Parents of new infants often cannot wait to ask me when the right time is to take their newborn baby out into public places.

Let me go public on this one and provide some information on the topic.

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Best practices

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To no surprise it is perfectly fine to take your new baby out for some fresh air especially if the weather is nice, so you and your new arrival can enjoy the outdoors such as a walk in the park or around the neighborhood.

It is a good idea to avoid large, crowded places with poor ventilation until your baby is at least six or eight weeks old, however. This will limit exposure to germs from lots of people in one confined space, especially given how new a baby’s immune system is.

You should try to avoid exposing your baby to anyone who looks sick or has not been immunized and that includes to COVID and flu.

Anyone who wants to hold, touch or feed your baby should wash their hands first.

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Good items to have with you

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If you do opt to go out in public with your new baby in the first few weeks of their life, there are some things you should take with you:

– Bring extra diapers, and a change of clothing since leaks and spills are going to happen.

Dress your baby in one more layer than you need for your own attire in going out.

– Be prepared for your baby to get hungry. Be ready to breastfeed while outside the house or have extra formula available should you not be breastfeeding, but hopefully you are.

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Carrier and stroller information

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What about taking your baby out in an infant carrier strapped to you?

– In those first few weeks of life or months of life, you do not want to use a carrier where your baby’s head drops forward to the chin given their poor head control which can pinch off their airway.

– Their head needs to be up and above the fabric line with their face visible to you and their nose or mouth not covered by any part of the carrier or your body or clothing.

– A stroller is an alternative for taking your baby outside, but make sure the stroller you buy is okay for newborns.

– For example, use a stroller with a good degree of recline so new babies don’t sit upright given their poor head control in that first month or two of life.

– A stroller canopy is essential to protect your baby from the sun and other weather elements. A canopy also allows your baby to sleep and not be touched by others with their potentially germ-covered hands.

Hopefully, tips like these will air out your concerns when it comes to taking your new baby out into the open air in their first few days and weeks of life.

Lewis First, MD, is Chief of Pediatrics at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine. You can also catch “First with Kids” weekly on WOKO 98.9FM and NBC5.