How long should you wait to take your newborn out of the house.

Ashley - posted on 12/14/2009

when i had my first child i waited a day or two (only because I didn't feel up to going out). we're from Montana and she was born in the dead of winter. we bundled her up, made sure my mom's car was warmed up and went on about our errands (i had to be driven around the first two weeks because of a c-section). with my second baby, we stopped at the PX on our way home to pick up a few things and we didn't really confine him to the house for too long once again only because of my pain. i think it's really what you feel is best to you. everyone is different. i hope when you do finally make it out that door you have lots of fun showing that baby off!!
*ash*

Kimberly - posted on 12/14/2009

I would wait until the baby is atleast a couple months and only if you bundle bundle bundle....but I would always ask a doctor and carry lots of hand sanitzer. I carry the little bottles of the scented stuff from bath and body works and it makes me feel a little more comfortable but I am not sure with a new baby mine isn't due for 11 weeks and it's been over 4 years since I had an infant.

Colleen - posted on 12/14/2009

I CAME 2 NZ FRM RAROTONGA 2 HAVE MY DAWTA IN WANGANUI N DA WINTER & SHE WOZ BORN N SEPTEMBER!!!!! I HAD HER ON THE 25th & FLEW BAK TO RAROTONGA 2 WEEKS L8R!!!!!!!

Denay - posted on 12/14/2009

My daughter was born in Feb of this year and I took her out at 2 weeks, I just made sure she was bundle up warm with her cover for her car carrier and blankets. She was also out at 5 days but that was to go to the Dr. and then home not much of a outing.

Alison - posted on 12/14/2009

i took my daughter out a few hours after i had her, she was well wrapped up. i really fancied a mcdonalds, then i had to my weekly shop. it didn't occur to me to get husband to do it, or that you had to keep babies in for 6 weeks. as long as your not silly about it, take it out if you want to go out, use your common sense. going out for a walk will also help clear your head, settle the baby, and keep baby blues under control.

Sarah - posted on 12/14/2009

I brought my son out 1 week after he was born, granted it was in June, but do what feels right to you. Keep him warm, bring extra blankets, hats and gloves. if you dont want to be out too long then dont be. Really its all common sense and if it doesnt seem right, then its probably not right. everyone does things differently and its all on what you want to do and handle it

Laura - posted on 12/14/2009

when ever u feel ready, i had my baby out at 5 days old but it was in the middle of summer,

Eileen - posted on 12/14/2009

Wait? you're supposed to wait? we went from the hospital to the wal-mart photo studio with my second, and third! then to timmies in the mall for coffee! my fourth was home four hours after the birth, and at the walmart studio the next morning !

It just depends on you, your baby, and what precautions you feel comfortable taking.

My rules absolutely included NO strangers in breathing distance of baby, and EVERYONE had to wash hands before holding or touching. ...

I also kept my little ones swaddled, and with the fourth, in a sling most of the time we were out.

Trust your gut. If you're feeling cooped up and ready to venture out, then BY ALL means go, but don't overdue it! be prepared to turn around and head home if you get tired, start bleeding more heavily,or if baby is fussy and not feeding in public.

As long as you're comfortable, there's no reason to stay home.

Helen - posted on 12/14/2009

Quoting Christina:

Quoting Helen:

dont care who dont like this comment but 6week 2 month an how ever long is so ridiculous over protected kids have weaker imune sytems FACT if the baby is wraped up proply for the weather then y not they r in outside air the day u leave the hostpital so y stay in like they at risk of sum awful disease how silly humans were made to breath fresh air unless of course docs advise due to medical reasons it was snowing the very day i left hostpital wiv my first but ladies there are products such as rain an wind covers that sheild very bad weather from baby y quarantine them isnt that wat happens to dogs ?????!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to clarify that it's not about the outside air, it's about going into public place were your baby can contract potentially dangerous viruses from other people when not careful!!!

if a baby is bein pushed round in a buggy how on earth r they goin to catch some thing unless some one ill leant over baby an coughed or snezzed ect helth professions r stupid folk that were born in olden days were quite healthy wiv out all these stupid rules

Melissa - posted on 12/13/2009

I took both my daughters to the store at 4 days old ad actually my first daughter was about two days old on the way home from the hospital we went to go get some food at a dine in enviroment. I feel it is very good to expose them right away then they seem to be healthier childeren because they become immune to all the germs.My kids are now six and four and have hardly ever been sick thus far.

Allana - posted on 12/13/2009

My daughter was born in Nov 05 and we took her out when she was 3 days old and my son who was born in Feb 08 went out when he was 3 days old. All that matters is how comfortable you feel, and how you are feeling physically after delivering your child. if you feel fine just make sure they are dressed properly for the weather at the time.

