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Original poster

What can you take a baby to?

114 replies

tinyracoon · 21/12/2023 18:16

Ok, genuinely can't believe I'm asking this but.. I'm 36 weeks pregnant and I've just realised I have no idea what you can / can't take a baby to! Don't know many people who've had babies so don't have any second hand experience...

Big caveat, obviously I know it depends on the baby and if they cry all the time, I wouldn't take them places where they would disturb others...

Im thinking like general life places... Hairdresser? Dentist appointment? Pub? Just realised I never seem to see new babies in the supermarket?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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Flittingaboutagain · 21/12/2023 19:19

Feel so sorry for babies being taken to supermarkets and other incredibly stimulating environments at days old! Babies were meant to be carried round, protected and exposed only to mother nature really! Fourth trimester is so rarely privileged for the sake of the baby in the West.

TeddyBeans · 21/12/2023 19:21

Flittingaboutagain · 21/12/2023 19:19

Feel so sorry for babies being taken to supermarkets and other incredibly stimulating environments at days old! Babies were meant to be carried round, protected and exposed only to mother nature really! Fourth trimester is so rarely privileged for the sake of the baby in the West.

Yes, DD was absolutely traumatised being taken to the supermarket at 3 days old where she slept the entire time we were there 🤨

JollyHostess101 · 21/12/2023 19:23

becomingfall · 21/12/2023 19:07

My baby (3 months old) pretty much comes everywhere with us! Except for Hamilton, we have tickets in January and he will not be attending with us 😂

I really want a baby friendly Hamilton show!!

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JollyHostess101 · 21/12/2023 19:25

We take our 5month old everywhere! She’s been to the pub and restaurants loads!

Loved baby cinema and looking forward to being a bit more adventurous in the new year and visiting some museums together too!!

Jandob · 21/12/2023 19:29

Depends on baby. When very small most places ok but when older problematic. Can go to nursery when fairly young so you will get some free time. Get hair done and become au fait with delivery service. Think about baby sitters.

Cas112 · 21/12/2023 19:31

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 18:35

Wait 6 weeks before taking them out in public. If they get sick their body might be too weak to fight it off. Plenty don't follow this guidance though. The rest is up to you. Your baby has a right to be where you are. If people can't handle baby sounds they don't understand what it is to be human. Always put your and your baby's needs first. I'm a single mother and I took my kids everywhere, never felt left out in any way. Plenty of times I had to leave a movie or a play because my kid couldn't handle sitting still and quiet. Last week I took elder DD to the movies for her birthday, and I kept toddler DD awake all day, no nap and lots of outdoor play, so at the movie at 7pm she fell asleep immediately and slept hard! It was the new Ghibli movie so I was determined to stay and enjoy. You'll figure it out as you go along. Just don't let anyone make you feel like you aren't allowed to exist because it bothers them.

6 weeksConfusedConfusedConfused that is ridiculous advice

Sprogonthetyne · 21/12/2023 19:34

By second baby I just put them in the sling and more or less got on with life, so they came everywhere, as toddler would not have tolerated staying home.

General rule, if you can & will leave if they kick off then it's fine. Hairdressers I probably wouldn't risk as if they don't settle I can't just walk out with half cut hair, and it doesn't seem fair for others to sit through an hour of crying. Cafe or family pub during the day is fine, wouldn't take out in evening though, as other people will be looking forward to child free time. Shops are all fine. Wouldn't take to cinema or shows unless it was a baby friendly screening (these are a thing, but everyone else's babies also cry through the movie).

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 19:43

Unsurprisingly, most of you have no idea how immune systems and vaccinations work.

YoBeaches · 21/12/2023 19:52

Supermarket
Cinema
Pub
Hairdresser but depends on baby
Cafes
Drs/health visitor
Garden centres (you'd be surprised how good this is!)

Basically anywhere you go, they can go. Takes a bit of practice and confidence but you'll get there.

NerrSnerr · 21/12/2023 19:55

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 19:43

Unsurprisingly, most of you have no idea how immune systems and vaccinations work.

Can you link us to the guidelines?

Have you heard about passive immunity from the baby's mum?

BaleOfHay · 21/12/2023 19:56

6 weeks? Bollocks. Or maybe you're confusing babies and puppies?

Sprogonthetyne · 21/12/2023 19:57

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 19:43

Unsurprisingly, most of you have no idea how immune systems and vaccinations work.

You mean like how breast milk, especially colostrum, which you produce for the first few weeks, is literally full of antibodies and adapts to protect baby against whichever pathogens they have been exposed to.

