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

Mayra - posted on 12/08/2009

my son was born last Janurary and i took him out at 3 weeks,just make sure you have him covered well and dont let anyone that is sick around him. usually doctors will say wait until he gets his first shots but it is really all up to you i wasnt able to stay home for two weeks i was going crazy but of course i was not going out everyday i would take him to church and than would go back home I would avoid malls though very dangerous for a baby alot of people there can be sick and have alot of germs

Cecilia - posted on 12/08/2009

heyy..my son's birthday is 1.24.o9..(he's almost one!!)...anyway..we had a normal delivery and no health issues so we were out of the hospital after two days...We also live in New Jersey, by the beach, so it was pretty darn cold ;p...however...i did take him out shortly after he was born...to the grocery store, my mom's house..and bj's(to load up on diapers!!)i agree that it is at your discretion...if you want to wait 6 weeks..that is your choice..NOT stupidity...You are this child's parent..You will know best...if you think it's a mite too cold out...then stay home..curl up together on the sofa and read your baby a book...they might not understand what you're saying, but the mommy and me time will be worth it...good luck!

Penny - posted on 12/08/2009

a took my son out at 2days old n he was born in september n a have just had a daughter 2wks ago n a had her out the day afta she was born she was wrapped up warm in her pram n a also had the raincover over her coz it was winding n shes perfectly fine xx

Angie - posted on 12/08/2009

SINCE SHE IS GOING TO BE BORN IN THE WINTER i WOULD WAIT AT LEAST A MONTH. NEWBORNS ARE SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO EVERYTHING AND THERE ARE SO MANY VIRUSES AND ILLNESSES GOING AROUND RIGHT NOW, RATHER BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

Amber - posted on 12/08/2009

My son was born in January. I took my son out for the first time at 2 weeks. We went out to dinner for my sister's birthday. Other than that I tried to avoid taking him any where public. If I needed to go to the store I would have someone stay home with him. He was breastfed so that made me more comfortable with feeling he would stay healthy. We went to peoples houses and had company over and I wasn't concerned. I just tried to wait a while before taking him to the store.

Valerie - posted on 12/08/2009

Alright, I am sure there will be people who don't agree with me, but I am going to say it anyway! The doctors usually tell you to stay home for 2 weeks, I didn't, I stayed for a couple of days because my daughter had to lay on the Billirubin bed. My daughter is 15 months old and has been sick ONCE! Call it luck, call it what you want, but in all reality your newborn stops being sterile when they leave the delivery room. I understand that you have to take necessary precautions, wash your hands, even ask if others will wash their hands, clean surfaces, etc., but your life also doesn't have to stop. I think that as long as your baby is a fullterm, healthy baby it is all alright. My husband and I do a lot of outdoor activities, my daughter took her first 4-wheeler ride when she was 3 weeks old. Every mom is different you know what is best for you and your child, do that, not what everyone else tells you, it is what you feel comfortable doing.

Lindsay - posted on 12/08/2009

My daughter was born iin March and we bundled her up and took her to her grandparents three days after birth. My husband was in Afghanistan and was able to come home for her birth. But that also meant that we had a lot of things to do while he was here. So she was out and about during her first week. But we took extra care and made sure she stayed warm and that she wasn't around anyone sick. But as the mother you should do what is comfortable for you.

Shanna - posted on 12/08/2009

My daughter was born September 27th. A couple days later it was unseasonably warm so I took my daughter with me to a Renascence Faire. I kept her away from the jousting field were lots of dust can get kicked up and out of the crowded eating area, I even had a lot of people tell me that their Grandmother's would be rolling in their grave to see a baby under 2 weeks out of the house. My daughter was and still is healthy as a horse.

Amanda - posted on 12/08/2009

My first child was born in a blizzard actually, so he was out in the harsh weather right away. 4 years later, and he seems to be doing just fine. I would only take baby out if it is necessary, though, just be sure to dress for the weather.

Melissa - posted on 12/08/2009

I had my son in a hockey rink at 3 weeks old and he was fine. As long as you bundle your newborn up, he will be fine. Happy Holiday's!!

Deborah - posted on 12/08/2009

At his one week check up we went to Walmart afterward to grocery shop. We kept the car seat covered and he slept the whole way. He is now 11 weeks old and just fine. We live in Florida too by the way so it's not really cold here.

Amanda - posted on 12/08/2009

I took my daughter out the day I got home from the hospital, she was two days old. We walked about a kilometer to our grocerystore, did our shopping and then walked home. I was told that when you dress a baby, put them in the same amount of clothes that you would wear and add an extra layer if you're going outside. If you're really unsure they make snowsuits and onesies with thermal indicators, they change coller when the baby is too hot or too cold.

Carly - posted on 12/08/2009

and also beacaue they arent fully immusnised againt all the nastys, make sure people dont touch them unnecessarily , if they want to make sure they steralise their hands first, take some dettol hand sanitiser with you, or some hand wipes to make sure.

