How old should LO be to go out and be around other people?

JCM285 · December 2014

Hi ladies! So my baby was born about a week ago and I've spent so much time at home BFing, pumping, changing poopy diapers, etc. I'm getting a little stir crazy. I am always tempted to go out and run some errands, leaving LO with DH, but I usually decide against it since I'm sleep-deprived and still feeling a little weak. I am hoping to join a new mommies group after the holidays to get myself and baby out more, but I'm not sure when would be a good time to bring him with me. If I wait until January, he will be 3-4 weeks old. Is this old enough to be taking LO out and bringing him around other babes? I will be bringing this question up to my pediatrician next week, but was just wondering when other mommies are planning on taking their LOs out and about.

jpagano113 · December 2014

I like you started getting stir crazy and for my own sanity started going for short walks around the block leaving LO with DH. I also went to walmart yesterday with LO and will be attending a bday party tonight with her. I think as long as no one touches her she will be fine. She's 3 weeks.

CandEChicago · December 2014

Make sure to get yourself out for a little bit. I went and spent 1hr to get a manicure and run to pick up items at the store. I was sleep deprived and felt guilty being away from baby and having others take care of him for me....But it felt good to have a little bit of a break.

As for mommy group...I would be a little reluctant if you don't know the women yet. Particularly their comfort level with sick kids/handling illness.

iloveac · December 2014

It all depend on your comfort level. You can take him out now, cover him in your carrier with a swaddle blanket or just keep the shade up. I'd keep him out of large crowds. If you feel it's better to wait a month that's fine too. Obviously you wouldn't want to take your NB just anywhere but I don't see the harm in running an errand here or there with the babe. I'd suggest one stop and a short trip if you go out.

At the hospital I delivered at they have a breast feeding support group. It's just a bunch of moms that breastfeed. Bring your questions if you have them or just chat with other mommys. The group at my hospital is for mommys with babies 12 months and under without siblings.

hellopartyof5 · December 2014

I'm going to a party tonight and will be wearing him so no one tries to touch him. I'm hoping it works. If someone gets too close I'll be leaving lol

LinziLoo09 · December 2014

We started taking her out to restaurants at 2 weeks old, but we sit in the back of the restaurant and put her carseat in the back of the booth. in going to stores, we baby wear.

The main concern is exposure to viruses prior to her 2-month vaccinations. So no stranger touching or exposure to other babies and kids until then. Close family and friends are doused in hand sanitizer prior to touching her.

We also have grandparents who are dying to babysit, so we're making it out to date nights here and there too. Definitely figure out how to get a break at some point

AbsolutelyAyrianna · December 2014

I havent taken her anywhere yet besides her appointment and my dad's to pick up DD1. She's a week+1d. But i figure a quick trip for milk or pads if no one else can watch her is fine. seeing as no one but me will be touching her and i always carry germX

asbs11 · December 2014

The weather has always been chilly here each time I have my babies so we just naturally wait until we know they are ready for the world to take them out. You will just have an instinct that tells you they are ready. Breastfeeding really helps their immunity though. We don't vaccinate & our daughter has never fallen ill. Nothing past a runny nose. We had her around other mums & their babies when she turned 1 month & she was perfect. Plan on doing the same with our son. But every baby is different. I know mums with babies who very easily get sick almost routinely it seems, despite breastfeeding or having vaccines. So it's all about your baby. I wouldn't go for a party this early because here in Brighton the weather drops to 12 & even negatives after sundown. & someone is going to try to be all over your baby. It's bound to happen. People love newborns lol. The first time we took our daughter out I couldn't keep people off of her. I should of bought a fly swatter lol.

melanchitty · December 2014

I asked my pediatrician this question when I went to her first check up appt. she's 11 days old and our doc specifically emphasized that we not take her anywhere except doctors appts until she gets her 2 month vaccines. I am choosing to listen to this advice but that's just me. I'm a ftm and I may be being overly cautious but she's been really good thus far and I would hate for her to get sick. I'm sure every doctor has a different opinion though. As for getting out, I'm actually relishing staying home with our new squishy baby and binge watching Netflix. Hope you can take it easy and get some "me" time in! GL

RaeChay · December 2014

I think it depends a lot on where you're going and whether there will be people there trying to touch your kid. I can't stand the idea of being house bound but no one is going to be putting their grubby mitts (aren't I nice) on my newborn.

The weather channel site has a nifty area where you can also check local flu prevalence.

ThePregosaurus · December 2014

Our doctor told us that it was fine to go out to the mall, grocery store, or wherever we wanted to go EXCEPT big family gatherings. This is bc in public we generally have no problem telling strangers to keep their hands off, but family wants to kiss them and hold them and it's a bit tougher to tell them to back off. I wasn't really comfortable going out until he had his shots. I feel a lot more at ease now.

Meether · December 2014

Our discharge instructions were to not take her out unless she's 2 months and it's above 70 degrees. She must meet both. However, here we are at DH's family, which we flew a commercial airline to get here on her one month birthday. His dad offered to fly to get us so we wouldn't have to fly commercially, but I thought it would be ok. DH's mom is a pediatrician so I like having my own on call dr a floor below us

Other than flying, I never took her out. I also try not to go out because I don't want to get sick. It's bad enough with my dd who is in prek, you never know what she's incubating. I wasn't as scared when dd1 was a newborn but this time around I am.

JCM285 · December 2014

Thanks for your responses. @CandEChicago‌ that is a good point about the new mommy group and sick babies. I was told you can go to the meetings without LO so maybe I would first go by myself and have someone watch him to get a better feel for the group. The flu vaccine news concerns me too @notchomama‌. We didn't let anyone who came to visit us in the hospital besides grandparents hold LO. They probably thought we were being crazy but we don't care. @marsavary‌ yes I have a lot of friends who would help me out but most of them are busy with work or their own kids. My mom has offered to stop by next week sometime to give me a break though :-) I'm totally looking forward to that.

Beevol · December 2014

Our pediatrician recommended that I wear DD and go take walks at the mall to keep myself sane. She said that people won't get in the baby's face if her face is in my chest and that the germs aren't so air born that we really need to worry. I've run a few errands with her and DH this first week (something I would have never done as FTM).

That being said, I skipped my family's holiday party because my family, unlike random strangers, will get all up in my décolletage to touch my baby on her hands and face and I'm not ready for that yet and won't be for a while.

Want a personalized experience?

How old should LO be to go out and be around other people?

Re: How old should LO be to go out and be around other people?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards