How Soon to Take Newborn Out in Public?

I took my oldest who was 2 in Feb to Target the day I was coming home from the hospital (c-section delivery). Hubby had her in the car seat and me in a ridding cart. She is the healthiest baby I know. My second she was a few days after I came home after another c-section and went to Buffalo Wild Wings. In both cases no one touched them except me or my husband, they just asked if we had another boy or a girl. Just be smart about it. Not a big deal.

I took my daughter to Walmart at 4 days old, in January. Maybe I'm just nuts. I just kept her warm and had a "look but don't touch" policy with strangers until she was a few months old.

I waited until both my kids were 6 weeks old. I think my Pediatrician made that recommendation after having my first child -- but it was winter and there were tons of viruses going around. I vaguely remember being told something about their immune systems hitting rock bottom at 6 weeks of age, and then it starts getting stronger and stronger. I just did the same thing with my 2nd.

Your baby and I share a birthday. :)

Are you breastfeeding? If you are, I would take him wherever you want. Breastfeeding confers immunity as long as you are doing it, even if you do it for 3 years! So I would feel safe taking him out as long as you are nursing.

If you are not, you have until he is about 6 weeks for placental immunity and then he is on his own. With swine flu scares about, and the regular flu season and whooping cough "season" starting, I would probably not take him places like Target and such for the first 6 months to a year.

That seems a little young to me. And keep in mind that you'll probably seem like the over protective parents when your church friends come up and want to hold him and you say no. We took our son to his first family outing at 10 days, but it was just the five immediate members of my family and 3 very good friends. And everyone washed their hands before holding, and didn't hold if they had a cold. His first public outing was to a restaraunt at 5 weeks and he was in between my husband and I in a booth, so no one could touch him or breathe too closely. I had a C-Section so I didn't leave the house for 2 weeks. Our Doc recommended 6 weeks. What ever you decide I'm sure it'll work out, just keep in mind, if you think it's hard being a new mom, imagine being a new mom to a baby with a cold that can't have any medication!

I personally feel Target is safer than church. At church you will want to be polite when people come up to see him at target you will have no problem telling people to keep their distance. Just be sure you wash/baby wipe your hands often so you don't accidentally get him sick. Any fever before 6 weeks is an automatic full work up which includes blood so you want to be careful for a few more weeks.

Hi N. I waited a month before taking my babies out in public. And not letting anyone hold is a good idea with all these new virus that are in the environment. Also check with his pediatrican about this.

We had our second baby in February and we waited a good month. We ended up taking him out at like 5 weeks.

Take care!

We took our daughter out in public at 5 days, we took her to church at 1 week 3 days. It is up to you and how comfortable you are feeling.

I know you have already gotten a lot of responses, but I totally agree with the mom that said that your life does not stop just because you have a child. We did everything and anything with our kids. Especially, the first. She was such a good baby that I went everywhere with her.
I suppose it helps that I have a huge family and so it is just normal for us to be out and about and visiting and everyone watches each others kids at family gatherings. However, if a new mom in the family had certain wishes, we followed those wishes. We all made sure we weren't sick before holding each others kids and washed hands, etc.
I know that we took our first out the day after she was out of the hospital (5 days old). She has special needs. She never got sick when she was a newborn/infant. Our second, while I don't remember exactly, was most likely out and about even sooner than that, because of all the oldest's therapies and appts and such.
We just use common sense. Keep the baby away from ppl that are sick, wash hands, hand santizer, use the baby's car seat instead of the store baby seat or restaurant baby chairs.
While it is wonderful to be able to stay at home and relax and just enjoy your baby, you also need to get out and get some fresh air and enjoy life. Your baby does too. Keeping your baby locked in the house for 6 months to a year, I feel is contrary to a child's development. We all need and crave human contact. :D

The biggest thing to remember is...it is your choice. What you feel comfortable with.

I'm surprised your doctor didn't tell you to get this baby outdoors asap! It's good for baby and for you! There's no reason not take your baby out. You don't have to let people touch the baby, but fresh air and human interaction is healthy for all. And it's not like it's flu season : ) Defintely get out, do your shopping, go for walks, go everywhere!

