when OK to take baby out?

lady dixneuf · November 2012

I got sh*t from some old lady who was "a baby nurse on her break" today bc I had E out with me shopping. She could tell he was little (I had him covered up but still)

Now my H and I are arguing about when it's ok to go about one's daily business with the baby.

Any cold hard facts here?

The_Jen626 · November 2012

People are freaks about taking babies out. It's wierd to me.

Both of my kids have been out and about within the first week of life. This one is constantly on the go because I still have to take my preschooler to her activities and playdates. I would go INSANE sitting at home for 6 weeks.

And for the record, my 3.5 year old is ridiculously healthy and always has been, so the whole "germs" argument doesn't faze me at all.

ETA: at 7 days old we went to Target, 9 days old we went to the pumpkin patch and out to dinner, at 11 days old we went to 2 baby showers where I let STRANGERS hold her! Gasp!!

leannsiiple · November 2012

I have no cold hard facts about it. But I have been running around with my DS since he was a week old. So do what you feel is right!

[Deleted User] · November 2012

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alyson686 · November 2012

DS2 had a pedi appt when he was two days old, so we went out then. We stopped at a bagel shop on the way home to pick up a sandwich, and the cashier, who was an older woman, acted a little weird that we had him out. I don't see what the big deal is though. Especially being in NYC, it's not like I have a car and can go straight from the car to doctor's office and back.

lady dixneuf · November 2012

alyson686:
DS2 had a pedi appt when he was two days old, so we went out then. We stopped at a bagel shop on the way home to pick up a sandwich, and the cashier, who was an older woman, acted a little weird that we had him out. I don't see what the big deal is though. Especially being in NYC, it's not like I have a car and can go straight from the car to doctor's office and back.

yeah that's crazy.

people are idiots.

armcgill · November 2012

A friend of mine and her DH went to Walmart to grab a few necessities right after they left the hospital. Their LO was barely 2 days old.

daronsmommy · November 2012

I had both boys out the first week. I have had people look at me like I was crazy having them out that early, but my life didn't pause just because I had a baby. I still have stuff I need to get done.

Mrschica · November 2012

My pedi said to take him out as long as it wasn't below freezing, and to only avoid the mall and restaurants and overly crowded spaces

rnbeth477 · November 2012

Our pedi said 6 weeks, but he said we could make trips to the store earlier if we keep her covered. We've been going to grocery store and Kmart since 2 weeks.

samsterrr · November 2012

We had a garge sale when Jovanni was one week old. I had him in two layers and in a blanket away from anyone that came. One lady gave us crap and said that they would have never taken a baby out of the house that young when she had hers. My bf snapped back with "Well that was a long time ago and he is our baby, but thanks for letting us know" Every one has their own opinions.

Sillygirl85 · November 2012

I took LO out of state this weekend, stayed at a hotel, and ate at multiple restaurants.

lady dixneuf · November 2012

SarahW44:
I took LO out of state this weekend, stayed at a hotel, and ate at multiple restaurants.

I just lived in a hotel for almost a week so I suppose it's all pointless at this point!

lady dixneuf · November 2012

SarahW44:
I took LO out of state this weekend, stayed at a hotel, and ate at multiple restaurants.

I just lived in a hotel for almost a week so I suppose it's all pointless at this point!

MadamePresident · November 2012

We were told Target was better than church, since strangers are less likely to get in her face. We went to Cotton babies at one week.

Mrs.G123 · November 2012

We have been going to the park since 2 weeks and I have taken her to a few stores. We went to the children's museum yesterday.

MichelleL1118 · November 2012

Out to places like the grocery store or restaurants where no one will be touching/holding baby? With both of my kids, we've done stuff like that immediately (as soon as we're out of the hospital). Out to places like family get-togethers where others WILL be touching/holding the baby? For me, this time around, that won't happen until after DD gets her first round of shots - but DS ended up in the hospital at 3 weeks old because my extended family is stupid & exposed him to illness.

PixelPosy · November 2012

Gotta love how strangers feel the need to help you parent... We were told by our ped to avoid super crowded places and when at holiday parties to ask people wanting to hold the baby to wash their hands and not to kiss her face. She basically said her first cold will be unavoidable and gave us advice on how to deal with it.

I tried to go to the grocery store this weekend, but at the last minute chickened out and sent DH alone. It felt too overwhelming. So far we've gone to the doctor solo twice, a couple walks around the block when the weather was nice enough and one trip with DH to the pumpkin patch, but it was only 2 blocks away from us.

I've been told the first trip out happens sooner with each baby. One of my friends said with her third they stopped at the grocery store for milk on the way home from the hospital.

Olivebeinmamma · November 2012

I would go crazy if I had to stay in the house. Both of our kids have been out and about by 2 weeks old. I think I was out the day after getting home from the hospital.

It's not like I'm allowing people to touch the baby or having him suck on shopping carts etc I'm living my normal life and my turning my kid into a bubble boy!

I definitely believe having the kids out and exposing them to life in general is good for their immune systems. As evidenced by my SIL who wraps her kids up in scarves,jackets, mittens, boots, jeans, and sweaters as if going to play in the snow for 60 degree Florida weather... And her kids are sick all.the.time!

AOBtahoe · November 2012

I think our first outing was a pumpkin patch at about three days old. We also did lunch, a trip to the beach and a couple shopping trips all in her first week. I get stir crazy at the house!

CnAnA · November 2012

We had Alice out at a week old. I didn't ask anyone's opinion. LOL If I didn't take her shopping or on my errands, they wouldn't get done. I keep her close, and it's never been an issue.

Sami91 · November 2012

Baby girl went to Walmart with us the day we were released from the hospital. She was 1 day old... We've been on the go ever since.

tevagirl · November 2012

LO has been out almost every day since we were released from the hospital. We went to church the day we were released from the hospital. Admittedly, that was a little crazy on my part. We've been to church, target, walmart, restaurants, etc. This weekend LO and I went to a hotel for a youth event that I worked on planning.

Our pedi did not give us any instructions about keeping her home or not taking her specific places.

dcunningham2 · November 2012

MadamePresident:
We were told Target was better than church, since strangers are less likely to get in her face. We went to Cotton babies at one week.

That's been my thought. I haven't taken DD2 to church yet since I know so many people will want to hold/touch her. But we've been to Target/grocery store multiple times. I just keep her in the carseat with a blanket over to keep away the germies.

Court7803 · November 2012

We had to drive from pa to Michigan when DS was 6 days old. We had no choice, my mom is in the hospital with fungal meningitis non contagious and I got the call that I needed to say my goodbyes. We didn't have him in the hospital but my dr gave us the go ahead as long as we didn't bring him in there. I won't be taking him out now unless I have to, but if you got to go to the store, you have to.

jessilynnwilliams · November 2012

I've been trying to keep her home as much as possible...but that's mostly because she already had a cold. With that being said... my proud hubby had me bring her into his work to show her off at 3 days old and she went to the pumpkin patch and grocery shopping at just over two weeks old. I say do what you are comfortable with!