Is it not OK to go out during the newborn? Things to be careful about during a one-month checkup

When can a newborn baby go out and what should you pay attention to when going out? Here's a look at the "first outing" with your baby.

When is it OK for babies to go out?

There is a term called "newborn" that refers to babies up to 28 days (4 weeks). It is said that we should refrain from going out until the newborn period has passed for about a month.
Overseas, it is also possible to go out early, and walking and sunbathing is actually recommended, but in Japan it is considered taboo to let newborns under one month go out, and infant health checkups, or so-called "one-month health checkups," are the first time they go out.

Why is it not OK to go out for less than a month?

There are several reasons why newborns are not good at going out.

Newborn babies are not immune to various stimuli. Direct sunlight and temperature differences can also be a major burden, and there is a risk of viral infection and trauma, so it is said that people should refrain from going out so that they don't get exposed to such things as much as possible.
Too much of the stimuli can cause night crying and lead to lack of sleep, which can have a negative impact on your health.

There is also a lot of damage to the mother's body right after giving birth. It can take several months to a year to return to your pre-pregnancy condition, although it varies from person to person. It is necessary to avoid going out as much as possible for at least one month after giving birth and to rest your body well.

Things to keep in mind when going out one month before birth

Babies have thin and weak skin, and their temperature control functions are immature, so they are highly affected by UV rays and outside temperatures. If you are forced to go out during your newborn season a month ago, it is important to avoid exposure to direct sunlight as much as possible, and to take care of your outfit according to the temperature, such as protecting against the cold and heat.

In addition, care must be taken to prevent infections.
The baby receives "transitional immunity" in the mother's womb. They inherit the antibodies that mom possesses and are able to protect against the virus. So, although it doesn't have zero defenses at all, the immune system remains weaker than adults. Avoid crowds and use your own car or taxi to travel. It is safe to avoid public transport.

And try to go out as quickly as possible.
Even after a month, it is important to avoid going out for long periods of time and gradually get used to it from a short outing in the neighborhood.

What do you wear during your one-month checkup?

Basically, you can wear the same underwear and baby clothes as you normally would. You will need to take off your clothes during your health checkup, so wearing clothes that are easy to put on and take off will be smoother. In winter, use a jacket or swaddling to protect yourself from the cold. A hat also provides peace of mind, as it protects the cold and protects your head.

Additionally, during the one-month checkup, moms will also have internal examinations and breastfeeding checks, so moms' clothing is important.
For bottoms, we recommend wearing a skirt over pants. Choose a top that opens front or is easy to roll up. Be careful with dresses as you cannot show your breasts unless they open the front.

Do you not let your guard down even when you're out?

We have introduced the reasons why newborns are not recommended to go out and things to be careful about when going out, but it's not absolutely safe as long as you're inside the house.

It is said that the temperature for newborns to be comfortable is around 22 degrees. Control your room temperature and clothing and adjust it to prevent it from being too hot or too cold.
It is also the same thing that you need to avoid strong stimuli such as loud sounds and light even at home. Care must be taken when using televisions, audio equipment, etc.

If you have a family that interacts with many people for work or school, it is possible that viruses and other things will be brought into your home. Although newborn babies have transitional immunity, they are not all-purpose. All the other families should thoroughly wash their hands and gargle, and spend their newborn period while being careful not to infect their babies with illnesses.