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.

Straight away. Both mine are summer babies so it didn’t feel like such a big ‘thing’ to take them out, but even if they were born in winter I couldn’t imagine staying in for weeks on end.

My youngest had his first trip to the farm at 9 days old as I wanted to keep our routine for my eldest’s sake.

Hosted my Grandpa from abroad when baby was 3 days old. Went for dinner at 6 days, family party at 2 weeks old. And Holiday abroad at 10 weeks!

Mine was prem and in hospital for three weeks. She came home on a Friday lunchtime and we took her out to the local farmers market on Saturday morning. She wasn't even anywhere near her due date at that point.

Have a look at what the 8 week jabs give protection for. It is mostly not diseases you will encounter at you local supermarket so there is no point in waiting for them.

I hiked up mount Everest when mine was 2 hours old.

I’m assuming you had complications during labour which is why you waited so long.

DD1 was a long labour that ended in an emergency section. I lost a lot of blood and was on my knees really after. DD was fine. I was quite fragile emotionally and physically. We went out for a short walk at day 10 then started going out more regularly from about 3 or 4 weeks. She was born in May. It took me about 8 weeks to be properly up and running.

DD2 was born in July. Also an emergency section. But not preceded by a labour. She was 3 weeks early though and not big; though good for dates (6lb). We were in hospital 5 days and started going out when she was 2 weeks old. I was really ready for properly embracing the world by about week 3 or 4.

DS was born in June. A planned section 6 days before his due date. All very easy. We came home the next day and 3 days later I took him to DD1’s sports day and just carried on taking him out and about from there. We spent the summer doing all sorts and had a great time. Even camping.

It helped with all of them that they were summer born. I definitely felt more confident by my third.

Every baby is different. Every delivery is different. There is no rush. Though if you think you are feeling overly anxious. Or a bit low speak to family and/or your health visitor. Meanwhile enjoy snuggles at home if that feels right.

First…. about third day when we had a whole day out at a shopping centre
Second….c/s on Friday, back at work following Wednesday ( self employed) with baby in sling

DS was born at 4pm on Thursday and DD had a school assembly at 2pm the next day that she desperately wanted us to go to so we did.
Theres no rules about when you should be out and about but if you are worried about germs then that can only really be a concern with the first child as after that they have to take their chances with whatever their siblings bring home.

Basically straight away. But I used to go to the bathroom to breastfeed for ages. What helped me here was joining a breastfeeding support group and learning from others how to feed in public without flashing everyone!

Get out. You'll feel great.

I don't remember, but about as soon as I was humanly able! As others have said, babies are not made of porcelain, they will get everyday viruses and they will be OK.

3 days- tea at a pub
4 days- asda
If you had the flu jab is baby not still protected?

Go out in the middle of the day to a quiet cafe etc and find a quiet/tucked away corner for bf.

I don't own a car, so whenever my body felt a bit recovered and I was itching for a walk. I think around 7 days old, in a sling-style front carrier.

It was very strange though, my quiet little neighbourhood suddenly felt like it was full of sharp edges and lurking dangers! Took me about an hour of dawdling through the park and nosing around the shops to get comfortable in the world.

Same day I came home

I had DS at home. I had to take him to the midwife-led unit on day 2 for a check (can't remember what for) and he came out with us on a dog walk in his sling on day 4.

EMCS here. Day 5 I was walking around aldi breastfeeding because clearly baby decided starving right then. We needed food, it was busy as almost Christmas and my DH struggles to shop alone when busy due to a disability.

Congratulations!

Baby 1 - discharged 3am on day 5 and was out having lunch at Costa same day.

Baby 2 - discharged 10pm on day 4 and was out next morning on a walk with toddler.