I am a firm believer that just because you have a child your life does not stop. I am not quite sure of how old she was for her first public outing because if we needed/wanted to go out we went. I do know that she was 6 wks old on her first camping trip (yes a tent) and only like 4 weeks old the first time she flew on an airplane. My advice to you is if you're both up to it then take him out! He's not going to break, and if you're worried about him getting sick put a blanket over the carseat or keep his visor up. You could even put him in the sling where he lays close to your body, and pretty much you can just see him. Go show him off..... you know you're proud of him and want everyone to see so why not!

I started taking my first around 2-3 weeks. My second got dragged everywhere at about 6 days old. Both of them are healthy. If you have him in a sling and ask people not to touch him, it's fine. We actually travelled to Germany with my son when he was 9 weeks old! Congrats on your little one. Don't worry - it's pretty hard to break them, even though they feel very fragile :)

Nope~I think that's a great age! I took all 4 of mine out the first week/and had vistors. @ church, I just didn't have anyone hold them unless they washed their hands! Nor have little kids get too close (other than my own). I always made sure I carried hand sanitizer with me in my bag!!! But, every momma is different. If it was my hubbys OR mother in law's choice overall, they woulda had the baby in the house for 6 weeks! I feel unless the baby has some serious health issues, I feel it's great to bring them out. Seriously, my hubby & I battle over this everytime we have a new baby. I even had the discussion w/my doctor w/my hubby present. Doc just said, be smart about it but bringing baby out the first week is fine...AS LONG AS YOU ARE SMART ABOUT IT!

Hi N.,
I took my daughter out at 3 days to get shirts to nurse with (crowded mall!) she is going to be 2 tomorrow, and has had no health problems. He has already been exposed to germs at the hospital, and docs office, you have some great advice, but keep in mind it is how comfortable you feel, and if you decide to let people hold him, make sure they wash their hands first and aren't already sick! GOOD LUCK!

We took our son to Target when he was six days old, but just two days after coming home from the hospital. I wouldn't worry about it!

We waited about 1 month before taking out my firstborn son, but not because we were worried, but that he spent the first 13 days in the NICU, and when we did bring him home in late January it was too cold to take him out without much hassle.

With baby boy #2 we had him in church by the time he was 6 days old. In my experience, no one tried to touch him. I just made sure that we kept him in the infant carrier when he was sleeping, and when he was awake I just held him very close to me.

I had a c-section with both kids, and with #2 I was taking him out to Target by about 2 weeks. Life goes on, especially when you have a toddler already at home. I have yet to experience an adult who tried to touch my kid. I think my body language of holding my son close, and only letting on-lookers peer at him, sends the message that they can look and not touch.

I took my daughter to Olive Garden the day of my doctor's appointment after she was born, she was three days old. I believe the sooner you expose them to people the better. She is a happy and healthy 14 year old now!! So it must not have hurt her. If he's in his own car seat, he's pretty protected from things, so go shop at Target and have fun!!

Congrats on the birth of your little boy!!! Hope you are doing well!

I felt the same way. All I can say is...don't stress! Take hime out and enjoy life!!!!

Everyone is different and our country we have a tradition not to expose the child and mother before 40 days. Our family does not follow all set rules, but I am sure there will be a reaso behind 40 days.

Besides Ped visit I took Out my daughter @ 10 day for grocery shopping and wosrship. We were lucky to have her first flight on 41st day to Hawaii..9 hr flight. we did fine.

Enjoy the time and go by Mothers (or Fathers) Instinct.

V.

Before 6 weeks, a fever which leads to an er visit will result in a spinal tap as standard procedure. To me that was my biggest fear bringing my kids out. I didn't mind if they caught a cold but I was terrified to put them through a spinal tap. That said, I got post partum depression with my first and so with my second and now my third, I never limited my activity because I needed to get out (as do the older sibs). My third was at the grocery store, the zoo, the splash park and on play dates all before two weeks old. I guess I pray that breastfeeding will give them the immunity they need. So far, I've never had a sick kid before they were 6 months old. knock on wood for my 6 week old! Do what you gut tells you is right and try not to worry!

