Going out with baby

Baby boy is 10 weeks old today. I’ve been getting a little stir crazy and trying to take him out more to do things. Even if it’s just errands. Today we went and visited my Sunday school class. Yesterday we did a big walk and then went out to dinner with my in-laws. Tomorrow I’m taking him to visit my public school class and then going to a “books for babies” at the library. And my husband, who wfh, is very encouraging that I get out of the house with the baby and goes to do stuff. But then at the end of the day when baby boy is hard to settle, my husband chalks it up to him being overstimulated from our outting and says maybe I shouldn’t go do XYZ with him. So like, do you want me to take him out or do you want me to stay home? Idk if I’m venting or need advice or what, but what does everyone do with their babies during the day? How are you staying busy?
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My baby is 2 months old today. From the get go, we took him to run errands because staying home for more than a few days in a row messes with my mental health. In the last week, I took him to a baby massage class, went to an arts festival a few times, shopped for garden plants and a new dishwasher, went for a walk with a mom group that included a trip to a coffee shop, and went to an Indian buffet. The local play space is having a tummy time group in two weeks I want to go to. I’ve also taken him to my work to meet my coworkers and made a 4+ hour trip so his great grandmas could meet him. Unfortunately, some of the groups I won’t be able to do when maternity leave is over since they are during work hours. However, my husband and I love going to festivals and fairs which are all starting to ramp up for the spring and summer. We also go for walks regularly. Essentially, we take our baby anywhere we would go if we didn’t have him.

You have to be able to get out into the world. Yes overstimulation can cause baby to be hard to settle, but you being home a few hours before sleep should give baby some time to be less stimulated. A lot of babies have a witching hour and are just not happy at that time of day. I know my first child had that for the first few months and then every time she teethed and hit growths spurts. It’s normal baby stuff, not due to going out with baby.

When I was on maternity leave my baby got a lot of car naps. Running errands, doctor's appointments, taking big brother to the babysitter, etc. Sometimes I think it is too much. Personally my baby is always a bit harder to settle at the end of the day anyway, I wouldn't chalk it up to overestimation unless he's been sleeping either too much or too little during busy days.

We’re also getting out and about a lot more (9.5 weeks!) and baby definitely gets more tired some days but personally I think it’s so necessary for my mental health and also good for baby to learn how to adapt. I try to help give at least 1 or 2 good naps still (usually in the morning before we head out if possible) but sometimes it just doesn’t work well and baby gets cranky! To me it seems like that’s life and we roll with it! I’ve started putting him to bed earlier (like 7) and that also helps

You’re doing awesome! It’s good for you and baby to get out and get fresh air! I’m sure your partner just was trying to solve the issue and not really knowing everything.

You need to be able to get out, newborns are so random and your mental health is so important!

I didn’t take my son out til nearly 3 months. We even went to a birthday party for our first big outing and he got sick from it. I took him to the zoo a lot and to the aquarium Just follow wake windows. You’ll be fine

@Priscilla I feel like my little guy actually sleeps better when we have busy days. Today, we started a walk with a group of people from 10-12 that he slept through. I then walked to the arts festival where we fed him and then walked around with him to take in the sights where he was super calm and alert. Then went to a restaurant. We didn’t get home until probably 3 for his next bottle but he was asleep when we got home and took some time to wake up. He’s been sleepy because we’ve had a lot of bigger days, but he is currently asleep for the night (until he feeds again). I think he does better when we go places because he loves being outside or in the car.

definitely still take him out! The more exposure he gets early on the better he will act and be for you on outings when he's 2,3,4. My son started road trips very early on and now we do an 8 hr road trip like it's nothing. They deserve to get some fresh air just as much as we do!

I’m a single mama with little to know help. I have to take him with me when I need to get things done. He is almost 8 weeks old. I also got us a pass to the zoo and he has been twice

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