taking baby out in public - XP

rkto · November 2011

my baby will be 4 weeks next weekend and we are invited to a baby shower where there will be other children (age 2-6) and of course, many adults.

I really want to show her off, but as the date approaches, I am concerned about germs. I assume we will leave her in the stroller as much as possible while we are there or just my H will hold her, but germs..... She hasnt had any vaccines.

canterbearytails · November 2011

She'll have to be exposed to outside germs eventually, but I myself chickened out of the Thanksgiving party we were supposed to go to today. Embarrassed

There would only have been adults there but I still worried about my LO catching something. If there were other young children I think I would have said no right away. I prefer to wait till she's a bit older before taking her out where a lot of people will be handling her.

rkto · November 2011

I agree if others will handle her, but I think I can keep her to myself at the party. My friends are pretty good about not grabbing for someone else's baby.

ugh. I will have to ask the Dr.

colliebabe · November 2011

We've been to a couple of parties with little kids and other babies - one was my niece's bday and the other was a friend's Thanksgiving. There were two other babies around her age at my friend's house and we all passed around our babies to each other, but we are all laid back moms and not really germaphobe type of people.

rubysue267 · November 2011

Can you wear your baby at the party? I've heard that this helps with having other people be grabby-grabby with them. It's definitely hard having a baby right at the beginning of cold / flu season, though. Not sure I'm ever going to stop freaking out about germs and DS getting sick

blu-eyedwife · November 2011

colleenb262:
We've been to a couple of parties with little kids and other babies - one was my niece's bday and the other was a friend's Thanksgiving. There were two other babies around her age at my friend's house and we all passed around our babies to each other, but we are all laid back moms and not really germaphobe type of people.

We're the same. We took LBB to a Halloween party with kids and adults when he was 4 weeks old. And a couple of the guys' wives passed LBB back and forth for most of the night. We ended up only staying a couple of hours, but that was mostly because the party didn't start till 6 and we didn't want to be out all night.

SpinningJess · November 2011

Do you have a Moby wrap or other baby carrier? That would be a good way to keep her close and keep people from getting all touchy-feely with her...

HappyAardvark · November 2011

I don't believe in quarantining your baby. Be smart, it is cold/flu season, but that's no reason to lock yourself away till April. I'd keep people away from him if they are or were recently sick, and plan on asking people to wash their hands before touching him. Other than that, I want him to socialize as well as build up a healthy immune system. And I need to socialize for my own mental health as well!!

Sammy-Mae · November 2011

HappyAardvark:
I don't believe in quarantining your baby. Be smart, it is cold/flu season, but that's no reason to lock yourself away till April. I'd keep people away from him if they are or were recently sick, and plan on asking people to wash their hands before touching him. Other than that, I want him to socialize as well as build up a healthy immune system. And I need to socialize for my own mental health as well!!

You took the words right out of my mouth.

KrisM86 · November 2011

I'd suggest wearing your LO to keep her from being overexposed to lots of germs. We have a Moby wrap that I've used several times around crowds and it works really well. You could do the same thing with another wrap, the Ergo, or Bjorn if you have one. GL!

jonnygurl76 · November 2011

I will be the odd opinion and say that I would not take LO. I don't believe in exposing LO to germs before at least 3 months--they have their entire lives to build their immunities and they can become very sick very quickly when they are this young. Just isn't worth it to me.

Haribo1 · November 2011

I'm definitely that "crazy mom" and am waiting until LO gets her vaccines beforehand. I have spoken to her pedi and some infectious disease specialists who advised holding off on exposure to other kids until after she gets her shots. It's RSV and flu season so I am nervous. I'm a pediatric subspecialist, and the workup the newborns have to go through if they get a fever makes me cringe. Bear in mind, I've seen so many awful things that I am quick to stress and assume the worst. It's driving my DH nuts, but I can't help it. We have taken her to a restaurant (ate outside) and have had visitors at home, but definitely no exposure to other children. I figure, I can wait a few more weeks and she has a lifetime to head out and meet others. Everyone is different though, and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, especially if you are careful.

SpinningJess · November 2011

jonnygurl76:

I will be the odd opinion and say that I would not take LO. I don't believe in exposing LO to germs before at least 3 months--they have their entire lives to build their immunities and they can become very sick very quickly when they are this young. Just isn't worth it to me.

