when did you first take them out?

My MIL is getting on our case about taking the girls out. For one they were only 5 and a half pounds at birth even though they were born at 38 w +1 but it is cold where i live. So i was wondering how old they were when you first took them out and to where? there is a holiday party with my twin group on sat. and i would LOVE to go and be around people "like me" right now because no one understand what i am going through right now and just seeing someone with twins would make me feel better. It is about a 40 min. ride from where i live....

 

My twins were born premature. So we refused to give them hep B vaccine at birth. So we waited until 2 months well check. Until then, we didn't take them out. No visit was allowed. After all the shots at 2 months, we still only took them over my parents house. We started taking them out to public around 4-5 months. They just got their first cold a day before thanksgiving.they did have flu shots though. I'd say take them out but keep them very warm.I'm very protective over my kids because they were premature.

 

We didn't go much of anywhere the first several months other than doctor appointments and church (which we did every other week for that time period), but our boys were born in December - about three weeks after they were born, there was a major snow storm, and we were pretty much snowed in for almost two weeks and it was bitterly cold, so I had very little desire to take them out. I think the first time we took them out in public (the mall), they were about 3 months. I was scared to death of the H1N1, so I was very cautious - we didn't let anyone touch them at church, and all visitors had to wash their hands, etc. Once spring came, we relaxed a bit - started using the nursery at church, etc. I think had they been spring/summer babies, I would have had them out much sooner - they were decent size at birth, not in the NICU, etc. I was just paranoid about colds, flu, etc.

 

I know many people on here will disagree with me but here is my 2 cents. Granted my babies were born in July so I didn't have the cold weather and flu seasons, but I did breast fed so they had my natural immunity. When babies are born their immunity they get from you last 4-6 weeks and then what they get from the colustrum and bf kick in and help them to fight disease. Those who are slowly introduced have their bodies learn to fight disease slowly and not all at once.

My babies were not in the NICU but came home at 5lb 8 oz. We went to church 7 days later and had plenty of kids visit and hold them from the first week. I took them shopping at 2 weeks to the mall with family in town and just went about my everyday life. THey never got sick until DS was 6 mo old and got a virus and even then DS didn't catch it. You are not a bad mother if you choose to take your babies out. And just because you do does not mean they will get sick. I personally believe my taking them out, having them around kids with bf at the same time built up their immune systems and even now they usually get sick once a year and that it is. There is nothing wrong with doing the opposite but I have known several family who wouldn't take little ones out and tried to shelter them and their kids were sick so much more often than mine. If you feel comfortable, take them out. If you don't that is fine too.

 

Mine were 35 weekers so I kept going out very limited. The first trip was to their Pediatrician's office for their check-up. I just didn't feel comfortable since their immune system was so weak. Around 3 months we started taking them to the park and things like that.

 

Mine were born in March at 5.5 pounds each at 38 weeks gestation. We went out immediately, but we babywore them and kept their mittens on so that curious people didn't have access. If we had visitors, we asked that they wash their hands before holding the babies, etc. It may be smart to be more conservative in the winter, though, but I really understand your desire to get out and about.

 

My babes weren't premature, but I'm going to preface this by saying I'm a bit of a germ-aphobe. With my first I was really nuts about germs and hardly did a thing. This time around I just felt the need to get out and about for my sanity. Our first trip, other than the doctor's office, was the grocery store at 4 wks old. I put them in the double snap-n-go and put the sun shades up on their car seats so they'd be as "protected" as possible. In my case, my MIL gave me an earful because she thought the babies were waaaaay too young to be in public. We also had lots of people come to the house to see us in those first several weeks and I always, always made them was their hands or sanitize- still do in fact. As I re-read this, maybe I'm a little too nuts about this germ thing! Heck, nobody wants to deal with a sick baby let alone two!

With all this being said, you really should do what you think is right. Getting out might do you all some good, especially if you get a chance to hang with people who understand exactly what you are going through. If you do get out, I hope you have fun!

 

We came home of the tuesday, I was out with them the friday. So they were a weeks old. William was then back in the hospital from Dec 11-25, on Dec 26th we drove from Montreal to Toronto and spent the week with my parents. My boys were born Dec 4th, so they were winter babies. When my first son was born, I was discharged from the hospital on a thursday morning, we were out with him on the friday night, so he was 3 days old. There was also snow up your armpits that yr.

