Our DD is a week old today and I want to go out and do some stuff. We (my husband, mother and I) went to K-Mart and Babies R Us 4 days PP and everything thought I was mad. Is this a bad thing? I have to go out today, it can't be avoided, but now I feel bad.

Personally, I wouldn't go anywhere with baby (except for Dr. appts) until the baby has had his or her 2 month vaccinations. Especially since right now (March-May) is chicken pox season.

I took DS out a week PP and I don't see anything wrong with it. If you have stuff to do, you have stuff to do. What about those parents who have older children, they can't just stop their other childrens normal activities because there is a new baby. When I first went out with DS, I was mad and nervous too. I was so mad when someone stopped to look at something other than "the plan" described. I was jsut so worried about him waking up and where was I going to go to feed him.......Its normal to have mixed feelings. Its scary especially with your first child.

As opposed to what the other poster said, I think its a good idea to get a child under the age of 6 months "acquainted" with germs. No, I wouldn't recommend taking him to a chicken pox party or anything, but going out to the store is not harmful. Research has shown that babies develop asthma and allergies after 6 months of age when they come from a squeaky clean environment and stay at home most of the time. (I expect some arguments, but I still stand by my feelings and doctor's advice.)

I took my DD out at 1 week of age. Keep her covered up with a blanket if you don't want anyone to intrude. Obviously don't let strangers touch her. And if anyone goes for the blanket just ask them to stop as she is sleeping.

Like Foxy said, people with multiple children don't have a choice and that little one goes out into the world earlier. I'd go nuts if I waited 2 months to go out with my baby. Plus it's always fun to show off the very little ones.

Good luck if you decide to venture out! :)

A girlfriend of mine took her 3 week old baby out to the mall and she ended up getting a horrible cold. I mean, if you absolutely have to go somewhere, I understand that you can't help it. But I would just avoid going out with the baby unless it's neccessary. For me, I just go out by myself to get errands done either on the weekends or during the week after my husband gets home from work, and he stays home with my 4-week old twins. If you don't have anyone to help out, I can understand that, but if you do have someone who can stay home while you go out to get things done, why risk it? But that's JMO.

I also went out when DS was 5day old. And by 2mo my son flew and travelled in the car to many distant places. As long as you cover her w/ a blanket so people are not tempted to come too close and breath at her, in my area lots of people have a cold, I don't see the difference.

Many studies have shown that b/c of our homes being sealed so well, there is often MORE germs in our homes' air, than there is outside. Just try to make sure you feed her before hand and don't go out for too long or bring food w/ you.

Enjoy!!

I went out with my ds the day after he was born. I really had no choice, we had no formula!!! Also when he was a week old we took him to the mall bc of his jundice. The bright lights helped alot. What annoyed me the most was ppl telling me he was to young to be out of the house. I wanted to say "Ok so when he's 30 and finally out of diapers..will THAt meet your approval?" lol. Your baby needs fresh air, it's great for her! My ds went for his first walk outside by the ocean when he was alittle over a week old. :)

My son is only 5 weeks old, he was a preemie born at 31 weeks. He will be coming home on Wednesday.

We took a class from the NICU staff and learned some interesting things. Remember now, alot of this applies to preemies due to RSV, but just thought I might shoot out some things that I hadn't thought about:

1. Shopping carts are horribly dirty. We were told to take antibacterial wipes to clean the handle since your hands are on it and you may touch the baby on their hands, which go directly into their mouths.

2. Don't let people just walk up to your child and touch them. You don't know where their hands have been and what their handwashing regimen is.


Now, don't get me wrong, I don't plan on quarantining my child or anything. I agree that children need some exposure to germs, especially to help them build up immunity. Just a couple of things to think about. I already have clorox wipes in my diaper bag for the shopping cart thing.

Amy

My baby was a month early - didn't go to NICU but ped. Dr. told us not to take her out till after her 2 month check up - not as much NOT take her out as .... don't let anyone in your home that is sick/has a cold etc. - and don't let anyone touch her / breathe on her when she is out - if you have to take her out.

well.... at 3 weeks PP I had the stomach flu with a temp of 103 for over 5 days - cold sweats etc. - terrible and DH just got diagnosed with Bronchitis and she is 8 weeks now. She hasn't gotten sick... THANK GOD! we were the ones we needed to worry about - LOL!

Just be as protective as you can be and I agree with the above poster about the wipes - they are a GREAT idea! our grocery stores have wipes for the carts etc. so you can wipe them down before grabbing hold - so nice.

I also took my baby out the day after we came home from the hospital! We went to the coffee shop where I go all of the time. In fact, I took him with me wherever I went--I really had no choice seeing as I don't have anyone to watch him and I am sorta a single mom--and what was I supposed to do when I needed something? Plus being cooped up in a house can be maddening. I just didn't let people touch him, and I covered him up. But he loves the fresh air--and he's only had two colds so far (he's six months old) and his colds always seem so mild as compared to the ones I get. Preemies are something different....but normal babies are pretty resiliant.


People would yell at me too, but I really didn't care. I mean, unless they were willing to go out and get me food or run my errands or come watch my baby LOL :p

What annoyed me the most was ppl telling me he was to young to be out of the house. I wanted to say "Ok so when he's 30 and finally out of diapers..will THAt meet your approval?" lol.

That's pretty much how I feel. LOL. We have a stroller with a windowed cover on it, so we kept that up to keep the gropers at bay. I'd have a FIT if anyone tried to touch my stroller without asking. I mean, how intrusive and rude could a person get to do that?

Anyway, thanx for the feed back ladies, I feel much better. No way am I going to stay indoors for 2 months, I'll go crazy!

Personally, I wouldn't go anywhere with baby (except for Dr. appts) until the baby has had his or her 2 month vaccinations. Especially since right now (March-May) is chicken pox season.

My DD is 5 weeks old, and I've had her out probably a dozen times. The first time was the day I was released from the hospital after having her, I needed a prescription filled. I cover her well and break fingers if anyone even looks like they are going to get too close to her.

Waiting 2 months except for the Dr.'s appointments? I'd go crazy...plus I'm more worried she would catch something from the sick children coughing in the waiting room at the Dr.'s office than at the grocery store...JMO I suppose.

Rochelle

Many studies have shown that b/c of our homes being sealed so well, there is often MORE germs in our homes' air, than there is outside.

If you are not going anywhere, you are not picking up the germs. During the winter months you should be opening windows once a day to allow fresh air to circulate through your home. Notice how most people get sick during the winter months? Its because everyone seals their house off so well, without allowing fresh air to circulate and get the germs out.

If you are not going anywhere, you are not picking up the germs. During the winter months you should be opening windows once a day to allow fresh air to circulate through your home. Notice how most people get sick during the winter months? Its because everyone seals their house off so well, without allowing fresh air to circulate and get the germs out.

I agree roxyfoxy, I love the smell of fresh air, even on cold days. I air the rooms out while DS is sleeping and then if it's too cold, I crank up the heat for a bit to warm the room up.