So do you also quarantine your toddler to keep her from passing germs to the baby??

dlast09 · November 2011

Our little guy is more succeptable to illnesses than most babies because of his transplant. If we go anywhere around a bunch of people I carry him in the babybjorn. That way people are less likely to get all up in my business to get in his face and such. We also have a sign on his carseat that says wash your hands before you touch mine from MyTinyHands.com

cantalopes24 · November 2011

SpinningJess:
jonnygurl76:

I will be the odd opinion and say that I would not take LO. I don't believe in exposing LO to germs before at least 3 months--they have their entire lives to build their immunities and they can become very sick very quickly when they are this young. Just isn't worth it to me.

So do you also quarantine your toddler to keep her from passing germs to the baby??

Yeah that's what I'm wondering. I'd like to know how to keep my thumb sucking (*CRINGE*) almost 5 year old who goes to school every day from contaminating Lo since his favorite hobby is touching her nose.

cantalopes24 · November 2011

blu-eyedwife:
colleenb262:
We've been to a couple of parties with little kids and other babies - one was my niece's bday and the other was a friend's Thanksgiving. There were two other babies around her age at my friend's house and we all passed around our babies to each other, but we are all laid back moms and not really germaphobe type of people.
We're the same. We took LBB to a Halloween party with kids and adults when he was 4 weeks old. And a couple of the guys' wives passed LBB back and forth for most of the night. We ended up only staying a couple of hours, but that was mostly because the party didn't start till 6 and we didn't want to be out all night.

This. Any chance for someone to hold the baby and give me a break I'm taking.

SpinningJess · November 2011

cantalopes24:
SpinningJess:
jonnygurl76:

I will be the odd opinion and say that I would not take LO. I don't believe in exposing LO to germs before at least 3 months--they have their entire lives to build their immunities and they can become very sick very quickly when they are this young. Just isn't worth it to me.

So do you also quarantine your toddler to keep her from passing germs to the baby??

Yeah that's what I'm wondering. I'd like to know how to keep my thumb sucking (*CRINGE*) almost 5 year old who goes to school every day from contaminating Lo since his favorite hobby is touching her nose.

SO thankful DS isn't a thumb sucker...they find enough germs as it is, we don't need to ensure that we bring EVERY germ home! GL to you! My girls both got colds at 4 weeks, were juicy snotty for 2 full weeks. I'm sure DS brought it home, yet somehow he managed not to get it.

blu-eyedwife · November 2011

cantalopes24:
SpinningJess:
jonnygurl76:

I will be the odd opinion and say that I would not take LO. I don't believe in exposing LO to germs before at least 3 months--they have their entire lives to build their immunities and they can become very sick very quickly when they are this young. Just isn't worth it to me.

So do you also quarantine your toddler to keep her from passing germs to the baby??

Yeah that's what I'm wondering. I'd like to know how to keep my thumb sucking (*CRINGE*) almost 5 year old who goes to school every day from contaminating Lo since his favorite hobby is touching her nose.

baby handcuffs? Although, I guess zip-ties are one size fits all.

barefootandboots · November 2011

cantalopes24:
blu-eyedwife:
colleenb262:
We've been to a couple of parties with little kids and other babies - one was my niece's bday and the other was a friend's Thanksgiving. There were two other babies around her age at my friend's house and we all passed around our babies to each other, but we are all laid back moms and not really germaphobe type of people.
We're the same. We took LBB to a Halloween party with kids and adults when he was 4 weeks old. And a couple of the guys' wives passed LBB back and forth for most of the night. We ended up only staying a couple of hours, but that was mostly because the party didn't start till 6 and we didn't want to be out all night.

This. Any chance for someone to hold the baby and give me a break I'm taking.

Agreed. We took LO out to stores, etc. within a week after she was born. I've hosted a baby shower and a holiday party with lots of guests coming in and holding her. I've visited friends with and without kids, and any time I'm with others I'm happy to let them hold her and give me a break. I think its silly to be stuck up in your house all the time. Germs are everywhere, and you can't help that unless you decide to live in a freaking bubble. i'm not going to stay holed up in my house all the time. That's ridiculous and I would go insane.

