How long before you take the baby out of the house?

Stacy - posted on 02/01/2009

Not sure if you are aware, but there may be injections available to help prevent RSV. My son received them during the winter months for his first two winters. He was born at 28 weeks in September 2004 and we kept him virtually housebound until the RSV season was over (April where we are). I know it seems very overly cautious, but it has paid off. Carson never had RSV. I have three other friends with full term children who all contracted RSV within the first year. With a preemie, sometimes more is best at the beginning. Hope this helps.

Brooke - posted on 01/30/2009

I think the answer to this question strictly depends on the time of year for preemies. Premature babies are at such high risk for developing complications from RSV, which lasts between late October to early April. You have to remember that flu season falls in there as well. There the saying that the flu is always dangerous for the very young and very old. Both illnesses can be severe and even result in death. While it is impossible for some parents to completely separate their child from the world for that length of time, it is important to try your best to minimize risk of exposure at all costs. I like the sign idea as well as using a sling or wrap. Of course the most important thing--all caretakers must wash their hands incessantly!

Amanda - posted on 01/20/2009

My boys were born 6 weeks early and spent 1 week in the hospital. I waited about 2 1/2 or 3 weeks before taking them out. The key is to keep them away from sick people or contaminated surfaces, being out in public isn't the problem.

Tracey - posted on 01/19/2009

You should check with your doctor, as every child is different. My son was born on Valentine's Day @ 32 weeks. The attending doctor @ the Children's Hospital and our own doctor told us not to take him out of the house until he reached 40 weeks. Both doctors reasons were that it was flu season and the deadliest thing to a preemie is RSV, which is extremely common in the winter months.

Amy - posted on 01/19/2009

Thank you all for sharing your tales with me!

Janet - posted on 01/18/2009

Like every parent faced with having to be in the NICU we were having cabin fevre and were eager to take our son outside right away (very bundled). Our son was born at 30 weeks. I was on hospital bed rest for two weeks and he spent 33 days in the NICU.

I think we took him to a restaurant the second week we were home. I frequented the local coffee shops on our daily walks. I would just ask people who I didnt know to politly *Not to touch him* as he is a preemie. Thought it is much easier said than done because as you will find out or already know that Everyone thinks they are soo cute and tiny and are drawn to touch them.

I unlike many moms, I wasnt  overly concerned with my baby getting sick from germs (common air born things) in the air but was concerned about strangers touching him... strange now that I think about it. 

I worked in daycare setting and and reolize that one day in his life time he will in fact catch a cold or such and that he would be okay.  So maybe my work enabled me to feel a little less afraid of our son catching something major. Today he is a very healthy two year old , he has a great immune system, has had no major illnesses like RSV or nymonia. Just the odd common cold. 

And though they are tiny and seem very fragile now, they all grow up to be normal rough and tumble toddlers and children! :)   I hope this helps!

Karen - posted on 01/18/2009

My son was born at 28 wks 5 days and was in the hospital 9 wks. He came home 10 days before his due date at the end of Sept. 07. All the doctors and nurses in the NICU and then his pedi told us not to take him out esp. because of RSV season starting. He got the synagis shot from Nov-April so we basically kept him in except for doc appts. We were blessed and my mom was able to watch him while dh & I went to work. If the weather was nice, we did go for walks and then around March started taking him to a store or 2 during non peak hours. I was never fully aware at how many germs are spread until I started noticing people after I had my preemie...esp. during winter...everyone coughing, sneezing in their hands and then touching shopping carts right after, etc. etc.

Carmen - posted on 01/18/2009

Hi-

I had twin girls at 26 weeks.  They were in the hospital for 2 months before leaving the NICU.  Once they were home we could not have them outside in public places for the winter months because it was RSV season.  So they did not come out until April.

Katie - posted on 01/18/2009

My son was born at 31 weeks and he was in the hospital for 24 days. I took him out for the first time after almost a month to a restaurant we knew would be empty and had booths we could slide his carrier in. Besides that, we didn't allow visitors (not even most of our friends) until after his due date and even now at 5 months old I use a sling instead of a stroller to deter anyone from getting too close in public. Because we do not have insurance he is not able to get Synergis, so I have been extra careful the past couple of months and will continue to be until the spring.

Just remember that everyone wants to see/touch/hold new babies and if you bring him out in public strangers don't know he is a preemie nor do they understand all the germs they are carrying around. I would recommend keeping him covered as much as possible and I think Jennifer Mazella's sign was a good idea for busy places.

