Getting back to 'normal' life. How long were you housebound?

apinkpelican

We are just 16 days in but I'm getting stir crazy. Sitting in a darkened room feeding every 2-3 hours while the sun is shining outside is getting old! I'm so tired of wearing pjs all day. On the other hand I am EBF and not ready to do so anywhere other than my house or maybe my patents house. Not to mention LO is just too little still to take around too much. We've made a couple small quick trips where I have run into store and DH stayed in car with baby. I plan to start pumping and introducing a bottle around 3-4 weeks and hope this will be a good time to venture out more. Curious at what point you ladies are getting out of your pjs and out of the house! Is 4 weeks a good goal?

mcnava

At 17 days, we went to a wedding 5 hours away...Ihave one of those covers and would breastfeed at teh salon and different places...pumping definitely helped too...But even before then, We'd been out to the store and stuff.  The next week I brought him up to my work to meet him..Slowly introducing him to the world.  I don't do well cooped up.  

runningyogimama

Why do you sit in a darkened room to feed? Have the lights on and curtains open during the day so LO learns the difference between day and night! What about going for walks with LO in the stroller? Or leaving baby in the carrier when you go on a quick trip to the store or wherever?

pandadair

We started taking baby out at 8 days, bc I was going crazy. If you're EBF, don't forget that you will still need to pump to replace feedings when baby gets a bottle.

momo214

I go outside with baby and sit on the patio everyday. I've taken her on a couple errands but nothing much else. Get outside!! Go on a walk! It's spring and enjoy the day! LOs need some vitamin D from the sun and so do you!

jsaffer01

Like PP I go out for walks in the stroller to get some fresh air for myself and for the baby. I've noticed the baby sleeps a bit better after getting fresh air. I've done a couple of errands with the baby, but MH has been with me which is nice. I hate being stuck in the house on beautiful days, so I try to go out for at least an hour, for my sanity.

ns1

For me with my first getting out of the house was key for me to not lose it. Get out now! Even if it's just going to get food through a drive through or sitting outside on your porch. I've completely given up on what people think about me breastfeeding in public (easier said than done I know). We didn't take our first around people for 2 months but I still managed to get out of the house a little bit. I will not be homebound that long this time though! Any way you can find to leave the house is great!

apinkpelican

@JmeJme‌ our family tv room is like a Florida room with floor to ceiling windows all around. I pull the curtains so the neighbors don't get a peep show. Plus I'll try to nap in the afternoon if I can. It's also been really hot during the day so I'm nervous about LO getting overheated on walks. Def need to make it a priority in the evening at least. I plan on taking her on my own this afternoon to get weighed so that will be a good first step driving with her in the car. I guess I'm just a nervous nelly FTM and need to start moving! Thanks go the suggestions and motivation ladies!

Marcella05

Went to doctors appointments, my sister-in-law's house, and my mom's house in the first two weeks. Felt great to get out. Have ventured to a couple stores since then, but that's it. Definitely feeling cabin fever and I still have 2 months of leave left. I just don't feel ready to manage baby in public - I still have to whip out my whole boob and help him latch on, which is difficult to do under a cover.

spinsoffresonance

STM here so I don't have the luxury to stay home in my pj although some days I really want to. We go to the park/DD1's classes/the playground every day since I've been home from the hospital. I try to nurse DD2 before leaving the house, then strap her to my chest into the carrier and off we go. Once she's in the carrier she sleeps the entire time. But I also don't mind NIP if I have to. If nothing else go out for walks around the neighborhood every day, it helps going less stir crazy.

mileswithmyles

I started leaving the house the day after we got home from the hospital. They aren't long trips out and sometimes it's just walking the dogs, but it really helps me.
I feed him right before I leave the house, which usually gives me at least 90 minutes to take him out.

yogasailmomma

We have been out and about since she was 5 days old. If it's hot go out for walks in the evenings, you will feel
so much better once you do it a few times!

