when do you think it is safe to start taking an infant on outings?

Question

i will have my baby on friday by induction and i still have christmas shopping to do and i want to breastfeed also so i couldn't leave him with someone all day so when do you think it is okay for him (and a new first time mom) to go on outings. and even to visit family etc, just in general get out of the house? or at how old did you start taking your new baby out?

i do have a breast pump but i'm not sure i could get a full days milk out of a few weeks and i have to go out of town for shopping we live in a very small town with no malls!!

Answer 1

You don't want to introduce a bottle that soon anyway, so nuts to pumping.

*I* (you may be different...) would get a snuggly sort of carrier -- a wrap would be a good idea -- and pop the baby in the carrier against me, with some skin contact -- and put my coat over the whole thing, and go out as per usual.

That is, as soon as I could do so myself. We took our daughter to the supermarket when she was just a couple of days old, but I was _exhausted_ just picking up a few groceries.

Send away for some mail-order catalogues to browse while nursing as well as that wrap carrier... When you do hit the mall, BRING DADDY if you are anywhere under 100% -- my daughter was mostly carried by her father and not me for the first while; I was way too weak/shaky/sore, between the birth and the subsequent sleep deprivation.

Answer 2

The advice to take him out in a sling when you feel up to it is best.
That's what I did. I had to get some clothes for the baby naming. I put her in her little pouch sling and even if anyone looked at her, they couldn't breath all over her or touch her and spread germs. Of course that was April and right now it is cold and flu season, I really don't think a mall in december is where you want to take the baby. I didn't take mine into a mall for a month. I 'd suggest other, less crowded stores on like a monday night- less crowded, and do as much shopping as you can on-line. Use the slng when you must go out. I had to fly and used a sling to keep people from her, you can cover the face loosely so nosy people can't get too close. But really, a mall in december...not ideal.

Answer 3

If you didn't already have your shopping done (you knew you were having a baby, now didn't you?), do it online. I would not, under any circumstances, bring a newborn around crowded stores when flu season is just starting. Just not a wise idea. Even during the daytime, there aren't any really uncrowded stores during the Christmas season. However, coffee shops are great. Bookstores (like Borders, etc.) generally work well too. Visiting family is another story (make sure they aren't sick). You can visit family as soon as you feel like it.

Answer 4

Your baby will have your antibodies after birth and even more while breastfeeding so take your baby out when you feel up to it. Cover him or her up making sure to use a blanket over his or her ears and nose and mouth so as the little one doesn't breathe in the cold air. (I'm in NY and it's cold here, not sure where you are...) You may want to see if you can find a netting to use on your stroller like the insect nets that are used on strollers. They help keep hands off of the baby. Old people and little ones alike always want to lean in and touch baby. Whatever you do, don't allow anyone to hold baby unless you are comfortable with them. Get some of the alcohol based hand cleanser to have handy so you can MAKE ANYONE who comes near baby to hold him or her use that prior to handling the baby. I wouldn't allow anyone except very close family hold my newborn at all. Keeping that to a minimum. This is cold and flu season you know.

Best of luck to you and happy mothering!

Pam

Answer 5

My son was about 3 weeks, but the first 2 he was in the hospital and the 3rd week we had a crazy snowstorm, so daddy decided that he'd go get groceries for us. After that, our son went wherever I did. It's rare that I go anywhere without him. Invest in a carrier, they are wonderful. I would make sure you have someone to go with you the first few weeks since you'll probably be sore and exhausted. There is no "set" time as to when it's safe to have a baby out in public.

Answer 6

Whenever you feel up to it. Think about it...the baby has to go on his/her "first" outing when you take them home from the hospital, and they're just fine. It's more about if you're feeling up to all that walking (online shopping, anyone??!?!) .

Just be sure of course to bundle your baby, but to take some of those layers off once you get indoors (we tend to over bundle our bundles of joy, and then they get overheated and are miserable). Generally, young babies need one extra layer of clothing that an adult would, provided that they are full term and healthy. Make sure you bring plenty of healthy snacks to keep your energy and milk supply up, and take frequent breaks if you get tired.

Other than that, good luck to you. If I were having a baby on Friday, I'd either do the "quick trip to safeway for giftcards" route or go online!

Merry Christmas!

Answer 7

You can take him out whenever you feel up to going out. I took my baby out within a week. I found it easiest to use a wrap-style sling - my daughter stayed calm and happy, I didn't worry about her getting too cold (she was born in January - I just zipped my coat up over her), and, after a bit of practice, I could nurse her in the sling while strolling through a store.

Answer 8

Whenever you feel up to it is fine. If you are uncomfortable nursing in public uncovered, Target sells nice little cover-ups. They snap or velcro behind your neck and cover baby and your shoulder without you having to hold on to it.

Answer 9

I followed the rule of thumb 1 month, just because you don't want your baby to catch anything, germs are everywhere. But you have to do what you have to do, wait as long as you can. You are breastfeeding which is better for their immune system. Bundle up if it's cold where you are and don't let strangers touch your baby.