Taking baby out

TudorRose11 · December 2013

Mom's - how regularly do you take your LO's out of the house? For which kinds of activities?

I've taken W out at least once a week. He is 4 weeks old. Sometimes just to Target for a few things and twice to a restaurant so far but I was kind of nervous (an elderly woman at the table behind us turned around and stuck her fingers in his car seat - by his face - as soon as I sat him down).

Saturday I went shopping with MIL and SIL and it was the first time I had to change or feed him in public. I am a pretty relaxed new mom at home but I'll admit I feel a little anxious out with him. Yesterday I had plans to go to a second hand children's clothing store but when I told DH he said "With W?!" and then I chickened out.

I also live in the Midwest so cold weather is already here and naturally I worry about him getting sick. For mom's of older babies, when does this anxiousness subside? How often do you all go out?

wiggyslilsis · December 2013

I am not a good example because I have anxiety issues in the first place but I am still not comfortable going out with just Ava Nichol and myself. I go out often with DH or with my mom and we go to play dates but we don't go shopping or to the library or anything like that. It has gotten easier but I still stress out.

liall09 · December 2013

It took me until A was about 6-8 weeks old before I would take her out. The only thing we did before that was to take her with us to church once she was 3 weeks old. I had major anxiety about taking her out, mostly out of fear that she would be hungry and I had major anxiety about BFing (even covered) in public.

It does get better. You've already done more than I did by that point in time, so I think that you're doing great!

alexisanna44 · December 2013

In the beginning it would just depend on my laziness level. Lucy didn't really go out until after her 2 week check up with the pedi. That was mostly because I wasn't quite ready and DH was great about running errands. I also didn't start pumping until she was 4 weeks old and wasn't terribly comfortable breastfeeding in public, so we'd go out around her feedings. Once I could bring bottles with we just did whatever, but it was summer in TX, so nothing that would require her to be outside for long. Once I could bring bottles with me I really didn't have any reservations about taking Lucy out. She was mostly a happy kid and didn't cause many problems.

MRads · December 2013

We took B out to target and the mall when he was 3 days old. He hasn't spent a day at home for the whole day in his life. Both of us would go stir crazy.

We go to the library, visit friends and his cousins, go to a moms group, go for walks (at the mall, if it is cold), he and I do all of the grocery shopping.

Taking your kid out is definitely "different strokes for different folks" but I would not have enjoyed the early weeks if we stayed at home all day.

Venti29 · December 2013

When they were little I took them out all the time, it was easy for me when I could calculate it around feeding.
I went to the mall yesterday with my sister, she had to leave early and I almost had a mini panic.. (That's really not me at all). I was so worried about a melt down. But it was fine.

I worry about poo. When they poo in their car seat it's an 'up the back out the ears' issue. So once we've poo'd for the day, I'm good to go!

Last night I took then shopping again alone to give DH some garage time, it was fine. Two carts, one in the ergo at one store.. If they'll stay in their car seats it's super easy, but I always have a carrier near in case I need to baby wear. (I always end up needing to).

As far as the weather, I will warm my car and try to park close to limit the exposure outside. But it's never cold that I really have to worry.

botanicalbliss · December 2013

We didn't go out much at first because I was anxious about him crying and feeding him in public. I soon got over that and went out a few times a week for my sanity.

bobcee · December 2013

We take them out all the time. I don't even think about it. If we need or want to go somewhere, we go.

We stopped at the grocery store on the way home from the hospital with Zack. I just wear him or keep him covered in the car seat and 95% of the time no one tries to touch him.

I'm not really a germophobe and honestly think some of it will help build up their immunity and they'll be better off in the long run.

pistolpackinmomma · December 2013

I take him out at least once a week if not more. Our first week home we went out 3 or 4 times. However, a random stranger grabbing at him would have pissed me off. That's just weird to do

sgautschi · December 2013

Yeah me and A rarely sit at home. I've taken her to the mall, Target, grocery store, and out to restaurants with friends. I usually wear her in the K'Tan at restaurants so she'll sleep and so I don't have a bulky car seat.

I haven't had a problem with anyone trying to touch her, maybe I put off a crazy I'll slap you if you try vibe? Idk...lol

Also I am EBF and if she gets fussy I find a restroom/fitting room or go out to my car. NBD. I have nursed her out in the open once. I was too far from my car and there wasn't a bathroom or anything near by, so I just put my cover on and called it good.

TudorRose11 · December 2013

All of this makes sense. Thanks ladies. I think DH is more nervous about it than I am but he rubs off on me a bit. It made me question if I had taken him out too much or too soon. I felt a little better when his mom called him out on being too nervous about it over the weekend.

