Is it normal to be afraid to take my 6 weeks old son out shopping, visiting ...?

Question

BECAUSE I AM AFRAID DRIVING WITH HIM IN THE CAR, OR HIM GETTING SICK FROM CROWDED PLACES, I AM IMAGINING ALL KIND OF THINGS, OR I AM SICK? I DO TAKE HIM TO THE PARK AND AROUND MY HOUSE BUT ONLY WITH MY HUBBY....I AM SO AFRAID AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN I AM GOING TO GET OVER IT.I WISH I WOULD BE THAT HIP MOM WHO IS SO CONFORTABLE TAKING HIM EVERYWERE FROM DAY ONE...I HAVE A FRIEND LIKE THAT AND THAT'S WHY I THINK IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME...HELP?

Answer 1

i know how you feel honey.
i felt guilty taking my son out, with all the car fumes and pollution getting into his tiny lungs, and loud noises that made him jump. i used to think people were disrespectful if they werent quiet around my son, but one day it hit me. The world doesnt stop because i had a baby. you will come round to taking your son out and it will become a pleasure in time i'm sure.
Good Luck

Answer 2

Don't worry about wishing you were a "hip" mom. What you described as "hip" is often irresponsible - taking newborns out to crowded, germ - infested malls, to parties, out to eat...that's not good! If you feel more comfortable at home with him, good for you. You'll be greatly reducing the risk of him picking up an illness. You will need some time to get out though, so schedule some time for Hubby to take the baby so you can get out. That's what we did with our son, who was just a few months old during the cold season. He ended up not getting a single illness. Now that he's three, we of course don't keep him inside or in a bubble; he's out and about everywhere. But he still has a VERY strong immune system and has so far only had a minor cold. I credit a lot of this to keeping him away from germs when he was an infant. Don't listen to people who say he needs to be exposed to some germs to help strengthen his immune system. That may be true when he's a little older, but for now, he needs to be protected!

Answer 3

I think you've got a touch of post natal depression. Go and see your doctor and tell him about all these feelings you have at the moment. It's quite natural to be protective of your baby - signs of being a good mother - but from your question, you seem to be a bit 'over the top'. Also, don't go comparing yourself with other mothers (real or on TV). There is no such thing as an ideal or perfect mother. Just do your best and you'll be fine. See that doctor though.

Answer 4

Its ok, it's perfectly normal.
As you're very nervous and worried about him in the car, try going out on short journies with just the car seat in the back (see if someone will have the baby for half hour or so until you get back) once you get used to the seat being there, try making short trips to begin with, such as trips to the shops, etc. Or, better still, get your hubby to drive with you, maybe sit next to the baby's car seat in the back just so you can get used to going out with baby.

As for the baby not going out for fear he may catch something, the more you keep him inside the less likely he will be to fend off infections and illnesses when you do take him out.
I began taking my little fella out with me for family visits (thankfully they're only half hours drive away!) when he was a week old and the second he was in the car, he loved it.
Think about it-if it wasn't safe to take your baby out when they're tiny, the hospitals would keep you in for much longer after giving birth. I was told I could take him out whenever I wanted as long as he had his hat and pramsuit on over his clothes. He's so far been fine and is well used to going out and about.

Answer 5

nothing's wrong w/ you, you're a mom! There's nothing "hip" about taking your baby out from day 1, b/c that may not always be the safest thing to do! (nothing against your friend, of course, but don't feel you have to be like other ppl)
LOTS of mothers don't venture out much b/f 6 wks, especially. I liked someone else's idea of starting small. Pick one place you're afraid to go, and try it. It doesn't have to be a mall (lots of ppl, lots of germs) but somewhere you want to go but are afraid.
You're a normal mom, but babies get sick. That doesn't mean you have sick ppl sneeze on them, of course! But, you also can't avoid all germs, no matter how hard you try, so don't live in fear.

Answer 6

Hey, i can relate to this as i had the same problem when i had my lil girl. I was scared to take her out of the house the first few months. I was even scared to leave her on her own in a diffrent room so i ended up taking her everywhere with me.Believe me you shouldnt be worried about this. You baby will be fine aslong as you keep him with you at all times. If it is cold outside wrap him up in a blanket to make sure that he is warm enough so that he wont get sick. You should be able to go out and show off your little star and enjoy people looking and asking questions about him. I know you are proud of your baby but you will be even prouder when you see the look on peoples faces when they look at how cute he is. I over estimated the amount of protection my lil gal needed and now she is to scared to do anything by herself. Go on girl take him out for a drive in the car. He will love it.

Answer 7

It's normal to have lots of worries, especially with your first baby. But tell yourself that keeping him home all the time is not good for him, either. (Not that you're harming him at the moment, he's only 6 weeks, lol, but in the coming weeks and months you should start introducing him to the world!). If your worries persist in the next couple of weeks (or if you're so afraid you actually are having physical symptoms), and if you're restricting your own and your baby's activities in the coming weeks, talk to your own doctor about your persistent anxiety, which might need treatment (you can also talk to your child's pediatrician, who might reassure you that it's safe for him to go out).

Answer 8

I can understand you are afraid and well done for admitting your feelings. You are overwhelmed by feeling protective and responsible for your son - try to venture out (perhaps with someone other than your hubby) or gradually go a little further - a short car journey and then return - I think once you try and its OK you'll be fine!

Answer 9

congrats to you & yours.

i went thru the same thing & i felt like i was going mad.
but it did pass.
so there's nothing wrong with you.
you are experiencing normal maternal & protective thoughts.
you're over-reacting that's all.( just a little bit but being over-cautious is probably wise, in this day-&-age )
it is all perfectly normal & as your confidence builds, in time you will get a handle on these unhelpful negative thoughts.
you have carried your little boy, a tiny scrap of life, around within you for 9 months, your body is still adjusting 6 weeks later & your head will catch-up soon too.
give it time.
;-)

Answer 10

every thing you are feeling is just fine your a new mom. start out slow just take a drive around the block with her. then next day go to the store go in and buy one thing. i know that is kinda weird just go in and buy one thing, but then you can get used to taking him. just take it a day at a time. if there is lots and lots of people then do not do it until he is older and you are ready.
and you will have people come up to you and him, do not be afraid to step in between them. so they do not get close.
older people like to get close and touch them. (eww) if people think that is rude then all well, you want to keep your baby safe of germs.