Am I being overly anxious???

[Sassy14]

Hi everyone,

I have a 4 month old baby and have kept distance from family ever since he was born to reduce the risk of catching COVID. The only risk we have really is that my partner is a key worker.
I've been so anxious about the baby catching it that I have never taken him into a shop or in public really unless I've had to. He hasn't been around family that much at all due to it all as a lot of them don't follow the rules and are out and about in everyday life (plus they have all had COVID and don't think it's that big of a deal) some of them work in high risk public facing jobs etc.

It's really starting to take a toll on me and I miss being out in the real world and seeing people/going to shops etc and my maternity leave is passing so quickly.

I see so many new parents on social media out and about with their newborn babies meeting friends, going for coffee etc and I think to myself am I being overly anxious? My baby is over 4 months old now so not a newborn anymore which makes me feel better but I'm still very worried.

Please can any other new parents advise how they are managing all of this? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you
And merry Christmas everyone

[Thatwentbadly]

When you say you don’t go out do you mean you don’t go out for walks with friends or you don’t go to indoor places?

[Sassy14]

@Thatwentbadly I go out for daily walks with the baby but never really anywhere indoors.

[Debradoyourecall]

The risk to babies themselves seems to be low.

[raising2children]

I think you should risk assess for your family. if you feel better reducing contact with people then do it. Happy parent, happy baby. there's light at the end of the tunnel with a vaccine too. please don't worry about what you see on social media, some is a presented how they want you to see it - not the reality!!!

[MountAbora]

It’s horrible isn’t it?! I have a 6.5 month old & I have been so anxious about covid, doesn’t help that his Dad was shielding when he was born. I walk a lot, often socially distanced with a friend or family member to try to get some social interaction. Are there any baby classes near you? You have to maintain distance obv but there are strict rules about disinfecting etc which help me to feel safer & I put DS on a blanket I bring from home. Could you wrap up & go somewhere for a cuppa outside to start off with? Or go to a cafe at a quieter time? Iv found that first thing in the morning is usually best. Good luck, it’s been a rough ride having a baby during the pandemic!

[June628]

I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong OP. I haven’t done anything indoors with baby either. I’ll go fit socially distances walks with family or friends but avoid shops etc. The risk isn’t worth it to me, however small it may be considered for babies.