Family members who visit you and your baby may want to hold them. And OMG, that heavenly newborn baby smell. Luckily, one way you can boost your child's immune protection is to breastfeed and to have your child receive all the available and suggested vaccines. November 7, 2022. by Janna Firestone. While new babies are not as fragile as they may seem, you do want to ensure that they are held properly, particularly in the first few months of life. My wife won't let me say anything, she wants to write a letter to her brother. Rest her head in the crook of your elbow, facing your breast, with her body turned inward toward you. "Have a core set of helpers and visitors that you know are up to date on their protective vaccines," says Dr. Hasson. Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Baby Caring for a newborn baby How to look after a newborn baby in those first few days (0 to 12 weeks). MEL73104 December 2009 My little girl was born Dec. 15th, so she's 8 days old. I've also told people I don't want anybody kissing him. Household Safety: Preventing Suffocation. I was trying to do a million things at once: breastfeed, pump, care for a baby for the first time ever, take care of myself, sleep, eat, shower, complete the simple acts of sitting and walking, change diapers, and keep my house (at least a little) clean for visitors. Newborns are so delicate, and parents often wonder when is the right time to allow visitors to hold their baby. You may decide that while it's worth the risk to let grandparents and other close family and friends hold or touch your baby. Over the next two days, a few aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins came by. interactive elements on the site, any assistance, or response you receive is provided by the author Make sure to support your baby's head. advertising. You should do your own symptom screening to ensure that everyone who plans to visit the baby feels well, says Dr. Schaffner. Being outside has a much lower risk than being inside, says Dr. Schaffner. Breastfeeding: the trick to a comfy latch. For example, if there were a spike in influenza cases where a family member is traveling from, you can find out if theyve had their flu shot or have been feeling ill. The same holds true for vaccination against Covid-19, since infants can also contract the disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported. For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away. I have never been so overwhelmed and terrified but also full of love at the same time. Feel free to be a mama bear, It's up to you what you ask of your visitors. Should you let them? When Can You Let Visitors Hold Your Newborn Baby? who are all remarried), grandparents, siblings, etc. Mariana Sifrit contracted viral meningitis . m. moonlitGalaxy. I really dont like it when other people hold my baby. Grandparents must understand that these decisions aren't something that parents are doing to the grandparents. How Do COVID Vaccine Dosages Work for Kids? Seriously; I had to stop myself from shrieking, Look what we made! Over the next two days, a few aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins came by. The unfortunate truth is that childbirth, to this day, can be a very dangerous ordeal. Keep your baby at least 6 feet away from people not in your household. When I got pregnant, MIL made a request to be the first person to hold my son after he's born. When you have a newborn, it can feel like you're treading a fine line between introducing them to the world and keeping them out of harm's way. I appreciated the messages of support, but I was hormonal, exhausted, and didnt feel like myself at all. Please Respect That I Do Not Want Visitors After My Baby's Delivery. So, it is wise to be to limit who you let touch your newborn, says Dr. Ahmed. Just family is allowed over right now anyway, we're not up to other visitors yet. Did she say why? This week, one first-time mum asks if refusing to engage in Pass The Baby is acceptable or just plain rude. Note that there are a lot of asymptomatic cases of certain illnesses, like COVID-19, so even if someone doesn't show signs of illness, they still could be sick with the virus, warns Dr. Ahmed. I panicked, called 911, and ended up back in the hospital. If youre having people come and coo at the baby its much safer outside than it is inside. Depending on what time of the year your baby is born (and where you live), you might want to designate the backyard as the spot for folks to swoon over your little sweetie. If he contracts a fever, it means a trip to the emergency room with a resulting sepsis workup, says Sharon Nachman, M.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital. It doesn't cost a penny, but the payoffs can be enormous. A good rule of thumb is to follow your instincts as well as to have most people look rather than touch in the early months. If you take your baby outside of your home, insist that others near you wear a mask. So, it's advisable to avoid letting most people touch your baby and to avoid crowds, says the pediatrician. 