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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get out and about with our newborn?

43 replies

FanaticalFox · 11/05/2017 16:19

DD is our first baby and now 11 days old

I had a c section and she is solely formula fed as I was completely unable to breastfeed sadly as i really wanted to. Due to both these things I've felt 100% myself within about a week after the c section and I've made myself get out and about with DD and DH. We've been on little walks to the park and shop, a few visits to family homes, a few car journeys to shops and cafe lunches etc but I never really want to be out more than about 2 hours as she feeds every 2 hours roughly and I haven't yet changed her nappy out except family homes and I'm not sure yet what places have changing facilities and whats the etiquette!? Do i bring the pushchair into the toilets if I'm alone? Not sure so I've avoided that bit even though at the moment I could just take the baby and leave the pushchair etc with DH or vice versa. Anyway I digress.

Alot of friends have said to me they're surprised I've been out and about and feel like i want to as they mainly spent the first 2 months or so just watching netflix and "cluster feeding" with no sleep etc. Have we been lucky with an easy going baby so far or am i doing too much?

OP posts:

Rinceoir · 11/05/2017 19:04

I was out and about as soon as possible. Was in hospital for 9 days and after that just wanted fresh air!

witsender · 11/05/2017 19:07

Everyone is different. I wanted to get out early with DD, and did...but couldn't get far due to a blood losses meaning I was exhausted quickly. I never counted family or friends' houses as being 'out', as you were just sitting chatting

After DS I was up and about within a day because I had to, a working husband and toddler running around. But had had a massive blood loss and felt pants, but needs must.

There are no prizes either way, you just do what works. Knowing a lot of parents, I would say that neither way is more prevalent than the other.

witsender · 11/05/2017 19:08

I BF both times and loved the ease of being out with no accoutrements, so that wasn't an issue.

Newborns tend to be easier though I found, they get more demanding as they get older.

arethereanyleftatall · 11/05/2017 19:09

This is another of the scenarios for me where mn experience is totally difference from real life experience.
I was up and out from day 2, as was everyone I know. All 8 from our Nct group met in the same coffee shop every Tuesday without fail regardless of when our lo's were born. Also, any newborn with a sibling will have to be up and out on school runs etc

ScarlettFreestone · 11/05/2017 19:11

I had a section and breast fed twins and I was out walking with the pram every day within about 2 weeks.

Do what works for you.

KirstyJC · 11/05/2017 19:14

I was told off by a woman in B & Q when I was out with DH and DS3 in a sling when he was 4 days old. Apparently I should have been sitting at home struggling.......

If you can get out and want to get out then do it. Congrats on your LO

Floralnomad · 11/05/2017 19:14

I was out and about within a week / 10 days with both of mine , I'm pretty sure that's why neither of them ever really had a nap schedule as they just slept whenever . Do whatever works for you .

EB123 · 11/05/2017 19:14

YANBU

I have had 3 c sections and was out and about fairly soon each time. My last c section I was very poorly afterwards, DH was back at work a week later and I had two other children and I couldn't just keep inside so we went out. Tbh I think it helped take my mind off out awful I was feeling.

tovelitime · 11/05/2017 19:25

I was out and about with all three of mine within days. First outing with #1 he was about 5 days old and within a week we were out every day. #2 had to go out as I had a 3 year old and #3 was full on school runs and activities by week 2 with a 4 and 7 year old. I found that it helped me massively to just get on with things

Chipsahoy · 11/05/2017 19:32

With ds1 it took me ages. But with ds2 I was confident breast feeding, having breast fed ds1 and had to be used to take ds1 to pre school every day. On day five we went out for dinner and got a slightly shocked response from people on nearby table. Currently ttc dc3, almost tell yrs older than the first time around, so not sure if that will make difference to recovery and energy?

BertrandRussell · 11/05/2017 19:32

I was out and about very quickly with both of mine. But I had easy births, found bf easy and, crucially I wanted to be out. My sil just wanted to stay at home and be visited. Do what feels right for you. But be kind to yourself either way-it's easy to get tireder than you think you are- and childraising is a long haul!

beekeeper17 · 11/05/2017 19:39

I find that the baby change facilities are often in the disabled toilets, and they're pretty big so you can usually get the pram in too. However, if it's in a cafe and I've got a table, I usually find it easier just to leave the pram at the table and take baby and changing bag into the baby change. Once you've done it a couple of times you'll get the hang of it!

MissShittyBennet · 11/05/2017 19:49

Do what you like. If you want to go for a few ambles, that's fine. if you want to sit on your arse all day cuddling the baby or even just relaxing while someone else does it, also fine. Just keep an eye on your lochia.

Emboo19 · 11/05/2017 20:08

Didn't have a c section and I'm breastfeeding. I felt fine though and pretty much back to normal straight away.
I actually got a bit of a telling of from the midwife, as I'd been out shopping when dd was a few days old.
I think so long as you listen to your body and know your limits, its absolutely fine though.

Changing wise, it depends where you are really. Most department stores/supermarkets have toilets you'd fit a pram in, smaller cafes/restaurants maybe not, but then I feel fine leaving my pram at the table and going to change.
I wouldn't worry about it, worst case change in the pram or the car boot, my dd's been changed a fair few times in the boot.

Babymamaroon · 11/05/2017 20:10

YANBU! Congratulations on your brand new little girl :)

Do what is right for you and don't give two hoots to whatever else any idiotic, judgmental mofos think.

Enjoy the hell out of this time

dontcallmelen · 11/05/2017 20:44

Yy do want you want, there are no hard & fast rules as pp most places generally have baby change facilities, especially shopping centres/dept stores, usually smaller cafe would probably have to leave pram by the table.
Congratulations & enjoy hopefully the start of a lovely summer.

MusicIsMedicine · 12/05/2017 04:01

How old are you OP?

Blossom789 · 12/05/2017 05:13

Just listen to your body, if you feel better for being out then do it! Just make sure you get enough rest especially given your c section as you need to recover.

Toilet wise - take the pram in. Make sure your bag has the wipes and nappies you need in easy reach. Some places are better set up than others most big places have nice baby change with toilet for you to use at same time. At this age I found if I pushed baby slept! So you may not need to worry too much about changing.

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