I have 4 kiddos and I always waited about a month to six weeks depending on the time of year. I figure time flies by and it is such a precious time. Do I really NEED to go to Target and risk a health issue? NO! I enjoyed that quiet time at home, believe me, you have the rest of your life to go shopping! Enjoy and have others help out by running out and grabbing diapers for you. Go on long walks outside and enjoy the slower pace of life for a few weeks. Everyone feels differently about this subject so do what you feel confident about!

You should be fine to take him out at this point. But be prepared... everyone will want to hold him! My son was about 2 1/2 weeks-3 weeks old when we first took him out. I can't remember how old my twins were, but I'm sure it was even sooner than that because I couldn't stand being trapped in the house! Good luck and congrats!

I would take the baby out whenever you feel like going out. Consider that between being born in the hospital (if he was) and going to the doctor's office he has already been exposed to germs. Carrying him in the Mody is a great way to keep people from touching- they have to really invade your personal space to do it.

I have three kids and they have all been out very early. My youngest was born at home and we took her out very soon after. I cannot sit at home or I go totally crazy.

I took my first child out at 3 weeks but my second it was like 2 months because it was flu season. I'd get out now before the flu really kicks in and you can't go out. But you have to do what you and your husband are comfortable with. Congrat's.

I think it's a little early. Are you nursing, he will have immunities if you are. Besides the germ issue, is the issue that all the noise and commotion could disturb some infants. Why not play it safe and wait another 2 weeks.

i took my little one to wal-mart at one week old and she is now 15months and just fine. its ok to take your baby out. just make people wash there hands befor holding the little one. have fun and enjoy him while hes little and those sleep less night will go away in know time

I didn't take my kids out until about 2 months. Even if you plan on not letting anyone touch/hold your child people come right up to them and touch their hands which is probably the worst place to touch them because of babies putting hands in their mouths :) I would probably go to target after 6 weeks because you can keep people away easier. you have to say please don't touch or just keep moving:) in a few months you won't want to go out with flu/H1Ni so your window is pretty small. Whatever happens don't worry about being rude to keep your child safe :)

It is very good to keep positive, I completly believe that.
With saying that I do want to mention that my own doctor mentioned to me that she had assisted someone giving birth to her baby and then a friend of her patient came for a visit to the hospital. This women had a cold sore and kissed the baby. Cold sores contain the herpes virus. A perfect healthy baby became very sick in the next few days and now is mentally handicapped. Baby tested positive for the herpes in her blood tests. My doctor told me to be careful with people with cold sores. She told me this story with my last two babies. Thanks to that knowledge given to me, I had a extended family member wanting to hold my baby....we noticed she had a cold sore and we just ignored her, when she asked, sord of changing the subject, pretending we didn't hear her asking. I didn't want to be mean. I regret that I was just not truthful with her. I sure did not want to take that chance.
I also know someone personally that had given birth to two healthy baby boys. The parents took them to a wedding reception, before six weeks of age and they got sick. One of them worse than the other. One of them ended up dying. It does go to show that every individual handles things differently. One baby lived while the other couldn't take it. Why take a chance? I personally had a baby pass away already and I know the pain of not having him with me. My intention is not to scare you but to give you the information that I have experienced. My pediatrician told me to keep my babies home. At least two months during this season....My daughter was born in Oct. and my other son in March. I sacrificed for them. It was hard. I would have friends come over who didn't have small children and if they weren't sick. After the six weeks I would go out for a little bit while my husband stayed home with the baby. I made sure to change my shirt and to wash my hands and arms really well. One time though, after the six weeks I took the baby to target...yes I know...LoL I put her in her own stroller not in the store carts. So that is what I pushed. That way I wouldn't expose her to bad germs on them. My husband would push a seperate cart and just wash hands before going in the car and when we got home. I use the baby wipes to clean hands while we are out, or the steering wheel. I really only took the baby out to family functions. That was hard too because all the children wanted to touch and kiss the baby....I had to monitor everything. My baby has been very healthy. She is almost 11 months old and by the grace of the Lord....she has not gotten sick. Now we do go out a lot so I also pray for my kids a lot. I trust the Lord to protect them from all those sickness and diseases out there. They are very healthy children. He has and continues to be faithful. I am so grateful to Him!!! I do think it is good for you to take a walk outside with him. The air outside and the sun are good for him for a little while....and for you too!!!
May you and your baby be very blessed!!!