How Was Old Was Your Baby When You First Took Them Out?

My son was born in January, and we stopped several times on the way home from the hospital! No reason an infant of any age can't go out with the proper protection against the weather. Half the fun is bundling them up in cute outfits.

9 Weeks?? GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!!!

I had my baby at the Pottery place the day after we left the hospital to get his feet painted on a plate. The following day to bring my daughter to school, and dance. And he was born last Feb. I cant imagine staying in the house for a few days, never mind 9 weeks.

I took all my kids every where i went . Just days after release from hospital. My 4 yr old went out on halloween and he was born 2 days before

I get yelled at all the time - but I take mine out as soon as I leave the hospital. I have 3 and by the time the 3rd came I could'nt just sit in the house. The oldest has school and both the older ones are in activities. Can't just stop life b/c we had a baby.

Today started out -2 degrees. We just make sure car is super warm when we get ready to leave and bundle bundle bundle!

Congrats on your baby.

Go out!! The germs are everywhere, including in your home especially in the dry winter air. You don't have to let people breathe on your child but being outside isn't what makes people sick. Just bundle him up when he's outside, and "unwrap" him sufficiently when he's inside a store or a mall so he doesn't overheat. I took my kid out at 5 days - no point in staying inside. Go out and have some fun!!!

The day he was released from the hospital - we went to the Outback for dinner.

I/we didn't change my lifestyle because of a baby. We were VERY blessed and even at 10 days old - he was a SOCIAL BUTTERFLY...I asked people to please wipe their hands before they held him - I kept diaper wipes and purell hand sanitizer on me.

I refused to live in fear of my child getting sick. I took him to the library, grocery shopping, etc. I made sure that he was fed and changed prior to leaving so he wouldn't cry (although he rarely did) and disrupt some place.

Winter or no - put him in a stroller (unless there's too much snow!!!! :) ) and GO!!! If there's snow - put him in a backpack carrier (LOVED MINE!!) and GO!!!!

We stopped at a restrauant on our way home from the hosp, went church the second Sunday she was home, and her first rodeo at 4 weeks. Get out of the house... you'll go stircrazy!

I took all of my babies to the very next church service after getting home from the hospital. I attend a church of almost 2000 people. My oldest was born in Sept., my second in Jan., and my third in Nov. I never worried about germs or anything. Just make sure you keep the baby warm and if your worried about germs you can ask others to look but not touch or take along a bottle of germx and ask others to use it before touching your baby.

hmmm....I took my 2 week old to the grocery store last week...we also went to the book store to get soccer gear signed by a local celebrity. I have take my kids out as soon as I feel good enough to go out. Just cover her up good and make sure that her head is covered!
L.

My son had a bris at 8 days, so there was a big party just for him. But I'm pretty sure we had even been out to the grocery store before then.

Nine weeks? Get the heck outta the house!

He was a couple of days old.
What are you waiting for?

When my daughter was born we lived in Houston Tx. By 9 weeks we had flown to both Baltimore and Chicago - for 2 different trips!!!!! My daughter is very healthy and developed an immune system by getting out there!
when she was 3 months old (which is only 12 weeks) we MOVED to St Louis.

I second what the mom said about sanitizer. NO ONE touched my baby without wiping their hands!

Get out and have fun. bundle her. Don't sit outside. but the trip from the house to car and then car to building is not going to hurt her.

The day after coming home from the hospital, with both kids. We went to IHOP after ODS came home, and decided to do the same when YDS came home. When going out, I either had baby bundled in the car seat, or I wore him in a wrap. If I held LO in a wrap, it made it harder for ppl to reach out and touch him (and if they did I could turn away).

ODS was born in summer, YDS in November. Only difference the season made was how warm I dressed LO (and took extra blankets). I don't shelter my kids from public places for fear of germs, and they rarely get sick (except for ear infections but that has nothing to do with being out--they are just prone to ear infections when they were/are teething).

take her out your not doing her immunity any good putting her in a bubble. bundle her up real warm an a warmer day for your area with no wind blowing and go out have dinner and go walk around the mall or go to walmart just to get out.

