When did you take your newborn out

[Dorynnemo]

I have a 3 week old baby and I am breastfeeding. I have only taken her to see GP or get vaccine at hospital. She caught cold last week from her brother which kept me worried. I don't feel comfortable yet about breastfeeding outside. I haven't managed to take her out to other places yet like restaurant or coffee shop. Since it's flu season and baby doesn't gets first vaccine until 8 weeks, I feel bit anxious about taking her to supermarket etc. At what age did you start taking your baby out and any tips are appreciated.

With my first baby, we stopped at my uncle's home on the way home from the hospital and our baby met about 8 members of her extended family. Close family came to the hospital so had already met our baby.

Dd1 the day we got out of hospital
DD2 the day we got out of hospital

I don’t really understand staying home with babies

A few days old with both. I find it really hard being stuck in the house with tiny babies, it makes me feel like a caged animal!

I was barely moving after a rough C-section and it took me about 6 weeks before I actually wanted to leave the house voluntarily. Everything hurt all the time.

we had to go out daily for the first few weeks because dd had some issues and she had daily medical exams. Then it was straight back home and blessed rest.

Went for breakfast the day after I was discharged so 2 days old,school run and after school clubs from day 3, my son had sports clubs every day so thankfully I didn't have a c section, also breastfeeding

Dd1, 2 and 3 we were out within a day or two (school runs and the like) dd4 was born the first week of lockdown so she didn't go out until she was 8 weeks old for her first vaccine.

Day 2 or 3. I was keen to get out and moving. But I had really very easy births. I might have been less active if I’d not felt great.

Apart from calling at a shop on the way home from hospital, I called in at work when each was 3 days old.

With my first we were in and out of hospital for about 9 days. His first proper “trip” was to a garden centre at 2 weeks.

My second was in covid, we had to go out to see midwives, health visitors etc (no home visits then) which used up all our energy so his first “fun” trip out was later than that.

Babies get antibodies from their mum, so she’s not as unprotected as it feels. Start with little walks and build yourself up.

First day home with DS2. Had to pick DD up from school so in the pram he went. DD hadn't known we were home so it was such a surprise for her. I remember her jumping up and down and yelling to everyone her baby brother has come to fetch her. Happy Memories.

Aren't you going a bit crazy for some walking and fresh air yourself, OP? I couldn't breastfeed for 4 weeks but I was taking baby out for at least one walk a day from day 6. Can you walk to a park with a cafe or food kiosk and sit outside if you're worried about germs?

I had terrible anaemia so didn't get out of bed properly for about 5 days but once i was up and about DH and I went to a cafe & took DS. I wasn't worried about germs, i just couldn't get out myself any sooner.

Day 1.

Had to take and collect someone to/from school.

Day 5 onwards on walks etc near the house (couldn’t walk much before that without feeling like I was going to wet myself / something was going to fall out of me!)

Day 10 onwards for shop / anywhere more adventurous. Did my first cafe with friend at 5 weeks.

Not because of germs, because of a horrendous breastfeeding experience that saw me needing 45 cushions, nipple shields and to be naked waist up for the first month. Once the undiagnosed tongue tie was snipped life became much easier!

I would say there's no rush! Take your time, this is not a competition. Try step by step: you're going to the gp, one day if you feel like it, you can stroll a little more on the way back home. Another day, you can wear her while she's napping and go for a walk... And, little by little, you'll feel more comfortable and secure. Re breastfeeding, don't force yourself either! You can start by going out between feeds. Some women prefer to cover up while breastfeeding in public (I did this while mine was in the 3 month old crisis and was distracted by everything 😂).
Personally, I found that around the mark of one month, I felt more confident going out. After her first round of vaccines, a little more. And after her first cold even more.
3 weeks is tiny, don't worry, follow your own pace. Congratulations 🥰💐

Ds1 I waited about 2 weeks

Ds2 went out the day after he was born because ds1 desperately wanted to go to the park😂😂

As soon as we got out of hospital, so a few days old. I had a toddler too so had to get out the house so we just got in with our usual lives and took the baby along with us.

Oh this is lovely🥹 nothing can prepare you for when your children meet each other for the first time!

Home the day baby was born. The next day a walk to the park with older DC. The day after the school run and every school day since. Later that week registry office and supermarket. That’s my second DC.

However, I was more uneasy about people coming into my home. It just made me so anxious. Baby born January. I was very firm telling people to stay away if they were ill. If they smoked they had to bring something clean to wear if holding the baby. Also BF successfully for the first time - there are certain family members I feel uncomfortable feeding in front of so I just took myself and baby away. Which was also great as I found visitors so overwhelming this time around.

I didn’t mind BF in public if I had someone with me. Just incase I had unkind remarks. I did go to a local BF group on week 2 and still go regularly now. That was amazing and everyone is so supportive. Might be worth checking one out in your area?

I don’t think being house bound for 8 weeks will be good for you. Remember babies will have some immunity from you too. And if you are BF that provides some protection too.

Start off small, just tell yourself you will go for a walk to the end of the street then go further each day. Set yourself goals, that on Tuesday you will go to the supermarket get some shopping etc. I was very sick when I gave birth and it took me so long to build up my strength, I had this odd anxiety about my baby crying in public. Over time you just stop caring and things become easier.

DC1 was on day 5 but that was only because I was in hospital 4 days

Straight away. If you're bf then you will be giving your baby loads of antibodies. Also, babies and toddlers etc get colds, it's normal and how they build up immunity.

Just had 3rd baby at home.
Firstborn was a hospital birth, last 2 Homebirth.

Was very strict this time - week in the bed, week on the bed, week in the house.

I would have loved to have done "the first 40 days" but just wasn't practical with 2 other children.

As a doula, I encourage all my client to do this, how we recover during postpartum influences the rest of our life.

My bond with my last baby is so much stronger for staying in that oxytocin bubble for as long as possibles

Both born at home, DS born at lunchtime, we were in Morrisons next morning.
DD born 3am, went for lunch that day before school pickup.

DS was 6 days old and we went to Starbucks, DD was about 2 weeks old and went to MIL's house, I had a c section and was in hospital for 5 nights and then didn't want to leave the house much despite being my 3rd.