How long are you going to wait before going out?

AJluvsLI · October 2009

We've been invited to a lot of weddings and parties coming up in the next 2-3 weeks. I feel like it will be a little early to be going out with the baby so we will probably pass on these but I'm just curious how long you all are planning on waiting before taking the baby out with you to events.

BethD76 · October 2009

The flu has hit hard in North Alabama. I going to do what the pedi says. Some people lately have been asked not to take the baby out for a few weeks because of it.

LitlSara · October 2009

I am going to see how I feel and how baby is doing. I am due Nov. 17 and DH's Holiday Party for work is Dec. 11 which I would love to try to go to, but we'll see. I also feel lucky that my parents live about 5 minutes away and will likely baby sit often. I don't think I can predict though.

mrs-rogers · October 2009

Havent really thought of it but probably 3 or 4 weeks. Im sure we will go see family but I dont think we will be going out to any big events.

tutter805 · October 2009

I'll probably wait about 4 weeks and even after, probably only to our families house, but really try to limit outings to the mall or the store unless it's during the day when no one is there.

mom2binKC · October 2009

Stay in. With DD, I felt pretty good, she was sleeping most of the time, so we took her to two weddings in two weeks. She caught a cold right away, and her sleeping was interrupted, and we had to have her deep suctioned twice in the dr's office -- no fun for her or for two new parents who felt very guilty for exposing her to so many people so soon.

This time, especially since LO is due during peak flu season (and a flu pandemic), we will be keeping him home for probably at least 6 weeks, and limiting vistors.

shainababygirl · October 2009

As soon as I'm up to being out of the house, LO will be.

The first "big" event will be Thanksgiving at my DH's family's celebration. But she'll be going with us to church as soon as I'm recovered enough to go myself.

She's going to be EBFed and I'm going to wear her, so her risk of infection will be lowered. Plus... as much of a germ-a-phobe as I am... I just can't lock us up in our apartment.

roxyrulz512 · October 2009

most pediatricians say 4-6 weeks... theres too many germs in "large crowds" and now with the flu circulating were not in any rush to take LO out.. were most likely going to wait 6-8 weeks until we introduce him to any sizable crowd - family is a different story.

Daisy582 · October 2009

It depends on how healthy everyone is and how quickly I am able to snap back to my "normal" daily activities. I keep having family tell me "we can't wait to see LO at Thanksgiving....I just remind them that (if he comes late) he will only be about 3 1/2 weeks old and not exactly ready for a big family gathering. Plus, family Thanksgiving takes place about 4 hours from where we live. We might just be thankful quietly on our own this year. Don't know...we will see.

AfterAll · October 2009

Wow... a while. The weather is starting to change, flu and RSV are a concern, so I really don't want him in public around strangers for quite some time. I think Thanksgiving around the 6 week mark is going to be the first real event we do. Maybe some quick errands here and there before that.

StephanieDeanne · October 2009

We probably won't take LO out for a few weeks (3-4), but maybe more depending on what the pedi says.

The Lungos · October 2009

With DD we went out right after she was born with little problem/ But with teh flu this year we will probably be much more limited on where we go and who comes to the house.

aliciamariel · October 2009

I'm due right after Thanksgiving, so I think I'm going to lay low for a few weeks. There are so many people out at that time of year, and there are so many flu concerns. It's just not worth the risk. I'm having family to our house for Christmas, but it's not that many people, and I don't plan on going anywhere really crowded unless it's during off hours when there won't be a lot of people around.

headsup7up · October 2009

Well considering I have an older child that needs to get to school and other activities it will be as soon as I feel good enough to get DS#1 to his stuff on my own.

Seriously, a little common sense goes a long ways. Wash your hands and keep baby close to you.

ladyalmalthea · October 2009

other than running him over to my grandma's to 'trick or treat' her, he isn't going anywhere until a month has gone by.

Califlorida · October 2009

to previous poster, not sure how ebf and baby-wearing will keep your baby from catching germs at a large event... but ok.

we had dd out at 2 weeks for a family get together and it was a disaster. fwiw, i bf'ed and wore her. but i wasn't ready and/or able to manage feedings, diaper changes, and my own recovery outside of the comforts of my home. i nearly had a breakdown.

vmm0016 · October 2009

I have no idea. Maybe 4-6 weeks.

mattandbekah · October 2009

probably about 2 weeks depending on the event. And the baby. I mean...if they baby is born with some medical issues, or seems to have poor tolerance for certain things, we wont take it out. But for certain places/events, I think Ill be okay with it...we'll see though!

fiftysixty · October 2009

Until I'm not cold anymore. I hate winter.

liv97 · October 2009

we'll take her out sometime during the first week, unless there are any complications that prevent it.

mrgn · October 2009

Califlorida:
to previous poster, not sure how ebf and baby-wearing will keep your baby from catching germs at a large event... but ok.

