In your opinion, when do you feel its safe to take a newborn baby outside?

Question

My baby is 7 days old. I am so happy, but cautious, even though he's my 2nd child. What do you think?

Answer 1

Taking your newborn outside is not a problem. Fresh air is wonderful for babies.

The real question is: When is it safe to expose your baby to other people because of the baby's relatively immature immune system?

In British hospitals, newborns are placed on verandas almost every day despite the weather to get them some fresh air. You can take your baby outside for walks and to visit friends and relatives. The real objective is to avoid exposing your baby to the possibility of infection. The baby's immune system is not developed until 8 to 10 weeks of age. The baby has an immune system with antibodies derived from the mother's placenta and from breast milk if mom is breast-feeding. It has cell-mediated immunity.

The real defect of a baby's immune system is localization. A baby's immune system cannot keep infections in one place. Instead, they spread rapidly through the entire body. For example, an ear infection in a newborn can spread rapidly through the brain and nervous system. A throat infection can spread rapidly to the lungs and kidneys. Therefore, when a pediatrician is confronted with an infant younger than 2 months with a fever, indicating an infection, that baby undergoes what is called a sepsis work-up. This includes a blood test, a urine test and a spinal tap.

The baby would then be started on intravenous antibiotics, so as to prevent the possibility of a severe infection from spreading rapidly throughout the baby's entire system. Obviously, this is not something that parents or pediatricians want to do. So, the best thing to do is to avoid crowds and illness when you take your baby out. If you must go shopping with the baby, go early in the morning before the stores are very crowded.

If you take your baby to visit friends or relatives, make sure they're free of illness. Even a cold can be dangerous to a newborn. Anyone who handles the baby should wash his or her hands. In short, avoid crowds and sick people. Another common dilemma is how much clothing you should put on a new baby. A baby should be dressed the same way his or her mother is dressed.

A good rule of thumb: the same amount of layers that the mother wears, the baby should wear. It's always better to be underdressed then overdressed. A baby who is overdressed tends to get dehydrated, get fevers more easily and eat less.

There is also a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome among babies who are bundled beyond reason. A baby who is underdressed really has no specific risks. The other rule of thumb for dressing your infant: Wear what grandma says divided by four.

Answer 2

I know I am probably overly cautious, but I believe that since many germs are airborne, such as virus, colds, flu, that it is better to keep babies away from crowds till they are at least 3 mo. After birth, babies have some of their mother's resistance to germs, but soon lose that. Nothing is more important than keeping the baby away from germs. The only "outings" I took my babies to at young ages was to doctor's office.

Answer 3

by all means take him out when the weather permits. He need the vit D from the sun. Taking him around other people is not really dangerous for him if you're nursing, since he gets your immunities only stronger, but it's dangerous for you. The last thing you need right now is to get sick.

Answer 4

I took my son out for the first time when he was 5 days old. We went to a river front festival and I held him the entire time. I've been taking him out ever since and he's 5 weeks old and I've had no problems with taken him out so early.

Answer 5

didnt you have to be outside to come home from the hospital? its safe to take your baby outside.. just be carefull about the sun.. i dont remember if its safe to use sunscreen on a newborn, but keep him in the shade, and make sure he doesnt get too hot.. let him wear just a diaper

Answer 6

I took my son out when he was only a few days old-I hate being inside all day! He had one of those travel systems so I'd just keep him covered w/ both canopies so less germs would get to him at the store. To this day he's only gotten sick once!

Answer 7

Outside in the yard is ok as long as he's protected from the sun. But outside like to the mall or movies or restaurant shouldn't be done until after he gets his vaccines. Babies are really susceptible to illnesses and you shouldn't expose them until after their shots around 8 weeks.

Answer 8

NOW the more often you take your baby out the better. they need sunshine and fresh air as much as you do. it also helps build up the immune system. as long as the weather is nice let a beautiful baby enjoy a beautiful day.

Answer 9

My dr. has always suggested that for a couple of weeks not to expose my kids to other people and to try to keep them home. I think that was because my girls were born in Feb. and March and maybe it was cold and flu season.

Answer 10

Outside is fine...just don't take him to a very crowded area yet. Take him for a walk in the park...