CP: when to bring LO into public?

sweetiebird726 · October 2012

So I'm getting a serious case of cabin fever, and would love to take a trip to Target with DS today. Pedi said they would prefer I wait to bring him anywhere until about 4 weeks, but that I shouldn't feel as if I have to stay cooped up either, and to take precautions if I do take him out.

He is 2 weeks and 4 days today, and was up 6 oz past his birth weight at his appt last Tuesday at 1 week 5 days. He is generally a good eater and sleeper during the day, and is usually out like a light in the carseat when we have gone to the couple dr appts so far.

When would you feel comfortable taking LO into public, like Target or grocery store, or when did you do it?

[Poll]

sweetiebird726 · October 2012

Pedi didn't say not to bring ANYWHERE, just not to places where germy people might be. They advised against places like Target, stores, etc, because of the season it is. Places in the open air like parks, or family member's homes where no one is sick is fine. It's too cold right now to go to the park, and a lot of family/friends either live further than I feel comfortable driving at this point, or are working during the day.

DH doesn't want him to go out into public either if we can help it - but he gets to go to work every day, and is gone from around 6:30am until somewhere between 5 and 6 pm. I got to leave the house this weekend without DS to get a haircut and make a grocery store run, but I want to go somewhere today too!

mb314 · October 2012

My pedi said to take him out at our 5 day appointment. He said it was good for our sanity and good for the LO who should get some sunlight and vitamin D.

When we go to stores and public places, I like to have him in the carrier vs a stroller or car seat. He is snuggled close to me and it's haarder for people to get close and touch him.

CdnFarmGirl08 · October 2012

DS was a week on Saturday and I plan on bringing him to the grocery store where I worked during university to show him off to all my friends there. I am planning on keeping him in the carseat the whole time though and not letting people hold him.

I also plan on taking him to my school where I work beginning of next week. I know some people will want to hold him, but I'll be adamant on washing hands and I won't be taking him around the kids, although I really want to show him to the kids I taught last year! I'll wait a bit for that!

bluecrab1020 · October 2012

We went out in public at for days. I figured if she went to the petri disk that is a pediatrician's office then target would be fine. Also ditto the pp who mentioned lo's with older siblings in daycare. If those kids survive, first babies will too!

I think they should do a study on moms getting out of the house and ppd. My mom didn't take me any where until I was a month or so and had awful ppd. I am curious if there its any kind of connection.

cmumama · October 2012

I believe our first outing was to Costco when he was just over a week old.

PepperStick · October 2012

We stopped at Target on the way home from the hospital. DS was 3 days old. We've been somewhere pretty much everyday since then. I can't stay cooped up with two kids all day.

brideandbreve · October 2012

We took LO out to Target when he was 3 days old. He slept in his car seat which snapped into his stroller, and we kept the car seat and stroller canopies pulled up together, which kept people from being nosy and getting close to him.

kelbel527 · October 2012

DS is 2 weeks and has been to target, grocery store, petco, out to lunch, out to dinner...

I think wearing him is best, people don't try to touch him or get in his face. Also, he's warm and close to me when we are outside.

I recommend getting out of the house, otherwise I know I'd go stir-crazy!

missaloha · October 2012

i don't feel good about taking them out before a week--but that's just me. that said, tomorrow baby L will be a week old and i will take her out to take her sister to school. but under a week, no.

leannetab90 · October 2012

My pediatrician said not to talk the baby out for 2 months espcially public places. I don't know many people who can just sit in their house for 2 whole months and not gain 30 lbs but it is not practical. He told me if I needed anything from the store to call my mother because that was her job. I hate this pediatrician but my DH loves him, ugh.

I took the baby out when she was about 2.5 weeks old because I was losing my mind. Just put a blanket over the car seat and don't let anyone touch her or get into her face.

Eastie156 · October 2012

We took Ethan out for the first time to BRU when he was 5 days old. I needed some breast shields and other misc stuff. (aside from 4 straight days of Pedi appointments his first week of life). I made sure to cover his carriage up with a A&A swaddle so no one would get the idea to touch him. Other than that, we haven't been too many other places. I wouldn't worry about waiting 4 weeks, that seems like a long time to me..

melody921 · October 2012

As long as people aren't touching LO, you're fine. I would lose my mind if we stayed in every day. DD went on errands like the grocery store in her second week of life. We also go to a mom/baby class for BFing on Mondays and she went there when she was 2 weeks old. Just use common sense and don't hang out in really big crowds.

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