So I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not. We are looking for something to do with our 7 year old and our 3 week old and thought the zoo, but I didn't know with all the animals and germs if this would be a good idea. I would love your thoughts.
Thanks
2007-10-13 04:50:20 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
A three-week old infant should not have any trouble at the zoo since he/she is not really coming into contact with any animal or zoo property. He/she will either be held, in a stroller or carried some way. Be careful if you drop a blanket, bottle, pacifer, etc and do not give it back to the baby. Also be very careful of any changing tables. Make sure strangers do not touch your baby and make sure the family washes their hands before touching the baby if they have touched anything else at the zoo. I would NOT use a zoo-provided stroller. Make sure your baby is healthy before going.. no sniffles, etc.
Also if the zoo has a Bird enclosed area, skip it...just in case.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/animals/birds.htm
2007-10-13 04:57:49 · answer #1 · answered by Raynanne 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Okay, I've never had a doctor tell me not to take a healthy baby out in public until they're 6 weeks old. You shouldn't have to be home bound just because you have a newborn. If you keep your baby in a sterile enviornment, they will get sick the first time they come into contact with a germ.
When my daughter was 2 weeks old, she and I took a 12 hour road trip to meet my husband flying in for R&R. We took her to the airport at 3 weeks, and in the next two weeks, we went to movie theatres, a water park, a zoo and even Sea World. Oh, and back to the airport.
And guess what? She didn't get sick.
Your little one will be fine, take normal precautions, keep the baby warm, don't let obviously sick people touch your baby, etc.
2007-10-13 12:47:25 · answer #2 · answered by Shutterbug Mama 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why not... although she may be allergic to the animal dander.
I took my daughter to the zoo around 2 months old... I had her at the beach when she was about 6 weeks old.
As long as she doesn't come in close contact with the animals, like a petting zoo, I'm sure it would be fine.
2007-10-13 11:53:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why not. If you are carrying your baby, or pushing in a pram then it won't be in direct contact with any germs. The one you need to keep your eye on is your 7 year old! By heck they are such live wires that you will need eyes in the back of your head while you are there! I know as I am a Nana to 14,11 and 6 year old grandchildren!
2007-10-13 11:56:13 · answer #4 · answered by dozyllama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go for it. If They are taking Their Parents to see the Bears then it is all right. You will not be the first, nor last, to do so. The noise will not effect the 3 week old.... probably sleep through the whole thing. The 7 year old is the problem. Keep a watch on Him/Her. Children that age get into everything.
2007-10-13 11:54:08 · answer #5 · answered by Ashleigh 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think its fine as long the animals don't go near the baby. Having another baby should not deprive the older sibling of any fun. Many people take their newborns out as well and they turn out fine so as long as you have recover well from your delivery then by all means go out and have fun. A walk at the zoo will do your body good too.
2007-10-13 11:58:53 · answer #6 · answered by beauty guru 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is a good idea to take an infant to the zoo. With animals carrying dirt and insects, and evacuating on the open ground, there are so many air-borne germs and bacteria floating in the air, I would not want to expose a new-born, who's defense mechanisms are still forming, to such an array of potential health risks. That is to say nothing of fleas, tics, flies, and other insects which seem to be prevalent around animals. A parent's duty is to nurture, protect, and care for a child. I think taking a 3 week old to the zoo goes against those criteria. My advice is hire a qualified baby sitter for the infant, or take him/her to Grandma's, and take your 7 year old to the zoo. You and the 7 year old will enjoy the experience more without the added encumbrance of the infant.
2007-10-13 12:17:53 · answer #7 · answered by Cadillacman 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Unless you are tossing your three week old in the cage to get kissed by the animals I really don't see the problem. Most of the zoo is outside and it is usually hard for airborne illness to spread in the open air like that.
2007-10-13 11:58:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can. I'm sure people are going to bring up how their doctors said not to take their baby anywhere for the first 6 weeks, but that's crap. My friend's son had seen the inside of about 6 restaurants by the time he was two weeks old... he was none the worse for wear...
2007-10-13 11:56:03 · answer #9 · answered by bookworm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it should be fine. Zoos aren't that dirty really, and very ill children sometimes go to zoos and they are okay. Introducing your baby to germs is good anyway, in small doses - it helps prevent allergies in later life.
2007-10-13 11:53:41 · answer #10 · answered by .єmιlч. .ωєmιlч. ~♥~ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