 

My babies were born in June, so I didn't have to worry about cold/flu season. I had them out at 1 week, but if they had been winter babies, I know it would have been different. I did make people wash hands/sanitize before touching the babies (I played it off as the doctor said it was a must...no one gave us any issues about it). If we were in a store, I kept the sunshades up and put on my "b*tch" face as my DH lovingly called it :lol:. I wouldn't let strangers near them for a long while.

 

I was overly cautious with the whole germ thing, but I still took them out to the mall on quiet days or just out for a walk. I'd just pull the visor over them and avoid eye contact with everyone while we were out. We got a few admirers, but very few who'd actually approach us. I found it a HUGE relief to get out of the house though. At first we'd just go to get lunch at the mall and gradually I got braver and took longer trips.

 

My doctor said they couldn't be around a lot of people (especially little ones under 3 years old) for the first six weeks of life. So, we didn't take them anywhere but to the doctor's office for the first month. But probably around a month old, we took them out for a walk. I think they were possibly 1.5-2 months old before I took them to the grocery store. Mine were born at 35.5 weeks but spent no time in the NICU, coming home after four days.

 

The actual act of taking them out is as safe as can be. Cold weather is not harmful as long as they are dressed warmly and protected from the wind. The drive does not matter either. We used to drive ours around for hours just to get them to sleep. What matters is being around sick people. The more crowded the place, the worse it is. So, going for a walk--completely safe. Party with a group of friends--pretty safe because they are likely to be as careful about germs as you are. Busy shopping mall during Christmas season with someone standing behind you hacking and coughing--not so safe. We took ours out to restaurants, etc, from about 3 weeks on. They were summer babies, but I still just kept their carriers covered and didn't let strangers touch them.

I would say go to the party, have fun! If there are toddlers there just avoid them touching the babies hands and faces.

 

Ours were born 4 weeks early and weighed only 4 lb 8 oz and 5 lb 2 oz at birth. We went for our first walk when they were 6 days old and have continued to do so every day since. We had visitors at our place pretty much since they were born, we even spent a night away at a friend's place when they were 5 only weeks old. They love being around people, they very much enjoy it when I take them for walks and they have never been sick. I would go insane if I had to stay inside our apartment for more than one day without stepping out. In my opinion fresh air and change of scenery is good for you and the babies.

 

I think the day we were discharged from the hospital we went to BRU to get a few things. I couldn't drive for two weeks, so dh was the driver. I agree with some of the pp's. My boys were born in October. We took them places, once we were comfortable going out with two infants! I kept them in their carseats, and kept the shades up so no one could peer in or touch them. Not to mention I never looked at anyone, so no conversations were started with prospective busy bodies trying to touch my babies. But we went to the mall, out to eat, etc. We went about our normal, as normal is it is with twin infant, life. If there was a family party-we went. Family was very good about not going near the babies if they were sick. My boys didn't get their first cold until after they were a year old. You just have to do what feels right for you. Good luck!

 

Mine were term and healthy...I had a 2 year old who needed to get out so we were out right away. However, they were born in January and they ended up being hospitalized with RSV at 3.5 weeks. It was most likely from my son who had a cold the week before but we can't be sure. I do not regret taking them out I just wish I had limitted their contact with friends and family. There is a 'safe' way to take them out...I think a PP had mentioned baby wearing...if you are worried about them getting sick this is a good way to limit their contact with other people and a way for you to still get out and socialize which is very important . I must say I became a major germ-a-phobe after they got home from the hospital and didn't let them come into contact with anybody for several months, totally not my style but I was slightly paranoid .

 

I think you have to do what you are comfortable with, but with that being said. My guys were 5lbs something and I live in Canada and it was cold when they were born (December) and I HAD to get out. I started to go stir crazy after a week. Especially with the winter months, people tend to hibernate to begin with, but hibernating with babies is hard! Its darker out earlier and colder....blah! I think that you should totally go to that social shin dig and have some fun!!!!!

