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01-04-2013 at 8:28 PM
bmerr
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Too soon to go out?

We've been home from the hospital for 2 weeks now and I have only left the house twice for doctors appointments. I'm bored out of my mind already. I've read a few things online that say to get out of the house at least a few days during the week to keep myself sane. Everything I've read has recommended going for a walk with LO and that fresh air will do us both good. But I live in south eastern PA where it's in the low to mid 30's everyday as our high. LO is a little over 2 weeks and I'm afraid it's too early to take him out, especially since it's so cold. I do however have a very warm car seat cover that keeps him nice and toasty, along with nice fluffy blankets, hats, "snow suits", etc...

When did you start taking LO out of the house? We wouldn't be out for more than 10-15 minutes at first.. I just need to see something other than these 4 walls!  TIA :-) 
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01-04-2013 at 8:34 PM
Jimsgirl58...
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I know what you mean. DD was born in August and I could walk all day ;) DS was born in November so not that easy now. I took DS out when he was about two weeks (when I was cleared to drive again). I just avoided crowds, like parties, packed church, etc. We would walk around Target, or go for a drive, or I would visit the girls at my office. I work in a small office of only 7 people. Your can take walks at the mall. It is okay to go out. YOur LO will be in a stroller and big stores/malls aren't packed that people will be breathing on him/her ;). Or can you visit a family member or friend at their house during the day just to get out? It does make a world of difference to get out ;)
 
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01-04-2013 at 8:36 PM
WiscoMom67
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We were out and about at less than one week old!
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01-04-2013 at 8:45 PM
BLPL101
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DH works from home so I leave LO with him and I go out alone. My DD was born 5 weeks early so I'm very cautious and don't plan on taking her out until she's 6 weeks old.
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01-04-2013 at 8:49 PM
kieannb
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It's 9 degrees right now, and that's warm for this time of year.. I don't do we'll with sitting around the house so we go walk the track at the gym, or go visit the girls at work and get a few groceries.. Anything to get out of the house for an hour. Since it is so warm, we put LO in a fuzzy snow suit, stuck her in my snuggly and went for a walk. She got some sleep and we got some fresh air.
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01-04-2013 at 8:54 PM
bmerr
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bmerr is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 8:47 PMNewbie

Jimsgirl5821:
I know what you mean. DD was born in August and I could walk all day ;) DS was born in November so not that easy now. I took DS out when he was about two weeks (when I was cleared to drive again). I just avoided crowds, like parties, packed church, etc. We would walk around Target, or go for a drive, or I would visit the girls at my office. I work in a small office of only 7 people. Your can take walks at the mall. It is okay to go out. YOur LO will be in a stroller and big stores/malls aren't packed that people will be breathing on him/her ;). Or can you visit a family member or friend at their house during the day just to get out? It does make a world of difference to get out ;)

I was told no driving till I get the okay at my 6 week check up because I was induced 4 days early due to preeclampsia, so if I go anywhere, DH has to come along. Our YMCA does have an indoor track, so I'm going to call them in the morning to see if they allow strollers on the track. And I totally forgot about the mall! Our mall is 2 minutes down the road and opens an hour earlier than the stores for walkers! Thank you :-) 
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01-04-2013 at 8:55 PM
LalaMama81
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I would for sure hit up Target or the grocery, or even a cup of coffee with a friend. I'd baby wear, then no one will be poking at him or trying to touch. 

I haven't had a winter baby, but I was out w/ both of mine in the first 2 weeks. If I have a third, they'll have no choice but to go out b/c the older 2 will still need to go to school, etc.  

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01-04-2013 at 9:18 PM
Kemare20
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Just don't go anywhere really congested and don't let anyone touch the baby!
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01-04-2013 at 10:58 PM
laxkal23
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I started walking with LO at about 2weeks old. I live in central ny and it is rarely above freezing this time of year, however I have a system that keeps CJ super snuggly. I dress him in a long sleeve onesie and pants with a hooded sweater (usually fleece or heavy material) I have a stuffed beaver that has a heat pack inside that you microwave so I heat it and place it over his legs in the car seat carrier. (you could use a heat pack or hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket if you didn't have the stuffed animal). We have a cozy cover showercap style cover that I zip up over top and then I usually throw a knitted blanket over the stroller/carrier hoods to cut out any wind. He is super toasty and the fresh air really helps him sleep. I will take him out so long as the temp is above 25degrees. 

 
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01-04-2013 at 11:01 PM
jillychris
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By 2 weeks we were making quick trips to the grocery store or Target, or a walk (but I live in So-Cal, so much warmer here.) Definitely get out if you can...helps you to feel human again!
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01-05-2013 at 1:08 AM
MrsBigTime
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We went out to dinner on day #3! We've tried to get out of the house every other day or so, because, frankly, we were going absolutely stir crazy! Sometimes we'd just walk to the grocery store around the corner just to get some fresh air.

