I think it just depends on what your family's always done. My family (grandmothers, mothers, aunts) would've hog-tied me if they'd heard I had that baby out in public sooner than 2 weeks. I was told it had to do with a baby's immune system needing to be fully developed, and let's face it, people are filthy.
Well, I always thought the dirtiest place to take them was the doctor's office! And, my family didn't live anywhere near us when I had my first baby, so there was no chance for them to hogtie me! ;)
I had to go out and get groceries and stuff, so I went. :)
susie