When is it safe?

Xandria - posted on 01/05/2010

My husband and I were in the same predicament but we both agreed that for our baby being a newborn we did NOT want to travel or be around a large amount of people because her immune system is NOT ready to handle people wanting to hold her, touch her, kiss her, and ohh and ahh and breathe all over her. I say stick by your decision and have your husband do some research so he can settle his nerves and realize that it's not about anyone but the safety and health of your newborn. When she gets older and you feel more comfortable then you can bring her around the family (with fair warning that they can't be sick and they still have to wash their hands!) so everyone can enjoy her. Till then, xmas photos at home or in a studio will have to suffice. If people dont like it, oh well they can risk the health of THEIR babies, not yours.

Kara - posted on 12/27/2009

I don't intend to keep my baby in the house all of the time, bt i will be taking with me hand sanitizers and lysol wipes. And I'm definitely not going to let her around anyone who is or has been recently sick, other small children because they can carry the flu w/o showing symptoms, or smokers because the second and third hand smoke can get in her lungs and make her more susceptible. Just be careful who you let hold her and make sure they have on fresh (not smoky) clothing and that they have cleaned and sanitized their hands. Ask them to stay a decent distance from her face as well since that is how the flu germs are most commonly spread.

Krista - posted on 12/18/2009

This must be your first child!
You do have a right to be protective of your baby but you should also try to be realistic in doing so.

Here are a few things to take into consideration about visiting, at any time, not just because it's Christmas
-have the people been recently sick or are sick currently? Are any of the family members who will be at Christmas sick? If not, there is no reason for you not to go.
-Have you already taken your baby out of the house? If you have, your baby has already been exposed to what is out there, consider the doctors office, there is probably more bad germs and viruses there than in your family's home.
-Have you or your husband left the house for a quick trip to the store? If so, you have brought home germs.

Germs and viruses are a part of life and we can't escape them. The important thing is to STRONGLY REQUEST that everyone thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water before holding baby (avoid hand sanitizers!) and if anyone smokes (if you are nonsmokers) that they change into clean clothes first, the chemicals from the cigarettes stay on clothes and are harmful to baby).

This is baby's first Christmas and everyone is excited for you and your new family and your husband is a proud daddy who wants to show is little treasure off. Enjoy Christmas, Keep BREASTFEEDING (best line of defense to keep baby healthy against all germs) and enjoy this special time of year.
We all survived, your baby will too! You can always duck out early from the party if you're tired but you should attempt to show up if no one there is contagiously sick otherwise the discord of not going may last longer than you anticipate (my grandparents, aunts and uncles never forgave my mom for not going and its been 35 year, how do you want your future to look?)

Darlene - posted on 12/18/2009

Did you get the flu shots when you were pregnant? I was told that my son would be protected by my shot for his first 6 weeks of life. Maybe I misunderstood.

We are travelling home for Christmas (Tyler was born on the 9th), however I reserve the right to keep my visit short, insist on handwashing and not letting anyone who is sick touch him. Too bad for those who this might offend.