When did you start going out with your newborn (especially winter babies)?

[homelyperson]

Hi. My DS2 is just 2 weeks old, and we went out yesterday for the first time for about 45 mins - I took my DS1 to the nearest playground. I am keen on resuming on other outings, like going to Tesco or playgroups (again for the sake of my DS1), but not sure of how long is appropriate for the baby to be outside at this age?

I'd say as long as you are comfortable to be out with them for? Bundle your newborn up nice and warm. Do you have a pram with a carrycot? If so newborn can sleep in there and you can feed if necessary at playgroup etc?

Carry your baby in a sling, as it's far easier to a) keep him warm and b) judge his temperature. But after 2 weeks he should be fine outside - he'll soon let you know if he's cold!

DS2 was a winter baby and went out as soon as we got home (5 days), because DS1 needed exercising!

I had a christmas baby last year and started going out after 3 days as I was getting cabin fever. Get an all in one and they'll be nice and snug.

Mine were both out and about as soon as possible - a couple of days. I wold have gone crazy otherwise! Ds was born in February on a Wednesday and he was doing the school run every day from the following Monday.

What's the reason for not taking them out?

I went out as soon as possible! Ds was born in January and I took him out at 3 days to get the paper then took him to a baby group at 5 days . Dd was later as I ended up with an infection and wasn't really able to be out and about for a while, plus she was born just before Christmas so no groups, shops shut and so on.

Just bundle him up and he will be fine, as octavia said a sling is great for keeping them nice and toasty.

he should be fine as long he is dressed warm enough? and maybe go more to the inside things like shop, playgroup than ages in the playground but my ds2 was born in dec and after about 2 weeks i just started taking him out everyday, if you have other dc you have to really

The only reason it took me a while to get out with DD1 was because I was recovering from an emergency c-section, so couldn't walk far myself. Otherwise, they were out and about as soon as possible. Wrap them up warm and get yourself out.

The only time I didn't take a wonter baby out walking was when it was foggy - I have no rational reason for this! My parents always said to take a baby out (dressed for the weather) in any weather except fog, so I guess it's one of those things that you just absorb as a child and don't question!

DDs 1 and 2 were both winter babies. DD3 was a summer baby, and DH remarked how much easier it was just to pop her in the pram or sling without trying to get her all wrapped up

As long as you're OK, get out there! Make sure your baby has appropriate (and easy to remove when you get inside) clothing and off you go - DD3 was a January baby and we went out most days, if only because we had to do the school run, but I took her to the local coffee group and into town otherwise I would have gone stir crazy being cooped inside the house just cleaning/sleeping/feeding.

As soon as we were home, I wanted to go out with the pram.

Remember to take the raincover with you whenever you do venture out - it started snowing on our first ever outing with DC1 and DH had to put his coat over the pram .

Thanks guys. After reading your encouraging posts, we already went to a supermarket to get DS1 a sticker book! Not a major reason, but a good reason to get out.

The day after I got home from hospital. DS2 was a winter baby. No problems - just had him snug and wanted to show him off to the world so I went for a walk.

We went out when DS was 10 days old. That was to register him and to the shops.
I couldn't have done it earlier I was in pain and also I was told to stay in for at least a week by the midwife.

I went to Tesco's on the way home from the hospital with DD. I'd had an EMCS four days before.

Layered blankets are good especially if you're going in/out warm/cold places. We found the all-in-one suit useful for being outside but too warm when in a shopping centre for example. The blankets were easy to remove and put back on.

Hello - congratulations and well done on getting out - it's been chilly, hasn't it and seems like such a mission.
DD2 born 2nd Dec last year - we were out within 2 days (DH likes to make the most of time off!) and then just me and the girls (DD1 was 2.2 YO) within a week (DH also didn't qualify for paternity leave so it was just a bit of annual leave ). She was VERY well bundled up though - I found walking trips easiest as you could just bundle her up in the pram. And lucky that had recovered reasonably quickly from birth.

Sling was great for car trips out though - and I would massively recommend garden centres at this time of the year, they're pretty warm, have lots for older tots to look at, and nice warm cafes. And, generally, lots of nice, sympathetic gardening types there. In fact, we probably spent most of December there or walking to the swings - keeps you sane.

DS was born the day before it started snowing last year (we had to rush to get home the next day). We^ went for our first walk on day 4 with him in the Moby wrap, right up close to my chest, and under my maternity coat. We went out every day after that, even if just for half an hour.

Asking is definitely the way to go; you can have then close and know that you are protecting you DC from the elements.

Asking = 'a sling'

My winter baby was out for 30-40 minutes at less than 7 hours old - in a sling on my chest, happily. I wouldn't worry.

I have two winter born children, one december and one first week in January, both went out at around ten days old as both were in hospital for the first week.