Out and About?

[jbpoetmom]

So I have been going out and about with Seamus - 5 weeks today - and didn't think that was a problem. I've been mostly outside with him on nice daysand avoiding crowds and protecting him by keeping him in the BH and not letting anyone touch his hands . . .

BUT . . . I did take him on my daughter's 2nd grade field trip - which I realize now was not wise since the next day her teacher was out sick with STREP - eek!

At his 4 week check up, his ped. did say to be careful because if he gets a fever this young (100.4) he should come in to the office or ER right away and the protocol is to do aggressive testing including a SPINAL TAP! Fevers under two months are BAD, BAD, BAD . . . does anyone know more about why?

Low and behold, last night he felt hot and when we took his temp rectally it was 100.6 - after talking to the nurse and Dr. on call we stripped him down and his temp. went down and we realized he was overheated - woops . . . when I thought he was sick I felt horribly guilty - it was all my fault! Bad mommy!

So now I feel like never taking him out again. Still, I have two kids in school and they bring home plenty of germs . . . despite us having them wash their hands before they hold/play with/touch the baby . . .

What do you do? Do you stay in for 4, 6, 8 weeks? Do you take the baby out? I thought some fresh air and a couple of outings a week were ok but now . . .

[koofie]

Abby starts daycare next Tuesday

That is wayyy more out and about than I would like.

Othrwise, I am not too worried. I had strep for a week and didn't know it. Abby didn't catch it. I also had two viruses (5-6 days each) with fevers of 105 and Abby didn't catch that either. DD1 has had two ear infections and a fever/vomiting thing with a 102.7 fever and Abby was fine. I think it must be the breastfeeding.

[doudat]

Geez, when you have more than one kid, you really can't avoid the possibility that they might come in contact with some kind of illness. I've been out and about as well (since week 1!!), no choice really, things have to get done! Mostly she's been on walks with dh while I go to the grocery, clean the house etc. I think it would be impossible for us to be in isolation for any period of time.

[neetling]

We've been out and about. I try to either wear him in the sling or if he's in his carseat, keep him covered.

People have asked to see him, but not tried to touch yet.

I am a germ phobe though and keep all of us slathered in hand sanitizer and promote hand washing a lot.

[jbpoetmom]

arismomkoofie - sounds like Abby will be just fine at daycare with her immune system of steel - but I know how hard it is on you mama! The first day is the worst for me and then it gets better . . .

We were out at week 1 too, doudat (at Costco and a woman walked right up and touched his hand before I could stop her - arg!) - you are so right - things have to get done!

neetling - do you use the hand santizer on your ds? I've been using it on the siblings LOTS and washing the little one's hands with the diaper solution in a squirt bottle . . .

Thanks for the reassurances - I didn't think everyone was in a bubble the first two months!

[neetling]

I have put a very small amount on the back of his hand when someone at church touched him before I could stop them (forgot about that) I couldn't easily wash his hands. I either wash his hands or use a wipe. I don't like the alcohol on his skin just yet, I don't like the idea of it in his mouth.

I would use it if it were my onlu option, but I'd likely put it on wait a sec and use a wipe to wipe it off. May be less effective but I'd feel better. And I'd rather the sanitizer than have a sick newborn.

But then again, I do have OCD and I am a germ phobe.

[CityChic]

We've been out and about as well. The biggest place we've taken him is church. So far he's been fine, I am hoping the fresh spring air is doing him more good than harm.

[wsgrl84]

Definitely out and about since 3 weeks old! I don't think I can stay inside for so long! People got to do what we have to do! Getting fresh air and errands and stuff..

I babywear DS2 while we are out...I think that's the safest...

[hanno]

We've gone out since about 4 days and haven't had any problems. Mostly the baby 'turns off' when we're in public and doesn't open his eyes the whole time we're out. He does the same around new people until he's heard their voice multiple times and then he'll open up for them and make faces and be cute. We think he's prone to overstimulation so we don't force him to be in active places for too long and I put the canopy over his carseat so there's less flashiness.

[jbpoetmom]

Sounds like the baby carrier is key to getting out with new baby . . .

My dh just said yesterday - how did we ever live without our carriers?

i honestly don't know!

[grneyes328]

We've been out and about since 4 or 5 days postpartum and Audrey is fine so far. I basically always wer her, and her favorite place to be is tummy to tummy, so people generally leave her alone. I've had to back away from hands a few times, but more often I have to field questions about whether my carriers are "safe" and whether she is too hot "in that thing." I can't stay cooped up all the time.

[Velvet005]

Hmmm.... I was thinking of getting out today. We are 3 days pp. I need a nursing bra in a huge way and I am just itching to get out and about. I'm not much on being stuck. Should I not go? I think Ashton will be fine. I have a sling to wear him in. I want to take advantage because my 2 year old with dh for a little while today (dh had to run some errands so he took ds1 with him for Ashton and I to have some alone time).