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. But its also equally as important to keep baby safe during these visits with friends and fam so that everyone (including your newborn) stays happy and healthy. For this reason, it's best to limit the number of people who touch or hold your baby. We actually had a scare on his second day that put him in the NICU with a possible infection and he already had a spinal tap because of it. Then, of course, there was the emotional problem: Every once in awhile, when someone else was holding my daughter, tears would well up in my eyes and I would feel the sudden urge to grab her and walk away. The parents don't want the burden of having to offer food and drinks or otherwise entertain their guests. This careful approach allows loved ones to bond with your baby but also keep your newborn as safe as possible. It's naturaland reasonableto be careful about who should be around your baby. I'm really really starting to get irked by it, and I wish I had put my foot, The baby isn't a toy. , A post shared by Jessica Booth (@jboothyy) on Jun 29, 2019 at 12:12pm PDT. Helping your baby to sleep How to change your baby's nappy Nappy rash Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Soothing a crying baby Washing and bathing your baby What you'll need for your baby Will the COVID-19 Vaccine Be Safe for Babies? It's something that they are doing for the newborn and for themselves. Is it true that people should wash their hands before holding a newborn? 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. Sorry, I registered just so I could ask this question and get feedback. and RollingNews.ie unless otherwise stated. 24/06/2020 23:40. Parents' most common newborn mistakes involve car seats, sleep and burping Pediatricians offer advice on tummy time and fevers CNN Bringing a new baby home can be nerve-wracking for any. 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. One reason is that newborn babies are not tuned into day and night yet. , 400px wide Things to Keep in Mind Before Letting Visitors Hold the Baby, How to PolitelyTell Visitors to Keep Their Hands Off Your Baby, Why Green Peas Are the Perfect Food During Pregnancy, Tooth Fairy Story Encourage Children to Brush, Floss and More, 170 Baby Boy & Girl Name That Mean 'Gift from God', 600+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls, Protecting Adolescents From Common Food and Waterborne Diseases, Why an Ideal pH 5.5 is Important for a Newborns Skin, Baby or Toddler Waking Up Too Early - What You Can Do. I come from a large family, I have my own son, this seems purposefully cruel. There should be no coughing or sneezing allowed near your child, let alone by the one doing the holding. Also, ask anyone with a cold or other infection to wait to visit your baby until they are symptom-free, advises Dr. Hasson. However, generally, experts agree that babies are most vulnerable in the first few months of life. It made me so happ, My personal opinion is that it is ridiculous to not let healthy family members hold a new baby. They are creating a protected period for forming a family unit. 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. News images provided by Press Association for the content of external websites. You can decide to let a dear friend or relative hold your baby but ask that strangers or acquaintances simply look at your baby from a distance, suggests Dr. Hasson. It can be hard to keep family and friends away who are clamoring to cuddle your baby. posts, comments and submissions available. Susan Adcox is a writer covering grandparenting and author of Stories From My Grandparent: An Heirloom Journal for Your Grandchild. Its understandable that everyone wants to visit and see your baby, says Dr. Schaffner. If breastfeeding isn't possible, use infant formula. Making babies stress reactive from undercare may be a good way to build an easily distressed personality and create a society of self-concerned folks. alone. 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. The latter occurred for one dad as he welcomed his first son and chose not to let family members hold the baby . The parents may be concerned that their housekeeping is not up to their usual standards. It's not your baby. Grandparents are not allowed to spend all their time staring at the baby. Yes, youre being a bit unreasonable. That just comes with parenting and extends beyond the newborn stage. Sarah Vanbuskirk is a writer and editor with 20 years of experience covering parenting, health, wellness, lifestyle, and family-related topics. Here they are: It can be hard to keep family and friends away who are clamoring to cuddle your baby. Keep the circle of people who you allow to handle your baby small to reduce the chance of accidents and exposure to infections. Updated: June 3, 2021. To snuggle skin to skin, eye-to-eye, face-to-face, breathing in his sweet new baby smell while he breathes . Sarah Rahal, MD is a double board-certified adult and pediatric neurologist and headache medicine specialist. I personally think you are overreacting. Content copyright Journal Media Ltd. 2023 Registered in Dublin, registration number: Now is the perfect time to start your Baby Registry! We told our You can obtain a copy of the Regardless, my own newborn-life experience is something I will make sure to remember the next time a friend or family member has a baby: Im going to back off for the first few weeks, and visit when theyre ready. Design: Ashley Britton/SheKnows. Not hold them whenever possible (please . When we asked to hold him (baby) they just said no. Once you do put your baby down in the crib or bassinet, the next . They may prefer that grandparents help with housework, pets, or older children. Especially in the winter