Your ped's a funny one. What about mamas in Alaska and other colder parts of the world?

My son was almost 2 weeks old when we took him on his first outings. It was April and I wore him snugged up tight to me. If your son is nearly 9 weeks and you dying to get out, put him in the Bjorn, snug up next to you, and put your jacket on around him,so he can still get fresh air. The biggest thing you will likely have to do is just ask people not to touch him if they try to, which is another reason why slings/bjorns are helpful--baby is under wraps! And just wash your own hands, too, when you get home.

I went out Christmas shopping and dinner with my oldest when he was about a week old (of course I had help from hubby and MIL). I don't see any problem with going out with babies unless they are preemies or something and have a compromised immune system, plus it's good for you to get out of the house! :)

I took my son to the grocery store at 3 days old. He was in his car seat, people didnt touch him, I didnt even think about it being a big deal. I think I took him to a mall just a few days later. He was always fine.

I took my kids out right away.
Even with new babies I still had to go to the store, to the bank.....
I have a friend in New York and I know the weather has been pretty bad so I can understand if NOBODY in New York wants out much.
But, in my opinion, you shouldn't stay cooped up because you have a baby.
My son was 3 weeks old to the day when my mother in law passed away unexpectedly. She collapsed on her floor and my husband raced to get there.
I was home with two kids and had to pack for us to be gone at least a week.
It was a 6 hour drive, not to mention helping plan her funeral, having people at the house to pay their respects. We stayed in a hotel because we needed a place to put the kids to sleep at night and have all our baby stuff. My infant was at restaurants, a hotel, a funeral, around tons of people in a completely different city.
He didn't get sick.
No one, including me, could believe what a good baby he was. He just rolled with it. He didn't know any different. We travelled extensively after that. No problem.
I don't think it's good to shelter babies too much. I think it's good for them to be out and get fresh air.
Kids in Minnesota grow up with snow and the freezing cold and they are pretty hearty folk in MN.
If you want to go out, bundle up the baby and go!
The more you do, the more natural it becomes and you get your routine down as far as what to take, etc.

Best wishes.

Is your infant a preemie then I would opt to stay home since they can catch RSV easily.
Since I was a breastfeeding mom I had went out the next day to get their weight checked & jaundice this lasted for 3 days straight if I had the energy to do anything else then I would make quick stops since they are a sleeping baby & all I had to do was grab them in their infant car seat.I never just stayed home with them,I had one in Sept. decent wheather,January we had snow & ice so we did stay in but hubby also drove us to the bfing clinic afterwards & to the groecry store,March it was still chilly but was prepared to go out either way.I would only stay home with baby if the wheather is bad you don't want to get stuck out there in the snow & icey roads nor would I take them out on a down pour.

a couple of days.
:) khairete
S.

Oh my! My baby is close in age to yours (11/10)... and we have been all over the place! Out to eat, shopping, peoples homes, etc. If you are breastfeeding, they do have better immune systems for the first 6 months of their life. I am sorta freakish about germs... I do make sure people know not to come around if they are sick... but out and about, I just keep a light blanket over the infant carrier... that way airborn stuff stays out. we have even been for many walks outside... even tough it super cold! Get out of that house! It'll do you and the baby some good!! They are more susceptible to getting sick once they are old enough to walk and shove things in their mouth.... right now its easier to protect them from things!

We took my daughter out to dinner with was the night we got out of the hospital. She done really good and slept the whole time. We let people look at her just not get to close or touch her. Just kept her warm and make sure you have everything you need for her. People will want to look at her but just tell them not to close and don't touch and they should be fine. Good luck and have fun.

I was out with my baby, hubby and MIL the first night out of the hospital. We went out to get food - we were living in an efficiency apartment at the time and needed something from the babies-r-us, and we were all hungry and tired. It was quite, nice, actually. Kept the baby close, etc. Unless somebody comes up and coughs and sneezes all over your baby, it's more the physical hand contact, etc. Wash your hand after going out, etc. and that'll help protect baby from germs.

