Help... Taking newborn out

[appletree100]

So my 4 year old was getting a hit if cabin fever and i was sick of ceebeebies so decided to take her amd my 3 week old to soft play (its rainy here today) . Once we got there tho i started to panic about germs, it was packed, so we left after 15 minutes xx now i am totally freaking out about what my 3 week old may have caught in that time, airborne viruses etc.

Question is... Do/did you take your newborn out before 6 weeks? Infeel so careless x maybe a bit of baby blues today though

Love

[AssassinatedBeauty]

Yes, I took the baby out practically every day. They were at my oldest child's birthday party, and to nursery every day with them as well. It's totally normal and fine.

[Cantchooseaname]

If you are breast feeding there will be lots antibodies in your milk. If not, they still have some from placenta- that’s why whooping cough vaccine is useful in pregnancy- it gives baby some immunity.
Relax- I’m sure it will be fine, if you are worried- maybe park next time? Wellies and a coat, tuck little one up in a sling.
Anyone who makes it out of the door with child and baby is hero in my eyes!!

[Doyoumind]

Of course you should be out and about. It's not healthy for you, your baby, or your 4 year old to be stuck indoors. It's extremely unlikely your baby is going to pick up anything dangerous. What's the weather like there? Could you head to a park where you might feel more comfortable with the risks?

[dementedpixie]

Of course it's ok to go out before 6 weeks. I think you are panicking unnecessarily as your baby was not mingling with the other children and will no doubt be perfectly fine

[Matilda1981]

Yes, I took my dd2 out to a group when she was 2 days old - I had an 18 month old so would have gone stir crazy if I’d stayed in!!

[GiveMeAllTheGin8]

This never even crossed my mind now you have me worried!
I've been bringing baby to softplay and dds friends parties since she was a couple of weeks old. It never occurred to me not to but now you say it those places are full of germs!
Just keep baby in the buggy or sling and they won't be near any one then.
Congratulations, it's hard with two!

[Kidssendingmenuts]

I took both mine out for a dog walk and ASDA the day after I gave birth. They will be fine

[Spanglyprincess1]

My ds is five and a half weeks old, I've taken him out 2-3 times a week since he was born. Sometimes to family and sometimes to friends or just shopping. It was fine and he's fine. We even did a full eight hour day to Manchester to visit friends who were back from overseas.
Don't overthink it!

[Seeline]

My Dd was less than a week when she went to her first toddler group session. DS was desperate to show off his new sister.

[Foggymist]

Of course we took them out, we went for lunch the day after we got out of hospital, day 8 with ds1 and day 4 with ds2. Why would you voluntarily confine yourself inside with an older child to entertain too?? If baby was full term and healthy there is no reason to be avoiding "germs", fresh air is good for you all.

[pastabest]

What is special about the six week mark?

Yes both DC1 and DC2 went all sorts of places before they were six weeks old. DC2 in particular has had to slot into DC1 routines which includes playgroup with dozens of germ ridden toddlers.

[delphguelph]

6 weeks!

Get outside! Park, walks, etc. Forget soft play fgs

[DappledThings]

Never crossed my mind to stay at home. DS went to Sainsbury's at around 30 hours old on the way home from the hospital. DD was at a 2 year old's birthday party at 3 weeks.

It's normal to be out and about!

[Thesearmsofmine]

All three of mine were out and about straight away from shopping to soft play, we went on holiday when ds3 was a newborn. They all lived to tell the tale!

[Ladygaladriel]

Yes both of mine were out and about way before 6 weeks. What magically happens at 6 weeks to stop a baby catching a cold etc?
Get a nice stretchy sling and enjoy the summer with your two babies.

[Backhometothenorth]

Yes out everyday from a couple of days old . It's so much more fun for everyone.

[appletree100]

Thanks so much everyone xx we did then stop on our way home at the park, as u can imagine my 4 year old's reaction to leaving soft play after 15 mins!!

I think im just a little sleep deprived today, it was just rammed full of kids though, enough for anyone's anxiety levels to go through the roof hehe xx

Yes i am breastfeeding (constantly) and i had the whooping cough jab during pregnancy xx

I wont cancel our trip away next week then, we are staying in a hotel, as an hour ago i was considering it

Love

[PotteringAlong]

Have you really kept your 4 year old inside for the last 3 weeks so you don’t need to take your baby outside?! That’s crazy; they must be going loopy.

It’s fine to take them outside, it really really is.

[appletree100]

Well no i have been taking them out, but just not such a busy crowed place like soft play... I have even been to the pub a few times . And it wasnt until we got there i actually considered germs, then i googled it and there was a source that mentioned waiting 6 weeks until taking babies to busy places, until their immune systems have matured. I honestly thought it sounded a little over the top, but left soft play just incase, slightly upset, and consulted you lovely people, the real mums and dads xxxxx

[mindutopia]

Yes, definitely. I would maybe avoid places with herds of children poking them and coughing on them initially, but yes, we went out loads. So maybe not soft play, but shops, park, beach, bowling, etc.

[SirHubzALot]

Your baby needs to be exposed to 'germs' to build up their immune system. You run a greater risk of them becoming ill in the long run if they are never exposed to anything that allows them to build their immunity.

[molifly]

Took baby out every day for a day old. Would have gone crazy if I hadn't

[Broussard]

DC3 was on the school run being admired by hordes of children when he was 10 hours old.

[Fadingmemory]

My three were all taken out and about from birth (one winter birth, one spring, one summer) and were with other children at all sorts of events and gatherings. All have robust physical health. If I hadn't gone out and about I would have gone stir crazy.

You don't have to go to crowded places - go to the park, meet other mothers and little ones in a café or at someone's house, just have a walk. Coping with two is a big change so let yourself in gently.

[SoftSheen]

DC2 was taken out on nursery drop-offs and pick-ups from 3 days old, so was probably exposed to all sorts of germs. He did get a few minor colds but nothing worse than that, possibly helped by breastfeeding. Realistically, you can't all stay on for 6 weeks, so just try to relax a bit.