Mystery

When your baby was born, did you keep them home for a little while? How long until you started taking baby out to meet people and taking them to public places?

Seattle_mom

I think the "babymoon" should be observed. 4 weeks, mostly at home. In fact, I wouldn't even do well baby visits in that time if it could be helped.

My first ended up in the NICU after her (home)birth due to heart problems. When I brought her home after her repair, I kept her home for 4 weeks, I mean, I took her for walks and stuff, but I didn't take her to restaraunts or the zoo or crazy stuff like that. I did take her to the grocery store because we needed food, but I kept her in a sling to keep people from touching her.

My son contracted RSV, a respiratory virus, at 1 week old. He was hospitalized twice for it, the second time with a collapsed lung. RSV is really only dangerous to infants, like many diseases are. It's better to be safe than sorry.

LoveMaGirl

We stayed home too a lot for the first month. We walked to the park and went to see the great grandparents once in that time. I was just too tired honestly to go out much.

VTGal

I didn't do this. With my first, I went out when she was 3 days old and with my second, 1 week. I think it's good for newborns to get out a little, even in the beginning, to help build their immune system.

babyontheway

For me it's not necessarily keeping the baby home but it's keeping people from touching the baby when they are so little. It's just seems to be a natural thing that people want to touch babies.
Anyway, as previously mentioned keeping baby in a sling or asking people to wash/disenfect hands first is how I handle the situations that come up.

Mystery

How common is RSV? How much of a risk is it to a healthy, full term infant born at the start of the summer? I thought it was mostly a winter time risk.

Tiredmommy

I stayed home for a few weeks and then I took him to church, most persons stayed away though since they knew he was newborn. I officially came out about 6 weeks after.

solomons

keep the baby at home as long as you can. My son caught ring worm at six weeks old because I was not as carefull as I should have been with people who wanted to hold and touch him with their dirty hands. I didnt want to step on any toes by asking people to wash their hands. You can never imagine how embarrased I was at the doctors office.

SML

Respect the baby's need for quiet and rest after the birth, but staying home just to stay home for a period of time is dependent on each mom. Every mom knows best, but going for a walk and bringing baby out for a coffee, or even on an errand or two is healthy for both. Staying in isolation is unproductive and a change of scenery is good!

SML

I've created a blog website regarding infant and toddler health. Please visit and leave comments!!!

infant-toddler-health.blogspot.com

Thanks!!!!