to think I’ll spend most of my time with a newborn at home?

[Jemisphere]

I wondered how much people tended to get out and out with their baby before the 12 week point?

Context is I’m due a baby in December. Especially given covid and weather I think I’ll be spending most of January and February at home in my pyjamas trying to figure out how to care for a new born and watching box sets.
I didn’t think we would be making many plans as I’m planning to EBF, I figured they would spend a lot of time feeding at irregular times, and given I’m good at napping thought I would literally try and sleep when baby does.
I do see from social media that some people I know who have had summer babies have seemed to be out at the pub and at picnics pretty much straight away. It has also been voiced by a family member that of course I’ll want people around everything weekend and to drive the baby out as I’ll be so bored. The response when I said about trying to BF was if I’m a chilled out mum I’ll have a chilled out baby and I can always give them a bottle.
I wondered what others experience was? Is it very dependant on the temperament of the baby?

I'm due my first in November and as soon as I feel up to it I want to be out and about, I think I'd go mad stuck in the house!

I had a November baby and my midwife’s advice was get out every day, even just for a walk around the block. With a decent pram and snowsuit / blankets we did that all through winter from when baby was about 5 days old. I totally recommend it. Good for baby, good for you.

(Also exclusively breastfed. Once had to ask a closed cafe if I could sit inside to feed when it started snowing out but they were happy to oblige.)

I went out everyday as I don't like being at home all day. Sometimes this was with a friend or my mum, sometimes on my own with my baby.
The baby would benefit from a walk outside as fresh air really helps them sleep and a daily walk would be good for your health too surely?
Occasionally my MIL would take my baby for a walk while I had a rest or got on with things at home.
I also went for meals out in the evenings occasionally and took my baby with me.

@Hilarias

(Also exclusively breastfed. Once had to ask a closed cafe if I could sit inside to feed when it started snowing out but they were happy to oblige.)

Me too. On lindersfarne when the tide was in. Always worth an ask.

IME the sound of a baby crying feels much worse when it’s bouncing off the walls of your flat than when you’re pushing them in the buggy. If in doubt, go out.

[quote PjsOn]@Moonwatcher1234 what do you mean "EBF and I would find a quiet place in a cafe or somewhere where the owner would let me do it." Please do not lead the poster to think you have to ask permission to feed your baby!!! I'm on baby 3 ebf, I've spent the past 5 1/2 years (with a bit of time off between babies) feeding and never have I asked the owner of a cafe or anywhere I happen to be if I can feed my baby!!! Your baby needs feeding, you feed them. You don't need to seek approval from others around you like you are doing something wrong.[/quote]
I agree…ebf 4 babies and I meant that sometimes I personally felt uncomfortable doing it at a cafe table or something for various reasons and would ask for a little room or somewhere I could go. People are very accommodating I found and would fine me a nook or little staff room. As ever though it is all personal and you should feel comfortable wherever you do it without ceding criticised.

I think you will get cabin fever !

I used to go out after lunch for an hour, maybe an hour and half once we were in a feeding routine as couldn't get myself dressed before then then home for a snack/feed and snooze.

@Tigger85 I don’t drive so can’t comment on that, but I was back walking the school run about two weeks after my CS, which is a 3 mile round trip. If you’re able to take it slowly and take a break if you need to it should be fine.

My baby is 3weeks , we've been out and about since we got home from hospital, i find the fresh air knocks him out , and I feel so much better mind/body wise having a walk

I had a late November baby by emergency c-section. As I live rurally and couldn't drive for 6 weeks, I did spend a fair bit of the first 6 weeks at home.
That said, I went out when possible e.g. for lunch with my mum, out with husband. Not every day but at least every couple of days.

It was January when I could drive again and at that point, I did go out every day, even if it was just to the shops or for a wander around the garden centre. For me,I felt I needed to get out.

Everyone is different though, nothing wrong with staying in if you wish.