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Original poster

How soon after birth did you go out into the world and mingle?

62 replies

Allthatglittersisntart · 04/02/2024 20:50

There are tons of clubs and cafes for new mums in my area (some involving train) but I wonder how soon is reasonable to venture out (other than for walk)? Is it safe prior to vaccines?

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megletthesecond · 04/02/2024 21:25

With my first I didn't do any baby classes until about 4 months. But I was meeting the NCT group most weeks.
With DC2 I went to baby group after about 4 weeks. I had sections so recovery was the most important thing in the early days.

BlueScrunchies · 04/02/2024 21:29

10 days, out to the supermarket. I didn’t want to get in my own head about it so went out as soon as I was physically able.

FTMbg · 04/02/2024 21:30

2-3 months. Pandemic and colic.

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MrsMoastyToasty · 04/02/2024 21:34

We went straight from the hospital to Boots to pick up bottles and nappies before they closed . It was a Sunday and DS was 3 days old.

MrsToriCostner · 04/02/2024 21:40

DC1 it took me a week to get out of the house. Trip to Tesco.

DC2 about the same again, trip to said Tesco ( thought we'd keep it the same 🤣 )
followed by a full English breakfast this time 👌

laokinm · 04/02/2024 21:40

I had c-sections so went on short walks with DH pushing the buggy from the day I returned from hospital. DH has long paternity leaves so we had trips out to galleries, lunches out etc when baby was newborn and just tagging along, then I did baby classes once he went back to work.

mitogoshi · 04/02/2024 21:44

I went to the supermarket on the way home from the hospital, so 16 hours.

Ladyj84 · 04/02/2024 21:46

An hour after home birth I went to the park with new twins and our toddler and then went home and finished preparing the Sunday dinner I had started before the twins very suddenly decided to come lol

SallyWD · 04/02/2024 21:49

We were out shopping two days after DD was born and had a trip to the coast a few days later. I was completely naive. I had a forceps delivery and I wish I'd rested to give myself time to heal. I had prolapses (I didn't realise at the time) and wish I hadn't been galavanting around so much.

bluesky45 · 04/02/2024 21:50

Ds1 we were in hospital for a week after he was born and then I was quite unwell after we got home for a few days. We went for a walk when he was about a week and a half. By the time he was 13 days, we were out and about as normal.

Ds2 we were in hospital for 2 days. Then another couple of days after that, we were at the park with ds1 followed by a Tesco shop.

Original poster
Allthatglittersisntart · 04/02/2024 21:51

I didn’t think about all the multiple child families who don’t have a choice(and will be exposed to school germ onslaught!)
So positive to hear that people went out so quickly.

OP posts:
Bunny2006 · 04/02/2024 21:51

The day after I was going on dog walks (my dog was 16 years old at the time so he didn't go far or very quickly) but not really mingled with people since outdoors, then aside from the supermarket/coffee shops the first baby groups started when baby was 3 weeks old. That was 'baby days' and breastfeeding group :)

Globules · 04/02/2024 21:54

Had friends round for lunch when DD was 30 hours old and went for a walk in the park after.

BurbageBrook · 04/02/2024 21:54

It's completely personal! I went out a week after the birth as I had to (personal reasons) but by choice for short walks about two weeks after the birth, and out for coffee with husband a few weeks after the birth. I didn't really enjoy anything except for short walks and coffee/cake until she was about two months old as she just wanted to be fed/held most of the time, but everyone is different.

NoCloudsAllowed · 04/02/2024 21:55

Dc1 - about three weeks until I went out properly for short walks with friends who had also had babies. More. Like 3 months to go to baby groups, 6-9 months to go out socializing alone for a bit.

Dc2 I had to be up and about within a week or two, I was actually way less social as second time I didn't really want to hang with other mums etc, with a toddler I relished the peace of just me and baby!

BurbageBrook · 04/02/2024 21:56

PS I had a C section so had recovery to contend with, but I would still probably not want to be going out much till 6/8 weeks postpartum probably as I just loved our little bubble with occasional visits from family and friends. But that's just me!

blahblahx · 04/02/2024 21:56

4-5 days before I left the house with DS

selfishmeow · 04/02/2024 21:59

10 days before I left the house. I felt like I was hit by a lorry plus establishing bf took some time so until I was ready I didn't leave the house.

FawnFrenchieMum · 04/02/2024 22:00

DC1 I went to the Asda on the way home from hospital, out for dinner a day or two later. Super easy birth and felt really well.

DC2, in hospital a week, still sore / poorly for a few weeks. Didn’t really do much for a good couple of weeks after being home. Struggled a bit when DH went back to work.

Tr1skel1on · 04/02/2024 22:05

16 hours after having DD2 I was at toddler group. DD1, 15mo old was climbing the walls

Mumof3onetwothree · 04/02/2024 22:09

Whenever YOU feel like it! Whatever you need for your own sanity!
It depends on a lot....easy (relatively!) birth and you might feel like getting out really soon. Any complications like c section, lots of stitches, hemorrhage, mastitis etc you need to take it easy of you can.
I was out very quickly with baby no. 3 as had no other option but I still if given the choice would have preferred to rest and stay at home more.
The only thing I would say at this time of year is beware of RSV....I was v relaxed with baby no. 3 until she got RSV at 8 weeks. Probably nothing I could do because of my other children bringing illnesses home but in hindsight I would have at least kept her away from their friends little hands.

TheChosenTwo · 04/02/2024 22:11

Dc1 I was in hospital over night and went home the next day, we went for a walk that day because the weather was gorgeous and we sat in the park and ate sausage rolls (dh and I, not the baby) from a bakery we’d passed on the way. Bit painful sitting down 😂
dc2 I was out the same day and we walked straight to my mums to pick up dc1. Then to the park for dc1 to have a play about.
dc3 we had a houseful the same day he was born and I came out of hospital, 25 people crammed in my front room, was lovely! Next day I did school pickup.
Didn’t do groups with them until they were a good few months old (maybe 8/10?) and I thought they were getting something out of it, I didn’t especially need the company for myself as I had a big circle who I was always in touch with and going out seeing.

arethereanyleftatall · 04/02/2024 22:11

Allthatglittersisntart · 04/02/2024 21:51

I didn’t think about all the multiple child families who don’t have a choice(and will be exposed to school germ onslaught!)
So positive to hear that people went out so quickly.

It's funny with your first cos everything is so new and everything takes ages. And then when the second comes along you basically strap them to you like a piece of clothing and get on with running around after your toddler.

justasking111 · 04/02/2024 22:18

1st one a couple of weeks because I was struggling to breastfeed, tonsillitis, and it rained for two weeks solid. Once the â›… appeared I was out pushing the pram.

2nd a week it was Christmas time and I hadn't finished Xmas shopping that was stressful.

3rd. Summer baby by then I had a car so we zipped around much sooner.

Onthetipofmytonguetoo · 04/02/2024 22:37

I was out and about with my son pushing the pram to meet friends in a local beer garden when he was 5-6 days old. That was post c-section too!