ETA: We are even flying with LO at 8 weeks across the country. Flame on people, but I'm pretty sure we're going to be ok.

jonnygurl76 · November 2011

SpinningJess:
jonnygurl76:

I will be the odd opinion and say that I would not take LO. I don't believe in exposing LO to germs before at least 3 months--they have their entire lives to build their immunities and they can become very sick very quickly when they are this young. Just isn't worth it to me.

So do you also quarantine your toddler to keep her from passing germs to the baby??

my toddler doesn't go to preschool yet but she will go out with DH or i to visit or go shopping, baby boy stays home. the germs that my one toddler will bring into the house are much less than what LO would be getting out at a party, store, etc if we took him out everywhere. it is cold/flu/RSV season and i dealt with DD having RSV at 12 months old and having to take her to the hospital--i am not about to deal with it with my 2 month old. you can all do what feels right for you and i will do what works for my family.

nic326 · November 2011

HappyAardvark:
I don't believe in quarantining your baby. Be smart, it is cold/flu season, but that's no reason to lock yourself away till April. I'd keep people away from him if they are or were recently sick, and plan on asking people to wash their hands before touching him. Other than that, I want him to socialize as well as build up a healthy immune system. And I need to socialize for my own mental health as well!!

Agreed. You can't stay in forever and you need to build their immune system. Plus they are getting antibodies from your BM (if you BF). My DS goes to preschool and brings home every bug there is and Baby hasn't gotten anything yet,

VeilSdeGTO · November 2011

I took DD to work (at a K-8 school) when she was about 3 weeks. I kept her in the Moby the entire time. It was great for me to get out and let people see her. Nobody touched her and she slept the entire time.

We've also been to a three year old birthday party with tons on toddlers. DD was held by two other people while I ate, and she was fine. DH or I just held her the rest of the time.

Your DD will be fine. Go and have a good time.

ludicrous · November 2011

HappyAardvark:
I don't believe in quarantining your baby. Be smart, it is cold/flu season, but that's no reason to lock yourself away till April. I'd keep people away from him if they are or were recently sick, and plan on asking people to wash their hands before touching him. Other than that, I want him to socialize as well as build up a healthy immune system. And I need to socialize for my own mental health as well!!

This. DS gets passed around almost daily and I don't care as long as people wash their hands. I even * gasp* take him into the germ factory called daycare to drop off DD.

melimelg · November 2011

HappyAardvark:
I don't believe in quarantining your baby. Be smart, it is cold/flu season, but that's no reason to lock yourself away till April. I'd keep people away from him if they are or were recently sick, and plan on asking people to wash their hands before touching him. Other than that, I want him to socialize as well as build up a healthy immune system. And I need to socialize for my own mental health as well!!

this exactly. we have been out and about pretty much since her birth. Her sister has had a runny nose since she came home. There are germs everywhere, as long as someone doesnt have the bubonic plague, then I am there.

MrsClark8109 · November 2011

canterbearytails:
I prefer to wait till she's a bit older before taking her out where a lot of people will be handling her.

Don't let them handle her! I take babies out shopping/running errands atleast 2x per week and think its HUGELY important 1 for my sanity and 2 to get them used to it...its only going to get harder for everyone if we wait. But I dont let ANYONE touch my babies.. For Thanksgiving we aren't having a huge family gathering but there will be plenty of people there and I just insist on handwashing before anyone picks up LOs and keep one of the bracelets with handsanitizers on the handle of their carseat...so its easy for me wherever I'm at to request someone sanitize before holding baby.

Whats harder for me is that I INSIST noone picks up and wakes up the babies...you can hold them when they are awake but do NOT wake them up to old them or I might strangle you...

mabst196 · November 2011

I bring my baby out in public most days of the week. I bring him to pick up my DD at daycare everyday with a room of 3 year olds trying to look at him. Just bring him and ask those that hold him to wash their hands first and not kiss him.

mabst196 · November 2011

thelastingers:
Our little guy is more succeptable to illnesses than most babies because of his transplant. If we go anywhere around a bunch of people I carry him in the babybjorn. That way people are less likely to get all up in my business to get in his face and such. We also have a sign on his carseat that says wash your hands before you touch mine from MyTinyHands.com

This I understand. You need to be extra cautious. Everyone else needs to unclench.

10kris · November 2011

I'm a laid back mom. We've been out and about and he's fine. I say go for it! Just keep your LO away from the sneezy people

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