How soon did you take your baby outside?

I am due in February and wondering if I should wait the full three months. Of course, I wouldn't take the baby out when it's freezing and snowing...but just curious...

Re: How soon did you take your baby outside?

With my first I waited about a month. Whenever I went anywhere I kept her covered so people weren't inclined to touch her, but we went everywhere. With my second we were out as soon as I could drive after my c-section. We went to the park almost every day and would go to stores a couple of times a week. Winter is hard because of cold/flu season but I just could not stay in my house all day every day. I tried to take as many precautions as I could to keep them germ free when we were out.

How soon did you take your baby outside?

My DS was born in April so the weather was pretty warm. I took him outside for walks at about 2 weeks old. I didn't bring him to public areas (other than the Dr) until he had his 2 month shots. I would probably wait longer for outside walks with a winter baby but I don't think I could wait 3 months to go outside.

Re: How soon did you take your baby outside?

Outside for walks? Right away. February might be tough, but if you get some 40 degree (or close to it) days, and the baby is bundled up well, it's doable! Fresh air is great for the baby, and for you too.

Out to the stores? Honestly I waited much longer than most. I was lucky to have family close by to sit with DD while I ran errands. I was nervous to take her out the first few months, esp since it was prime cold & flu season. You have to do what you're comfortable with though. Plenty of babies go out in public from day 1 and that's totally fine.

Congrats and good luck!

How soon did you take your baby outside?

dd was born in February - by march i was taking her out for walks daily.
i was hesitant to take her into stores or to large gatherings until she got her shots at 8 weeks just bc so many people have colds and still want to touch the baby regardless of being sick

Re: How soon did you take your baby outside?

I'll preface this by saying this isnt' meant to scare anyone.

I posted on here asking if people really waited the 6-8 weeks to take a baby out. Some did, some didn't, and there were those in between.

I started to take my son out to places at 6w. These weren't crowded places and he was always covered. At 7w5d we went "out" for the first time to a friends house who was having a halloween party. There were a decent amount of adults and a bunch of little kids. None of the little kids touched him and only 2 people, aside from DH and I even held the baby. The following day we went to my great uncle's house where there were... 8 people.. 1 "new" person held the baby.
That tuesday my son was admitted to the hospital with a 102 fever. After the works (spinal taps, blood, urine, chest xray) he was diagnosed with viral meningitis which began as the rhinovirus (common cold). There may be a false positive/false negative with another viral test but he's now in the hospital on a course of antiviral meds for the next 2 weeks. In total, when all is said and done he'll be in the hospital for a month.

I wish I stuck to my guns and kept the baby home for the full 8 weeks to prevent all of this from happening to him. It's not worth the risk.

How soon did you take your baby outside?

I had my DS Dec 28th and had him anywhere and everywhere within a week or so.

How soon did you take your baby outside?

My ds was born in mid may so it was a different story. But he went to Home Depot to buy flowers at 6 days old.

I'm a big proponent f just going out. Your not going to let random strangers touch your baby, just keep them in a stroller. And the two moth shots protect against things like diphtheria and tetanus, and pertussis which is rare in winter, their not going to protect yor child from a cold.

I would've gone insane if I stayed in for two months

How soon did you take your baby outside?

All my kids pretty much right away. Nowhere stuffy or full of kids but shopping walking family's homes friends house..ect. ppl always ask to touch & wash hands before holding.

Re: How soon did you take your baby outside?

DS was born in January. As soon as I was healed enough from my c-section I started taking him out for daily walks. Even on freezing cold days, he just got bundled up and we went for quick walks. I had to keep my sanity!

I started walking (for hours!) day with another mommy from this board and it was awesome! It also helps get the baby down for naps since that can be a challenge for some at the beginning.

How soon did you take your baby outside?

DD was born in June, so I took her out pretty much by day 9. But since your db is due in Feb, you may want to be more careful. Maybe a few weeks? Flu season is no joke with a newborn!

How soon did you take your baby outside?

AScottWolf Im so sorry that has happened to you.

My dd was a summer baby so I actually had the opposite issue, it was too hot to bring her out much and with her being my first baby was SUPER paranoid. I waited about a month tops until I took her in stores or anything. I would go outside with her and go for walks with her early morning or in the evening when it cooled down about 2 weeks home.
I would go for walks for hourssssss to stay out of the house LOL It helped me lose weight too! LOL
I cannot just sit home and do nothing. It makes me nuts and gives me panic attacks so I had to get out. After that I took her everywhere every chance I got. BUT I always kept her covered. Sometimes I would keep the rain cover over her (when it wasn't too hot) to protect from germs (in my mind it protected from germs LOL)
And I did not let anyone hold her besides very close family (mom, mil, sil) and I left purell everywhere in my house and wouldn't let anyone touch her without purelling first. I kept purell on me as well and anytime we left a store or I touched something I purelled before I touched her.

Message edited 11/18/2013 12:41:18 PM.

Re: How soon did you take your baby outside?

The day after DD came home from the hospital. As long as its above 40 degrees your good. Just bundle baby up. Dd was born in November and it was a warmer than normal winter (2 years ago) and we walked so much.