Taking baby for outings...

charmedgrl517

DH and I are worriers, DH a little more than me! We haven't taken DD anywhere except doc appts and to my work oncelast week which I was freaked out. I know our family can't wait for us to bring her to visit them I dreading of coming to our house all the time. And my best friend wants us to go out to lunch but I really feel weird about taking DD out! Am I crazy? I keep telling myself after she gets her 2 month shots but really what is that going to doisn't going to protect her from a cold or flu. And I wouldn't let anyone touch her of course! Anyone else like this or am I crazy?

krissi813

My DS is a week younger than your DD and I am just now getting more comfortable taking him out. I was so scared only a few weeks ago, but now my anxieties revolve more around when DS is going to need to eat. I am EBF and always worry about how and where I will feed baby. As for germs, I am a Purell freak and don't let anyone too close. Unless I am at a family home or DS needs to eat, DS stays in his carseat.

 You're definitely not alone in your worries, but if you don't start going out more, you'll probably get cabin fever!!  

IncognitoSuperhero

We took our guy out starting at 2 weeks. He met friends, went to the park, ran errands, visited family, went out to restaraunts and he's doing great. : but bottom line is, you've got to do what YOU are comfortable with, just don't stress out too much.

charmedgrl517

I should add I take her for walks when the weather is decent, just haven't taken her to stores, restaurants, etc. I know I can't protect her forever and I wouldn't let anyone touch or hold her while out but I guess I just feel why take her out if I don't have to. I dunno!

Kris2011RN

I get anxious as well but for different reasons. I BF and I don't like the cover. Now I just make sure I have a bottle of bm. Like pp have said, you will start getting cabin fever. I would just carry around purell, or when ppl come over make them wash their hands.

sasa625

With my 1st I was a little more cautious ( and she screamed all the time which put a damper on outings) but I have taken this LO everywhere since she was 2 weeks old. In fact, we just got back from a trip to Disney which also meant 2 flights. It's harder to stay in with an older one at home, but honestly, I feel so much better this time around since I'm getting out of the house!

Hyaline

Crazy?  No  Worrying too much and not being very logical?  Yeah, probably--but you're a new mom!  It sounds like your big worry is LO getting sick...but if you think about it logically, she's not much more likely to get sick by being out with you in a carrier or being worn than she is by something your or DH bring home with you.  

And though a LO with a cold isn't fun, it's usually not terribly dangerous, either.  So--worst case scenario, LO gets a cold and you all have a few unpleasant days.  Likelihood this is going to happen because you all went out to lunch or had visitors or went to the store?  Not very high.  

If it makes you feel any better, we've had DD out a few times and no one has ever tried to touch her.  I know people talk about this all the time, but I've never seen it actually happen with my child or anyone else's without the person asking permission (and even then, rare for a stranger to even say something).

Do what feels right for you, but if you're being driven by fear and it's limiting what you'd like to do (ie, you want to go to lunch but are afraid or want to go pick up milk but have visions of LO getting sick) I think you need to buck up and face the fear.

alrighthamilton

I don't think you're crazy at all, but we just last week took our daughter out for the first time other than doctor's appointments and walks and she's 9 weeks old. We went to Target and my husband and I were both paranoid about anyone trying to touch her or breath on her. I am already getting nervous about next week though because we have a farewell lunch at a fancy restaurant and then a luncheon at my office for Boss's Day, and I will be taking her out alone both times. I know having my husband there does nothing to stop the spread of germs, but for some reason it calms me down. Probably because I have obvious anxiety issues.

tamararachel2

Every mom is different. With DS1, I took him to the zoo with family at 3 weeks. With DS2, he had a dr appointment yesterday and we had to grab some groceries right after. My FI was a little apprehensive at first but everything was fine. It just helped us to get what we needed as quickly as possible. My parents are coming in next week and we all are going out to Busch Gardens as we had promised DS1 we could go. Do what makes you comfortable, but honestly I've never heard of or seen a stranger touch a baby or ask to touch or get close enough to transmit any germs. 

Blackrose1918

I take ds out a few times a week and have since he was a week old. I'd go nuts if I didn't. I wear him in a ring sling or a mei tai and I think that helps discourage people from trying to touch him.

NerdyMama2

I was very nervous the first time I took DD out, but it went fine. I kept her layered, and no one touched her (A relief!) 

Megispreg

We are not taking DD to stores or restaurants until her two month shots. This was the recommendation of our pediatrician. It may be overly cautious, but I would rather be safe than sorry, and she'll have plenty of time later to go to the mall. We do stroll in the park and go to visit friends to keep our sanity. We just stay away from crowds.