Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I am curious. When I had DC's they told me until at least 8-12 weeks. My cousin is throwing a party at her house, and she called to tell me that our other cousin is bringing her 3 week old. This is in a house, and she is having 50 people.

She doesn't mind if the baby comes, she just thinks that it may be a lot to expose the baby to. Especially when people are bringing their kids. So, her question was..should she say something. She wanted me to casually mention it, I told her to!

I think better to leave it alone, but then if baby gets sick..would we feel bad for not pointing it out? WOuld you bring your baby?

Edited put wrong age of baby!

Message edited 2/15/2013 10:49:46 AM.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I would have no problem bringing my baby at 5 weeks-but that's me. My kids were out the day after and 2 days after they were born. There was no way I was sitting in my house for 3 months without the baby going out.

If the mother of the baby is comfortable with it, I don't see the issue. Perhaps she'll keep the baby in a baby carrier so not everyone will hold him/her. Maybe she just needs to get out and socialize. Either way, it's for her to worry about, not your cousin. Your cousin might make the new mother feel like she is not welcome, even if that is not what she is intending.

Message edited 2/15/2013 9:43:55 AM.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

MYOB -
Everyone does things differently with their kids - I personally wouldn't bring a 5 week old to a function w/ 50 people, including germy kids - but I have seen many other new parents do it happily (even if they HAVE been told not to)

it doesn't matter what other people tell a parent they should or shouldn't do - everyone has a different opinion on EVERYTHING

Message edited 2/15/2013 9:44:05 AM.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I would definitely mention somethng to my cousin about her baby. My baby is 8 months old & I don't want him aorund 50 people at his age so absolutely not at 5 weeks.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I wouldn't say anything...
When my DS was 5 weeks, I brought him to my families houses. As long as she limits who holds the baby, I think the baby will be fine.

Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Maybe just let them know how many people will be there and say something about how you understand if they don't feel comfortable bringing the baby. At five weeks I wouldn't have wanted I being my dd to such a big gathering and I would have appeecitated knowing I was invited but that it would be okay if we skipped it.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I wouldnt want my 5 week old passed around. Heck I dont want my 4 month olds passed around. This flu season is no joke! And not everyone washes their hands and take precautions like me. (the germaphobe) But I wouldnt mention it to someone else. I figure they can make their own decisions about their child.

ETA, they may be planning to keep the baby in their carrier the whole time or only letting certain people hold them.

Message edited 2/15/2013 10:00:18 AM.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I heard from my ped and the hospital any fever even for a cold gets a sinal tap. I personally wouldn't want to put my child through that so I followed their guidelines. I will tell you a lot of people do as they please it is their child. I know people who took their child to target or whatever on the way home from the hospital. People have various levels of comfort. I wouldn't say anything provided she knows it is a large party she will make her own judgements. I find that those who don't follow this advice are often the ones who would be the most annoyed angry if you mentioned tgey shouldn't bring the baby around crowds.

If you said anything it would be more like did you know that x is having 60 people at the party? This way if she didn't she can change her mind if she did and don't care she won't see it as questioning her parening decisions.

Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Leave it alone. The last thing a new mother needs is to feel she is being judged for making what you think is a poor decision. At 5 weeks pp, she is probably DYING to get out of the house and feel normalized. As long as the baby isn't passed around, I don't really see the problem. That said, I also would fully support keeping the baby home - to each his own!

Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

There is no written rule on when you can take a baby out.

My DS was out right away. I would bring my DS to a party at 5 weeks. Others would not.

Its the parents decision and I would MYOB.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Message edited 2/15/2013 10:08:21 AM.

Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I prefer not having my newborn around large crowds until about 8 weeks. Other moms are different snd that's their choice. At my daughter's 3rd bday party one mom brought her 2 week old. My kids went to touch her and I stopped them and she said it's fine. I said well my older one might be coming down with a cold. She still said it was fine. This mom was a surgeon so she certainly knew the risks and made her choice. Not my place to say anything.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I wouldn't say anything. The baby most likely won't get sick from attending. I would consider bringing my baby at that age to a families house and most likely he/she would be alseep mOst of the time anyway.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Ignorance is bliss! I know a lot of people who brought their newborn out and was like I'm not sitting at home blah blah.. if that's what suits them so be it! Your kid your choice. If you are comfortable talking to this person, do it. If she starts getting antsy or agitated drop it..

I didn't take my DD out, and neither did we have visitors until she was older around 10-11 weeks. She had a brief stay in the NICU and there's no way I wanted her back in there. Newborns are subjected to much more if they get sick.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Thanks, I don't feel comfortable saying something anyway. I just wasn't sure if it changed. I was told at hospital, and at ped visit, no large groups, no malls, no stores, etc. Both were born during flu season. The first during the height of swine flu. The second wasn't, but I brought him to Target, which I was more comfortable with than a house party. She may not have been told, but ultimately, it is her decision.

ETA: Baby is 3 wks, not 5, and she has already been out and about. Still not gonna get involved!

Message edited 2/15/2013 10:49:17 AM.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I didnt with ds because he was born in the middle of flu season.... I have one on the way due in August- and I think it will be a little diferent this time because of the timing and because its #2

but yea, I'd skip saying anything- I'm sure she's thought about it and she came to her own conclusion

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I would not say anything. I'm sure if she has a pediatrician for her child, she has heard any warnings the doctor may have recommended so I can't imagine anything you or anyone else says about it would be new info. If you don't think she is aware that it is a large gathering, I might let her know that.

I have someone who likes to "remind" me of things that she thinks I should or shouldn't do...and it's annoying, not at all helpful.

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

nothing should be said.

many peds tell people that you can bring a newborn anywhere, just don't let people handle him or her

We went everywhere with logan, but never let people hold him when we were out in populated areas

Re: Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

It all depends on where you are going. For me, I brought my child out shopping to me at Target and BRU when we went for the 5 day appointment, I was out and I had to get stuff. Kept her covered and people stayed away. She was a summer baby so by the time she was 2 weeks old we were bringing her down to the local pool with us. She stayed with me on the longe chair in the shade or under the umbrella, but there were always lots of people around.

But then with my DS, we got invited to a cousins birthday party when my DS would have been 5 weeks old. I refused to go and bring my baby for many reasons. One of them being there was going to be over 50 people crammed into a small house and the year before we all got the stomach flu after leaving the party. The other reason was that we don't tend to go to their house anyways since it seems that on matter what someone is always sick, has strep, pink eye, etc. All highly contagious diseases that they don't seem to care if they share them with other people.

But if it's a place where you feel comfortable bringing your child and you feel that they would be safe there, then I wouldn't see a problem with it.

Did they change how long you shoud keep NB's away from large groups? Should something be said?

I had over 30 people at my house the day after I came home from teh hospital. I was not going to keep my DD"s cousins away from her for 8 weeks or even 8 days. . .my family is together every single week so I figured it wouldn't make a difference. . . Im glad you decided not to say anything.