Jessica - posted on 12/13/2009

I took both my babies out in the first two weeks....you only need to start off doing little things like just go out to go for a walk around the block or maybe go to the shops to buy one thing and then slowly build up bit by bit....

the cold shouldnt be a problem as long as you dress the baby warmly go out during the day and just avoid the very very cold days. It is better for you and your baby to spend just a little time outside the home at least once a week!

Shannon - posted on 12/13/2009

It depends on your doctor and whether or not you are doing the driving, first. My daughter is a month old now, born on a tuesday I had her out of the house the following monday. AS far as dressing her/him goes, a lot of ppl tend to over dress their children, you don't want to over heat them, dress them like you would dress yourself when going out into the cold, PLUS one extra layer. do make sure face is covered, there are some really awesome carseat covers for baby out there helps a lot.yes keep strangers from touching them. i just don't understand what these ppl are thinking trying to touch a newborn, duh, lay off. lol.

Julia - posted on 12/13/2009

As everyone said, 6 weeks is the norm, but with my daughter, because she was premature,, they told me to wait until her due date, which was 7 weeks from when she was born. She was born in Jan. so it was cold, and I didn't really feel comfortable taking her out if I didn't have to. When I did though, I bought one of those carseat covers and kept it closed most of the time when I was out. This comes in handy when well-meaning strangers come up want to touch your baby's face or hands, which freaked me out, because she was premature and was more suseptible to catching colds and other things.

Emma - posted on 12/13/2009

We took our newborn son out almost straight away, within about 3days of birth. He is now very well adjusted at 7weeks old. He has been to 2 weddings, bbq's, a musical concert and numerous friends houses. It got him used to going out and the noises, now he can sleep through anything! :)

Melissa - posted on 12/13/2009

I would definetly wait the 6 weeks except for important outing and then bundle the baby up really good. I only waited about 3 weeks, but my son was born in late spring and it was warm out.

Michelle - posted on 12/13/2009

My doctor looked at me funny when I asked her this question.... Your baby's out of the house when you bring him home from the hospital, isn't he? There's no reason that, with the proper clothing and precautions, you shouldn't go out.

Donna - posted on 12/13/2009

my son was born on the 18th of december 07 we live in the north of scotland so it was really cold, i also have 2 other kids so i had no way of been able to stay in for long the day after he was born i had him very well wrapped and with a waterprof cover on his pram out of the house and at the shopit all depends on how you feel and if the baby is healthy it will not do him any harm as long as he is warm and you have everything you need for him in his bag

Donna - posted on 12/13/2009

my son was born on the 18th of december 07 we live in the north of scotland so it was really cold, i also have 2 other kids so i had no way of been able to stay in for long the day after he was born i had him very well wrapped and with a waterprof cover on his pram out of the house and at the shopit all depends on how you feel and if the baby is healthy it will not do him any harm as long as he is warm and you have everything you need for him in his bag

Cailie - posted on 12/12/2009

we took our son out on his 4 days...just think before and what ever yuou feel

Kayleigh - posted on 12/12/2009

my daughter first went out when she was 12 hours old, i couldn wait to show her of

Lacey - posted on 12/12/2009

I take mine out all the time. NOT smart especially with H1N1 going around so now is try to stay in as much as possible

Amanda - posted on 12/12/2009

My daughter was born in February and we live in the bitter North with lots of cold and snow. I have never once heard someone say that they couldn't leave the house with their newborns till 6 weeks of age. We were out shopping and visiting the day after our daughter came home. she was 3 days old and out experiencing the world. She was a healthy baby with no health problems and never got ill. She is almost 3 today and still a healthy and active little girl.
I say that each parent should do what they are comfortable with. NOBODY knows your child better than you (the parents)! By keeping the babies on lock down in the house while you go out to do the errands does not stop the viruses from coming in contact with the baby. The germs will come in the house on you, the stuff you bring in the house etc. If people think that using hand sanitizers on your hands is going to stop the spread to their baby, think again. You wear your coat outside and in public, you come home take it off and then touch your child. Germs are every where. Just use common sense when it comes to your children. We all love our children and want to do the best that we can to protect them. Just because my baby was able to go out in public without getting sick, doesn't mean that every baby can.
Good luck to all new and expecting parents and remember to follow your heart and use YOUR head and no one else's!!

Amanda - posted on 12/12/2009

My son was born the end of december and he was two weeks old when I started taking him out. I just made sure it was an ok day and when I got sick of being cooked up in the house then I started taking him places for family and friends to see him and waking out town. I just bundled him up and bought one of those plastic rain gears to put over the stroller and we were ready to go. I had to walk to all of my doc appointments anyway with him so what difference does it make to just take a walk i figured. Anyway congradulations and good luck.

