Visiting town/coffee shops with newborn with COVID risk - would you?

[Taurus221]

Just that really. I have an 8wk old healthy baby, I'm triple jabbed and really want to start being a bit more adventurous and getting out and about a bit more.

I don't know how I feel about visiting indoor places coffee shops etc though, am I being overly worried about me or my little one catching COVID? Is sticking to outdoor walks better (even in the cold and rain which is getting me down). Any other new parents out there who are figuring this out...thoughts very welcome :)

I would get out to coffee shops definitely, when is the right time if not now? Your little one will be nicely tucked in the buggy and you can sit and enjoy a drink whilst being warm and cosy if it’s pouring out there!

Babies and young children do not appear to be at risk of becoming seriously unwell with covid. There is a lot of information from reliable sources about the risks which you could look at and weigh up to decide what you want to do:

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/05/C0441-maternity-leaflets-cv19-parent-information.pdf

www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/coronavirus-and-your-baby/coronavirus-and-your-newborn-baby-your-questions-answered

Personally I thought the risks of staying isolated, not going out, not socialising, etc were far greater than the risks if we caught covid.

@InnPain thank you - i don't know that many new parents so trying to figure out what's a risk and what's not, appreciate you posting :)

@TheRoundOne I think I'm inclined to agree with you, thanks for posting, I'm going a little stir crazy now and wet weather on its way so need something to get me out of the house 🥴

Yes I would
I've been taking my DD who is 8 months out as normal to all places since she was born :)

I have a 12 week old and have struggled with this too. We now go out to coffee shops etc, she either stays in pram asleep or sits on my lap so feels minimal risk.

I’ve been at baby and toddler group this morning and it was maxed out (25 mobile children) and more babies in arms than I can count, plus all their adults and the church volunteers who run the group. There was the usual coffee and biscuits and sitting in a circle all singing at each other. Some of the group were going on to baby cinema afterward. Some were going to rhyme time at the library.

In that context, I would feel very relaxed about a coffee shop. Do you have support around you? Where have you taken your baby so far?

I had a baby in 2020 when there were no vaccines. We still went to coffee shops, supermarket, classes (when they reopened).

We've caught it twice - both times the likely source was from an outbreak in my eldest's preschool.

It's so good to hear other perspectives.

I've been into town this afternoon, braved it on my own for the first time, managed a drink in a cafe and my little girl was transfixed by everything. It wasn't too busy, it felt quite safe. We both really enjoyed it, I'd definitely do it again.

@PiesNotGuys I've been to a small parent and baby group (about 5-8 of us very distanced), but that's ended now so booked for a parent and yoga class that starts this week. I've been out for some walks. I have lovely supportive friends but they either work full time and very busy or live across country so trying to make new mama friends locally.

Before Covid I was a real out and about, active person. I've been very isolated over the last two years and now just want some normalcy, but finding COVID is still stopping me getting out. Just trying to weigh up the risks of getting back out in the world again with a little one. Appreciate everyone's thoughts/experiences.

I was careful in the last trimester of pregnancy (had the baby last year before being offered the vaccine) but got straight out with the baby; coffee, baby groups etc. The virus is usually mild in babies and kids. We've all had Omicron now and the baby was almost asymptomatic.

@AegonT that's so good to hear. I think I need to keep going and get out. Congratulations on your little one xx

We've been going to restaurants etc since my son was a week old. He's almost always snoozing in his bassinet and I'd see the risk in a restaurant as being very small. We're usually out quite early these days before it's busy anyway.