What to do with newborn for outings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is what moms groups are for and also baby “classes.” Giving the caregivers things to and people to talk to.

This
Meet mom
Friend for coffee, walks, go to each others houses etc.

[Anonymous]

Museums! Walk around and enjoy!

[Anonymous]

I liked walks with a purpose at that age. I'd walk to the library or a coffee shop and sit and read for a bit and then walk home. Museums were great for this and I would also sign up for guided tours or museum talks, stuff I could never do if I wasn't on mat leave. Run errands -- grocery store, dry cleaner, frame shop. If you have friends with the flexibility (or better yet, other moms with newborns you meet through mom groups) meet up with them for an hour.

I also did a lot of park outings -- get a really good picnic blanket, bring a book or a sketch pad, plop the baby on the blanket and just relax for as long as feels good.

[Anonymous]

I went to the mall at least once per week and also had a new moms group once per week.

[Anonymous]

When did you guys start doing stuff? Np. My c-section baby is 11 days old.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of very good suggestions here (except for the movies, lol which I disagree with). But this is the perfect time to go out because your baby is portable and he can eat or nurse anywhere.

I don’t remember if I saw it, but the library and Storytimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did you guys start doing stuff? Np. My c-section baby is 11 days old.

I delivered vaginally but it was probably two weeks or so. Basically as soon as I could nurse in public.

[Anonymous]

I binged sooooooo much tv. Baby and I lived on the couch or in my bed. It was so relaxing. Magical, really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did you guys start doing stuff? Np. My c-section baby is 11 days old.

About 1 week out. But i delivered naturally so had no lifting restrictions. I also learned to babywear in a wrap early and just went about doing whatever i wanted to with nursing and changing breaks. Lots of walking at ikea, lunch with friends,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did you guys start doing stuff? Np. My c-section baby is 11 days old.

The uterus does not return to its normal size until 6-8 weeks. Driving after c section is suggested 2 weeks. You are told to limit stairs. A c section scar takes 6 weeks to hit 80% of its strength and then its considered "healed" but will still take up to a year to settle.
I would even avoid walking while babywearing until 4 weeks or so. Ideally you get 5 days in bed, 5 days around bed, 5 days around the floor. Thats through week 2. Weeks 2-4 should be daily movement increasing while assessing for pain and bleeding.

You just had major abdominal surgery and in any other world you would not be responsible for yourself for a week or two much less a vulnerable newborn. Please ensure that you dont overdo it out of "boredom". Healing is boring. It is a slog. But overdoing it is worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of very good suggestions here (except for the movies, lol which I disagree with). But this is the perfect time to go out because your baby is portable and he can eat or nurse anywhere.

I don’t remember if I saw it, but the library and Storytimes.

Some movie theaters will have "cry it out" screenings during weekdays for caregivers of babies and young kids. The one near me was at 10am on Tuesdays and would just be parents on leave and nannies. They would also leave the lights up a little and keep the volume at a baby friendly level. A good option if a movie out sounds relaxing to you but you don't want to risk disturbing other people in case your baby gets fussy. I remember going a few times with a friend who was also on leave and then we'd go to a coffee shop after for a bit. It was a good low key outing where I felt like I was being social but didn't actually have to talk or think that much (I had PPD and PPA and found social outings pretty challenging those first few months).

[Anonymous]

You're in a really unique spot to make friends with other moms. I regret not doing more of this. Join every new mom group you can find, figure out which moms you click with, and go from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did you guys start doing stuff? Np. My c-section baby is 11 days old.

My husband and I took my toddler to the playground when my son was a few days old. I wanted to get outside and enjoy the weather. It was no big deal.

OP, I second museums and add Brookside Gardens, IKEA, really whatever YOU want to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did you guys start doing stuff? Np. My c-section baby is 11 days old.

My husband and I took my toddler to the playground when my son was a few days old. I wanted to get outside and enjoy the weather. It was no big deal.

OP, I second museums and add Brookside Gardens, IKEA, really whatever YOU want to do.

No other post-surgical patient would be encouraged to do this. I realize the medical community underplays the severity of a c-section surgery, but it really should be treated like any other scalpel surgery. It is not laparoscopic.

Minimum 1-2 weeks for absolutely nothing but basic needs should be the minimum. Its okay to go sit outside and enjoy the weather. Its okay to see friends and all that but I have seen moms 10 days post op at birthday parties with multiple kids in tow solo or at a playground babywearing/pushing a stroller up a hill. A couple miles walking or standing for hours is not ideal for the first few weeks post-op.

You can feel great after a csection and still need to be taking it easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of very good suggestions here (except for the movies, lol which I disagree with). But this is the perfect time to go out because your baby is portable and he can eat or nurse anywhere.

I don’t remember if I saw it, but the library and Storytimes.

Some movie theaters will have "cry it out" screenings during weekdays for caregivers of babies and young kids. The one near me was at 10am on Tuesdays and would just be parents on leave and nannies. They would also leave the lights up a little and keep the volume at a baby friendly level. A good option if a movie out sounds relaxing to you but you don't want to risk disturbing other people in case your baby gets fussy. I remember going a few times with a friend who was also on leave and then we'd go to a coffee shop after for a bit. It was a good low key outing where I felt like I was being social but didn't actually have to talk or think that much (I had PPD and PPA and found social outings pretty challenging those first few months).

Alamo Drafthouse is doing that this summer.