that come your LO's way! (I've been sick twice this winter and my BF baby was fine both times

)

ReggieLou13 · January 2014

I took her out by day 3 or 4. I kept her in her car seat and covered. When strangers would compliment me or ask questions I would never take the cover off. She hasnt been sick once

dunvilles · January 2014

taraleanne said:

dunvilles said:

I get not letting people touch the babies, but what about airborne illnesses spread through sneezing/coughing.
With DS1 we didn't take him out until he was 5 weeks old (kept him covered etc) it was mid winter at the height of a horrible flu season.
This time though, DS1 is in preschool and I'll have to take LO with me to drop him off/pick him up. I also can't imagine keeping a 4 year old inside exclusively for 5 weeks.... praying illnesses stay away (and taking precautions like PP's have said!)

I wouldn't worry about this too much, with your husband coming and going and especially your DS1 in preschool, she'll be bringing back germs into your home too. take the precautions like PP's have said and all should be fine! Are you breastfeeding? If you are, your baby will get antibodies from the breastmilk and likely be able to ward off any bugs that come your LO's way! (I've been sick twice this winter and my BF baby was fine both times )

Thanks! I know my house will be more of a "germ factory" this time due to my 4 year old DS. I was very cautious with him and know that it wouldn't be fair to expect him to stay at home a ton. I'm glad he is up on his vaccinations and can wash his hands by himself very well.

I am also BFing (plan on it). I BF'd DS for a year.

*Mrs*Rohrbaugh* · January 2014

Aside from taking her to doctors appointments, the first time we took DD out she was 3w2d old. We took her to my family's Christmas party.

corilynn84 · January 2014

It's what you feel comfortable with. my little guy was preemie and I wasn't comfortable with taking him out right away in public, but took him out on walks just to get out a little. We finally went out around a month

Piach · January 2014

2 weeks - but that was more because if me (c-section) than the baby. This is baby #2. We went to the movies & saw frozen with my older daughter

slh6363 · January 2014

My LO was a preemie (35 weeks) so we are a but cautious. We didnt really go into public until about 2 months. But we did go visit at families/friends houses...felt more comfortable with that because they would know to tell us if they were sick and we would stay away. Now at 3 1/2 months we still go places but am careful about small crowded spaces or anywhere with lots of little kids. We usually wear him in the Ktan while we are out.