Do you think a woman should stay in the house for six weeks or more after having a baby?

Question

The doctor never tell you have to stay in the house but when you see people you know they act as if you've commited a crime punishable by death. I went to my two week check up and my doctor told me it was safe to have sex when I stopped bleeding. So why do people make a big deal about going outside?

Answer 1

No. Unless there is a medical reason for staying in the house that long, a woman should have the freedom to go back to work if she pleases.

My wife needed some time away from the baby after my son was born. Consequently, she took a job during the evenings workin in a library. I was the babysitter while she was at work.

Answer 2

That is because a baby's immune system has not fully developed at that age. Even though a baby will get anti-bodies from the baby's mother's milk; the baby can still get the common cold. It used to be just a simple cold could lead to pneumonia or mumps, measles, etc, which in turn would often kill a baby. But that was a long time ago. And these days if your baby gets sick you can take your child to the doctor. As well as children are now immunized against deadly disease of so long ago. The only down side to your baby catching a cold is having deal with stuffy nose; a lot more diaper changes, and some sleepless nights. Sooner or later your baby is going to have to go out into the real world and have to build up his/or/her immune system. If your doctor has said that you are healthy and you want to get out the house for awhile; then there is no reason why you should not go. If you decided to leave your baby at home or with a sitter; just be sure that it is with someone that you trust.

edite: And if your nursing you can use a pump and still give your child mother's milk while your away; just find a baby bottle nipple that your baby will take to first.

Answer 3

oh, my goodness. i heard a conversation about this very thing on the bus the other day. these two guys were talking about a girl at the bus stop with a tiny baby.

that six week stay in the house thing went out long ago. i went through that with my kid, who is now 34 years old. that was fine when we had moms who stayed home and didn't work outside the house who could babysit for us while we went to the doctor's for our checkups.

you are right. people do treat you like you have committed a crime; like you are a bad mother.

to them i say: SHUT UP, already.

i have never heard of anything bad happening to a baby because they were taken outside at an early age.

you do what you want to do, or what you need to do. just make sure the baby has adequate protection from the weather ( like a hat-and ask the pediatrician about sunscreen for babies if the baby is going to be exposed for some length of time)

congratulations. don't listen to those weirdos. what do they know about babies, any way? they're still stuck in the 60s.

the other thing you can do is ask the baby's doctor. surely, surely he/she must know more than those other folks, right?

Answer 4

It used to be that doctors advises women not to take their newborns outside for several months. That's all changed now. Like everything else, people do studies and are constantly coming up with new findings.

I think if your baby is born in flu season (November - March in most places) it's perfectly fine to take the baby outside for fresh air/walks, but stay far, far away from public places (grocery store, mall, etc.). RSV is a nasty, nasty disease, and can be fatal to babies.

Any other time, I'd say keep the baby way from public places for a minimum of two weeks. While there's really no risk for the baby to get the flu, their little immune systems are SO weak, and they can get sick in an instant. Again--RSV can kill a baby.

Outside/fresh air is fine. Inside/crowded places is not fine. Some people just don't have enough God-given sense to cover their mouths when they sneeze or ask permission before touching your baby!!

Answer 5

No I don't. Maybe for the first week while you are adjusting, but I know once I have my son I will need to run some errands while my husband is working during the day. I don't think I could sit inside for 6 weeks straight. I would get so bored. I will definately be taking some walks with my baby boy to show him the outside and to get a little exercise in. I just don't see the problem with taking a newborn out of the house.

Answer 6

I've never heard of people making a big deal out of new moms themselves going outside (outdoors), but I do think you need to think about where you (and/or) a new baby goes. Our pediatrician said people are too hasty to take the new baby out, especially to the two places that are FULL of germs: church and the grocery store (or other unnecessary shopping). Babies' immune systems are so fragile, and at that age, using the excuse that they need to build up an immunity is ridiculous. There will be plenty of chances for the baby to get out into the world once they are stronger. Taking the baby out when they are this young is only for the parents' benefit, and is quite selfish and irresponsible. As for the mom, she could and should think about where she goes because she'll be bringing anything home that she comes into contact with, and just because you didn't run into someone with a cold doesn't mean that there aren't germs everywhere. So leave the baby at home, and for the first six weeks at least, get groceries or other shopping by yourself, or get someone that's helping you out to get them, like Daddy or Grandma. But if you're talking about going for a walk to get some exercise or fresh air, with or without baby, that would most likely be good for you both.


These answers that say that "babies who haven't had their shots" are the ones getting sick are a tad shortsighted... colds, flus, and other common diseases are not protected by "getting your shots"- at least as a newborn... a little common sense on what your baby does and doesn't need to be around is all that's needed...

Answer 7

Are you sure you are not thinking about the baby? A rule of thumb with most pediatricians is that it is wise not to take the infant out in public for 4-6 weeks. Going to grandmas is ok but wait on the mall! Also no sex for 6 weeks. You have to wait for clearance at your 6 week visit. Going outside for mom is perfectly fine if you are fortunate enough to have a sitter!

Answer 8

Follow the instruction of your doctor and his nurse. Going out WITH baby into the fresh air is good. In this country unfortunately people don't walk as they do in Europe. There they have the nice comfy baby carriages with canopy and rain shield, and mom can take baby out in almost any weather. This is good for morale and for exercise.

Who are the people who are looking at you funny? Are they the ones who weigh 200 pounds?

Answer 9

Who makes a "big deal" about going outside?! I haven't heard of this in my life, but realize people had different attitudes about this practice a hundred years ago. It is not only stupid to stay in the house for six weeks, it isn't practical.

Answer 10

There is nothing "wrong" with it exactly, but you should be careful. I took my kids out as soon as I was able. We went to restaurants, stores, etc. However, my daughter got REALLY REALLY sick with whooping cough when she was only 5 weeks old. Babies don't get immunized against a lot of things until they are a little older. I truly believe that if I would have stayed in longer, she wouldn't have gotten so sick. She was so sick, I really thought I was going to lose her. Luckily, she was fine (except for a speech delay which they say may have been caused by this).
So, to answer your question, it's not wrong, but please be really careful! Babies are so vulnerable.