MrsT2008

We've been going out since the day we got home. We have a 2.5 year old so I really have no choice. There's no reason you can't bring baby to run errands - nurse before you go and baby should sleep most of the outing. Take walks. Just sit outside in the shade.

haylo33

My baby had jaundice and that meant I had to take him to the hospital for heel sticks at 4,5 and 7 days old. I was worried about it but clearly the doctor wasn't too worried about it otherwise he would have had home health do it. Besides that, I took him out at about a week old. I think we went to BRU. At 10 days old we went to a family Memorial Day picnic. He is 18 days old now and we do a lot I think. I take him to my nephews baseball games, Walmart, TJ max, out to lunch, the park. He just stays in his car seat. I bf at the baseball games with a blanket covering up. At first I would pump and take a bottle, but I want to freeze any pumped milk so I just said screw it. Once I did it, I could care less now.

JKTTC1

We had to go to the doctor the following day and then back to the hospital 2 days later for blood work.

Then about 10 days after he was born was Mother's Day so we slipped out for church service and to my parents for the afternoon.

This is number 2 so things are a little easier for us. I EBF and feed in the car if needed but now at 4 weeks, he runs all my errands with me while DH keeps DS1 at home to play!

Junebug060609

With a two year old being housebound wasnt an option. We were on the go as soon as I was physically able (c/s)

kalette

We went to my moms the day we came home from the hospital. Went to touch a truck at DDs school at 1 week pp, took him to DDs ECFE at school at a week and a half .. point being, there is NO reason to be house bound. We are outside almost every day with DD. I wear DS or put him in the stroller and keep him shaded.. its fine. Hes fine. If he needs to eat, I feed him. It's honestly NBD. You need to get out or you'll go nuts! Once you do it won't seem like a big deal at all.

MissLadyTay

We took him out at three or four days old. It's a little awkward the first few times you whip a boob out in public but I ripped off that bandaid early. I refuse to let the way I feed my child keep me inside.

DBonfante

Turn the lights on! During the day I keep it bright and the TV is on! I also started taking long walks at 7 days PP. The sun is good for you and baby. Definitely get out even if just for a short walk. I haven't taken LO out in public and want to wait until he is vaccinated at 2 months (but we will see). I find that having visitors and going for walks has helped me feel normal again. I am 13 days PP. Good luck!!

usernewname

kitchencolors said:

Get. out. of. the. house.

Keep it light during the day. 

Practice nursing in front of a mirror or in your car or in a carrier to get yourself ready to go out.  Then go.

It's not likely that your life will go "back to normal".  There will be a new normal.

This this this. You have to get out. Can't live in a bubble forever. Just dive in

RachelCA29

We've been taking LO on walks around the neighbourhood since the day after we got home from the hospital. Having a dog to walk helps us get out almost daily for a walk. We are limited to car trips because of Colin's broken arm - doctor and specialist appointments only really because he isn't technically secured perfectly since his one arm is wrapped to his body for healing. We have done 2 quick trips with him down the street in the car to Target to get some "emergency" supplies.

I am also EBFing, I pump as well, so I never go out without leaving at least one bottle of milk for him with my husband. I've done a quick shopping trip on my own to get nursing bras and tops and then I had to go for an ultrasound about 1 week postpartum so I was gone for e couple of hours alone. I'm not at the point of building any sort of milk stash yet, and I try not to be out by myself long enough for him to actually need the bottle. Luckily Colin is gaining weight well so if he is napping for longer than 2 hours we don't need to wake him for feeding.

Colin's arm wrapping comes off this week so we will actually be able to go on car trips - so we're hoping to get him out and about more - grocery shopping, etc. just to get back into a normal routine, instead of my husband having to run all the outside errands on his own. I'm okay with the idea of nursing in public (I had to do it at the hospital in the x-ray waiting room the other day for our orthopedic specialist appointment) but Colin doesn't have the best latch yet, so it's a bit hard to nurse discretely at this point. But again, I do pump occasionally so I can always bring a bottle along.

Nikkipal82

Best of luck getting out! We went out just the two of us maybe at 3-4 weeks. I am on lifting restrictions from my cs, so I am not supposed to lift the carseat carrier with the baby in it at the same time. I end up just buckling her in and wearing her wherever we go. It is challenging, but worth it for my mental health. Babywearing is a good way to keep LO protected from a lot of contact from strangers too. DD sleeps in the carrier pretty much the whole time we're out. I have had to nurse in public a few times-- I went in the car the first time, and I've nursed under a cover eating lunch outside at a restaurant. Practicing with the cover at home helps.

jenb_99

@Marcella05 said:

-snip-

I still have to whip out my whole boob and help him latch on, which is difficult to do under a cover.

