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Original poster

Taking baby out in public

29 replies

Newmummy1234 · 25/03/2015 09:00

Hi
I have been a long time browser of mumsnet but this is my first post. I hope its in the right place!

My daughter is 12 days old. Since I felt able after the birth we have taken her out and about quite a bit e.g pub lunches, coffee shops, shopping centres, supermarkets etc. mainly as we started going stir crazy. I've just come across on the internet people saying you shouldn't take baby out for ages? I feel awful now as I didn't realise (first time mummy). I was wondering how old your babies were when you first took them out?
Thank you

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LizzieMint · 25/03/2015 09:02

My first was a day old, by the time I got to my third, she was born in the morning and I went to pick my others up from nursery that afternoon!
I've honestly never heard that you shouldn't take a baby out for ages, I wouldn't give it another thought.

coolaschmoola · 25/03/2015 09:02

From when I could walk comfortably again .

Ignore them, it's bollocks.

tribpot · 25/03/2015 09:03

They're babies, not cats! Of course you can take her out.

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Mrsjayy · 25/03/2015 09:05

I don't think there is a rule on taking baby out and about i took dd1 out in her pram as a new born dd2 was a prembaby and born in February and it was snowing so wasn't out you haven't done anything wrong congrats on your new baby

Hakluyt · 25/03/2015 09:10

I remember chatting to a lady in a shop when I was out with ds- he was a day old. She told me to be careful going out so soon, and I said airily "oh, he's fine- he's well wrapped up" and she said "Of course he's fine, it's you. They had those rules to stop women rushing about too soon and getting exhausted"

So make sure you're not getting too tired. If you're still bleeding, if it gets heavier it's a sign you're doing too much. But otherwise, have fun. I loved going out with a newborn, people were so friendly and nice and I loved all the attention and praise........

HoppityVoosh · 25/03/2015 09:10

I'm not sure where you were looking on the internet but I think it's quite common in America to not take babies outside for a few weeks especially in the winter. Just something I've noticed on blogs and tv. I was out and about with mine as soon as I could walk properly.

fattymcfatfat · 25/03/2015 09:11

mine went out almost immediately. (got them home and settled then when I felt ready)
with my DD I went to my dms for xmas dinner. DD was a week old
with my DS he was 3 days old when I went to pick my dbro up from school. I would have done earlier but I had to stay in hospital.

Katekoom · 25/03/2015 09:16

Mine was out straight away too. I just avoided toddlers for the first few weeks. Mw said it was fine especially as i breastfeed.

Original poster

Newmummy1234 · 25/03/2015 09:16

Thank you so much for your replies. I feel so much better :) I had read all these things about not taking them out and limiting visitors and I started worrying! Thank you so much xx

OP posts:

Mrsteddyruxpin · 25/03/2015 09:19

I went out a lot too. I think it wards off the lonely feelings and the blues and it is good to get into a routine of going out and about.

Congrats on your new little addition!

crapfatbanana · 25/03/2015 09:21

You take your baby out whenever you like.

WishUponAStar88 · 25/03/2015 09:23

Do whatever you're happy with :) as pp have said slow down if getting very tired, heavy bleeding etc. I would've gone stir crazy in the house all day took my dd out every day from the day we got back from hospital, some days just a walk around the block, often a lunch out/ trip to the shops etc. Take it easy but if you're happy to be out and about then there's no need to hibernate!

LittleRedDinosaur · 25/03/2015 09:26

Total crap! Take baby out whenever you want to. Or not if you don't. Totally up to you and how you feel. Enjoy the wondrous time when they will sleep silently in a car seat while you have a coffee before they turn into a shouty 18 month old who won't stay still.
Don't let anyone make you feel guilty- sounds like you're doing great!

iamEarthymama · 25/03/2015 09:31

I am old enough to be your mother, or even your grandmother. ??
When my daughter was born I was in hospital for a week on bed rest, addressed as mother and only allowed to get up at certain times.
I had to have an afternoon nap, ( would love that rule now!)

