Would this make me a bad mom?

Question

My son was born last Thursday on 06/28/2007. Today after his doctor's appointment I wrapped him up in his blanket and carried him down to our river front and walked around with him for a little and got some food. I carried him the whole time and had him wrapped nicely and the cover was sheilding his face. He slept so soudly. I was walking by this couple and they wanted to see in on him and when I told him he was only 5 days old they basically implied that I was a bad mom because they never took out any of their babies until they were at least 3 months old. I'm so worried now and am thinking that I maybe shouldn't have done this. Was this bad? We were only out for a total of probably 20 minutes. I've also taken him on 2 separate walks in his stroller since we've gotten home. At his check up today, the doctor said he looks great.

Answer 1

Not at all! The fresh air is good for both of you, and it sounds like you had a lovely time. Being stuck in the house for three solid months sounds like the fast route to post-partum depression.

Take it easy on yourself, but don't feel like you have to be a hermit just because you have a new baby.

Answer 2

You are certainly not a bad mommy, and the passing couple should mind their own business! :)

Many people don't realize that when children are born they have absolutely no immune system, the immune system develops during the first 2 years of life and it's strength relies on what the baby is exposed to during this period. Over the past two decades parents have unfortunately become fanatical about keeping their children away from germs and bacteria, not realizing that this is actually harmful in the long-term. Unless babies & toddlers are exposed to the environmental pathogens inherent in their surroundings, their bodies will never develop the antibodies to fight off viruses and infections later in life - which has led to an entire generation of sickly, athsmatic children! Of course, I'm not saying you should give your baby salmonella! But taking your baby outside for a walk, allowing people to hold him without rubber gloves, or laying him on a blanket in the grass is not only NOT harmful, it's the responsible thing to do if you want a strong, healthy child. Congrats!

Answer 3

NO that doesn't make you a bad mom! If you're a bad mom than most moms are. Hell then that means that I'm a bad mom. Do pay any attention to those ppl. They didn't go through having your child so they can't judge you raising your child.

When my son was three days out of the hospital, my husband took me out to eat after going through everything. When went to waffle house for all of 20 minutes and two ladies walked up to see the baby and asked how old he was. When I told them how old he was they pretty much gave me dirty looks and made a low comment about me having him out. My thinking was I just went though having him and with only my husband by my side, I think I desired to have some type of food that I wanted.

Answer 4

This does not make you bad mom by any means. I think people overreact as far as when it is ok to take a baby out.

I will admit that with our first child, I only took him out for doctor appointments. I didn't take him out until he was two months old. But with my daughter, I started taking her out almost right after we got home from the hospital...so she was just about a week or so old. We'd take walks at the mall, the park. It was nice to get out. And when she was a newborn, all she did was sleep...so it was easy to take her anywhere.

I wouldn't worry about what these people said or implied.

Answer 5

You are not a bad mother. Do not listen to people who say otherwise. Fresh air is great for both baby and yourself. Its recommended. It can help you with post partum depression. I took both my kids out the first couple days they were born, to like pick up my medicine and pay bills, and they are both healthy. Just shrug it off. Enjoy the new bundle of joY! CoNgrats!

Edit- 3 months is just crazy. You would have to take the baby to a well care check up, and there are so many germs in doctors offices and hospitals. But I bet this couple took their kids to appointments.
Congrats again!

Answer 6

you are NOT a bad mother. my twins were out 5 days after coming home. they made their first walmart trip. some fresh air does them good. the main thing is to keep the baby warm and make sure they do not get TOO much air in their faces. there is nothing wrong with taking a baby outdoors. there is a clash between the "old school" and the "new school" of parenting. if your pediatrician was not concerned then you need not be either. enjoy showing off your baby, it is a special time for you both. congrats

Answer 7

Don't worry about it. People have different beliefs about parenting. The fact that the doctor says he looks great is all that matters. My doctor doesn't frown upon walks or brief outings, though she does advise against "going out in public" i.e. - the mall or grocery store - think enclosed areas, not river fronts. This is b/c the baby can come into contact with germs from people who are sick.

Enjoy your walks. It sounds like he does.

Answer 8

Someone said the same thing to me when my twins were about 2 weeks old. I wanted to smack her! It was October in Alaska, but I didnt have formula so what do you want me to do??? Its not like they were uncovered, they make nice carseat covers that are warm plus they were dressed warm and had blankets (they might have been a little overdressed!) it upset me so bad and made me feel horrible. Just forget what people say. Go for walks, just dont have the baby exposed to the sun and you should be just fine!

Answer 9

If the weather's fine, nothing wrong with it. Seems nowadays like some parents think that fresh air and a little wind will kill their child. My sis-in-law is like that. One day, it was in the 60's and she said their daughter (about 6 months old) couldn't go on a slow pontoon boat ride. Our daughter (3 days older than theirs) went and loved it, didn't get sick, nothing went wrong. My other sis-in-law wouldn't take their child anywhere at a few months old because of the "weather". It was in the 50s and she wouldn't even take her our of their house. Ridiculous. Babies, unless they have other health problems, are just small people. My docs/nurses always said, "if you're comfortable, your baby is fine, too. dress them like you would dress yourselves. too many parents dress their kids for winter when it's 60 outside. not necessary."

Answer 10

my guess is those people were older or like to be old school. i took my baby to a restaurant when she was 5 days and everywhere else ever since. i only stopped it for a bit until i got my mothering skills going better.. but if you are comfortable with it, then do it. i promise all the crap and telling you what you should or shouldnt do isnt going to stop there. do what makes you comfortable and you are doing great. noone knows whats best or ok for your baby better than you...hope i helped put you at ease.