I took mine out as soon as I felt well enough. My ped. would have liked the baby to stay home for the first 3 months, well, real life warrants grocery shopping, taking kids to school, etc. I did however keep the baby bundled up, close to me in a front carrier so the exposure wasn't such a big issue.

With both of my children, I took them out at 2 and 4 days old. Simple trips to the grocery store or run an errand etc. I didn't worry as much about germs and all that because I wore my babies---no one was able to see them or touch them when I went out. If you bundle your baby up, put them in the front pack and carry them- you will be fine! Get out and take a walk or go shopping...its very good for your body and mind!

Molly

Our first was born in the summer and I had to take him to the hospital everyday for about five days to have his biliruben checked when he was a few days old. So, we would do that and then just stay out and go to stores walks, etc. I wasn't one of those moms who wouldn't let others touch or see the baby, for fear of germs.

Now our second was born last January right when we had all that snow and freezing cold weather that made the snow hang around for weeks. He too, had to go to the Dr. for biliruben checks but we went straight home afterwards. Too cold, to have fun anywhere.

My third is due in July and will probably take him/her out right away like I did with our first. I suggest you try to get some outside time for yourself or you will end up going crazy, cooped up in a house this time of year. Last winter was not fun with a newborn and not going anywhere. Make time for yourself. I didn't and it was a bit rough. I love, love winter, but last year couldn't wait for it to end. Probably some of the baby blues didn't help matters either.

I had to leave the house after 3 days of being cooped up....I told my husband...I don't care where we go...I need to go somewhere. So, we went to my mother-in-law's house for a visit. We did take our son out on the town to a work party at a bowling alley when he was 10 days old. He was fine. I took him to my work to show him off after he was 2 to 3 weeks old. And to a wedding when he was just about a month old or so. I guess I took out and about quite early....but I made sure he wasn't touched by strangers and was anal about keeping your hands clean. I figured if I was healthy then he should be healthy since I was his main food source.

My first was 5 days old when we went to my husband's work party. It is a residential group home for developmentally disabled adults, so it was residents and their families. He was swaddled and slept the whole time, but people really appreciated the visit and getting a chance to hold him. I can't remember with my second, but probably a week or two. I can't imagine feeling house-bound with a 9 week old. If there is anything really awful going around your area, staying in would be a good idea, but there is no reason not to go to the grocery store or shopping for a bit. I always kept a fleece blanket to put over the carrier/carseat to block winter wind and chill while going from the car to a building. We were also going to church after the first week but I kept them with me during the service until they got too fussy, usually by 9 or 10 months.

you havent even gone to the grocery store? Wow. I was taking my baby out after a few days....we went to Grandma's house to show off the new baby. My sister took her baby directly from the hospital to the mall to sit on Santa's lap when he was 3 days old. I mean, use your best judgment, dont let strangers touch on the baby (Santa was so excited to have a tiny baby, he didnt mind having to use antibacterial stuff before holding) and keep the baby covered up when outside.

My first child, we stopped at an ice cream shop on our way home from the hospital. My second at about three weeks, she was in the hospital for two. Grocery store, get pictures taken and to get my first child out of the house. With my third I am sure I'll have to go somewhere the day after we get home. Keep your hands clean, don't let people touch your baby, and they'll be fine. My doctor always said the most dangerous place to take the baby was the doctor's office because thats where all the sick kids are. The only thing I did avoid was family parties for the first few weeks because everyone would expect to get to hold the baby and wonder off with my baby and pass it around. Wasn't ready for that.