BFing helps protect the baby using mom's antibodies/immune system. If it were a formula baby, the risk of catching a cold or the flu would be higher. Keeping the baby close/wearing LO means that people will not have the same kind of access to him/her as they would if LO were in a car seat, being passed around etc. I don't think PP thought that this would definitely keep her baby 100% safe, but will definitely play a role in preventing illness.

I am hoping to be comfortable enough to involve Aubrey in our Christmas activities... so about 3-4 weeks to be around family. I'm not sure it has as much to do with keeping her germ-free in that scenario. I just want to be sure I can do the feeding/changing by myself before I take her to a family gathering. As for malls and other public places, once all the Christmas rush slows down... maybe 6 or 8 weeks.

mom2binKC · October 2009

mrgn:
Califlorida:

to previous poster, not sure how ebf and baby-wearing will keep your baby from catching germs at a large event... but ok.

BFing helps protect the baby using mom's antibodies/immune system. If it were a formula baby, the risk of catching a cold or the flu would be higher. Keeping the baby close/wearing LO means that people will not have the same kind of access to him/her as they would if LO were in a car seat, being passed around etc. I don't think PP thought that this would definitely keep her baby 100% safe, but will definitely play a role in preventing illness.

I am hoping to be comfortable enough to involve Aubrey in our Christmas activities... so about 3-4 weeks to be around family. I'm not sure it has as much to do with keeping her germ-free in that scenario. I just want to be sure I can do the feeding/changing by myself before I take her to a family gathering. As for malls and other public places, once all the Christmas rush slows down... maybe 6 or 8 weeks.

Yeah, I EBF'd, and I wore DD, and she still got a bad cold at 10 days old and had to be deep suctioned twice. Exercise caution.

Califlorida · October 2009

mrgn:
Califlorida:
to previous poster, not sure how ebf and baby-wearing will keep your baby from catching germs at a large event... but ok.
BFing helps protect the baby using mom's antibodies/immune system. If it were a formula baby, the risk of catching a cold or the flu would be higher. Keeping the baby close/wearing LO means that people will not have the same kind of access to him/her as they would if LO were in a car seat, being passed around etc. I don't think PP thought that this would definitely keep her baby 100% safe, but will definitely play a role in preventing illness.

unfortunately a lot of the stuff you read that claims bf'ing is better for babies has not be scientifically proven. i'm all for bf'ing. i did it for 11 mos with my dd. i'm just starting to hear more and more that there may be no basis for these claims. and i think if you polled the baby/toddler boards you'd get a sampling of examples where bf vs ff doesn't seem to impact how often children get sick. there are other factors to consider when exposing your newborn to crowds in the winter. where will you diaper change? how many people will you or your spouse come into contact with? etc.

ETA: i was wrong to say "not scientifically proven" because there have been studies. but here's some food for thought... https://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=7424844&page=1&page=1

nickicl · October 2009

mrgn:
Califlorida:

to previous poster, not sure how ebf and baby-wearing will keep your baby from catching germs at a large event... but ok.

BFing helps protect the baby using mom's antibodies/immune system. If it were a formula baby, the risk of catching a cold or the flu would be higher. Keeping the baby close/wearing LO means that people will not have the same kind of access to him/her as they would if LO were in a car seat, being passed around etc. I don't think PP thought that this would definitely keep her baby 100% safe, but will definitely play a role in preventing illness.

I am hoping to be comfortable enough to involve Aubrey in our Christmas activities... so about 3-4 weeks to be around family. I'm not sure it has as much to do with keeping her germ-free in that scenario. I just want to be sure I can do the feeding/changing by myself before I take her to a family gathering. As for malls and other public places, once all the Christmas rush slows down... maybe 6 or 8 weeks.

Well the benefits of mom's antibodies and immune system would seem to correlate with how healthy mom is. I was a formula-fed winter baby who never got sick much at all. By all means people should feed however they choose too but I'm personally not convinced that there are proven immunity benefits.

I haven't even considered how long I would or wouldn't wait before going out. I don't see any sense in planning ahead for something like that when I have no idea how I will feel at the time. If I'm feeling good and pediatrician has no problems with it I want to start taking him out as soon as I feel I can handle it because I think it good to start getting all of used to real life. However, I doubt a rock concert will be our first stop.

SpartanGirl · October 2009

Depends on where we are going (I doubt I'd do a wedding, but out with the other kids or shopping or something would be fine), but I don't plan to keep baby in unless there is some sort of complication or extenuating circumstances.

mrs.priss7 · October 2009

I'm not sure, I have some friends who say right away is almost easier because they sleep so much initially. I guess we will just have to see what he decideds he wants to do when he gets here!

Sheeks88 · October 2009

The only major thing on our list is Christmas. I am sure we will be out of the house before then. With DS we were at thanksgiving dinner 2 days later.

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