Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8 weeks for anything beyond doctor appointments and walks, but it was Covid.

Same. But it was not COVID and we were recuperating for 40 days.

This is good. New mothers need to allow their pelvic muscles to recuperate. So many women are having pelvic floor issues.

I'm all for getting rest and prioritizing pelvic floor health but issues don't usually stem from overdoing it a bit taking a walk postpartum - it's from the actual delivery. And a perceived rise in pelvic floor issues is probably related to lots of later-in-life pregnancies in this area, and just greater awareness and more open acknowledgment of pelvic floor health.

First baby - I was going out for walks (her and me) quickly. I took one the day we came home from the hospital! But the pediatrician at the 3 day appointment told us not to let anyone visit except for one or two trusted people who would wash their hands well and not to take her anywhere other than doctor appointments until she has her 8 week shots. This was pre-Covid but she was born a little early and it was flu season. While that might have been the best advice for her, after a traumatic delivery sitting alone with her in our tiny apartment for 8 weeks caused me really bad anxiety and depression and definitely made it difficult for me to bond with and care for her as I would have liked to. Her first non doctor foray was to church on Thanksgiving day and I remember the relief of getting out. She was about 7 weeks but we went anyway.

Second child (full term but born in winter, also pre-Covid) I set a rule to say hi to one non-family member per day, even if it was waiving to someone while we took a walk. It was SO much better. Even things like grocery shopping were bonding.

Anonymous wrote:how soon would you take baby to outdoor birthday party?

I wouldn’t in this heat. Newborns don’t sweat so can’t cool off and regulate their body temps well. They can easily overheat.

Anonymous wrote:I took my oldest on the metro for his one week checkup!

That’s a bizarre brag.

I’m a little different. I had my first baby in September but didn’t feel like going anywhere for the first two weeks except appointments. We started going for neighborhood walks around then. My first outing by myself was 6 week PP checkup. Went out to a massage at 8 weeks.

I had my second in June and we were taking walks week 1 and my first outing was a dinner date at 4 weeks.

With my first, we went to get pizza at a neighborhood place when he was 1 week old. With my second, he was in the NICU for two weeks it after that went everywhere. Sounds crazy now but my husband and I don’t like to hang out at home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8 weeks for anything beyond doctor appointments and walks, but it was Covid.

Same. But it was not COVID and we were recuperating for 40 days.

This is good. New mothers need to allow their pelvic muscles to recuperate. So many women are having pelvic floor issues.

how soon would you take baby to outdoor birthday party?

I took my oldest on the metro for his one week checkup!

Right away

Ugh. I’ll be that person. Yes it’s ok to go out with baby. Be mindful of wearing yourself out too. The postpartum rebuilding process takes time and it’s easy to overextend yourself and not realize it. Small excursions. And if you aren’t up for it that’s ok too. If you notice bleeding picking up again take time to rest. Get help with older children if you can.

Went for a leisurely walk upon returning home from the hospital. It was a pretty day, I was going stir crazy from being in the hospital, and it felt really nice to get fresh air/sun/ move around.
(Life long runner so itching to get some movement).