I went to the mall with my baby just to be able to be out of the house at about the 6 week time. My child was colicky so there was only a very short window of time that I was able to do so, usually during her nap. What a weird response from the doctor, to ask where you are going to go in this weather. It has nothing to do with a destination and much more with getting out of the house. I am in Boston and I see you are in NY so this weekend and next week are supposed to be SUPER cold outside. But you can bundle up baby in the infant carrier and then put the infant carrier on the stroller when you get to the mall. You can just take a walk in the mall to get some exercise, window shop or have lunch at the food court. If your streets are passable you can also really bundle her up in the stoller and walk near your house for a short walk. If nothing else, have mom watch the baby and you can alternately leave. Baby won't care much where he or she is. And about flu/cold: just don't let strangers touch your baby or have a bottle of hand disinfectant ready incase you do want others to pick you baby up - but I have never had a stranger ask that in the mall, more likely friends that came over that did not have kids and just did not think that normal germs could be much worse for an infant. Enjoy!
Oh - the other thing you can do is get a baby sling and wear the infant while you walk around. I did that and just wore a big loose coat over the sling to protect her when taking short walks in the neighborhood. Not so bundled to suffocate her, so just open deeper at the neck so baby's face could get some air.

We took him out once a few days after coming back from the hospital. Officially, it was 2 weeks when I could drive after my c-section.

I don't remember there being any hard and fast rule about this. I took one of my daughters out when she was 3 days old to the grocery store. I needed to get stuff, hubs was at work, it was either I go or it doesn't get done. I bundled her up, stuck her in her carseat and went out. Nothing traumatic happened.

My twins were born in October. I started taking them around people at two weeks. Once they were four weeks old, I took them out everyday by myself.

My pedi said during flu season to keep a baby away from all public places, but for a baby born during the summer months, you don't have to be as careful. If I had a 9 week old this time of the year, I would keep him/her away from others. If you need to get out, let your husband or mom watch the baby while you go out for a while. Meet a friend for coffee or a quick lunch. Everyone needs some time for themselves especially a mom at home with children all day.

My daughter is adopted. We got her when she was 4 days old. She was born on in feb on a thursday, discharged to a Gladney foster mom on saturday and she had her at her home, took her to church on Sunday and we got her on Monday. She stayed with us at a hotel and tuesday we drove across state to home, stopping along the way at gas stations etc. for about a 12 hour drive! Wednesday she went to ped office. we were then advised that she can go any where that we do, but since we are the only ones touching baby, we should use excellent hand washing ect. Now with flu season, they advised staying away from areas where people gather in groups and where any are coughing. huh? So basically she went with me where ever i needed to go and I just washed my hands a lot more and germxed myself lots. When I was in a grocery store etc, i usually draped a light blanket over her carrier so that strangers & kids wouldn't be tempted to touch her. My son, the same thing only I used a sling a lot with him & i'd cover him with a light blanket too to avoid unecessary germ spreading. Get out if you need to, if your stressing, baby will be too. Just be aware of germs.

for my younger son, we were asked to keep him home the 1st "couple of weeks". He was a very healthy baby so we were surprised at the request. & it was summer to boot!

for my older son, we were requested to keep him home for the 1st 3 months - the only exception was to Grandma's house & that's it. We were also asked to keep him away from all other children! He was not a healthy baby which is why we were asked to limit his exposures. It was fall.

& for all your safety precautions, it only takes one sneeze or cough & the child is exposed! My vote would be for you to go out & do your running when someone else can be at home with baby! Conversely, when your child is older- next spring, for example....you will need to get out more to build up immunity.

I was out and about as soon as I was feeling good enough to do it, about a week after the baby. I'm not sure what you are waiting for?

My first was born in June and we took him for a ride in the car when he was 3 weeks old.

It depends on where you want to go and who is with you. I think family is fine. As long as they wash their hands and don't hold the baby while sick, you should be fine.
My nieces and nephews all held my son at a week old and they are at day care all day. He didn't get sick.
I had to stay home because of necessity. I didn't have a car so home it was. I got so stir crazy too. I know how you feel. I'd go out and have some fun while going out with a baby is still easy.

my friends and family all went out to dinner the same night we brought my son home to celebrate :) but techniclly he was a month old because he was in the hospital for 35days

2 days old - the mall. She didn't have pants! She was born in June and we all thought it would be toasty warm... Yeah, it was a nice 45 degrees and rainy out. So, we went to buy pants. She was FINE. We went out to dinner and brought her with us when she was 4 days old. Again, totally fine. I never stayed at home with my daughter. In fact, we stay home more now than we did when she was a baby. I miss the days when she'd sleep through a leisurely trip to the mall or a long dinner out. Get out of the house - you'll go nuts!

