Is it true that people should wash their hands before holding a newborn? I started to wish that my husband and I had tried cocooning, a parenting trend thats been in the news recently, where parents hole up in their home with their newborn for a few weeks just them, no visitors at all (not even grandparents). 1. Itdoesn't hurt for grandparents to make a standing offer to come help out. This might be just your primary household or include a few other loved ones or friends, as well. Stick to your guns! Here are 6 common conflicts and solutions, including how you can say "no", how you can avoid alienating your in-laws and how you can be sure to stand up for yourself. Add in a pandemic and people who may want to visit. I've also told people I don't want anybody kissing him. Sometimes parents who restricted visitors with a first child are completely fine with visitors for subsequent births, especially since there is an older sibling to be cared for. Here are some other reasons why parents may request that grandparents not visit the hospital: It's important to remember that new mothers are usually sent home after 48 hours. One reason is that newborn babies are not tuned into day and night yet. You may wonder whether it's safe to let people touch your newborn. "Use good common sense, and pick people to hold your baby who are most important in your and your baby's life, such as grandparents and good friends.". Breast milk is the ideal food for babies with rare exceptions. My baby's skin is dry. The parents don't want the burden of having to offer food and drinks or otherwise entertain their guests. I offered to let my mom and mil hold him, but I also knew they were. Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. Fun for everyone, right? Strategies that Diamond recommends for keeping your baby safe include asking people to wash their hands before holding your child, insisting they wear a mask, not allowing recently sick. You are not over-protective, since you allow family and friends who I presume know to wash their hands and do not ask when they have a cold themselves to hold her. This should go without saying, but it can be fatal to your child to be around anyone who is sick. your doctor. I just make people wash/santitize their hands first. Even if friends, family, and neighbors are all vying to be the first to love on your newborn, youre going to have to hold them off for a while, Dr. William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert and Professor of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Health Policy as well as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, tells Romper. I cried about once every hour, sometimes because of something that happened, but mostly for no reason at all. Physical distancing is one of the most important ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19. [1] Follow your instincts but also adhere to the advice of your baby's pediatrician. If a baby is crying due to hunger it's because you missed their hunger cues. Am I wrong? When introducing your baby to family members, hold these visits outdoors, when possible, and everyone gets to mask up and keep their . Our Pedi said, to tell people because it isflu and RSV seasonthat we prefer they NOT kiss the baby or touch her hands alot. We told our Just make sure to protect Babys delicate skin by keeping them out of the sun or putting on a sun hat to shield them from the suns harmful rays. A newborns immune system is its strongest in that first week. Please be kind. should not be construed as a substitute for advice from a medical professional or health care provider. by AKerkhoven. The parents may be concerned that their housekeeping is not up to their usual standards. To embed this post, copy the code below on your site, 600px wide You may decide that while it's worth the risk to let grandparents and other close family and friends hold or touch your baby. Ive heard people say it but never truly understood it and now I do. Know that it's within your rights to ask them to keep their distance. My personal opinion is that it is ridiculous to not let healthy family members hold a new baby. Some people are being understanding, others are not. This may just be the best way to keep all hands off the baby. Sohere's what you can say: "You're so sweet. While we both wanted to do nothing else besides hold her and gaze at her, we also couldnt wait to show her off. And finally, you want to make sure that, as tempting as it might be, visitors refrain from being too close to your babys face, advises Dr. Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician, and author of the best-selling parent guides Happiest Baby on the Block & Happiest Toddler on the Block. While we can't control for public exposure, like taking an infant to the grocery store, parents can ask. Helping outwith housework is important, but it can be tricky. Yes, you read right; wear your baby. The information on this website is of a general nature and available for educational purposes only and 20002023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. If you are a visiting grandparent, offer to stay in a hotel when you visit. Is this reader being unreasonable? Sarah Vanbuskirk is a writer and editor with 20 years of experience covering parenting, health, wellness, lifestyle, and family-related topics. Now that were a few months in, Im practically begging for visitors. Start by selecting which