Heather - posted on 12/12/2009

Everyone from my doctor to my mother in law told me to keep my daughter in the house until she was six weeks old. I took her out shopping when she was two days old and she did just fine. I think you know what is best for your child not the doc or anybody else. Just use your best judgement.

Stacy - posted on 12/12/2009

i have 7 children..i have waited until they were at least 4 weeks to take them out unless it was nessicary..like dr. apt. or their baptism..but thats just me..all parents are different.

Kara - posted on 12/12/2009

I'm due at the end of the month so I don't have any personal experiance, but i've worked in retail for years now and with my recent pregnancy i've noticed all the babies a bit more. I have seen babies as young as 3 days old come into my store! And my best friend had her son on Oct. 20th and three weeks later we took him to the mall just so she could get out of the house and get some exercise. I think as long as the baby is dressed appropriatley for the weather and you steer clear of strangers and other small children (they are more likely to have H1N1 and not show symptoms) you should be fine. I also have packed in my daughters diaper bag hand sanitizer and lysol wipes. And i'm not at all ashamed to ask someone to sanitize their hands before touching her. But i still wouldn't let just anyone touch her. Also i have seen at JC Penny and Walmart some very nice cover-ups for winter babies. I'm not sure what they are called, I suppose you could call them soft snow suits. But they are a good investment for winter outings with baby.

Rachel - posted on 12/12/2009

i might be out of the norm but my son was born in late sept. the 1st time i took him out he was less than 2wks old. i also took him camping at the beach when he was 3wks old. i want my son to experience a whole lot of things and he did wonderfully the whole time. i think if your comfortable an so is your child...no worries : )

Amelia - posted on 12/11/2009

I was Born in the end of January and my parents had me @ a college basketball game the day after I was born...This is upstate NY so it all depends on what your comfort level is.

Samantha - posted on 12/11/2009

Lots of people say wait a few months but do what makes you feel comfortable. The baby is going to be out in the weather one way or another due to leaving the hospital or going to the store. Just bundle he/she up really good! You will be fine!!!!

Ashley - posted on 12/11/2009

My son was born in October 2007... we took him out for the first time at 3 days old to Walmart, and then to my Dad's house.

Eadaoin - posted on 12/11/2009

was in hospital for a week on my first one the minute i got home i took her out was so sick of being stuck in side, she was born in the summer so it wassho nice, trust your own judgement and go off the weather, once the baby is wrapped up well ,should be fine

Megan - posted on 12/11/2009

my daughter was born this year in july and it was warm, but even when it began to cool off the doctor recommended that we get her out of the house just dont let a lot of people him for the first few weeks. so i took her out places with me after about the first week. before the first week or so i didnt feel like getting out bc i still hurt, so it just worked out. sunlight is good for them, and i enjoyed getting out of the house. good luck!

Jessica - posted on 12/11/2009

Go out when Your ready to go out. I took my son out the day after i got out of the hospital, and we where out of the house for hours. Just make sure to him up the same why you would and it will be all good. Good Luck.

Amanda - posted on 12/11/2009

When they release you from the hospital they are expecting you to go out into the world with your child in tow. If the baby were not ready they would be keeping he/she in the hospital a bit longer. You'll have the baby in one more light layer then yourself, and cover the seat when going in and out of stores. It helps keep that layer of warm from the house to the car etc in with the baby that short way, and can shelter the extra light and noise of all the extra people you meet out in the world. So long as you are paying attention to your child's needs and not letting that wee face get cold blistered you're fine! Keep in mind that especially if you are nursing the milk contains boosters to the baby's immune system. As you're exposed your body provides protection to the baby, kinda like we get a flu shot to keep from getting the flu. Yet another of the reasons to nurse as long as you can, even if it's a short time. The benefits are huge for baby!
My youngest son Devlen, almost 5 now, was born in Jan. He was full-term, but swallowed amniotic fluid during the c-section (very rare!) and it stiffened his lungs like a preemies. He was in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for 10 days. I was finally able to hold him after 3 days. I could nurse him after a week. The nurses were wonderful with helping me be able to nurse, I was kept nearby and when he was fed via feeding tube they touched my expressed milk to his tongue so he associated that taste with full tummy. The first days milk they saved to feed him when he could be fed milk, but couldn't nurse. He came home on Oxygen and was on it for a month after we got him home. Even with that rough start and the oxygen we were encouraged to get out when we wanted and take him. Our only concern really was making sure we had a stroller to carry the Oxygen bottle as I couldn't carry it and the baby. He flourished! I have several nieces and nephews who were born in winter and had as expected births and releases and none of them got sick from doing stuff with Mom, or going with Auntie or Daddy etc to give Mom a couple hours break. You will worry. You're supposed to. It'll be okay though and so long as you use your common sense and not fear you'll all enjoy the season and your recovery won't be so long feeling.
I hope this helps.
Amanda

Sarah - posted on 12/11/2009

my son was born in april this year,we took him out for a walk when he was 2 days old,he was dressed for the weather.all the midwifes i spoke to told me that as long as you feel fine you can take your baby out whenever.he is a healthy 8 an half month old.

