35 weeker: going outside?

[lanaross]

Hi ladies,
Before the discharge from NICU, our doctor told me to treat my little man like a regular newborn at this point and not to worry too much (e.g. don't put a cover over his car seat to protect from outside, don't get a movement monitor - video is fine etc. etc.). But during our discharge, the nurse went over a list with me to cover things I am not allowed to do to reduce his risks of infection and one of them was not to take him outside to crowded places like grocery shopping/malls etc. for 2-3 months.

Do you take your preemie out? When did you start?

I am having a huge issue since my daughter is starting hew new pre-school on Wednesday and I am the only one who can drop off/pick up so it means I actually have to go through the whole school to drop her off at her class. Again the doctor said I should be fine and no need to cover him - as long as nobody is touching him, he'd be ok. But the nurse scared the hell out of me saying I even need to change my daughter's clothes after school to avoid germs.

Help please? Any experience you could share? I am starting to think of different arrangements since I am so scared to get him sick

 

[MummyMana]

Imogen was born at 36 Weeks so a week later than yours, but I took her out when she was a week old to a mothers day tea and cake afternoon at my sister's primary school. I'd been stuck in hospital for over a week and was stir crazy! We didn't stay long because it did get a bit crowded, but more because it was making me feel uneasy, she wasn't bothered I'd do what your comfortable with, your doctor probably knows more, maybe just take it slow at first? Hope it all goes well

 

[hopingfor4]

My twins were 35 weeks 5 days, and spent about a month in the NICU. We kept them protected and away from crowds for about 4 more weeks once home, but then we exposed them to everyone and they did ok.

 

[lozzy21]

Niamh was born at 35 weeks, we spent 6 days in hospital and went to the supermarket the day after we came home and continued taking her out everywhere. Obviously we avoided visibly sick people like you would with any newborn but we never kept her away. My view was at that gestation if she's well enough to be out of hospital she's well enough to be taken out. If she was born two weeks later nothing would have been said at all.

 

[KAMW]

I had my lo at 35 weeks and i didnt get told that, hey just said if people want to hold her ask them to wash their hands and don have her around anyone who is unwell, i was in hospital for 8 days and ive took her out loads

 

[Craigswife]

I've just posted something similar on the NICU and germs thread, but basically I've had 2 prem children. My first 28wks and my second 31wks. We have pretty much carried on as normal as its not fair on our son to stop all the activities he enjoys. We've done play dates, parties etc but limit who touches her, especially other children. We even did a beach day the other day.We make sure he washes his hands before he touches/holds her. With a 4yr old in the house it's impossible to avoid germs and Illnesses, but we maintain good hygiene and hopefully reduce the risks to our baby. My son is starting school next week so he's bound to bring stuff home. Just before we left NICU I asked about this and the theory of the dr's and nurses was that you can't avoid bugs but avoid people who are obviously ill, which you would do with any child.
My baby is 13wks now actual age (5 corrected) and I have actually enjoyed her newborn days far more than with my son because I'm not stressing about bugs and germs like I did with my first. I think being sensible is the key.

 

[Twin34mom]

My twins were 35 weeks and a few days. Our pediatrician told us not to take them out for the first couple of months with the exception of their appointments; however, it was towards the beginning of flu season, too. Also, they were pretty tiny, and she wanted to make sure their body temperature was being maintained. I was extremely cautious because there was NO way I wanted to end up back in the NICU. I didn't want to go through that again!!!!

 

[lanaross]

Thanks ladies.. I am being cautious and cover him with a very light blankie when we go out so others don't touch him. I talked to his doctor and the consensus between doctors is to treat him like a regular newborn, not being overly crazy but just using common sense (avoid crowds and visibly sick people). Of course, me being me I can't help it getting overprotective but we did go out several times and unfortunately no way for me to avoid it

 

[AmyB1978]

Maybe you could try wearing him... It gets him higher then kid coughs/hands and keeps MOST people from trying to touch. You could even cover while wearing. Good luck!

 

[sbl]

Our lo was born at 35 weeks too. 2 spent 2 weeks in scbu.
We were told to keep her out of crowded areas. She was born in late nov so at the height of flu season.
We kept her out of shopping centers and places like that till late march.
As for just going outside we went to my mums almost every day after our phn gave the go ahead. I never lifted the rain cover off our buggy when in the supermarket so people couldn't put their nasty hands on my baby!