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

When you go home from the hospital, your baby is already out in public. My girl's first outing was on Day 4, when she had to go to the polyclinic for a check-up. Newborns don't have very developed immune systems, but they aren't that weak. I actually didn't take any special precaution, but I did swaddle her up. Maintain proper hygiene to minimise risk of infection.