Our strategy has just been to keep DD as warm as possible, bundle with hats, layers and blankets if we have her in the stroller, and we keep the covers closed so no curious or overly friendly hands can touch her. Otherwise, she's right next to me in the Moby (which is awesome), where she is warm, snuggly and safe from any ooglers.
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01-05-2013 at 3:52 AM
jg1011
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My LO was born two days before Hurricane Sandy hit...when  LO was discharged 8 days later (he was in NICU bc he was 4 weeks early and his lungs needed a little help) we had no heat, electricity, or hot water at home. It was really cold that week.  We were hopping between hotels that had vacancies and then family members who had generators. The generators went off during the day to conserve gas, so we bundled LO up in lots of blankets, put LO in the stroller and spent time walking the mall. We covered the car seat so no one unnecessarily was breathing on him or touching him. We were vigilant about hand washing too. But he was fine! Warm when we were outside and safe and warm in the stores. I guess that experience has made me less nervous about taking him out now. As long as its not ridiculously cold and windy, I am bundling him up and going for walks as well as going to stores with him. 

OP-- I was also delivered early (via c-section) because of pre-eclampsia. I was told no driving for 2 weeks. I would call your OB and double check the 6 week driving restriction.  

 Good luck and congrats! 
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01-05-2013 at 6:20 AM
skychick31...
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DS is 2 weeks today and with a 2 year old already in the house being inside all the time just isnt an option. i put him into the moby, fully dressed, and cover with an additional blanket if needed.  the 3 of us walk around the block or go run errands as needed.  havent gone to visit DH at work just due to the amount of people. bundle your LO up and get out! A quick walk does wonders :)
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01-05-2013 at 7:25 AM
grace_smit...
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Depends.  I went out about a week after and honestly pushed myself too hard. I went to the mall and walking around it was too much.  I got massive charlie horses in the glutes, and later at home, passed HUGE clots. (two indicators that you pushed yourself too hard)

However, not everyone has the same recovery time.  Perhaps a small mall and walk/rest at your discretion?  It is hard staying inside for too many days. GL!  
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01-05-2013 at 8:42 AM
brooke&rya...
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I live in the midwest and my pedi said we could go outside for walks if it was over 20 degrees out. The biggest kicker is the wind.We first started taking him out for errands after he was a week old.

I would be more worried if you are bundling him up in all those things together. He might actually get overheated if you put him in a snowsuit and keep him bundled under blankets in the car seat. Try normal clothing under a blanket with the car seat cover and hat.

Since it's been hovering around zero degrees where I live we make a lot of trips to walk around our local mall or target. LO loves it and so do I! GL

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01-05-2013 at 8:56 AM
hilsy85
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Take him out!! I just took LO, who is 11 weeks old, out on a day when it was 20 degrees. He was toasty warm and actually a little sweaty when I took his fleece bunting off (fewer layers next time!). But seriously, as long as he's dressed appropriately, and it's not like a windstorm outside, I would take him on a walk at least daily. It's good for him and good for you! We took LOout for the first time at 2 days old, and we've been out every day since.
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01-05-2013 at 9:25 AM
candacelei...
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I took LO to Target at 2 weeks just to get out of the house.
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01-05-2013 at 10:17 AM
JCouram
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I live in South Eastern PA as well!  My little one is only 10 days old so we are waiting a bit but I plan to walk the Exton Mall as soon as she's about 2 weeks old.


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01-05-2013 at 1:57 PM
KatieKate8...
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We got home on a Friday from the hospital, and that sunday (when LO was 6 days old), we went out to Target and lunch. 

I don't think its ever too early to take your little one out, I know it helps with my sanity to get out and about, I can't handle being in the house non-stop. 
 
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01-05-2013 at 1:58 PM
JMPrice
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I'm really glad I read this thread. I'm definitely being overly cautious. Our DD is 4 weeks and we've only been out a handful of times and briefly. We live in Denver and yesterday it was 45 degrees so I put her in the Ergo carrier and went for our first walk. I felt SO much better!! Today's high is around the same so we're going out in the stroller. Luckily my DH has been picking up shifts part time so he's mostly home to watch her if I want to grab a coffee or pedicure. Good to know I'm not the only one dying to get out of the house.
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01-05-2013 at 8:10 PM
Stillharbo...
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I live in Florida, so most stuff is outside.  But is there like, a mall, shopping area, etc...that's all inside?  You could take a stroller ad walk around just as a change of pace.  To make sure that people don't try to touch LO you could drape a light receiving blanket over the stroller.  

P.S.  I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks and MH had to go back to work after a week.  My first trip out was to the grocery store.  I was ecstatic!
 
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01-06-2013 at 9:08 PM
bucsfans12...
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Im in Florida but have only taken my daughter out to family's house and dr appts so far. Dr and parenting class said wait at least 1 month to take her out and thats what I feel comfortable with as well . Im being causious too due to flu season going around.  We have however gone on a few walks and seems to love that & car rides.
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