According to most pediatric health experts, infants can be taken out in public or outside right away as long as parents follow some basic safety precautions. There's no need to wait until 6 weeks or 2 months of age. Getting out, and in particular, getting outside in nature, is good for parents and babies.
There are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. Some doctors recommend that parents wait until their baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places (like malls, movie theaters, and airplanes).
The idea that babies have to stay inside the house for several weeks after they're born is FALSE. In fact, as long as your baby is healthy, getting some fresh air can be great for mom and baby if you take a few precautions. First, be careful not to overdress or underdress your baby when you leave the house.
Once upon a time, a cardinal rule of newborn care was that new parents and babies should hole up inside their homes for weeks after birth. Today, we know that it's perfectly safe to take your newborn on an outing from day one (or two, or three — whenever she's released from the hospital or birthing center).
Most pediatric health experts agree that babies can head outside right away, as long as you use basic safety precautions.
Babies need fresh air and light, and they need to get out. A healthy baby can go outside every day, even in winter, as long as the temperature is not too cold (down to about –12°C) and it's not too windy. She'll be stimulated and distracted, and get plenty of oxygen.
Many midwives recommend a full week of bed rest, but Brewer understands that a week isn't always possible for most women (especially if you have other children). Try for at least a few days, if you can.
Parents usually start kangaroo care once or twice a day for at least one hour each time or as long as it is tolerated by your baby. The longer you hold your baby, the better. Any amount of time is good, but it is best to try for at least 1 to 2 hours each day.
When a baby is born, his or her eyes are about 65% of their adult size. One week after birth the baby can see colors and can see about 8-10 inches away. At six weeks of age baby can see about 12 inches away. You can help your infant's vision by holding and feeding him or her on each side, left and right (Picture 1).
It takes about a year for the melanocytes to finish their job and for the final color to come in. While the rate of color change does slow down after 6 months, the color can still change after this time. Sometimes the color change can continue for several years before the eye color becomes permanent.
Week 1: Blurry View
During their first week, your baby can only see objects 8-12 inches in front of their face. This is about the distance from their face to yours while feeding. Babies generally hold their gaze for only a few seconds.
Young babies are indeed capable of seeing colors, but their brains may not perceive them as clearly or vividly as older children and adults do. The first primary color your baby can see is red, and this happens a few weeks into life.
Since mom herself will be back on her period soon, there's no valid, medically-proven reason that someone's menstrual cycle would cause any harm to a newborn.
Don't pick up a baby under their arms.
It makes a baby's arms unavailable for self-comfort or support, and it can interfere with their breathing because their ribs are held.
Contrary to popular myth, it's impossible for parents to hold or respond to a baby too much, child development experts say. Infants need constant attention to give them the foundation to grow emotionally, physically and intellectually.
If you haven't already and you're feeling up for it, you should be able to resume a light workout schedule—think walks and stretches—about two weeks postpartum. Just remember to take it slow and avoid trying new things right now.
Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed. This gives you a solid two weeks of focused intentional rest. It also helps to get your priorities in order when it comes to those eager visitors. They will get to see the baby, but they don't get to make the rules.
If you had an uncomplicated pregnancy and vaginal delivery, it's generally safe to begin exercising a few days after giving birth or as soon as you feel ready.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is OK to take a newborn outside when the temperatures are between −15 F and 90 F. Anything beyond this range can be harmful to newborns.
10 A.M. Take a Walk
It's a good time to get some fresh air and exercise.
"As a pediatrician, the standard recommendation to parents is that the child to should remain in a comfortable ambient temperature at all times (between 68-72 F) because both heat and cold stress can often do harm to a young infant," says Dr. Hsueh.
Before the age of 2, newborn watching tv can also contribute to problems relating with sleep and attention as well, as they have a lasting effect on the child's language development, analyzing capabilities and memory. Even simply having the TV on in the background is enough to motivate these issues.
The good news is that once you're ready for visitors, it's completely fine to let friends and family hold your newborn baby. To be on the safe side, ask them to wash their hands before they hold your baby. This is so they don't pass on any germs.
Most babies' immune systems will be strong enough for kisses after 2 to 3 months. Until then, it's healthiest not to kiss the baby, painful though it may be.