i think a month, but my husband feels like for about 6 months we should only get him out if we really have to go somewhere, i want to start walking and take him and our older daughter along.
2006-08-02 07:26:20 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Most medical professionals will say 4-6 weeks. It's around the time the immune system will kick in. It you are breast feeding this may happen sooner as you are giving your baby valuable anti-bodies. Although you should always keep your baby away from sick people until your daughter is old enough to pick things up and put them in her mouth. Then the germ world begins and by then her immune system can handle it.
Also depending on your religion some believe babies should not be out until after they are baptized/christened, etc.
2006-08-02 07:37:27 · answer #1 · answered by questiongirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The general rule of thumb is to wait until the baby is 6 WEEKS old before going to crowded public places like shopping malls, day care centers, playdates, because of risk of germs from other children and adults. This is especially during the winter months (cold/flu season).
However, you can take your new baby outside for walks, fresh air, even to visit relatives (as long as no one is sick) as soon as you get him home as long as the temperature is not too hot or too cold. In fact it's very important for a new baby to get some sunlight every day in the early weeks to increase the amount of vitamin D (that's SOME sunlight, maybe a few minutes at a time. Don't let him get sunburn!)
Your husband is insane if he's suggesting you stay inside for 6 months.
2006-08-02 17:31:21 · answer #2 · answered by brainchild 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apart from the obvious protections of properly wrapping your baby and shielding him from strong sunlight, he's perfectly able to endure being outdoors right now. People are MUCH too protective and fearful of their small ones, and this truly does transmit fear and nervousness to the child.
If you breast-feed your baby, or have for a while, you are helping his immune system greatly. A mother's "colostrum," the early fluids from breastfeeding after giving birth, is high in content that helps protect infants from allergens, germs and other worrisome effects.
It is generally smart to limit the touching of strangers for a time. But again don't be a complete worry wart about this. And tell your husband he's a good man, a caring dad, and a wet blanket. He needs some good books about babies and practical child care to read. Also, he needs to think about his attitude toward the boy and the girl - he wasn't a problem with HER, but he is overprotective of the son? Hmmmm, mommy ....
2006-08-02 14:41:31 · answer #3 · answered by Der Lange 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never stayed indoors with a newborn! I go to the mall or to thepark the same day I come home from the hospital. I have five kids and none have died or gotten any type if disease. I'm Mexican and in our culture we don't do things the way they are done here in the U.S. I give my baby gerber at 3 months and water as soon as they come home from the hospital. I have never boiled water for them or boiled bottles to keep them sanitized. Thier clothes get washed with ours etc... We just live life as normal as possible after a birth. That's life. Woman in this country get pampered too much and if you read statistics women in this country have more problems than in any other. Woman in other countries do not have the time to rest or keep kids indoors. They actuall work out side of the home because they have to and not because they want to. Six months is pushing it to keep a child indoors. It's said that the more you keep your babies from germs the easier they will cathch them later since thier body wil;l have no defense against them.
2006-08-02 15:41:06 · answer #4 · answered by missy1978 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wait 4-6 weeks before taking a baby out for any length of time and if its nice weather. My baby was taking swimming lessons at an inside pool (ymca) at 6 months. Outside you wouldn't want to keep a baby in the sun at a young age for long due to sunburn. A walk in a stroller is perfectly fine in good weather and lifts your spirits as well as the baby's.
2006-08-02 14:31:44 · answer #5 · answered by ImCurious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New mothers often feel like prisoners within their own home with their newborn as the warden. They can quickly get "cabin fever" regardless of the season. My answer is quit simple. You can go outside when ever you want. This is true as long as the baby is dressed for the weather.And is not around crowds of people,A new born should be dressed only slightly warmer then you would want to be dressed.don't bundle your baby up if it is like 90 degrees out side, and bundle them up if it is cold out.
Written By: Dr. Herschel R. Lessin
2006-08-02 15:09:52 · answer #6 · answered by Tara S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same quest. when I had my son 3mths ago. I asked his Dr. when he had his 1st check up, I think when he was mth old and she told me it's ok to take him out as long as I use command sence and not take him to a very loud, smokey place. She also suggested I stay away from kids places like Chuckee Cheese because of the germs in those places, till he got older and his immune system was stronger. Of course right now on the few really hot days that we had, I did not take him out and if I had to do something that could have not waited I took him to family member to watch. Just imagen, we adults are uncomfortable imagen a baby. Take advantage of the not so hot days we are going to have left b/f winter because then forget it. You won't even want to go out. By the way, I started taking my son out more when I got the ok from my dr. and now he loves it. I try to take him out at least 1hr every day, nothing big just in front of my house sitting on our glider. He really likes to see the leaves on the trees moving when the wind blows and seeing the kids on our block playing and running around. They even come by and say hi to the baby..
2006-08-02 14:56:55 · answer #7 · answered by Strawberry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can go outside from the very beginning. Don't start sheltering him from the great outoors now. Just make sure to keep him out of the bright sun with an umbrella or blanket. Also keep baby wipes on hand to wipe him off when he seems to get too hot.
2006-08-02 15:04:14 · answer #8 · answered by Amber D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's ok to take them outside no matter how old they are. Just make sure that they are dressed properly & put sunscreen on their sensitive skin. Make sure you just keep an eye on him & if you think he is getting too warm from being outside then he probably is, take him in to cool off. Just follow your instincts & you should be ok. Another suggestion is if it gets to 100+ degrees during the days where you are (like it does here in Kansas) then try to only take him out in the mornings or later in the evenings when it's not so hot.
2006-08-02 14:36:11 · answer #9 · answered by sweetamberwaves 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you took him outside to bring him home from the hospital didn't you? I went showing my daughter off the day I left the hospital. As long as you have them dressed so that they're not cold or hot and covered from the sun, go for it!!! I used to take my daughter for walks in the stroller beginning at a week old!
2006-08-02 14:30:29 · answer #10 · answered by icddppl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