Is it okay to go out during the newborn period? Things to be careful about during your one-month checkup

When can a newborn baby go out and what precautions should he take when going out? I'd like to introduce you to my first outing with my baby.

When is it OK for my baby to go out?

There is a term "newborn" that refers to babies up to 28 days (4 weeks) after birth. It is said that you should refrain from going out until your baby has passed the newborn period for about a month.
In other countries, it is OK to go out from an earlier age, and walking and sunbathing are even encouraged, but in Japan, it is considered taboo to take a newborn baby out of the house under one month old, and the first outing is usually at the infant health checkup for one-month-old babies, the so-called "one-month checkup."

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

There are several reasons why it is not good for newborns to go out.

Newborn babies do not have immunity to various stimuli. Direct sunlight and temperature changes can be a big burden, and there is also the risk of viral infection and injury, so people should refrain from going out to avoid coming into contact with such things as much as possible.
Excessive exposure to strong stimuli can have negative health effects, such as causing night crying and leading to lack of sleep.

In addition, a mother's body still suffers significant damage immediately after giving birth. Although it varies from person to person, it may take several months to a year for your body to return to its pre-pregnancy state. It is important to refrain from going out as much as possible for at least one month after giving birth and make sure to get plenty of rest.

Things to be careful about when going out before one month of birth

Babies have thin and weak skin, and their body temperature control is immature, so they are greatly affected by ultraviolet rays and outside temperature. If you have to go out during the newborn period, which is about a month old, it is important to avoid exposing your baby to direct sunlight as much as possible, and to dress appropriately depending on the temperature, such as measures against cold and heat.

We also need to take precautions against infectious diseases.
Babies receive ``transitional immunity'' while in their mother's womb. Children inherit antibodies that their mother has and are able to protect against viruses. Therefore, it does not mean that they have no defense at all, but their immunity is still weaker than that of adults. Avoid crowds and use your own car or taxi for transportation. It is best to avoid public transportation.

And try to keep your outings as short as possible.
Even after a month has passed, it is important to avoid going out for long periods of time and gradually get used to going out for short periods in your neighborhood.

What should I wear for my one month checkup?

Basically, you can wear the same underwear and baby clothes that you normally wear. You will have to take off your clothes during the medical checkup, so it will go smoothly if you wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off. In winter, protect your dog from the cold by wearing a jacket or swaddling him. A hat will keep you warm and protect your head from the cold.

Also, at the one-month checkup, the mother will have an internal examination and a breastfeeding check, so the clothes the mother wears are also important.
For bottoms, skirts are recommended rather than pants. Choose tops that open in the front or that are easy to roll up. Be careful when wearing one-piece dresses, as you won't be able to show your chest unless it opens in the front.

Don't let your guard down even when you're not going out?

We have introduced the reasons why it is not recommended for newborns to go out and the precautions to be taken when going out, but this does not mean that they are absolutely safe as long as they are inside the house.

The most comfortable temperature for newborns is said to be around 22 degrees. Control the room temperature and clothing to make sure it's not too hot or cold.
The same thing can be done at home, too: you need to avoid strong stimuli such as loud noises and lights. Be careful when using TVs, audio equipment, etc.

If your family comes into contact with many people for work or school, there is a possibility that viruses may be brought into your home. Although newborn babies have transitional immunity, it is not universal. Family members around your baby should spend the newborn period washing their hands thoroughly and gargling to avoid transmitting diseases to the baby.