When my son was born 4 years later I was allowed home the day after her was born but told to stay in bed or at least rest for the next week.

I have been present at the births of four of my grandchildren; my daughter has been home the same day, supported by her partner but certainly getting on with her life.

So forgive us mums if we want you to rest up a little; it comes from a place of concern usually.
Congratulations on your little one, do enjoy getting out and about but make sure you get enough rest!

MrsBojingles · 25/03/2015 09:37

Within a few days, I had serious cabin fever! Get out just take it easy on yourself.

Discounted · 25/03/2015 09:42

Haklyut is right, baby will be fine, but be careful you're not doing too much yourself.

After the birth the adrenaline's up and you feel you've got loads of energy, but the birth does take a lot out of you and it will hit you over the coming weeks.

The best advice I had (which I followed for DS2) was to stay in PJs for the first 10 days. That way visitors tend to run around after you rather than the other way round. I used to get up, shower do hair and face then put my best clean PJs on.

DiDiddlyIDi · 25/03/2015 09:44

Here in Hong Kong I understand people have confinement nurses to live with them for a month and they do not go out for that first month, I'd go mental with cabin fever!! Enjoy going out and about and just don't push yourself and make any appointments in the morning, get going on a day when you're good and ready.

Eminybob · 25/03/2015 09:47

I took DS out when he was just 1 or 2 days old. He was a couple of weeks early so I wasn't fully prepared for him so needed to get stuff from the shops. Took him to get registered, open a bank account and show him off to work colleagues at 5 days old.

I think the advice is quite old, probably from the days when they kept you in hospital for 2 weeks after the birth

squizita · 25/03/2015 09:48

On day 3 I walked her round the block. By week 2 shopping etc but taking it easy.

allotherusernamesaretaken · 25/03/2015 09:55

We went out on day 3, we didn't go very far but is was good to get out. I remember bumping into a few other mums shortly after that who were shocked to see me out, but it was totally about me and not the baby being allowed out! Everyone recovers at different rates and I think getting out is really good for you so keep it up.

50odd years ago when there were still diseases like TB kicking around then people would have been careful not to take newborns out but things are different now.

CoodleMoodle · 25/03/2015 09:57

DD was about four or five days old when we took her out for the first time (apart from hospital to car to house). We were in the hospital for three days and were going crazy. We went up the road and down again because it was all I had the energy for. Then I took her out on my own for the first time the day DH went back to work, about 12 days old. Again only up the road and back!

It's good for them to be out, but more importantly it's good for you!

NorbertDentressangle · 25/03/2015 10:00

I remember 2 old ladies cooing over DS in a shop when he was about 5 days old.

When they asked how old he was they were quite shocked (in a nice way not a judgemental way) and told me how, in their day, you were expected to stay at home for a couple of weeks at least after giving birth. They found it quite amazing that I had popped into town with him to pick up a few bits and bobs a mere 5 days after giving birth!

Seeline · 25/03/2015 10:03

I took DD out on day 1 - she was born in a heatwave and I had nothing to dress her in
Day 6 she went to toddler group with DS and didn't look back! It's fine - but don't overdo it. They can sleep whenever they want to - you need some rest too.

forago · 25/03/2015 10:04

what rubbish. With my third, he was born at 8, older children at school so we went for lunch with him on the way home!

take them out whenever you want as long as everyone fit and well enough to have been released from hospital.

bonkersLFDT20 · 25/03/2015 10:07

Hak makes a good point. With DS1 I made a trip to the washing line on day 4 or so and was quite proud of myself (overwhelmed!).

With DS2 I was out and about with him less than 24hrs old. He was fine, I on the other hand had some stress incontinence. Guess I underestimated what my body had been through. Totally uncomplicated birth but I'd still just pushed a baby out.

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