After giving birth, you may often hear that newborns should not be taken out of the house immediately. In fact, there are also those who say that parents need to wait until the baby is 40 days old before he can be taken out of the house. Is that true?
Indeed, extra protection and attention needs to be given to newborns, especially if the baby has a compromised immune system or was born prematurely. However, babies generally don't need to stay indoors for weeks after birth. how come, Bun.
Medically, there is actually no definite benchmark when a newborn can be taken out of the house. As long as your little one is healthy, you can take him out of the house. Taking the baby out of the house has even been shown to make him sleep more soundly at night.
Things to consider before taking the baby out of the house
Although generally safe, there are still things that must be considered before taking a newborn out of the house, among others.
1. Watch the weather
Before taking your little one out of the house, always make sure the weather outside is friendly enough for him, Bun, which is not too hot and also not raining heavily. The reason is, taking the baby for a walk with unfavorable weather might make him restless or cranky.
2. Customize your little one's clothes
Mother, you should also adjust your little one's clothes to the weather and the place to be. Avoid wearing clothes that are too skimpy or thin when going to mall filled with air conditioning. On the other hand, avoid wearing clothes that are too thick and covered when you take your little one to a warm place.
3. Avoid direct sun exposure
Baby's delicate skin can easily be stung by direct sunlight. So, Mothers are recommended to prevent your little one from direct sunlight, by protecting him using an umbrella and hat.
If your little one is brought using stroller, use the cover. If necessary, cover the skin with sunscreen that is safe for babies.
4. Limit your distance from other people
You also need to pay attention to limiting your little one's distance from other people, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Keep Mother and Little One's distance from other people about 2 meters. This is important to do because you never know the people around you are sick or not.
During a pandemic, actually you can just go for a walk out of the house with your little one to enjoy the fresh air. The risk of babies contracting COVID-19 is also quite low, because generally when traveling, babies will only be in a stroller and not touch any surface.
5. Don't go near sick people
Even though you can take your baby out of the house, you also have to pay attention to the destination.
As much as possible, keep your little one away from places where there are a lot of sick people, because the baby's immune system is still not fully developed and isn't strong enough to fight infection. This is why you should also stick to the baby's immunization schedule.
6. Don't let just anyone hold your little one
It's best not to let just anyone hold, hold, or kiss your little one, yes, Bun. At least, make sure they wash their hands before coming into contact with your little one.
In addition to the things above, it is important to pay attention to the right time to take your baby out of the house, namely after he naps or eats, and after changing diapers. Don't forget to also bring your little one's equipment, especially if he is invited to leave the house for more than 1 hour. Usually, babies will need extra clothes, food, and diapers.
Besides being good for the little one, going out of the house is also good for the mother, especially those who haven't been out of the house since giving birth. Remember, a healthy baby starts with a healthy and happy mother. So, as long as your little one is healthy, there's no need to hesitate to take him outside, Bun.
However, if your little one has certain conditions, it's a good idea to consult your pediatrician first to get more information about the safety of taking your little one out of the house.