Or like how immunity is passed on to new babies through placenta blood, especially if mother had the vaccinations during pregnancy.

There is no reason to stay home for the first 6 weeks, and no guidance I've read has suggested it. Could you maybe link to the guidance you referred to?

DingDongBella · 21/12/2023 19:58

I would’ve gone stark raving bonkers staying home for 6 weeks. By 2 weeks I was at the pub with my nct group, even with the first.

NellyWest · 21/12/2023 20:00

I had a wax yesterday whilst holding my baby above my head playing aeroplanes. then straight on to a hair appointment which they slept through. Today my nails which needed a hand at a time whilst I cuddled and fed. Not sure my elder children would have been so accommodating so it’s all baby dependant.

however so far they HATE the supermarket and it’s a bit stressful! I’m in two minds whether to try and go out for dinner over the festive period with my DP taking her with us. In short you try things and sometimes it goes well and sometimes you just have to abandon and get home! Good luck with your babe

Krampussy · 21/12/2023 20:03

Flittingaboutagain · 21/12/2023 19:19

Feel so sorry for babies being taken to supermarkets and other incredibly stimulating environments at days old! Babies were meant to be carried round, protected and exposed only to mother nature really! Fourth trimester is so rarely privileged for the sake of the baby in the West.

Says who? Are you God?

pponk · 21/12/2023 20:04

definitely don't stay in for 6 weeks, the earlier you can get out and about the better mainly for your confidence of being able to do things with them, or it can build up to become a much bigger deal than it needs to be.

talkingteapots · 21/12/2023 20:09

I take my baby everywhere!
Before she was 1 she was lunching in Harrods, shopping in Hermes and watched a performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

It's when they become mobile you tend not to take them as they won't want to sit still.

Pineapplewaves · 21/12/2023 20:11

When they are newborn you just stick them in a pram/sling/carry car seat and take them everywhere you go.

After I had mine I switched to online shopping and just nipped into supermarkets for top up shops as it was easier than trying to do a big shop with a baby in a trolley. They do have baby seats and car seat rests on trolleys though.

My Dentist does "family appointments" for check ups so you get your check up at the same time as baby/dc. For a scale and polish mine would sit in their pushchair and watch but it depends on your baby if they would be happy with that.

The hairdresser was the only place I didn't take mine once they were mobile, it's a good hour and a half to two hours for highlights, cut and blow dry and mine wouldn't have sat still that long.

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 21/12/2023 20:12

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 19:43

Unsurprisingly, most of you have no idea how immune systems and vaccinations work.

Whereas you will have 'researched' it all on Dr Google.

Bless.

Reugny · 21/12/2023 20:12

Flittingaboutagain · 21/12/2023 19:19

Feel so sorry for babies being taken to supermarkets and other incredibly stimulating environments at days old! Babies were meant to be carried round, protected and exposed only to mother nature really! Fourth trimester is so rarely privileged for the sake of the baby in the West.

My DD was traumatised at 5 days old being taken to the local Asda within walking distance.

She also found the short train trip to a baby fair, the next day, absolutely exhausting.

Neither did she like the cafe and chain restaurant she was in the week after.

BurbageBrook · 21/12/2023 20:16

Personally I didn't want to take my baby to super busy places like supermarkets at a really young age... just used online delivery! That was mostly because I found it so stressful when she cried though so I wouldn't want to commit to doing a 'big shop' with a newborn in tow. Others are braver than me! But we were taking her on trips to the local shops, for a walk to the cafe etc by two weeks old.

BurbageBrook · 21/12/2023 20:18

Re: hairdressers I don't like the thought of them breathing in all the dye chemicals for ages but I am quite PFB...

Applerumleandcustard · 21/12/2023 20:18

Both my babies first outing was to the supermarket, the first baby was about 10 days old , ( because it had been a tough delivery , it was winter and I wasn’t feeling well enough to be out )
Baby 2 came to mothers and toddlers at 6 days old
They love going out to lunch and being admired as they sleep

WorkCleanRepeat · 21/12/2023 20:20

naemates · 21/12/2023 18:39

Where is the don't take them out before 6 weeks guidance?

I was wondering this too. Nobody ever told me that.

Reugny · 21/12/2023 20:21

I used a sling when I did a big shop.

I chose times when the supermarkets weren't busy and chose branches where I knew that if I couldn't get a "parent and child" space I could still park.

It did mean that there were certain things I couldn't buy as I couldn't put them in the trolley. I also had to pack my shopping from the trolley to the boot of my car.

I also preferred to use a sling/baby carrier on public transport due to the steps at stations and the fact there was always space for me on the bus.

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