Give The Kiss a Miss! | Why Parents Shouldn’t Allow Visitors to Kiss Their Newborns

It’s impossible to resist kissing a baby.

Perfectly round faces, little button noses, beady eyes and plump cheeks arouse feelings of love and affection.

And, naturally, everyone wants to get some cheek action.

But it’s important to understand that a newborn baby’s immune system is weak, and hence, vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections.

Therefore, it’s recommended to discourage relatives, friends, neighbours, and other visitors from planting a wet one.

Check before you peck.

In this blog, we’ll go over three commonly asked questions regarding kissing a newborn baby.

Here’s what you need to know.

Is it okay to kiss a newborn baby?

Parents express their love by kissing, hugging and cuddling their little ones. These acts of adoration are an important part of the developmental process and signal to the baby that they are wanted and loved.

And while it is encouraged to shower this affection, it’s equally important to take appropriate precautions while doing so. For instance, maintaining strict hygiene standards, getting necessary vaccinations, and removing all make-up from the face.

Apart from the parents, no one else should be allowed to kiss the baby, especially during the first month when the immunity is just building.

Additionally, it is a good practice to encourage those who do wish to kiss the baby to avoid kissing the face, as viruses and bacteria can easily spread through the baby’s mouth, eyes, or nose.

What are the risks of kissing a newborn baby?

The first month is the most vulnerable period in a child’s life, and hence, it’s best to prevent anyone from kissing the baby on the face.

Visitors can bring in a host of infections depending on where they’ve come from, what they’ve consumed, the clothes they’re wearing, the products they’ve used, and whether or not they’re suffering from an illness themselves.

The possible risks of a kiss may include:

1. Cold sores caused by the Herpes Virus (HSV-1, HSV-2)
2. Cough, cold and fever caused by Pertussis
3. Sore throat, fever and fatigue caused by Mononucleosis
4. Difficulty in breathing caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
5. Cavities
6. Food allergies

How do you establish boundaries with visitors?

It can be very difficult, and sometimes extremely awkward, to tell relatives and friends not to kiss your baby.

But remember, your child’s health and wellbeing are the top priority.

1. Refrain from having visitors over in the first month.
2. Check whether visitors are healthy before allowing them into your home.
3. Ask visitors to wash their hands before holding the baby.
4. Ask visitors to wear a mask when holding the baby.
5. Explicitly request visitors not to kiss the baby.
6. Refrain from letting visitors kiss the baby on the face.
7. Politely explain the reasons as to why you have a no-kiss policy.
8. If someone is coughing or sneezing, address it directly.

Always be vocal about what you need when it comes to kisses and your little angel.

By setting clear expectations, you can keep your newborn safe and happy.