6-8 week window for newborns

FTM here and I'm confused about everything lol.

Right now, my first question..at the hospital they said don't bring the baby out or into confined spaces for 6-8 weeks. The ped said walks outside and things like that we're fine and should be done. Obv. I know don't bring the baby around the sick but really....that long?

6-8 week window for newborns

With #2, I def won't be waiting that long. I'll go out as needed to stores or wherever, I'll just be cautious and smart about it.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

Some have different comfort levels. I waited but I read here others don't. I have read of people goi g to costco ir target on the way home from the hospital or one week old.
The issue is any fever (no matter the cause including for a cold) is a spinal tap. I know people that were cautious andhad to have one...and o es who were not and needed one. So you need to judge your comfort level.

I went out a lot but for walks, park time, just stayed out of stores with the baby.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

It all depends what YOU are comfortable with. I waited until 8 weeks with my older DS and with the twins, they've only been out once (not including outdoor places and my parents house) and they are 11.5 weeks. I am just so nervous about them getting sick!

6-8 week window for newborns

We went out right away... I had to for my own sanity. The stores during the day were not as busy and I covered his seat with a blanket

6-8 week window for newborns

We went out right away. I covered her carrier.

6-8 week window for newborns

We went out right away both times. DD was at her 1st BBQ at 4 days old. But that was in May when the weather was nice and it was just close friends.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

I never waited that long. With both of my kids my pediatrician said to take walks, go to malls, etc. He said to avoid places like restaurants where people are on top of each other. You need to get out for your own sanity.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

We took the girls out at 8 weeks to santa, cheesecake factory and BBB. They slept in the snap n gos. Its fine as long as they are covered in stores and no one is toughing them.

6-8 week window for newborns

I think it's what you are comfortable with. I didn't bring DS to the store until about 6 weeks but we went to parties/BBQs at people's houses and visited friends no problem. We just wouldn't let people play "pass the baby" and make sure if they touched him they only touches his feet. We wanted him to get out and get used to people early and continue to do that.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

My DS is 4wks and we have been out a few times. We just make sure to go to places that are empty. We walked around the outlets in Deer Park yesterday bc it's pretty to walk around outdoors there. I went into a few stores that seemed empty. I would not have gone on the weekend, but that place is very quiet during the day especially with school back in session.

Eta: I'm avoiding indoor shopping malls and mostly staying in on the weekends when places are more crowded. I just think of how I'll be cooped up in a few months when it's winter and much harder to get out!

Message edited 9/18/2013 8:43:32 AM.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

My ds didnt go to any stores until he was 6 weeks. After that I toke him wherever I went. He was also baptized at exactly 6 weeks but we didnt let him get passed around.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

I was on leave for 3 months. I took Tiny Tot out alone to a store at week 2 or 3. I needed to get things done. FH was at work.

Oh we did take her to the doc a few days after she was born and for walks.

6-8 week window for newborns

I didn't take either DD out to any stores until 8 weeks, and I tried to wait on the really crowded stores until 12 weeks.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

It's really up to you. I brought DS out for walks once I was able to walk again (I had a c-section) even though it was winter. I just bundled him and and off we went. I'd go into stores with him but always kept a blanket over him to keep strangers from prying. Once he had his shots, we took him everywhere.

6-8 week window for newborns

I had DS everywhere right away and he was a winter baby during flu season. I see no reason to stay home but its what you are comfortable with

6-8 week window for newborns

we went out right away... my dr never said anything about not taking her out... in fact at her 2w check up she asked us if we were going to the St patricks day parade in rockaway... if it were warmer out we would have... but she did spend the afternoon with about 50 people in the house... fwiw, shes never been sick... and shes on the pedis vaccine schedule.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

We took DS out right away... we were shopping at BJ's at 2 weeks, out to lunch at 4 weeks, etc. I would have gone out even more with him alone early on had my c-section recovery been easier, that was really the only thing that stopped me (picking up the carrier was too painful).

Even if the dr told me 8 weeks, I would not have listened, hence why I never asked them!

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

I think I was out with him at 2 weeks. I would have gone stir crazy staying inside for 8 weeks!

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

I think a big part of it is up until 8 weeks, if a baby gets a fever it means a hospital admission and spinal tap to rule out meningitis. It happened to us and I hadn't taken DS out except for his doctor apts. I guess the "good" part was I didn't have to blame myself thinking he picked something up at the mall, grocery store, etc.

Re: 6-8 week window for newborns

DD's pediatrician said 8-10 weeks(!) and to avoid places like the mall and not have too many people handle her. Walks are ok and visits to my parents.

I haven't really followed it, but we do limit her contact with others. We go out to more places on the weekends when DH is around so I have an extra pair of hands. We cover her stroller though. We have taken her to BJs, and some small stores (not busy) for home things since we just bought a house and are looking to do some renovations.

Like others have said it's what you're comfortable with but keep in mind it's already getting cooler and will be harder to go out later.