Melanie - posted on 01/18/2009

Sice it is winter, I would be really cautious and take the physicians advice. We were very wary of RSV and did not really take the kids out for a while. They only went to drs appts for the first 3 months. Our first trip to a restaurant was for my birthday and we went at 4pm to avoid the rush. No trips to shopping centers utntil they were 6 months adjusted age either. Every child is different, listen to the drs and do what you have to do for your sanity.

Cassie - posted on 01/17/2009

I also had my son at 29w and he spent 8w in the NICU. He had a lung infection when he was born and was on the vent for 3 days and then on and off oxygen and vapotherm for several weeks. He went home in July and in Sept started taking RSV vaccines monthly through the end of cold season (April). We were strongly advised to keep him out of daycare and church nurseries for as long as possible. Until that first cold season was over, we didn't go out much except for his appts. We did start taking him to family gatherings when he was around 6 mos but didn't really let a lot of people hold him. I had to put him in daycare at around 8 mos for 3 days/wk and within a couple of weeks he got his first ear infection and then pretty much everything else that went around.

Joleen - posted on 01/10/2009

Our daughter was born at 34 weeks, spent 8 days in NICU, but we kept her from everyone 'cept immediate family for 6-8 weeks after we came home.

Jennifer - posted on 01/09/2009

I had twins at  31 weeks and they where in the NICU for 41/2 weeks. My girls where born during the summer, so heat was an issue, but they told me NOT to take them out for al least 2 months but my girls did have some complications. My best advice is talk to your Pediatrician and since he has been home only a week  im sure you will have your first check up really soon. Also I would make a list of questions to ask your childs pediatrician so you dont forget any queations you want to ask, I did that so much at first but now I always do. Your son is beautiful and I wish you the best!!! If you have any other questions feel free to ask me!!! I will help you the best I can!!!

Jennifer - posted on 01/09/2009

Our first child was born at 26 wks and was in the NICU for 8 weeks.  After finally getting home we kept him in for 2-3 weeks.  Hubby took that as vacation time so I was able to run errands, grocery shop etc without the baby.  After that, I got a netting to put over the stroller and also put up a small sign on it saying that "I was born early, look but please don't touch".  This helped tremendously as he was so tiny he attracted an enourmous amount of attention from people where ever we went. 

Ellena - posted on 01/09/2009

Hi I had my 2nd son at 29 weeks weighed 1197grms (2pound 10.5onz) and he spent 8 weeks in hospital, as we lived 1.5hrs from where we did our shopping I had no choice but to take him out in public we were however very careful when it came to people who were sick coming near him till he was bigger, we lived in the country and he played in the dirt as soon as he could get out the door himself! I think the best thing we did was not to wrap him in cotton wool but to let him be a typical child it payed off for us he has been more advanced for his age then the drs told us he would be, he walked at corrected age 10months! and could say his brothers name Bailie clear as day before he said mum, and taught himself how to ride his 2 year older brothers bike before he even turned 2 himself, so you do what you think and feel is right for you, if you feel ready then go for it. my daughter was also born a prem she was 8wks 3days earlie 1673grms (3p 11onz) and she was out and about at corrected age 35weeks she is now 10months old and a happy healthy LOUD child. Hope this has helped. You know what is best for your situation better than anyone. 

Lisa - posted on 01/09/2009

My son was born at 24 weeks and came home shortly before his due date. He's now almost 8 months old (chronological) and the only place I take him is to his regular ped appointments, although we have people over to visit as long as they're healthy.

Kristi - posted on 01/09/2009

I didn't wait much time at all. If the docs don't tell you to stay in, you can go out. My doc said if I kept Wes inside the house all the time, he woudn't be exposed to anything and would get really sick (or could) when he went into daycare!

Andrea - posted on 01/09/2009

Our daughter was born at almost 30 weeks and also spent 8 weeks in the NICU. We waited a month before taking her out in public.

Crystal - posted on 01/09/2009

Well I had my son at 23 weeks and he was in the nicu for 4 months getting out on his due date. He was put back in the hospital for a month for breathing problems. he came home for a second time in September, and it was November when I took him to church. So he was 5 months before I had a chance to take him out, but every child is different. Your child lungs were more developed, he was bigger, so you really have to listen to your child and your materal instincts. Oh and as long as he has had his shots. And he is so handsome