 

Mine were 38 weekers. I was discharged on a Friday and we took them to breakfast the next morning. They were 5 days old. They were also June babies, so my doctor was not concerned about seasonal illnesses. She said only to watch out for little kids who will reach out and touch bbiez without thinking twice. I too kept the shade up on the car seat, and avoided eye contact about 50% of the time. The other half, I was very prideful and boldly met whoever wanted to meet my eye and compliment me about my babies. I used to hate getting attention, and now that I have twins and get LOTS of attention, I really love it. I am a showoff.

Out of courtesy, my family were religious about the hand sanitizer. I didn't request it, and frankly was not too worried about that either.

We flew to Las Vegas when they were 9 weeks old. I have family there, including a very elderly grandmother, and it was very important to me that she get to meet them. It was a now-or-possibly-never situation. They received their first shots the day before we flew. The doctor gave us her enthusiastic blessing about traveling. On our first flight, a stewardess picked up one of my girls (from DH) and carried her up and down the aisle. She was crying. I did not like this a bit, but I told myself it would be okay. And it was.

For all of these outings, I was rather nervous. It was very wait-and-see. Turned out okay. As other posters have said, you really need to find your own comfort level and work within that.

 

My girls were born at 34 weeks and spent 3 weeks in nicu(15 days for bigger twin). We were advised not to take them out till after rsv season was over. We only took them to the dr for the first 3 months (bear in mind jessy cane home weighing 4lbs 4oz) or to family houses. We even had a photog come in for their Christmas pics. We still got rsv at 2 months and were almost hospitalized

 

My girls were 5.5 and 6lbs at 36 weeks and we started going places immediately. We went to the movies with them when they were 6 days old I didn't let anyone touch or hold them without washing and sanitizing their hands and they were always dressed warmly. Granted, they were also born in August so the weather was a little different. It's all about your comfort! For us, we had a lot to do before DH deployed when the girls were 5 weeks old (like take a plane trip) so we didn't have the option to keep them inside. If you aren't comfortable taking them out, then don't! If you are ready, then pack up that hand sanitizer and boogy

 

Ditto. We let everyone hold them, took them out etc... Id say about a week old we went out to eat with the family...they werent premies, I was BFing & they were over 6lbs at birth

 

My babies were born at almost 37 weeks and they had their first outing about a week later. We had family visit a lot for the first few weeks and they actually went to the mall at 2 weeks. I live in Southern California and I didn't feel any apprehension about having them go out. My doctor said it was fine so it wasn't a problem for us.

I'd never limited outings or family visits with my other children so I felt okay doing the same with the twins.

 

Mine were born at 36w 3d and 4lbs 11 oz (left the hospital at 4lbs 3 oz) and 5lbs 5oz. (left hospital at 5lbs) Born November 9th. I took them to the mall at about 1.5 - 2 weeks old. We got family pictures taken, they got pictures on santa's lap etc. We brought them to several xmas parties by the time they were about 5-6 weeks old. They went to their sister's first soccer game at 2.5 weeks old. When you have older kids, staying home is not an option. It's also not in my personality to stay at home. When they are newborn, going out with them is so easy. DO it now before they become toddlers and you have 2 kids going in opposite directions!

 

We didn't take our kids out much for the first few months (mine were born at 38wks and were 6lbs and 7lbs), we only did Dr appts, and two family gatherings (small family), and out to the mall once or twice, and the rest of the time we kept them in. I was really paranoid about them getting sick. Not to mention I was bfing and having a hard time with it, and had some PPD, and moved across the world when the babies were 5months old - gosh, when I think back on it now, I am surprised I survived! : )
Do what feels good to you, just use common sense and be careful. When we did take the twins out, we didn't really get close enough to allow anyone we didn't know to touch them, we kept their visors up and my DH used to walk around the mall at such a fast pace, no one could keep up with him let alone touch the babies : )

 

I had 5 lbers and we went out at about 10 days to a small intimate wedding reception and then about 1 month out in public. I would go but be mindful of other kids wanted to "pet the babies." Remember, in all likelihood if you stay home 100% you or your husband are bound to carry in germs that won't make you sick but will them anyway. So as much as you are protecting them, remember to disinfect your hands with frequency. I say go out and get some social time, and some showing off time.