-snip-

I swear this isn't a snarky question, but what is the alternative? I can't think of how to avoid pulling out the whole boob, especially in a nursing bra with fall-away panels. Explain? I'd honestly like to know, bc I struggle with public BF and suck at using the covers.

pistolpackinmomma

jenb_99 said:

@Marcella05 said:

-snip-

I still have to whip out my whole boob and help him latch on, which is difficult to do under a cover.

-snip-

I swear this isn't a snarky question, but what is the alternative? I can't think of how to avoid pulling out the whole boob, especially in a nursing bra with fall-away panels. Explain? I'd honestly like to know, bc I struggle with public BF and suck at using the covers.

I wore a nursing tank under a t-shirt today. I was able to drop the boob panel and get him in place before raising my shirt enough for the nip to be exposed and he latched on instantly. I had his head right there so I didn't really flash anyone.

Mimaloo

We started really going out when DD was around 10 days old. I go stir crazy. I keep her covered up, don't let random people touch her, etc. She's fine.  

Ziegeficker

This is my second baby, but we started going out for shopping trips and what not (short jaunts) around 4 days old. With my first I was way more hesitant to leave the house but still did after about a week. Find a friend who has kids who will accompany you and your LO to lunch or to the mall. They will understand how to help you with your baby and will also help you feel normal. Getting out is a good thing

Ziegeficker

pistolpackinmomma said:

-snip- I still have to whip out my whole boob and help him latch on, which is difficult to do under a cover. -snip-

I swear this isn't a snarky question, but what is the alternative? I can't think of how to avoid pulling out the whole boob, especially in a nursing bra with fall-away panels. Explain? I'd honestly like to know, bc I struggle with public BF and suck at using the covers.

I wore a nursing tank under a t-shirt today. I was able to drop the boob panel and get him in place before raising my shirt enough for the nip to be exposed and he latched on instantly. I had his head right there so I didn't really flash anyone.

This is a good idea and what I end up doing most of the time. Also, short-sleeved open cardigans are great to layer over a nursing tank or tee and can act as a little cover. Hooter hiders are seriously waaaaay more conspicuous to me than just breastfeeding without one. They are also super hot and hard to maneuver, in my opinion.

ns1

jenb_99 said:

@Marcella05 said:

-snip-

I still have to whip out my whole boob and help him latch on, which is difficult to do under a cover.

-snip-

I swear this isn't a snarky question, but what is the alternative? I can't think of how to avoid pulling out the whole boob, especially in a nursing bra with fall-away panels. Explain? I'd honestly like to know, bc I struggle with public BF and suck at using the covers.

I bf for 14 mos with DD and flashed more nip than I can imagine. I always use a blanket draped over my shoulder on the side I'm nursing from. My problem is latching on and taking LO off and getting him situated to burp while covering myself back up w/o sshowing nip. I could only slightly successfully do this if I had someone to hand LO to me and take him from me. Instead of improving...I just decided people were going to see my nips if they looked. Whoops! Maybe I'll figure it out this time?

Rocknroll64

I was housebound for the first 3 days and that was enough.  I take LO everywhere starting at 4 days old.  I honestly feel that the reason I've had such a good recovery/first month is because I kept myself so busy.  She just sleeps wherever I go, I call her my pet rock.  I also have a nursing cover which is key for me for nursing in public.  

To be fair though, I did have a very easy recovery as I had no tearing.  

cnbean

We took him out the day we got home from the hospital. But as others have said, second baby so there really isn't as much option to be housebound. The first month DH was off work too so it helped to ease into shopping with two kids. Now we try to get out of the house daily, even if its a short trip.

It can be a challenge to get out with a newborn, but once you get the hang of it its no big deal. Just have everything ready to go, feed the baby, and then go. That way you should have at least a couple hours to get out before needing to nurse again.

pistolpackinmomma

Ziegeficker said:

pistolpackinmomma said:

jenb_99 said:

@Marcella05 said:

-snip-

I still have to whip out my whole boob and help him latch on, which is difficult to do under a cover.

