TO mothers who have a newborn...?

Question

It's mid summer and I'm afraid of going out with my baby, cause I think he might get sick and all that so I'm stuck in the house 24\7, is anyone like that or am I the only one?

Answer 1

Yes, I was an anxious first time-mom, too. But you're stressing yourself out, and you might be stressing him out too. The best way to keep him healthy is to keep your hands REALLY clean so you don't transmit germs to him from things like diapers, shopping carts, doorknobs/handles, etc. The air in most houses is not any cleaner than the air outside or in public places, so by all means, take the boy out! :-)

I promise, because I've been there, it's ok to lighten up a little -- take him out in the cool morning hours for some fresh air in the shade. It's good for him! Also, newborns sometimes get a little jaundiced (especially if breastfed) and need a little UV exposure (a tiny bit, like 10-15 minutes a day, and then not in direct sunlight!) to take care of that. Depending on his age, he might be too little for sunscreen, so keep him covered in light colored loose clothing -- not too much! -- so he doesn't get overheated or sunburned. Remember that if you feel cold, he's probably cold, and if you feel hot, he's probably hot, too. Babies don't need to be bundled up warm when it's 80 degrees outside, they can get overheated too!

It's good bonding -- carry him around outside and tell him about the things in his yard. He doesn't understand, but he loves the sound of your voice and the stimulation of being taken around & looking at different things. Once they're a few weeks old, little short trips are exciting & stimulating learning opportunities for babies. Take him just for a ride or to the grocery store -- get him used to it now so he knows how to act when you have to take him as a toddler. :-) Let him see other people, especially children, and tell them gently to please not touch his hands or face if it worries you! But let them talk to him, and let him see their faces & hear their voices. Take him to your friends' homes, or to a park. Tickle the back of his hand with a soft blade of grass, let him smell a flower, ask him if he can hear the birdies singing ... He's no more likely to get sick from that than he is from being cooped up inside breathing stale air-conditioned air. Toddlers & preschoolers love seeing pictures of themselves as babies, so think of the opportunities little day trips will provide for picture-taking! And think of the great memories you'll make together! Don't fret -- it shows you're a good mother just that you're worried about it, and it's normal & natural to want to protect your baby. But you will have so much more FUN if you take him places, watch his reactions, and see the wonder in his eyes...

Answer 2

No, but it won't hurt to take baby outside, as long as it is not too hot. I don't have a newborn, but i'm a grandmother, and I had my kids at a time when people thought you should protect babies from germs by keeping them in the house for the first 3 months. Believe me, the baby will be healthier if you take him out into the fresh air than if you keep him inside. Just make sure he doesn't get any sun exposure until he is at least 6 months old.

Answer 3

You should stay in as much as you can for the first few weeks. After that try going outside in the evenings when it's cooler and the sun is not as high. Just go for a stroll around the block once or twice. You'll build up to walking more and going more places as the baby gets older. I would wait until the baby is 4-6 weeks old before you go to the mall or a public place like that. I was worried just like you when my son was born last July, but it gets easier. Good Luck!!

P.S. When you go out make sure the baby is protected from the sun

Answer 4

I had twins at the end of May - 7 weeks later we went on a camping trip and to a concert. The most important thing is to keep babies less than 6 months old out of direct sunlight; make sure they have sunscreen and a hat, and that they are in the shade. Light-colored clothing is great, and now they are making clothes with UV protection.
Your baby is more likely to get sick if he isn't exposed to any sort of allergens or germs that make his body produce antibodies. The immune system works better when it's had a little practice. For instance: when you see kids in grocery carts sitting on a protective mat to keep all the bad germs away from them, they could actually be building their immune system; I don't know of too many kids who've died from sitting in an unprotected grocery cart. The same theory is in place with allergies to animals - children who live with pets when they are young are less likely to develop allergies later in life, because they have a chance to develop antibodies.
Also, if you're breastfeeding, that is the best protection you could give your baby from illness - you provide antibodies in your milk that will protect your baby from disease, and help him heal faster if he does get sick (among a ton of other benefits breastfeeding conveys).

