Opinion on taking baby out for Christmas festivities...

mommytobe87

Our little guy will be three and a half weeks old for Christmas.  Every year my immediate family, grandparents, aunt, and uncles get togther on Christmas Eve...what would your opinion be on going? We are planning on going but just not allowing LO to be passed around and obviously we won't be going if anyone else going is sick, has a cold, etc.  The pediatrician doesn't recommend taking babies out ANYWHERE in public for 8 weeks which seems a little extreme for me...

 

Thanks for the advice!

OtisEclair

mommytobe87:

The pediatrician doesn't recommend taking babies out ANYWHERE in public for 8 weeks which seems a little extreme for me...

 

Sometimes this is just unrealistic. I took my daughter plenty of places for that time period. 

I would go, just don't let baby be passed around. That will be the hardest part, because some people just don't get it and get mad if they can't hold your baby with their dirty hands while sticking their face in babys face.

 

/end rant. Sorry, bad mood today.

tryingandhoping

My LO was 4 days old for Thanksgiving and we went.  Of course, my family was very respectful of space and illness.  If they had any hint of a cold, they stayed far away from her.  But we let well people hold her and she and they did great!  Do what you're comfortable with.

trarenee13

I have always taken my LO's out around others.  I know that the dr says not too, but come on - we can't be hermits, just use good judgement on others handling the baby.

Tassie06

8 weeks? thats ridiculous. I know the Chinese don't leave the house for a month. or shower in fear they may catch a cold (not all, but lots where i'm from) but 8 weeks is just crazy.     I went out for lunch when DS was 6 days old. and he'd been to the store and mall before that.  Being so small, i wouldn't want everyone to be holding the baby, but if they are your family, you may not have a choice.  I'd go, but I'd leave early. 

OctoberBabyH

Hmmm...if it were me, I would go but I would keep LO close. I would also insist that if anyone simply HAD to hold her, that they use antibacterial hand sanitizer and have their flu shots and not be sick, sniffly, etc. If anyone got huffy puffy about it, too damn bad. Babies' immune systems are weak compared to adults (duh) I'd say use your own judgment. If your instincts are telling you to stay home or you are nervous about it, stay in and enjoy your new addition at home. If someone wants to see you, they will come to you.

egad76

I've been taking LO out since she was about 2 weeks old. I just tell people they have to wash their hands before they hold her. Also, most people don't want to hold a baby if they are sick. (MOST, there are always those crazies that want to share germs.)

NicoleWI

Our new little guy will only be 2 weeks old on Christmas Eve. We're planning to attend the usual parties but make sure people wash hands/try not to have too many holding baby. Our doctor said that this is okay. And really, I don't want to sit home alone on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day while our families celebrate and open gifts! Plus, that would be pretty sad for our almost 2-year-old.

I am planning on bringing hand sanitizer, even if it makes me look crazy.

bmqcmg

I would go, but I would try to keep your LO from being passed around (I know, easier said then done). The only thing that would stop me from going is if someone is sick there or if the roads are bad due to weather (not sure if you have this problem or not where you live).

My LO has been out and about already. I believe she was around three weeks old when I took her with me to my hair appointment and then out to eat afterwards. It's nice taking them out so soon because they pretty much sleep the whole time!

JuliaBug

I've been taking DS out since the day after we got home from the hospital. I am the kind who has no problem telling strangers to keep away or that I don't want him passed around my family. I would go to the party if no one has been sick and make sure anyone who holds your son washes their hands first. 

candr09

I would go.  I took DD to thanksgiving when she was 11 days old and everyone was really good with her.

abell77

I would go but not let baby be passed around.  Babies born in cold and flu season are more susceptible.

erind0213

Our little one will be 2 weeks old, and we plan on going to my Aunt's to have Christmas Eve with my Dad's side, and then to DH's Cousin's house Christmas day.

I am not a lock myself in the house kind of person. Little one has already been out to eat, out shopping, out to see family on 2 occasions and  even to my husband's police district tonight to drop off the Holiday Cup Cakes I always make, we will also be making an appearance at a holiday party Thursday.

Just use your judgment. Hopefully people who are sick or getting over being sick would use common sense and stay away. Make people wash their hands if they want to hold the baby, or hold her yourself most of the time and have her on display.  

My theory is that I'd rather go to people then have them come to me because I don't feel like entertaining and would prefer to say its time to go and be able to leave then have to kick people out of the house. I also feel that keeping the baby isolated totally isn't the answer either. I feel a little exposure to the outside world and friends and family isn't the end of the world. 

MSC03

Really? Your pediatrician told you to not take your baby anywhere for 8 weeks? That sounds nuts. Ours said to go ahead and get out and about whenever we felt like it. We went out to lunch and ran errands when she was 4 days old. We had a family party when she was a week old.

jenny1980

Go! They're so easy at that age to take out and about.

I know we took DD out shopping within a few days and to a family party within a week or so.