Hi there! I have a 4 week old baby girl and I'm dying to take her to my workplace, so my co-workers can meet her. The thing is, I work at a dental office. Of course I would go during lunch hours, when there's no patients around and there is just about 5 people working there. My only concern is that it's kind of a public place and I want to avoid her getting sick. Am i being too paranoid? I have been taking her out for fresh air daily though.                 
                             
        
Re: Taking newborn out
Yup. Paranoid. But it's ok, I was the first time too! Although by the time I got the ok to drive after my c/s I wanted to go everywhere to get out of the house so I think our first outing (other than to the docs) was to Target around 2wks old. This time I've been out a few times with both kids (and DH too).
Most people are pretty good with washing their hands around a newbie. If they are your co-workers just insist that they do so especially b/c we're going into flu season and you work in a docs office. Or bring some hand sanitizer with you and plop it on the table.
Get out and see people!!! You'll feel better too! For me it kind of made me still feel normal... Like my life hadn't been completely taken over by my new little guy.
My LO has been out somewhere just about everyday since we were released from the hospital. We've been to church, my former workplace (pre-school), walmart, target, resturants etc. We've been to the clinic 4 times for weight checks, LC visist and pedi appointment.
We're careful about letting lots of people hold her - mostly just my family has held her and a few people at church. I typically wear her or leave her in the carseat when we go places where there are lots of people and we try to keep trips short.
Fresh air is good. Want my children to be part of my lifestyle and from "day one" be accustomed to travel and errands etc.
Don't let people touch. My car seat has canopy top/bottom to fully 'enclose' her. Sometimes I put that up.
Live life / just be smart about it.