So I have a partial All Clear...

CLAYLIOVER

The doctor gave me the all clear to get out and about with the girls. Obviously avoiding WalMart, Church nurseries, places with lots of kids. I took the to breakfast the other morning and basically had a nervous breakdown. My inlaws eat at this little Mexican place every Wed night and want us to join them tonight. I dont know if I can do it. My nerves have literally been at a all time high lately. What do you ladies think? The girls have been perfectly healthy ( heck even through 108 hospital days they never had a infection). HELP!

OscarQ

How do you picture yourself and the girls spending the next few months?  If you plan to go out on a semi-regular basis, I would take advantage of a situation where you'll have multiple, reliable hands who know your girls and the precautions necessary to get used to being out in public with them.  However, if outings will be rare than I'd stay skip tonight and give your nerves a break.

Either way - good luck!  And congrats on the partial All Clear!

beyoga

Sorry, I just had to say that is the most ADORABLE St. Patty's picture you have!

lemen99

You know I think it's a judgement call and what you are comfortable with.

 

I was really scared Andrew was going to get RSV so we didn't take him out his first winter.  He was a 26-weeker who never had an infection or anything in the hospital.  Once RSV ended, we took him out - April 1st - and he was 1 yr adjusted.  I think it was to a birthday party of a neighbor.  We called ahead and she wasn't sick so we decided to try it.  Lo and behold one other kid was there and man he was snotting *everywhere* and my little guy got it, but it wasn't RSV and he was okay.  He did get a 3 month sinus & ear infection, but that's another story

Since he's gotten sick several time, but always in the summer, and always from being in direct contact with a sick child even though we try our best to avoid that situation.

He has been to restaurants, a play group, the grocery, etc numerous numerous times and not gotten sick at those places.  Probably in part because we wash hands carefully, use cart covers, etc.  He did get sick at the dr once he was mobile.

 It is harder now that he is mobile but at your LO's age, you can keep them pretty protected by putting them in a car seat.  That's a big plus.  Where I live right now, in Indiana, RSV is just running rampant.  Everyone I know's kids have these awful coughs.  I personally would have been scared to take Andrew out so young, but, in my experience if you are careful in a restaurant I think it's unlikely that they'll catch something.

Even when he was a year old and RSV season ended, I was so nervous to take him out - so even when they are ready, it's just hard to get used to!

caitdana

We have not been given the all clear but just due to being impossible to keep one segregated from everyone and everything while the other was in the hospital, I had to. DH and I got comfortable taking Sophia out and about. I only have had 1 experience when a creepy lady in Kroger parking lot asked to see her and I said no. I took the girls out the firs time to eat last night and I was paranoid beyond belief. I kept their blankets over their carriers for the most part and not one person touched out go to close. The best part was neither made a peep during dinner.  I am worried and I am cautious but I need my sanity. Ella's cardiologist (father to twin girls himself) said it best -that yes they are extremely small, and yes they are premature, and yes Ella is still on oxygen but I need to start treating her like a normal baby or I will drive myself insane with worry and anxiety. I need to get comfortable being a MoM. He said not to go crazy but little outings help me get comfortable as well as slowly taking them out since the end of RSV is approaching.

luvdv8

Dinner is a perfect baby step- just make sure you let your ILs know that you won't be taking the girls out of their seats (I find once they're out people are more opt to think they're fair game). Also, with everyone there to watch there will be extra hands to swat away unwanted passer-bys. Get you ILs on your side (if this is a place they frequent you don't want them thinking they're going to get to show them off and then be disappointed) and you'll have a good support system for making sure that the girls aren't exposed to too much.

Kiki11

We are waiting until April, when RSV season ends, to start venturing out.  And even then I think we will avoid public places like restaurants, grocery stores, etc.  But I'm a little bit anxious about the whole thing and he's also on oxygen which adds another dynamic.