-snip-

I swear this isn't a snarky question, but what is the alternative? I can't think of how to avoid pulling out the whole boob, especially in a nursing bra with fall-away panels. Explain? I'd honestly like to know, bc I struggle with public BF and suck at using the covers.

I wore a nursing tank under a t-shirt today. I was able to drop the boob panel and get him in place before raising my shirt enough for the nip to be exposed and he latched on instantly. I had his head right there so I didn't really flash anyone.

This is a good idea and what I end up doing most of the time. Also, short-sleeved open cardigans are great to layer over a nursing tank or tee and can act as a little cover. Hooter hiders are seriously waaaaay more conspicuous to me than just breastfeeding without one. They are also super hot and hard to maneuver, in my opinion.

I was at a baby shower over the weekend and someone was holding DS2 and he started fussing. I said he was probably hungry and my mom made this big deal and moved me to the back of the room in a corner and asked if I had a cover. I told her I don't own a cover so she proceeded to try covering us with a receiving blanket which was hot and he wouldn't stand for it. I yanked it off and she stood there holding it like a curtain. Seriously, nobody would have paid a lick of attention to me if I had stayed in my seat and done it my way.

Roufi

One thing that I have found helpful is that if DH, DS and I are going somewhere, I always keep a bottle of that ready to use formula ready just in case, even though I BF, and when DH is driving I often use that time to pump, in case of situations where breastfeeding would be really impractical.

Those are few and far between though since I no longer really GAF who sees my boobs while I feed my child - if stretchmarks and raspberry nips can get someone off, more power to 'em lol...I try to be discreet however covering is extremely awkward and makes it hard to latch, and harder to keep him latched for any length of time. His hunger trumps other people's discomfort.

bumpuser10194737

We've been out to the store, church, the mall, and walks. I also take his bouncy seat outside and set him in the shade so I can play with his older brothers on the swing set. We did all of that since two weeks.

Next week we will probably start going to story time at Barnes and Noble.

Once he has his next set of vaccinations we'll do more- probably family time at a local museum and he can go to child care at the gym.

cindythelou

I'm two weeks pp and I wore real clothes for the first time yesterday. I'm a ftm and spent the first week recovering from massive hemorrhoids and trying to get the hang of breastfeeding. Last week was getting used to a reduced sleep schedule and starting up chores around the house. This week my goal is to take Edith for her first walk. I'm taking it slow and learning how to be a mom.

Sdufort1216

I was out and driving 1 week pp I know they said 2 weeks but I felt comfortable so I went for it. we went to the park rode around then the other day we went to go shopping and he screamed bloody murder and didn't kno what to do lol now I'm Leary about going shopping again.

norab2684

My problem with going out is that LO is so unpredictable! She often cluster feeds, and has cried on most car rides! She also cried on one of the two walks we went on. This makes me very apprehensive about going out. Anyone else in the same boat?

yvanehtnioj

We have been taking Henry out since his 3 day appt. Mostly doctor appointments and to Target (seems like we need something from that store every other day!) and we did eat
lunch in a restaurant yesterday @ 13 days old. I either wear him or leave him in his seat. Getting out of the house has been a sanity saver. The doc never told me I shouldn't take him anywhere so I hope it's ok...

typeset

Erm, the day we were released from the hospital. I'd lose it otherwise. And his older brother's schedule dictates we have to get out at least once a day. I tank him up before we leave, but we soldier through until I can nurse him if he cries in the car. 

apinkpelican

Thanks for the motivation, ladies. I've been working on getting more comfortable breast feeding but still set up a whole station with my pillow and water each time. We still flail around a lot and I'm still a bit leaky so it's not going to be very easy trying to do it under the cover. I love the idea of practicing at home with the cover first. My tailbone is still killing me which also makes getting comfortable to nurse a challenge.

Ziegeficker

@KellyQ116‌, have you considered a trip out to a La Leche League or mommies group meeting? If you're nervous about a crying or fussy baby or issues with BFing, a group of understanding mamas might be a good place to start for outings.

apinkpelican

@Ziegeficker‌ I think my hospital women's center has a mommy's group actually. Thanks for the suggestion I think that could be helpful