日本では新生児は最低一ヶ月、人によっては二ヶ月は外出をさせない。病気などにかからないようにするためだ。
私がイギリスで参加した産前クラスでは、赤ちゃんは産まれて6ヶ月ほどはお母さんの免疫を受け継ぐので病気はしないと習った。また、助産婦も医者も「いつ赤ちゃんを外に連れ出していいか」という質問に、「お母さんがいいと判断した時に」と答える。だからイギリス人の赤ちゃんは産まれて数日でパブに連れて行かれたりするし、アラタのデビューも早かった。10日目にベビーカー購入のために初外出。その後数回買い物に連れ出した。大体2時間ちょっとの外出なので彼はいつも寝ているのだが、今日は中華料理を食べに行った時に初めて、母乳をあげる羽目になった。それも女子トイレで！初めはどきどきしていた外出にもだんだん慣れてきた。日本から来ている母には私達の行動は大胆に見えるらしく、はらはらしているようだが・・・。
ただ、日本だけではなく、イギリスにいる日本人の友達に、インフルエンザの免疫はないなんて事を言われると、やはり、冬だしなるべくばい菌に触れさせないようにという気持ちも理解できるから、慎重にしている。Jasonが外から帰ってくるとまず私が言うせりふは「手洗って！」だ。
In Japan, mothers don't usually take their new born babies out at least in the first month. Some mothers wait as long as 2 months, to avoid babies from getting virus or bacteria.
At the antenatal class, we were taught that babies have antibodies from their mums and it keeps babies away from getting ill for about 6 months from birth. When midwives or doctors are asked a question when we can take our baby out first time, the answer is always 'When mother feels ready.' I've heard that some mums here take their newborn to a pub to introduce to their friends soon after they are born. Arata's first day out was also quite early. He was out with us to buy his buggy when he was 10 days old. We then took him out for a couple of times to shopping. Usually it was about 2 or 3 hours and he was always fast asleep. But when we went to a Chinese restaurant this evening, I breastfed him in the ladies! It's was my first experience of breastfeeding him outside! I've been getting used to taking him out. My mum feels it's too early and she always seems to be quite anxious....
Well, but, my Japanese friends in Japan or here have told me that babies don't have antibodies to the flu or there are loads of germs out especially in winter, I've also become a bit cautious. The first words I ask Jason as soon as he comes home are 'Wash your hands!'
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