DD was two weeks old on her first visit.
FWIW, yes, talk to your pediatrician, but there's no reason babies under three months old can't go out in public. DD went everywhere with us, even on a plane (GASP!) and wasn't sick a day in her life until she was well over six months old. Babies don't have their own immune systems yet, but they do have antibodies from mom and if you're breastfeeding, there's more there too. My girl was on formula (no milk production despite best efforts) and no one raised an eyebrow, not her pediatrician or my midwife. Unless your child has a specific problem that makes them immuno-compromised (being premature, for instance), and you take care with basic cleanliness, there is no reason NOT to take your child to Disneyland or the grocery store. Frankly, I would recommend getting out of the house as much as possible to fend off post-partum depression.
now, there is a GOOD reason. i wouldnt of said it for no reason. any doctor will say the same as do the nurse/midwives after we deliver babies. there is a good reason, not to take them out. sweetie, babies DO get antibodies from mom, HOWEVER, they get antibodies from MOM, not other people which means strains of illiness that mother doesnt carry, which could be NUMEROUS, BABY is very susceptible too. not every baby will get sick, infact its a slim chance, however a risky one and to ME whom my child is the most important thing in my life and i assume everyone elses, its not worth it. even if there is only a 1% chance, then that means 1 in 100 babies will fall ill from something they picked up from a person out in public. and, i had PPD, the trick is to get out, ALONE. have dad or grandma watch the baby. the trick is getting time away from the stress of a new baby. back to main topic, i suggest a pediatrician give input, though they will have the same response. it IS risky, there IS a reason, please do not contradict that as it is in medical studies and all medical professionals agree. dont justify it is not risky because you did it. it doesnt matter, if you do that, it is simply a parents choice. that is completely fine because YOU are the parent, but just because you want to believe there is no reason not to take them out, doesnt mean thats true. it was just simply to inform the poster that they should certainly come up to date with these medical facts by talking to a medical doctor or pediatrician so THEY can make their own informed decision on if it is worth the small chance of risk. there are alot of people in parks, who may carry illness. you touch alot of dirty things in the park that many other ppl touch including ill people. so its always a risk for ANYONE to contract illness especially a baby who is not fully immune. taking a baby out for a walk in fresh air is GREAT for them, and the sun great for babies with jaundice. its when you go around large crowds of people that it is recommended to keep them in the first few months. if you decide to go, even to a grocery store or park where you may touch things other people touch, take precaution such as hand sanitizer, and make sure you dont let strangers come up and put their face in the babies crib to say how cute or touch the baby. if you would like some referrence before speaking to the doctor, here is a small article on the fact. this happens that occasionally a baby will fall ill, and it is usually due to being un-informed about precautions and taking baby out. here is a quote from a pediatric site. you can also read this at the link.
"But if you visit public places, like malls, movie theaters, and airplanes, be careful to avoid exposing your newborn to infections that people carry. A newborn's immune system is still developing and may not be able to fight off infections. Some doctors prefer for you to wait until the baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places."
so yes mam there is a reason. it is a risk and should be cautioned and not taken so lightly. please dont try and inform people of things if you are not sure yourself. read up if you need to on a topic before misleading someone. if you are not a medical professional, and have not read on the topic, then its understandable to not completely know about it, but you shouldnt tell someone something is okay when there is NUMEROUS articles, and doctors, who will gladly state otherwise. so saying it is okay, is simply misinformation. the only reason i posted this reply, is to better inform anyone who may not know on the topic, and so people will know the risks, even if small, involved, as i care deeply about children and this is valuable info to know. there are people out there whos children have gotten ill, such as the flu, as a newborn, and this can be fatal to a newborn. it can be prevented by not bringing the baby around crowds where people may be sick.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/question/infants/newborn_out.html
here is a webmd link on the topic too also stating if POSSIBLE to not take newborns out in crowds, and since its a choice it is definitely possible to do. grocery stores, and things like that in everyday life are a necessity if you dont have anyone that can go out for you, but other things are of choice. its about informing yourself of the facts and THEN deciding. its every parents choice, but great to be informed. i am working toward my masters in nurse midwifery, and my uncle runs a hospital and has for YEARS. he is head of hospital. we both agree as do tons of medical professionals that if it can be avoided it should. now that all the valuable info is out here for you including links to back it up, you can make a more informed choice as a proud parent!
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/colds-risk