My two middle kids went to the family restaurant from the hospital, before even going home! I truly have never understood the paranoia of keeping babies at home, personally. Whenever YOU'RE ready, your baby will be, too (unless there are extenuating circumstances.)

Pretty much right away. 2 days after she was released we had to drive 6 hours home (I delivered in a different town). After that we were either going to my MIL's every couple of days or about every other week we were driving back to my home town 6 hours away. My SO worked so every time I had to take a road trip my baby was right with me, including rest stops, gas stations and restaurants.
Im proud to say she's 2 next month and has never had a cold or flu. Just bundle your baby up and go out. It will do you good!
=)

The whole idea of keeping a young baby home is because of the risk of his immunity if he catches a cold/flu from other people's germs. They are more vulnerable and harder to treat.

Since we are not sure who has a major illness or the sniffles, it's usually best to keep them away specifically during cold times because that's when most people get sick.

Does it mean you have to hold your baby hostage, not really, but it's personal preference, some have no choice and it's based on how you as the M. feel you can handle it if (IF) your baby was to become ill.

I personally kept mine away from crowds for the first 3mos and only visited the pediatric office as necessity. If you take the necessary precautions to keep your baby warm, away from sick people and germs you should be fine. I just know I couldn't handle mine getting sick or the risk losing them, so I waited until I felt comfortable.

Do what you have to do and try to keep the baby safe.

I asked our pediatrician this question too. She told me that the worst thing I could do is go to a family party with the newborn. Because it would be all family and they would want to hold baby. She said that running out to the grocery store isn't a big deal because typically people won't be all up in the baby's face. She recommended keeping baby away from crowds (like parties) until after 2 month shots.

I had my daughter 4 days before christmas and took her to family dinner on christmas. I have a 2 year old as well and it's not fair for him to have to miss christmas wih family cause mommy had a baby. And plus we wanted to show off our new bundle of joy (:

I didn't take my daughter out for the first month, except to the doctors. I didn't take her to grocery stores or anyones house, until after a month old. But thankfully, when she was born, I had a little bit of help, so I was able to leave the house without her to go to the grocery store or someplace quick.

Right away for me too... We went grocery shopping and when she was 10 days old we took her to dinner with us on Valentines day:) I could not stay home... At 2 weeks we took her 2.5 hours to see the inlaws and she did great! Slept the whole way, although was hungry once we got there:)

This question brings back sweet memories!

It was June and my daughter was three days old, and we were on our way home from the hospital and had to stop at Target. No idea why we had to stop, but the best part of it was the Starbucks I got while there. LOL!! My daughter /hated/ anything with /any/ amount of caffine in it so I was without my occassional Frap the whole pregnancy!!

I think my son was closer to a week, but this was not due to use taking any "special" precautions or anything, it was just the timing for when we needed to go out. He was born in September. I even walked from town down to the Stop N' Shop with both kids. Let me tell you that was an adventure! Especially with a single stroller which was occupied by the infant carrier and a 2Y3M old walking. It took us well over an hour! LOL.

My third is due in a few weeks and dispite the cold and the flu, I have no plans to take any special precautions. In fact, I am looking forward to walking the mall and getting back to stretching my legs! (I am starting to poop out at nearly 37 weeks! An occassional stint on the treadmill is the best I've been able to manage recently since managing the other two with the belly is so hard.) I figure as long as I don't let anyone hold/touch baby, we will be just fine.

Do what makes you feel most comfortable. I do not think there is any right or wrong answer and that is probably why the doctor was vague (although the comment about "where would you go anyway" I find kind of rude, personnally). Going out can be as simple as a run to the grocery store. Get out and enjoy the (cold) fresh air!

~C.

I think he was around 6 weeks old when we took him out (it was a birthday party in early July). We literally went to a party across the street, but it did wonders for us all! He slept the entire time in his carrier under a tent, but we got to talk with other adults and I had a reason to get a little dressed up!

