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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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mrsed1987 · 21/12/2023 20:23

My son came to the local shopping centre at 3 days old and various other places, pubs, walks and supermarkets. He has lived to tell the tale.

I wouldn't take to hairdressers as would rather be relaxed!

Winnipeggy · 21/12/2023 20:24

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.

I'm sorry but this is crazy. Assuming your baby is healthy absolutely do not keep them at home for 6 weeks.

Justfinking · 21/12/2023 20:25

Torganer · 21/12/2023 18:40

I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to take them out before 6wks? Is this new guidance? I was having a pub lunch when then were 3 days old. I’d be stir crazy having to sit indoors for 6wks, I also think vitamin D is hugely beneficial for everyone.

I can't imagine that being great for a 3 day old, after being in a safe, cosy space then to a cold, noisy pub.

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Justfinking · 21/12/2023 20:26

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.

Agree!

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 20:26

Wow the outrage lol. Keyboard warriors are out in full force today! Blessings to you all, have a tea and feel better.

Winnipeggy · 21/12/2023 20:28

I can't imagine that being great for a 3 day old, after being in a safe, cosy space then to a cold, noisy pub.

Not all pubs are noisy and nearly all of them are fucking boiling

DGHZ · 21/12/2023 20:33

My local Asda has the trolleys you can get a big trolley and has a section up the top for the car seat to strap on to. It’s very handy! I saw a poor woman attempting the big shop yesterday pushing both a pram and a trolley 🙈 Sometimes if I have the pram I just take a basket rather than even bother trying to commit to getting loads. The checkout bit usually ends up a bit frantic unless they’re asleep!

The hairdressers I always feel bad taking my baby to and text first apologising if I have no childcare but then the last few times I’ve got there and other people have had their kids/baby. The nail place I do avoid taking them due to the fumes. There are places I think you can get away with it easily when they’re little but as they become a toddler it’s probably less acceptable

eurochick · 21/12/2023 20:35

My baby was three weeks and two days old before she went out but that's because she was in nicu for three weeks and one day. It was still three weeks before her due date! We were out at the local farmers' market the day after she was home. After three weeks in an airless hospital unit it was lovely for us all to feel the sun on our faces.

Since covid and in winter I would probably be cautious about crowded indoor environments for a few weeks.

Justfinking · 21/12/2023 20:37

How would you feel in the same situation ... baby has just had the trauma of childbirth, then two or three days later going to the pub or the supermarket. Seems pretty basic to me 🤷🏼‍♀️

NerrSnerr · 21/12/2023 20:39

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 20:26

Wow the outrage lol. Keyboard warriors are out in full force today! Blessings to you all, have a tea and feel better.

So no link to any guidelines then?

DingDongBella · 21/12/2023 20:41

“Since covid and in winter I would probably be cautious about crowded indoor environments for a few weeks.”

What like the post natal ward?

brickastley · 21/12/2023 20:42

Stay at home for 6 weeks Confused

gotomomo · 21/12/2023 20:49

Anywhere really. I didn't leave dd for months so if I went so did she

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 20:51

NerrSnerr · 21/12/2023 20:39

So no link to any guidelines then?

Show quote history

If you can MN you can google. 💪🏼

sunglassesonthetable · 21/12/2023 20:52

Six weeks ? Nah. 😳

And actually very difficult if you have other older children.

Not really possible if you have actual RL to deal with.

TeddyBeans · 21/12/2023 20:58

Justfinking · 21/12/2023 20:37

How would you feel in the same situation ... baby has just had the trauma of childbirth, then two or three days later going to the pub or the supermarket. Seems pretty basic to me 🤷🏼‍♀️

As I said, pure trauma for DD who slept through the whole thing 🙄 think birth was worse for me than her and I was perfectly fine going to the shop after 3 days

NerrSnerr · 21/12/2023 20:58

@flowerchild2000 that's the point, I have googled and I can't find anything. Could you at least tell us who issued the guidelines? NHS? Gov.uk? I genuinely can't find them.

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 21:02

NerrSnerr · 21/12/2023 20:58

@flowerchild2000 that's the point, I have googled and I can't find anything. Could you at least tell us who issued the guidelines? NHS? Gov.uk? I genuinely can't find them.

Lol NHS is the last place I'd take advice from! Are you serious? Here's an article since you can't do your own critical thinking or even research 🙄 https://www.thebump.com/a/when-can-newborns-go-outside

Jeannie88 · 21/12/2023 21:03

Where you go they go really, unless a nightclub of course. Can't just pop out to do anything, you have to take them with. Local shop for milk, Hairdresser's, any appointments. X

NerrSnerr · 21/12/2023 21:08

@flowerchild2000 that article doesn't recommend keeping your baby in for 6 weeks at all. It suggests not going to crowded places (even though sensible parents would have protected their babies against whooping cough and flu in those early weeks by getting vaccinated when pregnant).

It's not us who have problems with critical thinking. You honestly can't go spouting that 'guidelines state' when what you mean is one article (and shockingly that one was the only one that came up on my google search too, but I assumed you meant official guidelines and not just 'the bump')

mynameiscalypso · 21/12/2023 21:08

@flowerchild2000 That link specifically says you can take them outside from the day they are born - you should you should wait 6 weeks to take them out in public (ie outside)

TeddyBeans · 21/12/2023 21:09

Hell, I even took DD to soft play at 4 days old and everyone knows how much of a cess pit soft play centres are! DS showed her off to everyone who looked remotely interested 🤷‍♀️

flowerchild2000 · 21/12/2023 21:15

NerrSnerr · 21/12/2023 21:08

@flowerchild2000 that article doesn't recommend keeping your baby in for 6 weeks at all. It suggests not going to crowded places (even though sensible parents would have protected their babies against whooping cough and flu in those early weeks by getting vaccinated when pregnant).

It's not us who have problems with critical thinking. You honestly can't go spouting that 'guidelines state' when what you mean is one article (and shockingly that one was the only one that came up on my google search too, but I assumed you meant official guidelines and not just 'the bump')

I literally never said guidelines state. I'm a mother passing on my wisdom. If you don't agree keep scrolling. Also it's really weird to take advice from politicians and a totally broken healthcare system. Use the energy you're wasting attempting to put words in my mouth by thinking for yourself and learning some actual science based facts. I actually don't care what you do with your life, please stop trying to force yourself on me.

EdithGrantham · 21/12/2023 21:17

How close are members of the public getting to some of these posters' babies that they'd rather stay in or only go out in remote areas for 6 weeks!?

Dentist positively encouraged me to take DD along, hairdressers I checked with and they were fine, supermarkets also fine but DD always seemed to time screaming for a feed just as we arrived so I ended up breastfeeding her in a lot of supermarket carparks 😆

pponk · 21/12/2023 21:17

There's always one weirdo 🙄