When my children were little, I wasn’t the type of parent who bathed them daily, and if the weather was mild, I’d often skip their newborn hats—yes, I know that’s frowned upon! Occasionally, their nails would get long enough to leave scratches on their tiny faces, and I didn’t always manage to clean every bit of spit-up off their clothes (or my own).
I also never subscribed to the belief that a baby should remain indoors for the first three months of life, as if that were even feasible with more than one child! However, one principle I firmly upheld was this: “Keep your germs away from my baby!” I loved using a baby carrier, partly because my little ones wanted to be close to me, but also to shield them from well-meaning adults who thought they could just scoop up my baby and cover them in kisses.
I understand the allure. Babies are undeniably adorable and incredibly tempting to touch. But seriously, don’t approach a newborn without permission. Avoid holding them unless your hands are clean, and for goodness’ sake, save the slobbery kisses for later. And let’s be clear—if you’re feeling under the weather, don’t even think about visiting my home. A “slight cold” or “just a tickle in your throat” is a major no-go.
You might believe your mild sniffle is harmless, but it could have severe consequences for a newborn. While adults have resilient immune systems, infants do not. Conditions like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may seem trivial to you but can be life-threatening for a baby.
Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann from WebMD emphasizes that infections in small infants can escalate quickly. Babies exhibit different symptoms than older children and adults, so extra caution is essential during their first few months of life, and sometimes even up to six months.
Of course, despite our best efforts, illnesses can sneak in. I know a parent whose week-old baby faced hospitalization due to germs brought home by an older sibling. Thankfully, such incidents are rare, and most babies recover well, even if they frighten their parents in the process.
Why risk it? It’s simple—if you’re sick, stay away from newborns. While I tend to be cautious, I recognize that as children grow, some exposure to germs can be beneficial. Once they start moving around, preventing them from coming into contact with germs becomes nearly impossible. Kids will inevitably crawl across floors and explore all sorts of unsanitary surfaces.
This is also when they become more capable of handling illnesses, particularly after receiving some vaccinations. Until then, please keep your germs to yourself. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve traveled to meet the baby; if you don’t feel 100% healthy, just stay away until you are.
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In summary, maintaining a healthy distance from newborns when you’re feeling unwell is vital for their protection. A little extra caution can go a long way in ensuring their safety during those fragile early months.