Bundle that baby up and hit the mall! Just make sure that no one touches the little one and you wash your hands before touching the baby!

Bundle baby up and get out. Very important for you both. Just do not let
anyone touch the baby. Have fun.

right away, as soon as i got out of the hospital.

The day after we got out of the hospital. I was too excited to be home the first day, otherwise we probably would have gone out that night :-)

My answer to your ped's question would by, "I need to get out of the house!" I hate being cooped up. Sometimes I take the kids to the mall just for the change in environment. Also, our mall has a soft play area.

My first baby (now 15) was born in December in the middle of a terrible snow storm. We were stuck inside for 2 weeks - b/c we literally could not get out of the house! Not fun.

I don't recall when we went out with my 2nd child (now almost 12) - he was born in March, again in the middle of a snowstorm. But i had my mom staying with me and my then 3-year-old...so I was probably out fairly soon.

I remember distinctly with my 3rd child (now 8)...she was born on July 4 and we had a dance recital for my then 7-year-old daughter in Ocean City, Md - 1.5 hours away - schedule for mid-july. (I don't know what I was thinking...my baby was due in mid-June, so she was considerably late, but still.....). I remember asking the doctor if it was Ok to take my baby to OC (oh, and then we headed to NC for a week at the beach and a family reunion!) and his response was like "Well, they have babies in Ocean City, too". We went...it was terribly stressful for me to have to breastfeed in public in 90-degree weather (while watching a busy toddler and child, too!)...and i did endure one rather rude comment from a mom at the boardwalk who commented that she would never take such a young baby to a public place for fear of RSV (I didn't even know what that was!)

But we all survived...and created some great memories. Whatever you do, check with your pediatrician of course. Seems to me that babies are meant to be outside and live in this world...and as long as they are healthy, properly dressed and transported, it's a good thing for mom & baby to get out and about!

D. Rice
editor, Piedmont Family Magazine
www.piedmontfamilymagazine.com
____@____.com

We took my son out and about from the start. He was born in August, so it was warmer, but we took him to parks, stores, restaurants, etc. His first meal "out" of someone's home was at 2 weeks old. I figured it would help me feel back to normal, and as long as people weren't touching him (which they didn't), he wouldn't come in contact with every germ imaginable. Again, he was an August baby, so there is a difference, but I would have gone nuts being in the house for more than 2 days without leaving!

I started taking walks with my baby the day after we came home from the hospital, but I was comfortable with this - you should do what makes YOU most comfortable. As long as your baby is dressed for the weather, s/he will be fine. I found a few good places to nurse (Nordstrom, for example, has a great nursing lounge in almost every store and the Motherhood Maternity and other maternity clothing stores allow you to nurse in their dressing rooms) when I'm on walks in my neighborhood and I've found a couple good go-to places that are baby friendly. Remember getting out and being around other people is really important for your own emotional and physical health. Good luck!

Her very first trip out was to the pediatrician for her one week checkup. Then the next day, we were out and about to the grocery, restaurant to celebrate my DH's birthday. It was December. It was cold, but we bundled her up and she slept in her carrier everywhere.

I would agree that you need to get out of the house for your sanity. If you put the baby in a car seat carrier with a blanket draped over or hold the baby close to you in a blanket, no one should touch him/her. You can even just go over to the park for a walk or the grocery store early in the morning. You've been much better about keeping your baby in than most people! Eventually, the baby will get sick from something and that is simply part of building a healthy immune system, but it is good to be careful when they are an infant. Go out!

he was three or four days old. we went to the grocery store. but my baby was born in august so we didnt have to worry about cold weather. but unless you tranported your baby home in an under ground tunnel he has already been exposed to germs. (oh and doctors offices are very germy places) being exposed to germs is NOT bad, in fact it helps them build immunity. except for one slight tummy cold (he had diareaha for 24 hrs) my 17mnth old has never been sick, and i have had the flu twice this season and three horriable colds so i know he's been exposed

First & second -2 days old, had to go back to work...