Alison - posted on 12/11/2009

i started taking my son out of the house day one... when i left the hospital we went shopping... it is good for them to get sunlight... my brother had jondus (doubt i spelled it right...) and to prevent that sunlight is good for the baby,...

Krystal - posted on 12/11/2009

my son was born in feb and i didnt even wait anytime period to take him out! as long as hes dressed for the weather theres no reason to worry..to this day my son who is now 9 months has never been sick

Donna - posted on 12/11/2009

i waited one -two weeks, then take them out well protected and wrapped up. x

Ange - posted on 12/11/2009

I had older kids to take to school the day after my baby was born so out we went

Kelly - posted on 12/11/2009

Hi there, i think it's personal preference but they do say not before they are 6 weeks and have had their injections as before then they are prone to infections, as their immune system is still forming!

Candyce - posted on 12/11/2009

I took NIkko out like 12-13 days after because he was born 13 days before my birthday and we had plans to go to disneyland. But he was born in June. But even now at almost 6 months I am anal. Like I have hand sanitizer and I don't touch anyone or let anyone touch me. I am almost a germ-a-phobe. Dx

Jessica - posted on 12/10/2009

I was out the first day I gave birth. I had to because I'd been caught, he came 2 weeks early and my baby supplies were at home and I was out of town. I was told by midwives of 40 years experience and doctors that there is no occasion to not take your baby outside-day, night, rain, snow- if it's cold just dress bub appropriately with appropriate blankets, covers etc and if it's hot don't dress in too many clothes as they do get hot.

Good luck and enjoy it!

Marley - posted on 12/10/2009

I took mine out after about a week aswell. Its aslong as you feel comfortable and ofcourse make sure they are dressed for the weather. Start with small trips or walks until you become more comfortable.

Medic - posted on 12/10/2009

i am not bashing anyone but i would just like to point out that people(babies included) do not get sick from the cold...people tend to get sicker in the winter because the heat is on which encourages germ growth and because people tend to stay inside and the germs multiply....so staying home to keep your baby healthy only really works if you dont let anyone come or anything come in.....it does have its advantages as to not put them in places where there are crowds in closed in areas and heaters....but fresh air never hurts anyone....i didnt take my son to busy places but we went outside and for walks....and some trips to the store....and he was born in september and i have yet to see any side effects and hes 3.

Mommy - posted on 12/10/2009

All 3 of my children were born in winter.



Took my full term 1st born daughter home from the hospital at 9 days old, only saw my mans dad and mom at there house before we stopped at our house. Had to go to my mas moms house once a week at night so she could see her 1st Grandchild every week. Was given EBM for 3 weeks. Went shoppig at 6 weeks.



2nd child term newborn boy discharged home at 24 hours old. Went to the grocery store at 2 days old. Visited friends at a small little birthday party at 5 days old. Went to the doctors to get antibiotic eye drops for conjunctivitis caused by blocked tear duct.

Baby Skin cream for milk pimples and dermatitis from the pharmacy



3rd child term newborn girl we went shopping at at the shopping mall to get things we needed when she was 3 days old. My mas mom did not visit until she was 7 days old. She came with some baby items. But mainly came to talk about the difference in looks with the 2nd Grandaughter to her 1st Grandaughter. During winter she was inside most of the time. At 2 months got 1 sinus infection. As an older baby kept inside alot when it was cool outside or no need to go out much with her. She got throat infections, because big sister goes to school and brought back flu's, sore throat, children coughing in class and adults coughing at the school

Heidi - posted on 12/10/2009

Well I left the hospital and went to walmart with my son. He was so small we needed clothes that fit him, we went out almost every day from day one.

Misty - posted on 12/10/2009

As long as you can stand it LOL The longer you wait the more able your baby is to get an immune system built up and be ready for all of the germs that being out brings around.

Calondria - posted on 12/10/2009

Well my grandmother always made my cousins who just had a baby stay in the house for 6 weeks unless they where going to the doctor.(both parent and baby)..

Carol - posted on 12/10/2009

my son was born dec 06 in nc and we took him out at 4 days old and our daughter was born in april 09 and we took her out at 3 days old