When can I take my new baby out in public? I’m afraid he’ll catch a cold—but I need to run errands. What should I do?

There are no hard and fast medical rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world. Some say wait till baby is 4-6 weeks some say till he's older but really, it varies according to parents. If it's not too hot or cold, you should feel free to take your baby outside to enjoy a stroll and some fresh air. However in public places (like shopping malls, cinemas and planes), be careful to avoid exposing your newborn to infections that others can carry. A newborn's immune system is still developing and may not be able to fight off infections. In cases like this, doctors prefer for parents to wait until their baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places. If you go out with your baby, it's wise to take these precautions: 1) Make sure your baby's vaccines are up to date. 2) Avoid exposing your child to people who are sick and have symptoms like diarrhea or runny noses. 3) Ask anyone who holds, touches, or feeds your newborn to wash his or her hands first. 4) Make sure that your baby is appropriately dressed when you go outdoors. http://m.kidshealth.org/parent/question/infants/newborn_out.html