of these best describes you! This is the most traditional hold and the one most moms try first. Being 3 months old, your baby will very soon become more active and easier to play with. Want to win a copy of psychotherapist Philippa Perrys new book, The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read? While it was exciting at first, it wasnt long before I felt completely overwhelmed. The mother may not want visitors when she is not looking or feeling her best, as may be the case after childbirth. Seriously; I had to stop myself from shrieking, Look what we made! We restricted visits initially. I think it's stupid to not let your parents hold your baby. m. moonlitGalaxy. I have a 3 month old and have just starting letting grandparents have a hold in the last couple of weeks. Healthy newborns don't need cereal, water, juice or other fluids. That may mean reducing their exposure to people whose health status is unknown or anyone who seems unwell. So whats the final tally? Dr. William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert and Professor of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Health Policy as well as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician, and author of the best-selling parent guides Happiest Baby on the Block & Happiest Toddler on the Block, Expert Advice For Managing A 12 Month Sleep Regression, The 4 Month Sleep Regression: Survival Tips From Baby Sleep Experts, The 18-Month Sleep Regression: Expert Advice To Get You Through, The 8-10 Month Sleep Regression: Expert Advice To Get You Through It, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. This means they need to feed little and often. If Covid has taught us anything, according to Dr. Schaffner, its that outdoor gatherings (when possible) are somewhat safer than indoor meetings, where everyone might be breathing in the same stale, stagnant air. While working as an intern for an English daily, she realised that she likes writing above anything else. Third-hand smoke (that which sticks to the hair and clothes) is just as dangerous as first and second-hand smoke. "Have a core set of helpers and visitors that you know are up to date on their protective vaccines," says Dr. Hasson. Signs of infection in newborns include fever (over 100.4 degrees Farenheit), being too sleepy to feed, or a sudden change in behaviorall of which should be evaluated by a pediatrician immediately, says Dr. Hasson. For example, a young woman meets a man from a higher social class. Today, social media is everything. Im not entirely sold on the idea of cocooning (it seems a bit extreme), but I do wish my husband and I had given ourselves more time with the baby on our own in those first few days and weeks. Flu. Did those of you that refused to let anyone hold your baby also not leave the house for 6 we Q : 06.25.10 W : 01.11.13 #3 : due 11.02.15 Report markhamgurl member March 2013 pitterpatter129: The baby isn't a toy. I'm wet. Almost everyone wants to hold a new baby, but there are real concerns to keep in mind. Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were arrested on Monday . It's not your baby. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide who gets to touch your newbornand even who gets to be close enough to breath on them. Ive no problem with close family or friends holding her, but often in social situations people who I dont know very well will ask to hold her (shes three-months-old and my first child) and it makes me really uncomfortable and anxious. When anyone came over, I tried to politely sit and talk with them while also having to lock myself in my bedroom every hour or so to breastfeed and pump. This week, one first-time mum asks if refusing to engage in Pass The Baby is acceptable or just plain rude. 36 hours of labor and a rough delivery later and our baby girl Sophia came exactly one week early this was the hardest thing I have ever gone through in my life and I didnt think I could do it but it was all worth it in the end when they handed me my little bean. Come over to the Jan/Feb boards and you can see numerous parents of babies who were taken to the ER and admitted to the NICU because they got RSV in their first two months. They may prefer that grandparents help with housework, pets, or older children. If breastfeeding isn't possible, use infant formula. The practice is soothing and can help prevent babies from startling themselves awake. Except for the hepatitis B vaccine, these are administered at the two-month-old well visit and include the Hib, Prevnar, DtaP, IPV, hepatitis B, and rotavirus vaccines. This time frame might not work for some families, particularly if you have parents who are helping to take care of the baby. As an alternative to in-person meet and greets, try a virtual option. use of this site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use. Good nourishment and hydration are important after birth. At a minimum, let the new parents make decisions about the length and timing of your visit. Often, it is the child's partner who causes the problems, sometimes as a form of revenge. Some expectant parents say that they aren't taking hospital visitors. Its just that those first few weeks are such a precious time, especially as a brand-new parent. Thanks! Am I being unreasonable by not letting other people hold my baby? June 1, 2012 - first u/s, heartbeat 124 BPM!! 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