I've had two strangers try to touch him so far. He has an impressive amount of hair and both of the women that tried touching him were reaching for that. I guess I need to leave hats on him so they just can't see it. Lol

smbenevides1989 · December 2013

I'm not really a germophobe and honestly think some of it will help build up their immunity and they'll be better off in the long run.

This is how I feel also. I took Lexi out when she was only 4 days old. I went to the bank, grocery store and mall that day alone. She was born in January, so I covered her in a blanket and hat. I never really had the problem of people touching her. I stayed home with her almost 12 weeks, and I went out for most of that time. I say Lexi's immune system is the way it is because I didn't "keep her from the elements". She didn't have her first fever/cold until she was close to a year old.

bridget0117 · December 2013

We are just like @MRads. I take her out almost every day, if it's cold I will make sure she's wearing warm clothes and she's always been fine.

She had her newborn visit a day after she was born and after that we went out to eat and she did great. She and I always go grocery shopping together or to the mall or basically anywhere.

Like @madeline10L, DD loves the car and stroller. I'm not worried about people while we are out but because no one has ever tried to touch her, I think I worry more about my sister being around her. Lol.

wiggyslilsis · December 2013

He does have an impressive amount of hair! Strangers tried to touch Ava Nichol all the time. I think I scared some people with my mama bear attitude though.

I should be clear...I have no problem taking Ava Nichol out. I think it is good for her immune system to get out and about and now it is good for her socially. I just have a lot of anxiety about going out alone even before Ava Nichol. I am working on it but we get out enough with my mom, DH and my playgroup. She also may be starting preschool this summer which will force me to do things alone.

Also, the nearest grocery store is a half hour away and the mall is an hour so often times we don't go out just because of the time and conserving on gas.

carcrashheart · December 2013

i took him out at least a few times a week, usually to run errands. i took him grocery shopping, to target, to the mall, wherever we needed to go. he was born in october so it was cold outside. i would just dress him warmly, put a receiving blanket over him (folded in half) and there was a car seat cover over the seat that i left zipped up so all you could see was his face.

taking LO out is NBD to me. and the car seat cover kept people from touching him. i also liked that our stroller (city mini) has the car seat sitting high so people couldn't easily peer in and little kids couldn't reach up.

i don't know why it would be a big deal to take LO to a store or why your DH would question it.

TudorRose11 · December 2013

carcrashheart said:
i don't know why it would be a big deal to take LO to a store or why your DH would question it.

Because we are first time parents and some new baby related things make us nervous until we get over it, like everyone else.

pistolpackinmomma · December 2013

TudorRose11 said:

carcrashheart said:
i don't know why it would be a big deal to take LO to a store or why your DH would question it.
Because we are first time parents and some new baby related things make us nervous until we get over it, like everyone else.

But since you BF you are somewhat attached to him until your stash is built up. Your husband can't expect you to stay holed up in the house for your whole mat leave. I was 5 days pp (2 days out of the hospital) when I took R out for the full day. Our first day home we had to go out for his dr's appt and then we had stuff we needed to get. I think we went out every day that first week.

TudorRose11 · December 2013

pistolpackinmomma said:

TudorRose11 said:

carcrashheart said:
i don't know why it would be a big deal to take LO to a store or why your DH would question it.
Because we are first time parents and some new baby related things make us nervous until we get over it, like everyone else.
But since you BF you are somewhat attached to him until your stash is built up. Your husband can't expect you to stay holed up in the house for your whole mat leave. I was 5 days pp (2 days out of the hospital) when I took R out for the full day. Our first day home we had to go out for his dr's appt and then we had stuff we needed to get. I think we went out every day that first week.

Well, he doesn't expect that in any way. I mentioned that I've taken W out at least once a week so far and DH obv knows that. He was surprised that I was going to this particular second hand store with him because the one time he and I went when I was pregnant they were packed and there's no public restroom for changes. I probably should have elaborated on this part in my OP. He was surprised I would take him there, not surprised I would go out with him at all.

That's what I meant by which type of activities do you do with baby at first. As in, are there certain things you don't want to go do with LO or things that make you more anxious to do with them than others in the beginning?

It seems like it's just preference based, not that there is a standard answer.

pistolpackinmomma · December 2013

Well in my experience even places with public bathrooms don't always have a place to change a baby. We have gone many places and had to make do with what we had, even if that meant going to the car to change him.

TudorRose11 · December 2013

I am learning that as I go, too.

Taking baby out

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