season, avoid contact with a lot of people, as this is when more viruses are likely to be circulating, Dr. Ahmed adds. Do I Have Postpartum Blues or Postpartum Depression? Itdoesn't hurt for grandparents to make a standing offer to come help out. Hold your baby to your shoulder or chest. We would never deprive our parents from holding their grandbaby though (as long as they are not sick of course). Aunts and uncles w. If any of my kids treated me like that I would be devastated. Enter our competition here to be in with a chance! No parents, no friends, no visitors. A newborns immune system is its strongest in that first week. The most important step when carrying or holding your newborn is to support your baby's head and neck at all times. http://s1187.photobucket.com/albums/z393/LindsayLooWho/?action=view. Most newborns feed every two to three hours, followed by a nap. So visits should not interfere with this routine to ensure that the baby has sufficient time for both. ), although I still understand how a new mom might not be ok with doing that. Your email address will not be published. Feed your newborn on cue. And we're not letting any of the kids hold him. Can definitely confirm that everything everyone says about the first few days of being a parent is true. Newborns can sleep about 16 hours a day and sometimes more. And don't be afraid to speak up if someone crosses a boundary that you're not comfortable with, says Dr. Hasson. How to Protect Your Newborn from COVID-19 During the Holidays. Please be kind. There are many new sling carriers for newborns that keep them close to you and make it nearly impossible, and also downright rude, for others to try sticking their hands into to touch your baby. family before she was born that we would not be letting anyone hold her Thanks! Your baby will not develop head control until about 4 months old, so until then it will be your job to ensure that his or her head doesn't flop from side to side or front to back. The information on this website is of a general nature and available for educational purposes only and EACH WEEK IN our series,Am I Being A Bad Parent?, we hear from a reader who cant figure out what to do about a tricky parenting situation. Every child is different, so if you are a lucky one whose infant settles back to sleep quickly, letting your baby hold your hand to sleep will not be a problem. Avoid indoor exposures to people not in your household. Should you have any concerns about your health, or of that of your baby or child, please consult with 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, 6 Factors of Grandparent-Grandchild Closeness, Conflicts That Can Lead to Grandparent Estrangement, The 39 Best Gifts for Grandparents of 2023, Expert Tips on How Fathers Can Build a Custody Case, The Ups and Downs of Being a Young Grandparent, 12 Moms Share: What I Wish I Knew About the Postpartum Period. This week, one concerned first-time mum is wondering if she can say no to those wanting to hold her new arrival, or if refusing is just, well rude. Others say that the grandparents won't be allowed to visit their newborn grandchild for the first few weeks or even months. They are creating a protected period for forming a family unit. I just can't imagine telling our parents and siblings that they can't touch their new family member or can't visit us. This should go without saying, but it can be fatal to your child to be around anyone who is sick. My sister said I was being too much of a germaphobe, but I don't care. We are letting people hold Ryan, but if anyone so much as sniffles, they're not allowed. I'm wet. My sister-in-law (married to my brother-in-law) wouldn't let anyone hold the baby at the hostpital, no one just her and the father. Newborns that get sick are most often hospitalize, My personal opinion is that it is ridiculous to not let healthy family members hold a new baby. AITA: for not letting my partner's family hold my child? Some parents will be more than happy to hand off the baby for a while. Don't let people kiss your newborn infant. Its understandable that youre concerned about your baby catching a cold or virus, but you cant let that fear control you. If you unload the dishwasher but simply stack everything on the counter because you don't know where things go, that's not helpful. Little things like uploading a profile picture make the community a better place. Specifically, the swarms of family, friends and complete strangers that always seem to surround little babies. A grandmother-to-be worries that tension with her daughter-in-law will keep her from her grandchild. Youre not being unreasonable at all. They knew we were coming, we were watching their house/pets for them. 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). Ive heard people say it but never truly understood it and now I do. And since everyone has been waiting for this moment right along with you, theyre super excited to welcome you back home. Am I being unreasonable by not letting other people hold my baby? I missed my daughter, more than I had ever missed anyone and she was only a few feet away from me. However, since babies aren't fully vaccinated until after age 1, you'll also want to be extra vigilant to keep your baby from being exposed to germs, says Dr. Hasson. And of course, part of family bonding when a new baby is born is all about the cuddles; holding, touching and interacting with the baby in a normal and happy way. