When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

We have a bunch of trips scheduled over the next 2 months.

Do you think it is ok to take a 1-2 month old to places geared towards little kids?

Or would you still be very concerned about exposure to germs?

Specifically we plan to go to Dutch Wonderland, Cherry Crest Farm (near Lancaster), Please Touch Museum, Day Out with Thomas, and the Baltimore Aquarium.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I think it is a tough call, I probably would take a 1-2 ms old to anything outdoors as long as weather was okay. Little fresh air never hurt anyone.
The inside activities I am not sure.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

i would probably say no. just don't think a 1-2 month old can take that much stimulation all at once. other than the germs, it's too much noise, colors, and activity for a little baby. IMO

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I wouldn't for several reasons.
The germs, the overstimulation as a PP mentioned, and the hassle for ME.
A baby that young needs a lot of attention, cries a lot, needs to sleep, eat, etc- I would NOT enjoy myself at all.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

Definitely not to inside stuff. Way too germy.

Even the outside stuff I'm not 100% on board with, as that is a LOT of outside exposure for such a little guy and they can overheat pretty easily.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

This has been on my mind a lot. Especially since I am due in July. With DS who will be 20 months at that point, there is no way I can stay in the house all day. After NB is a month old and has had his 1st round of shots, and how he behaves, I will gauge where I will take him.

That said I would definitely take NB to outside things. Possibly to indoor things in the summer because the AC will be on. And for the most part once they eat, they sleep. When in the stroller I would use the visor thing on the stroller to avoid the baby getting so much light. And I would anticipate leaving at a short notice if NB is overwhelmed.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I won't take new baby anywhere except family's houses or outdoor parks, etc. until 2 months as doctor advises. After 2 months, I'd take him anywhere we wanted to go for older DS's enjoyment. Baby won't be interested in any of that stuff for a while.



PS... Big exception to this is that I will have to take older DS to school and I do drop off and pick up, so I will HAVE to take baby in with me. I'll leave him in infant seat and keep him covered as much as possible.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I guess I'm in the minority...

We took DS out pretty much right away. The reason was that we did not feel it was fair to our older one (who was 18 months old when he was born), to keep her home and away from activities and outings, etc.... just because of the baby. We just kept him in the infant carrier covered by a receiving blanket.

Most of the places you described are outdoors so I wouldn't be too concerned.

As far as overstimulation is concerned,newborns mostly sleep, and can usually sleep through alot of noise. Colors, lights, etc.... at this point the are extreamly near sighted and do not see things in color, which is why alot of newborn "toys" are squiggly lines and in black and white. JMO of course, but the overstilmulation really would not concern me. Just keep him covered and you should be fine.

Message edited 4/7/2011 12:13:54 PM.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I waited till about 6m to take him to busy indoor places. Before that anything outdoors was fine by me.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I only have one and waited until 6 months to REALLY take him out. We went to a LIF GTG at 3 months and he ended up getting his first cold. I felt terrible! Not to mention, they are so little and can't take anythign if they get sick. I also worry about vaccinations. I also had to deal with flu season so that made me even more nuts!

When I have a second I am sure i won't have the luxury of being so careful to avoid these things. The one thing you have going for you is the nice weather. The sick season is ending! I would do my best to do outdoor things when you can though bc kids seem to be sick all of the time lol!

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

Immediately. I took all of my babies out pretty much right away. They were in the infant carriers and covered so no one could touch them. I could not stand to sit around in the house. And once # 2 arrived, I NEEDED to get out and about. We were out to dinner the night we brought # 2 home. Again, in the carrier, covered.

Message edited 4/7/2011 12:37:59 PM.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

i think i took DD out to LICM when she was less than a month old.

Carmela was born July 12, and she was at LICM on July 31.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

While we did take DS out from the start. We waited until he was 5 months to go to the aquarium; 6 months for the zoo; etc.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I took DS2 to the Museum of Natural History at 3 months (see pic below!). He was in a sling and slept the whole time. At that age, all they do is eat and sleep! I am sure he had been to other places prior to that, just don't have any pictures to prove it With a 2nd child, you don't get the luxury of staying inside like you would with just one...



Oh wait, here he is pumpkin picking at 6 weeks!

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I took DD everywhere and right away. I put her in the infant carrier in the stroller and put a bug net over her so no one would touch her.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

I'm one of the few people that didnt mind bringing my kids out from day 1. I had no problem going to places like that right away.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

Yes I would

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

We took our DD to dutch wonderland and hershey park when she was 6 weeks old. Trip was planned for when she was going to be only 4 weeks, but she came a little early.

Honestly, it was very easy and we didnt really worry about germs because my DD was reclined laying down in her stroller all day or in my arms being fed or in the bjorn. there was no way anyone was getting to her. Also we had the extra sunshade thing on the stroller so she was pretty much completly enclosed, except from her sister sitting next to her in the stroller.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

We took our two year old and 3 month old to Dutch last year. It was perfect.

Re: When would you first take your NB/infant to places like children's museums, aquariums, Dutch Wonderland, etc?

honestly even weather aside, I'm just starting to venture out to the mall and the stores with my 3-month-old! It can still be overwhelming for me at times and I like to keep things calm. Plenty of time to venture out to all sorts of fun places.