Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

with a new baby....until my SIl reminded me that you really don't go out (esp. with a winter baby) in public to a grocery store for a few months. I knew this, and then all of a sudden, I panic and forget! How long did you guys (BT,DT moms) wait before taking baby anywhere beyond your parents' and your in laws? I have friends who have taken their babies out right away, and other who wait. A pediatrician we spoke to said that he really believes in waiting a few months. What do you guys think? (and even then, food shopping will make me nervous!)

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

I had both of my dd's in February and I was able to take them with me. You can definitely do it. However, I would do your quick shop w/the baby and leave the baby home with your DH or a sitter for your big shop OR do Peapod for the winter months.

Congrats....

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

I think about this every time I'm at the supermarket! I'm going to look into trying the Peapod grocery delivery service. DH works late hours and frankly, I don't trust him to do the food shopping anyway! I've heard good things about Peapod so I think I'll give it a try.

As for taking the baby out, I'm going to try to keep it to a minimum if I can. Good thing about it being fall/winter is it's easier to stay in! No summer parties and whatnot every weekend. If people want to see me, they can come over!

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

I'm definitely going to look into Peapod. Or, DH will be going for me in the beginning.

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I think I will be taking the baby everywhere. My parents did. I turned out ok .

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We took both of our children out and about the week they were first home. We just didn't let people touch them etc.

Grocery shopping is not easy with an infant seat. The first time I did it with DS, he had food packed all around his seat, it was ridiculous. From then on, DH always came with me and pushed DS in a stroller.

Then DD came along, I stupidly took both of them into a supermarket by myself. It was insane. I will never do that again until they are older.

There's always peapod.

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

Ds is 9 months and has only been to the grocery store a handful of times. I either send DH, or go by myself. Sometimes that hour to myself is wonderful. I do however take him to Target very often and they have a grocery section there, so i pick up stuff there.

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

So tricky! I worry about this too! Dr's recommend 3 months!! That's like crazy to me...my friend who just had a baby takes him out all the time, but there is a big difference between winter and summer...

I think I"ll definitely wait a few weeks and for a while keep it to a minimum. I hope not to be too crazy...

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My SIL did Peapod & loved it. I would send DH but I have already learned my lesson in the past. Some men are just not cut out to grocery shop, it's OK. My Mom will also help me I'm sure.

My Mom took me grocery shopping when I was 3 days old. She had no help & we couldn't starve!!

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Honestly, when they're in the infant carrier it's SO great b/c that thing is like a sheild - No one can really touch/see them w/o getting SO close that you wouldn't feel uncomfortable asking them to back off - and most people aren't rude enough to do that -
I took Sean out before I was 'supposed to' to the mall, grocery store, etc b/c I felt like I could sheild him in that thing -


Once they're out of the carrier and sitting up in the cart .............WHOLE new ball game of random strangers touching your kid

ETA: Also, I have been told by everyone that I'm a very laid back 1st time Mom - but really? In the summer people say it's "too hot" and the winter they say it's "too cold" - You're going from the house, to the car, to the store - the baby is 'outside in the cold' for a total of MAYBE 3 minutes - KWIM?

Message edited 8/18/2010 1:49:31 PM.

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

We were out and about with DD from day one.

Well actually day 4 or 5 LOL As long as she is in the stroller no one comes in contact with her.

I haven't done a whole food shopping yet but she has been in and out of stores - of course it takes a bit more planning but its not so bad! You will be fine!

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

DS was born in February and we went for walks every day since we brought him home. I would sometimes stop in Starbucks and grab a tea or a few other quick stores with him. I didn't stress out about it, but I did try to keep him out of very crowded places at first.

As for food shopping, he's now 6 months old and I still don't bring him! But honestly, it's only because DH and I find it easier for one of us to do it alone. I always felt like the carrier took up too much space in the cart!

Message edited 8/18/2010 2:20:55 PM.

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

Good feedback, thanks guys. A close friend of mine who lives in the city was like, "I don't know what the doctor thinks but we were in Starbucks 2 days later." LOL. I want to be laid back and chilled; I'm pretty sure I'll be crazy about people hand sanitizing first, which I think is VERY important.

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

For me, it depended on the time of year my boys were born,

Jack was born on June 28th. We had family over right away (Even nieces and nephews because they all played outside) and even went to a party two weeks after my csection.

With Tyler, who was born 10/15 I held strong and had no kids around him until Christmas. We even spent Thanksgiving alone bc I didn't want him around the kids so young. It was flu season, swine flu was everyone, and it wasn't worth the risk for me.

Jack I took out to stores much earlier then I did with Tyler.

Grocery shopping....Peapod will be your best friend with a new baby

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

We were out with DS prob a week after I we brought him home. We went away to Maryland when he was just 7 weeks old. He is fine! For you own sanity you need to get out of the house! My ped said going out was fine, but if you had to go to the food store or the mall go during the week when its less crowded.

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

2 weeks. My DS was a jan baby and we Both needed a different view.

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

My son was born last November. I took him to stop & shop at 1 week old....then we went to TGIF for dinner. He never was sick he was always out with us. I think its perfectly fine to take them out as long as no one touches them. Besides at that age all they do is sleep.

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My ped said to avoid public places that are overly croweded for like 4 months.
Having said that- we took her to Stop and Shop and BJs when she was a few weeks old.
We kept her in the car seat and nobody came near her or breathed on her.
It's also summer and not flu season.

My issue was not so much the germs but the fact that she cries and screams A LOT. I am always nervous that she is going to have a meltdown while I'm in the store- so the only times I've taken her is when my DH was with me- so in case she had a meltdown he or I could take her outside.
It's actually easier to have one of you go alone while the other stays home wtih the baby- at least until they aren't so newborn...

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

my daughter was born in August, i took her out to her first appointment, which i think is 6 days after birth..i dont remember if i took her out before that. but if i did, it was only to walk around with her in the stroller for short walks.
as for food shopping, i left her with her daddy when i usually went.

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I had DS in April....I went to my in-laws right away and a few other homes...but didn't take him out to the mall or shopping until after 3 months. This was requested by my ped and I think b/c of vaccine reasons.

I am due with #2 in December, I don't plan on going ANYWHERE....I'm actually afraid to go out with two kids (2o months and a newborn). All kidding aside, when I think about it, my anxiety flairs up...

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I waited a week or two and then resumed normal activities. I couldn't live holed up in my house. Newborn babies are always wrapped up and bundled up (regardless of weather, it seems) and hidden with their blankets and carrier tops, which shields them from all nosey and germy people.

I always found it ironic that people feel their parents or in-laws homes were safe zones. No place is safe, but as long as you think ahead and keep baby safe, there shouldn't be an issue. Do what you feel is right.

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

out walking in stroller after c sect healed 2 weeks, out in food/shopping stores within the month. I was much more comfortable taking DD everywhere, still am..however DH was nervous and would used peapod a lot in the begining. Its all a matter of what YOU are comfortable with.
Now with 2 kids...a toddler who hates to sit still and NB....
I will definitly use peapod as my new best friend and companion

Re: Just started panicking about how you go food shopping...

I either used the infant carrier or the baby bjorn. Since it is winter the baby bjorn or some sort of sling might be a better choice since the baby wont get overly warm.

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DS will be 7 weeks saturday and i have not taken him out other than walks outside/park, visit to grandma's and doc's office. ped made a big deal about not bringing him to crowded stores for at least 2 months and we're following that. i know lots of people who don't worry about this but for me it's worth the peace of mind to keep him home. to me more people around means more chance of him breathing in somthing airborne. so DH and i take turns going out for what we need.