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I may have been a little overprotective the first couple of months of my son’s life. Other than going to his pediatrician, he wasn’t really allowed to go anywhere. Sure we did a daily walk with him securely stowed away in his stroller, but I avoided grocery stores, coffee shops, and just about anywhere that would have a crowd. And I didn’t even have a pandemic to deal with!
Being protective when your baby is so vulnerable is natural. But when can you start to take your baby out and what types of places can they go to? Keep both you and your baby healthy by using prudence in the first few weeks by avoiding places where germs spread quickly and easily.
Note: During COVID, places you would normally take your newborn may be more of a concern than usual. Check beforehand to make sure your destination is following appropriate safety protocols.
Understanding your newborn's delicate immune system
The reason for caution in taking a newborn all around town is that their immune system is still developing. Generally speaking, your baby’s immune system won’t mature until she reaches two to three months old. This means your baby doesn’t have the ability to fight off viruses or bacteria like you and me.
Of course, there are some things that help boost your baby’s immune system. The antibodies shared through the placenta help protect your baby during the first week of life. And those getting breastfed start with colostrum and also get some help with breastmilk.
Eddie Reads, M.D. feels this isn’t enough to protect your baby against all immune threats, particularly during COVID-19. “Breastfeeding mothers aren’t an exception. They have a responsibility to protect not only themselves but their babies too,” he told Mom.com. This means limiting exposure to lots of people, particularly crowds you can’t control.
Just because it takes up to three months to build a healthy immune system doesn’t mean you can’t go outside and do things. It boils down to limiting exposure.
How to choose safe locations to take your newborn
You already know you’ll be taking your baby to the doctor for her wellness checks. Ideally, your pediatrician has a healthy waiting room and a sick waiting room as ours did. This way the healthy kids aren’t exposed to as many germs. But what about the grocery store, park or coffee shop? For me, we waited about six weeks before my son would be toted to the grocery store or bank with me. During COVID, there may be even more hesitation to take your baby out.
Mompreneur Daisy Jing provides us with some insights she received when her baby was a newborn. “Aside from not going to a crowded place, avoid going to places that are constricting and air-conditioned," she told Mom.com. "Go outdoors or to open-air places to avoid breathing the same air and be too close with another person.”
This makes a lot of sense and we see this with everyone’s social distancing and lockdown routines. Gyms have closed and more people are jogging. This is because it’s harder for a virus to be passed along when people are in open-air spaces practicing social distancing.
Choose places where there is plenty of space for you to avoid crowds – even during non-pandemic times, social distancing is still a good idea for a newborn. More importantly, don’t let people come up to look at your baby. Kindly explain that you are practicing social distancing and your newborn is vulnerable.
Follow these safety tips when taking a newborn out
Not only do you need to be concerned about just going out, you need to make sure that you follow the right safety protocol to keep you and your baby healthy. “Before going out, mothers should remember that there isn’t a sure way to maintain zero risks of COVID-19 infection," Dr. Reads reminded us. "So, it’s crucial to note that, going out in itself is a risk for you and the baby. Therefore, taking precautions such as maintaining social distance, high-level hygiene and wearing protective gear is critical.”
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Research your destination and the circumstances beforehand. Will there be a lot of people present, which will increase exposure? Will it be difficult to find spaces to change and feed your baby? No outing will be problem-free, but try and minimize your stress by planning ahead.
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Wash your hands frequently and carry hand sanitizer. If you need to change a diaper, it’s best to have your own portable changing pad packed in the diaper bag. Be sure to disinfect it when you’re done using it as well. Avoid shaking people’s hands or embracing friends.
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If you know that someone who will be there is sick (Coronavirus or not), it might be wise to not go. Talk to your pediatrician and make sure your child’s vaccines are up to date to limit her risk. If you plan on letting anyone hold your baby, make sure they wash their hands first.
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Dress your newborn in appropriate clothes for the weather; if you are taking your newborn out in winter, dress them in enough layers to keep them warm, and lighter clothes in summer months to avoid overheating.
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Under no circumstancs should anyone be allowed to kiss your baby. Not only can this increase the chances of tooth decay, but more seriously, can facilitate the transmission of a deadly viruse.
