Being ‘out of the house’ with a 10 week old baby?

[Pinkshadow]

My daughter is nearly 11 weeks old now and I find when we go out we are still getting praise for being out and about.

When is the normal time to go out with a little one?

I have been out for coffee/ walks/ days outs since she was about 5 days old. But I understand everyone is going to be different depending on the birth etc.

Even with a baby that has bad colic I think it would have been bad for my mental health to stay in the house.

Was just interested in everyone else’s experiences?

Meh, whenever you like. People are just being friendly and kind. It doesn’t necessarily depend on the birth or labour either, mine was horrific, long, dangerous. Stitches etc. But I was out and about shopping and for dinner after 2 days, in fact I don’t know anyone that wasn’t out and about a couple of days after they were out of hospital. If you’re in pain etc or csec recovery is hard, then of course you wouldn’t be. And depends on baby too obviously! I think anything goes!

I had a unplanned c section came home on the Sunday and was out round Tesco on the Tuesday 🙃 everyone's different I suppose but I think they just say that as they don't have anything else to say

Tbh I have an 8 month and a 2 year old and I cba to get “out of the house” nearly enough these days.

We were lucky- great weather to get out so we started going out from 2 weeks on. Couldn't walk before that as was in huge pain with infected episiotomy stitches. She had bad reflux and colic and I found getting out of the house was the only time she wouldn't scream/cry for the first 8 weeks. I used to walk for up to 4 hours every day!

Another one that did the school run with a 12 hour old baby (x3 )

Yes, I don't get it either. Went home on the bus from the hospital with DC2, popped into the library when we changed buses, and bought a snow-suit in one of the charity shops as he'd arrived at a 3-6month size rather than newborn.

Had a couple of days rest, then it was business as usual.

My downstairs neighbour however had a traditional 40 day "purdah" after the birth and didn't leave the house at all. Which is fine if you have a large family ready to do all the grunt-work for you.

I don't think I left the house for much that wasn't medical for the first 4 weeks with DS2 due to worsened SPD pain aggravated by a 3rd degree tear and laxitives. It was certainly 4 weeks by the time I could face the drivers seat of the car.

That was worse than the aftermath of DS1's EMCS and various complications. The SPD did ease at birth so by 10 days I could undertake such rigourous activities such as going to the post box and back. By a month I could walk a couple of miles and catch a bus to town. Having been housebound and unable to drive for weeks prior to the birth I waited until my check at 8 weeks for driving as I wanted to have a good amount of strength back after being so ill and off the roads for more than two months.

By 3 months I was reasonably normal with my outings although I avoided anything unnecessary before 10am with two young children liable to blow a nappy at any given moment

Didn’t go out much with DC1 for a long time after long labour and csection. Tried to get out earlier with DC. We’d been out twice in 3 weeks when he caught whooping cough (and not from a family member). I was in hospital with DC2 very ill and calling the docs for an appointment for me for an infection in tears from forceps delivery.
Not everyone has a good birth, not everyone has well babies. Some babies do catch germs when they’re out.

Didn’t go out much at all for the first few weeks with DS1. I had an awful labour and a PPH and it took a while to recover. I’d feel breathless and like I was about to faint walking to the end of the road...... Once that was sorted though we were out all the time, he slept so much better out walking and we had some lovely NCT friends so spent lots of time socializing!

I was in Holland and Barrett yesterday and explained I had a 3.5 mos old, the lady at the till told me I was doing so well to be out and about... but then she explained that in her culture you stay in with the baby for at least 2 months.

I definitely think it’s a just a nice pat on the back. Babies are hard work.

I went to Asda with my 12 hour old lol.

I was so shocked at having a girl I wanted to buy her a dress!

I had my first two in hospital, so wasn't out for 10 days,(Olden times!). When I had my third at home the midwife told me not to be up and about too quickly as I needed to rest. I'm the indolent type anyway, so I lazed around in nightdress and dressing gown , my neighbour had the older two, and my husband did the shopping and cooking. These people who need to be out and about since day 1 just make me feel tired.