Carly - posted on 12/08/2009

We were in the hosopital for the first 5 days after my bubba was born, and we went out to do the grocery shopping about 2 days after we got home. Its up to you really, as long as you dress them appropriatly and dont keep them out to long, and out of the direct sunlight as their skin is sooo sensitive they should be fine, and also not untill you are ready to leave, dont be pressured, take as long as you like, enjoy your baby.

Lydia - posted on 12/08/2009

I took my bubba out within the first couple of days - I didnt even consider there may be a recommended quarantine time! As long as you are sensible, keep himr warmly wrapped and dont take him anywhere with high risk for illnesses he should be alright. If your not comfortable doing it so soon after then wait the recommended 6 weeks

Katie - posted on 12/08/2009

well i had my baby on july the third and moved house on the fifth of july my doctor just said as long as i was well enough to go out so was the baby! just make sure you wrap them up well!

Rikki - posted on 12/08/2009

same with us kirsty had bubby home for a few days or so and went to the zoo because we were bored he is 10 weeks old now and has never been sick yet but we are in australia and it dosent snow here like other places in the world so im not sure if it makes a diff or not :))

Kirsty - posted on 12/08/2009

i took my son out when he was 4 days old cause i didn't like staying at home

Christi - posted on 12/08/2009

Quoting Tegan:

and waiting 6 weeks is just plain STUPID sorry but its true! they are human beings!
my third was out with me on day two doing school and kinder pick ups just dont let strangers touch and make sure you only use clean blankets and sterilzed dummies, bottles etc

you may be comfortable with doing that since you aleady have children, but doing it just for the hell of it is stupid, especially when it is the middle of winter. i would have had my son out sooner than 6 weeks, but he was premature and had a weak immune system. if anything, you should check with your doctor, and mine advised me that even with a healthy baby, taking them out for more than the necessary car trips can lead to them becoming ill and a sick newborn is not only dangerous and scary and sad. with the swine flu and all that going around now, i would keep my baby in the house except for necessary doctors visits. if we needed groceries, the hubby would have to do it. it seems like a pain, but it pays off.

Christina - posted on 12/08/2009

i would wait till ur baby is at least 3 weeks old before you take he/she out but if you have 2 take he/she out i wouldnt go out for long and in the cold make sure he/she is Dressed properly in all warm clothes and even have a blanket over them as well.

Tegan - posted on 12/08/2009

and waiting 6 weeks is just plain STUPID sorry but its true! they are human beings!
my third was out with me on day two doing school and kinder pick ups just dont let strangers touch and make sure you only use clean blankets and sterilzed dummies, bottles etc

Tegan - posted on 12/08/2009

in the dead of winter, like raining and 12 degrees sort of winter you will only be going to the shops and peoples houses etc because you wont be doing the park scene! a singlet, long sleeve top, jumper, trackies, thick socks, shoes, beanie and a warm jacket for out side!!! exactly what you would wear mate if your cold then he/she will be too

Christi - posted on 12/08/2009

my son was a premature Christmas Eve baby and for the first two months, the only time he left the house was if he had a doctors appointment. looking back it seems a little overprotective, but honestly i am thankful i did it so i did not put him at risk of becoming ill.

Rebecca - posted on 12/08/2009

My son was born feb 26th 09 and we took him outside on walks on nice days after 2 weeks he had a little jaundice so our doctor encouraged sun light, I avoided taking him to grocery stores theres lots of germs and especially with the swine flu now.

Andrea - posted on 12/08/2009

My son was born in Sept of 07 and I just made sure that he was dressed for the weather and i also had a car seat cover that I put a light blanket over.. My daughter was born in March of 09, she didn't leave the hospital till she was 7 weeks old so she was out in the cold but I did the same things with her, cuz she was a preterm baby.. You are the mommy and only you can judge and make the choice of what is best for your baby.. My thoughts are mommies know whats best for there child even if it is your 1st or the 100th child.. hope this is helpful, take care and best wishes...

Maxine - posted on 12/07/2009

I think you should go out when you feel comfortable to do so. There is no preferred age, just make sure you dress him according to the weather and don't lay him on any bathroom floors when you have to pee (just kidding) but you get the drift. He's not going to get sick or hurt going out with you to the mall or grocery shopping for a few hours.

Jocelyn - posted on 12/07/2009

With my son (born in january) I bundled him up and took him for a walk when he was a little over a week old (don't worry, it was chinook-ing) and with my daughter we took her grocery shopping when she was a week.
You don't have to stay house bound, just use common sense (ie layers, don't stay out too long, keep him/her out of the wind, don't let strangers touch etc.)

Kelsey - posted on 12/07/2009

6 weeks is usually reccomended. I waited a couple of weeks but only went for short trips and only if it was completely neccesary. That was in the summer though. In the winter and cold/flu season I would definatly wait the 6 weeks.

Melissa - posted on 12/07/2009

6 weeks is the guide line espically if its cold but i libe in CA and took them out way before that ... i would stick with if you are comfortable its probally ok

Annemarie - posted on 12/07/2009

My son is now 5 weeks old and was born in the summer.I onlu took him out in the first 2 weeks only in the daytime.If you are going out with your baby just dress him or her very warmly and don`t stay out late.But ask your doc and he or she will help you.