to be shocked at a 4 day old baby out shopping...

[mrschop]

with his mother of course. But - four days after giving birth you should be resting, recovering, letting all your innards get back to where they should be. Surely not marching around a shopping centre?

And even if the mother is OK to be out and about, shouldn't newborns be given bit of time at home to adjust to being born? Mine didn't leave the house for a week, and then only a short walk up the road.

Am I really old fashioned in thinking that a week or two of rest, peace and quiet (and no germs from random strangers) is the normal thing to do with a new baby?

No way I could stay in. My oldest first went out in her pram when we got home from the hospital then went out every single day for the first couple of years of her life! Never missed her walk and fresh air.

Second I think went out from 1 day old. The dts I had a section so didnt get home until 3/4 days then we went to asda. It took me about an hour to get round cos of everyone stopping us. One couple did ask if they should be allowed out and about so young. I needed some clothes though - maternity was too big and everything else too small.

Tittybangbang - I breastfed mine and still had no problem going out.

After DD1 was born we were transferred from one hospital to a smaller cottage hospital. We arrived with our 6 hour old baby only to be told that there was not a bed ready yet and could I come back in the afternoon? crazy! So, rather bemused, we went out to Pizza Hut for lunch with baby and spent a couple of hours shopping in the local shopping centre. It was a very strange feeling and I remember having to sit down a lot and spent a long time in Mark and Spencer?s cafe while DH shopped. Then we went back to the small hospital, into my PJs and had a good sleep. Very bizarre and surreal way to spend a morning after up all night in labour and birth.

gawd, those first couple of weeks is the best time to get out, since all babies do is sleep.

i took ds into the town when he was under a week old. why is that a problem. each to their own. I can't remember why but i must've needed something which was easier for me to get than dh/anyone else.

with DS1, I had been in hospital for 4 days (CS) and I couldn't wait ti get some fresh air. Went for a lovely walk, bought some feeding bras, fed DS by the beach. FAb.

got into car and drove to mil after dd2 (6 hour discharge) to pick up dd1!
Probably why so keen to stay at home for dd3 and 4 so that didn't have to leave house.
It is all a personal choice, stay in or go out. I rarely have Mr Edjit at home without older kids so post natal time was also a time to get a few things sorted out as well as establishing breast feeding and looking after other dc's. We had a lovely time going out,wandering and planning, hanging out, lots of tea and just being together in the flow. If I'd been told I shouldn't go out for two weeks I would have fallen apart- need light and activity to stay sane!

I agree actually. I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen fake-tanned new mums tottering around in their heels in Lakeside or Bluewater with a tiny wrinkly pink newborn being pushed around River Island. When I had my DC, for a week or so afterwards I was so wrapped up in the magic of this new little life and how amazing nature and the human body can be that the last thing on my mind was peddling the economy and throwing myself back into mindless consumerism. Of course I went out for walks and fresh air and to buy food, and not having a bump to haul around is quite liberating and bit of a novelty, but I wouldn't have chosen to go shopping for clothes etc for myself. Seems like a weird priority to me. My general reaction to having a baby is usually "Oh wow, what a beautiful, amazing little person, I just want to stare at him forever" not "Oh great, I've given birth, that means I can fit into all the latest fashions again, lets go shopping."

i went out in my local shopping centres both times when my dc were a few days old. I want to get out!! 1st time i did find it painful second time i was fine. life has to carry on and in the case of ds we had no clothes to fit!

i cant remember exactly when i first took mine out but it was definately in the first week.

straight after dd1 i went to my mums but im sure she drove me home, rather than us walking. but i may have walked there the next day.

after dd2 we went to mils for dinner the day i got out so that i didnt have to cook. dh is incapable when it comes to cooking and i think on day three i went to m and s for a new bra as my boobs were sore and my bra wasnt suportive enough or fitting properly. i know that during week one i scrubbed the kitchen top to bottom. i expected dh to do it while i was in hospital, but he didnt get around to it and then he tried to do it while i was home but he annoyed me too much and i had to take over.

no point resting/staying in if its driving you mad. op is BU. going out might not have been right for her but it doesnt mean that its not ok for others.

Hmm, I was knee deep in sand in the sand pit (with dd) a few hours after delivering ds and then at MIL's wedding 24 hours after having ds2. Nursery run, shopping at supermarket all went on as normal too.

If you have the energy and inclination to carry on as normal, I personally think it is equally damaging to make yourself sit within 4 walls if you don't want to. Similarly, if you want to hole yourself up it is not a good idea to force yourself to do more than you are comfortable with.

So, I'd probably say YABU because you cannot apply what you would do to others.

YABU.

I think YABU.

There is a very charming pic of me sitting making sandcastles in the sandpit at Godstone Farm 5 days after dd was born by c. section. By the way, the trip was not for her benefit but for our ds! I am not a stay at home person and neither my children or I suffered any ill effects from our outings in the week after their births. Everyone is different!

YABU.

I was out and about three days after ds arrived by cs, had been stuck inside for close to three months before birth due to shocking SPD and was desperate to get out for some fresh air with the family - despite post-surgery wobbliness, really felt like a new woman!

I think it's an entirely personal thing. My experience, with both dcs, is that I'm not really strong enough or physically ready to get out of the house for a week or two. I'm quite a small build and have large babies, so it takes it out of me!

There does seem to be a slight element of competition where we live, particularly with 3rd, 4th babies, to get out asap - in the playground the next day, that sort of thing. All very well if you can manage it, but I don't think it's anything to brag about. Giving birth is bloody hard work!

i went out with both of mine as soon as i bloody could.

being at home with a newborn is boring and monotonous.... i needed to get out for my own sanity!

it's good for them to get out and get fresh air and germs.

We took DD shopping at 5 weeks post birth, 1 week after sbcu discharge and she shouldnt have even been born yet, the was only 5lb !

we all managed not to conract typhoid.

mind you, 11 hours after having her i was shopping in sainsburys.

I was single when i had my dd, i had to go to the shops for food and toiletries etc as there was no one else to do it for me.
Wasn't about being "ard" or anything to do with culture. I simply had no choice.

Walked to Sainsburies and filled the buggy basket up, walked back with said shopping and thought nothing of it.
I suspect that because i knew no better it was easier than if soeone had told me i really shouldn't be doing that etc etc.

YABU