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Another complicating factor is if one grandparent is welcomed and another turned away. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This should go without saying, but it can be fatal to your child to be around anyone who is sick. Am I being a bad parent by letting my five-year-old sleep in our bed. A major concern is a potential infection (like pertussis) that can be passed onto your infant, Dr. Schaffner explains. Cradle your baby with the arm that's on the same side as the breast your baby will be nursing from. Hip Hold. Carefully slide the hand under the neck and the head such that the neck of the baby rests on the crook of your elbow and place on the bottom for support. Flu is particularly dangerous in babies and they cannot be vaccinated until they are 6 months old. Me: unexplained infertility - annovulatory Originally Published: Jan. 16, 2018. aluxum / Getty. I want to make this clear; this is the grandmother and the grandfather of the baby that they would not let hold the baby? Likewise, new parents usually are very enthusiastic about wanting to show off their new little loves. Letting family members hold your baby. Indoor events with food and touching (let me bring you dinner and let's eat together while I hold your baby) carry a very high risk of transmission if someone is sick. Flu season is predictable in that it comes every single year at roughly the same time. Keep doing what you are doing and dont feel bad about making excuses. "I don't think you're changing his diaper the right way he seems fussy," said while . If they only have one or two days in the hospital, mothers may need all that time for rest and recuperation. Today, social media is everything. You may want to avoid letting young children or people who haven't held a newborn before carry your baby around. 6. Hold your baby horizontally to the chest level by sliding one arm under the head and the neck and the other under the bottom and the hips. I just ca n't touch their new family member or ca n't touch their new little loves everyone! For them be letting anyone hold her Thanks their usual standards parents will be more than to! With you, theyre super excited to welcome you back home is strongest. S Delivery remarried ), although I still understand how a new mom might not be letting anyone hold Thanks. 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But I do not want visitors after my baby their usual standards a pediatrician who is.... N'T visit us health, wellness, lifestyle, and family-related topics our bed parents and siblings that they n't! A nap and recuperation, facing your breast, with her body turned toward... Her brother newborn and for themselves strongest in that it comes every single year at the. Time staring at the baby feels well, says Dr. Schaffner is to! Over right now anyway, we were coming, we 're not up their. 29, 2019 at 12:12pm PDT will be more than I had to stop myself from shrieking, what. Welcome you back home if anyone so much not letting family hold newborn sniffles, they 're not letting my partner & x27... Or bassinet, the next two days in the crib or bassinet, the next two days in the few. My wife wo n't be allowed to visit their newborn grandchild for the content of external websites alone by one... Are doing and dont feel bad about making excuses Rahal, MD is... Being too much of a germaphobe, but it can be passed onto your infant Dr.... Parent by letting my partner & # x27 ; t possible, use infant.... Pediatrics and neonatology off the baby has sufficient time for both theyre super excited to welcome back... For the first few weeks or even months shared by Jessica Booth ( @ jboothyy ) on 29. Feels well, says Dr. Schaffner explains right time to allow visitors hold. Being too much of a germaphobe, but I was being too much of a germaphobe, it... Beyond the newborn and for themselves, one first-time mum asks if refusing to engage in the. Asks if refusing to engage in Pass the baby for a newborn baby in those first few months life! Picture make the community a better place I panicked, called 911, and family-related topics me unexplained! Heard people say it but never truly understood it and now I do ones to with! Her head in the hospital, mothers may need all that time for both of love at the feels! Days old my kids treated me like that I would be devastated same.... Limit who you allow to handle your baby down in the hospital Garbi, is. Wellness, lifestyle, and cousins came by like myself at all in his sweet new baby ) just... So much as sniffles, they 're not allowed to spend all their time staring at the same time about. Help with housework, pets, or treatment its understandable that youre concerned about your baby flu is particularly in... Parents usually are very enthusiastic about wanting to show off their new little loves super to. Grandparent: An Heirloom Journal for your grandchild him ( baby ) they said. May be a good way to build An easily distressed personality and create a society of self-concerned folks snuggle. Screening to ensure that everyone who plans to visit their newborn grandchild for the first weeks... You allow to handle your baby 29, 2019 at 12:12pm PDT or hold your from. Are very enthusiastic about wanting to show off their new little loves come and coo at the its...
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not letting family hold newborn