Answer 5

Don't worry going out once in a while won't hurt ur baby... i have a newborn baby too (july) and he's only 8 days old. and we went out 3 times already... as long as u have something to cover for him so that he will not expose in the sun to much... if i had my baby in the stroller i'll make sure that he has a light sheet (blanket) on the top of the stroller and if i had him on a baby carrier its either i have a sheet to cover him or i'll bring an umbrella with me...

so go out and have fun with the baby after all we only have short summer time... it is gonna be too cold to go out in the winter right?

we are planning to go out to centre island this weekend so my baby can enjoy a mother nature...

Answer 6

You are not alone. I have a five week old baby and haven't been out much. I'm also nursing and I'm trying to figure out how to get out of the house.
I do walk outside and go around the block with the stroller. I think fresh air is good for babies, try not worry about him getting sick. He'll be fine.

Answer 7

I'm not a mother, but I am a father. I always tended to be the one who was wary of these things - just like you.

Regardless, we took our son on a family trip six days after he was born.

He is now nine. I think he made it ok :)

My only recommendations to you would be to:

A) Make sure you have something over him/her to keep the child's eyes shielded.

B) Dress them comfortably - remember even though babies need to be warm, you don't want to overheat them.

C) Do it for both of you. The child needs extrasensory stimulation and you need to get some fresh air. Enjoy the beautiful weather.

D) Relax, take things day by day, and be thankful for what you have.

I hope this helps.

Answer 8

My 7th child is now 5 months old. I keep my babies in the house for the 1st 6 weeks of life while their immune systems are being built up. I do not allow them however, to be held by different people because too much exposure to different fragrances is not good. This could cause allergic reactions and irritability in the child.

Answer 9

I don't have a newborn anymore, but I have had two of them...one 28 months ago, and one a year ago. :)

My older son was born in March (the end of flu season) and his pediatrician said it was fine to bundle him up for walks and take him outside for some air, but to stay away from malls/restaurants/other crowded places with germs, as he could become very ill, and possibly die from the flu if he caught it.

My younger son was born in July, a year ago, and his pediatrician said to take him out as soon as we wanted. We actually stopped at Target on the way home from the hospital for formula, lol. We had him in his stroller and had the sunshade thing pulled all the way over him to prevent people from touching him, sneezing on him, etc.

Really, it's best just to stay away from crowded places for a good six weeks with a newborn...whether it be mid-summer or mid-winter. Rather be safe than sorry, you know? :) Taking him outside, provided you keep him shaded and cool from the hot sun, will be good for him...fresh air never hurt anyone. And it'll help you get rid of your cabin fever. :)

Answer 10

I believe you - exceptionally once you're breastfeeding. Taking the toddler for even some hours in the first month may be unfavourable on your breastfeeding relationship. you may have issues generating adequate milk and your toddler ought to refuse to breastfeed if he/she prefers a pretend nipple. Bottles do not take as a lot attempt to get milk out of. there is no way he will be allowed in one day visits for extremely a lengthy time period once you're breastfeeding. it isn't any longer so ordinary as "purely pump a bottle". you should keep up your milk furnish even as the toddler is away. also, heating breast milk contained in the microwave is not purely undesirable because of warm spots - it also kills off antibodies. i'd were devastated if I had to provide up my toddler for any length of time as a newborn. Up till she became about 2.5 months previous the longest I were faraway from her became quarter-hour to bathe. I even co slept including her. Then round 2.5 months previous her dad took me for espresso so i ought to get a damage. i became lengthy gone an hour and that i became virtually in tears. She's 8 months previous now and the longest i have been away became 3 hours so her dad ought to take me out for dinner for my birthday. I observed yet another toddler even as we were out and it made me bypass over her so much better. i understand a few moms can bypass out a week after start and be completely fantastic yet i imagine a mom needs to be there. A newborn needs mom.