Going out with baby. - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

debating · 03-27-2006, 10:21 AM

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.

sevans929 · 03-27-2006, 10:34 AM

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.

roxyfoxy · 03-27-2006, 10:46 AM

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.)

Kiera1595 · 03-27-2006, 10:52 AM

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!

sevans929 · 03-27-2006, 11:11 AM

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.