When did you first take your newborn out in public?

I know that their immune systems aren't developed until about 2 months.

There are a few things I want to do with DH and may need to take the baby with us, specifically going to buy a glider. I am just wondering if it would be ok to take a 1 week old to BBB or a furniture store.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

a few days after he was born.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

we were out 2 weeks. I'm not a believer in staying in side for x-amount of time. I think the fresh air is good.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

6 weeks

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

It all depends on your comfort level. I didn't take DS out until 7 or 8 weeks, but others have taken their DC out much earlier.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

I still haven't taken my DD anywhere public and it's been 2 months! I have taken her for walks and to people's houses though. I asked my ped about it and he told me to wait until April or May because a lot is going around right now.

I am definitely not waiting until May though! I'm sure it wouldn't have been the worst thing if I took her out sooner, but I would feel guilty if she got sick. My ped seemed very serious about it.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by Bridex100

I know that their immune systems aren't developed until about 2 months.

There are a few things I want to do with DH and may need to take the baby with us, specifically going to buy a glider. I am just wondering if it would be ok to take a 1 week old to BBB or a furniture store.

That's not why you don't take them out before 8 weeks. It's because should they catch a cold or get sick the protocol for a baby that young is an automatic visit to the hospital and a spinal tap. Not really pleasant. That's why they recommend you keep the baby at home for those first weeks.

That being said, I tried staying home most of the time and I would say for at least the first 5 weeks I didn't take DD anywhere except the ped. Then little by little we would take her out to Target or the grocery store but we kept her in her stroller and away from strangers. She never got sick.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Alexa is 5.5 weeks and has only been out for Dr.'s appointments. Both our pediatrician and hte specialists at Yale that we saw for her reflux both STRESSED NOT to take her out before 8 weeks especially now with it being flu season.

If a baby under 8 weeks gets a fever teh course of action is to go to the hospital where they have to undergo bloodwork and a spinal tap.

Yes, its a PITA that I can't go out but I would NEVER forgive myself if she got sick and she had to undergo that testing just because I wanted to go to the store....

This is Just my opinoin, everyone needs to do what works for them. I understand some people have no choice but to take the baby out right away. For now DH and I take turns watching her and going to the store.

2.5 more weeks and I get my freedom back


ETA: We go outside for daily walks and hikes in the woods. We just don't go to any stores or enclosed places. The fresh air ans sunshine is WONDERFUL for babies!

Message edited 3/25/2009 12:30:48 PM.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

DD was 3 weeks on Christmas Day. Needless to say - she went out. Out and about to the mall and things like that 8 weeks.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

I first took her out at 4 weeks.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

7 or 8 weeks

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

With DD it was 2 weeks.

With this next one I am assuming it will be about the same - I will have a 2.5 year old and it will be summer and she will be climbing the walls if I try to keep her in. I will take all the precautions I possibly can.

That being said it will be difficult because DD is the number 1 germ carrier in our household.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

the day we left the hospital. My oldest was 2 days older and my younger 2 were 1 day old.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Um, I think he was 3 days old.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Day 4, to the Olive Garden and for pictures. She was fine.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Besides doctor's appointments, she was 11 weeks. Our ped. was adamant about keeping her in that year because of flu and RSV season.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

DD is almost 5 weeks old and we've only been to the peds office and grandparents house. We are hoping the weather will get a little bit nicer before we start taking her out for long period of time.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

DD is almost 10 weeks and we started taking her out after her shots at 8n weeks. With my first DD it was earlier, but there has been Protussis going around and I decided that it wasn't worth it to risk DD getting it.

It really is a personal choice, but there is so much going around - colds, viruses, etc.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

Robbie went to a Memorial Day Party when he was a little less than 2 weeks old.

I don't remember with Noah.. but I am sure it was fairly quickly.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

I was super paranoid and didn't take her out until i got stir crazy in the house - she was almost 2 months old.

However - now that I am a little more experienced I think it is ok to bring your newborn out at 1 week.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

8+ weeks. We'd walk around town (summer baby) and if I had to run into a store, DH would stay outside with DD...I am neurotic

Message edited 3/25/2009 1:42:38 PM.

Re: When did you first take your newborn out in public?

We took her for long walks the first week (we lived by the beach)

--BRU and out to dinner 2-3 weeks