How soon will you take LO out in public?

mallyandryan · April 2014

I think I remember this being discussed, but I can't seem to find it. When I took our baby boy for his two week appt, his doc said to avoid taking him in public at all for a while. I didn't mention that he had already run several errands this week. How do you feel?

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I think it depends more on moms comfort and recovery. It's not like newborns are grabbing germy cart handles or something. I'm taking him to a party at a friends briefly tonight (not 48 hours old yet) but idk if that counts as public. If *I* felt like I could go I would take him to the store or something.

smashton14th · April 2014

We took our DS to Target and other places the day after we got home from the hospital. We just won't take him to social events for a few more weeks (he is 2 weeks old) because my family and friends don't know how to give a baby space.

MamaFantastic · April 2014

we were out and about right away. we took her to church when she was 9 days old. i took her to the breastfeeding support group at the hospital the day after we were discharged (3 days old).

maelic · April 2014

The only reason this kid isn't outside walking all the time or running errands is that I still feel like shit.

chichi589 · April 2014

We went to the zoo a week after he was born. And the grocery store after his weight check at 4 days old. He stayed in his seat no one touches him but us

scarles · April 2014

We went to target at 7 days old. We are planning to go to breakfast tomorrow morning and he will be 10 days.

MapleLeafMama · April 2014

With an almost 5 year old at home, staying at home isn't an option. We've been lots of places with dd. Started 4-5 days old I guess?

olenkapdx · April 2014

I've taken the baby to her week 1 pediatrician appointment, to the lactation clinic, out for a couple short strolls, and that's it. Basically not taking her anywhere that it's not really necessary to go, quite yet. Call me an overprotective mom, I am cool with it.

Also what Rrrachel said above; I am still not feeling so awesome after surgery so going out is not that appealing yet.

Rogue237 · April 2014

I'm not up to it, otherwise she'd be out more. As long as you're not passing the baby around (they stay in the car seat or you wear them), I don't see the harm.

fourthnlast · April 2014

I have 3 older kids, so staying in for an extended amount of time just isn't feasible. That being said, my DH took 2 weeks off and did all of the errand running, kid drop offs and pick ups, etc, while me and the LO stayed home. He goes back to work on Monday and she'll be 3 weeks on Tuesday, so everything is back on me.

Jennpjc414 · April 2014

We went grocery shopping at 5 days old. Went on a Wednesday morning and she stayed in her car seat the whole time so no one bothered her. I think we will take her out to eat with us at 9 days old.

MissWhis · April 2014

We took her out to lunch for my husband's birthday when she was two weeks old - it was after the lunch rush and not busy at all, though. Other than that, we kept her at home for awhile. She was born a month early and was in the NICU a week for respiratory distress so we didn't want to risk her picking up a cold virus, etc. She was also TINY when we brought her home so putting her in her carseat stressed me out. I think I would have been far less cautious with a full term baby that had no complications and was "normal" sized. Yesterday was her due date and we've started taking her pretty much everywhere now.

Oh, and I also felt like shit for weeks. I was happy camped out on the couch with baby snuggles.

mallyandryan · April 2014

We were out and about at a week old. He has been on a lot of errands, DH's work, and the pediatrician's office. I am trying to hold off a few more weeks before I take him to my work to visit bc I am a teacher and I know how many germs are circulating that school. When we do go I am going after the kids have gone home for the day.

patunia7321 · April 2014

It's been almost a month and LO hasn't been anywhere but the pedi and grandmas, but that's only because I'm a wreck.

KendraL86 · April 2014

I took him out for the first time at three days old. He is 11 days old now and we get out of the house every day. I keep him in his carseat and covered so people aren't tempted to touch him.

ricekez · April 2014

macgrs said:
Dumb question for those going out to eat - Where do you put LO? I've been trying to figure out the logistics of this one. If a restaurant has a booth I guess I could keep her in the car seat and put it in the booth, but if it's tables only I'm not sure. I feel weird about putting her on the floor in the car seat. Or do you wear them?

@macgrs‌, I wear my baby in a pouch sling while eating out.

ETA spelling

JBellacqua84 · April 2014

We are still at the hospital but I don't plan on really taking her out for the first couple weeks. I doubt I'll feel good enough to go anyways.

michaelad3 · April 2014

We went out today at 3 days old. We went to BRU, sams club, and Burlington coat factory, but it was way too much for me, and I'm paying for it now. I hurt so bad!

MissWhis · April 2014

macgrs said:
Dumb question for those going out to eat - Where do you put LO? I've been trying to figure out the logistics of this one. If a restaurant has a booth I guess I could keep her in the car seat and put it in the booth, but if it's tables only I'm not sure. I feel weird about putting her on the floor in the car seat. Or do you wear them?

We put the carseat on the table (if it's big enough) or park the stroller next to the table (if it's out of the way).

AcaAwkward · April 2014

We were out and about immediately (took him to a birthday party 24 hours after discharge), but with a toddler, we really don't have much choice. We'd go batty if we had to stay in the house.

Kiahsimpson · April 2014

We stayed home until his one week checkup. My mom took me to lunch afterwards, and he's been my shopping buddy ever since. He'll be 6 weeks next week.

RocksInTheWater · April 2014

We were out running errands (pediatrician and Target) 3 days after discharge. We go out a few times a week but he stays in his car seat. As far as eating out, we went out for dinner last night and kept DS in his car sea and put in on the seat in the booth. If you are at a table I have seen people turn a wooden highchair upside down and place the car seat in it.

nursewinnie · April 2014

We get out just about every day. Staying in isn't an option for my mental health. The first 2 days I was wiped out, but after that we had to get out often. I either put her in the moby or keep her in the car seat so people don't try to touch when we are in public

BabyZiehr · April 2014

Usually resturants have car seat slings, just call ahead and ask. Otherwise you can purchase one for around 60 if you really don't feel comfortable putting LO in the floor

KHendy27 · April 2014

We went out to eat and and a few stores on his one week birthday. The Ped was a few days before. I just wear him in a ring sling and he sleeps the whole time.

LittleLady77 · April 2014

My doc said if I need to run an errand here and there it's no big deal but to try to avoid extended public outings for 2 months. Unfortunately DH heard that and now he really wants to wait for 2 months to go anywhere fun. We will be 4 weeks tomorrow and I've been to the doctors and 2 short trips to the store. We do go on daily walks around the neighborhood but that's it. I feel so cooped up.

lilmama412 · April 2014

I have a 2 1/2 week old. She has gone in several earronds, out to eat, to church, and today she came to a work function with me for 5 hours and was passed all around. This is also my second, I kept my first way more sheltered.

jsoubel · April 2014

Yah, not until she's 3 months old or there abouts. Have you heard about the measles outbreak?

porterlove525 · April 2014

macgrs said:
Dumb question for those going out to eat - Where do you put LO? I've been trying to figure out the logistics of this one. If a restaurant has a booth I guess I could keep her in the car seat and put it in the booth, but if it's tables only I'm not sure. I feel weird about putting her on the floor in the car seat. Or do you wear them?

If you sit at a table and the restaurant has high chairs available you can flip the high chair over and the car seat can rest in the high chair. For me, it's not optimal as it's the least secure, but it is an option. We usually plop the carrier on the table or booth or I wear baby with a baby k'tan.

mrscrcalli · April 2014

Went to farmers market and wineries today, 2 weeks.

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