When a friend or relative has a baby, you want to visit as soon as you can. However, new babies—and new parents—may need some time before they are ready for an influx of visitors.
“The biggest thing to remember is to respect the level of precautions the parents want to take with their baby,” says Jordan Kridler, M.D., a pediatrician at Henry Ford Health.
Here’s what you need to know before you meet a newborn for the first time.
When Is It Safe to Visit a Newborn?
There is no hard-and-fast rule for when infants are ready to have visitors or be out in public. Some parents may wait a few months before letting their babies have contact with people outside of the immediate family. Others are okay with visitors and take their babies out to public places much sooner.
“Ultimately, it’s the parents’ choice,” says Dr. Kridler. “But I would recommend being extra cautious during cold and flu season.”
Babies’ immune systems aren’t fully developed for the first few months. This leaves them especially vulnerable to infections and respiratory viruses—including colds, flu, COVID, RSV and whooping cough.
“They’ll have some antibodies from the mother, but their immature immune systems can’t fight off germs as well as adults’ immune systems,” says Dr. Kridler. “And they won’t have gotten vaccines yet to protect them.”
Need A Pediatrician?
Precautions to Take Before Spending Time With a New Baby
If you are being welcomed into a home with a newborn, there are many steps you can take to help keep the baby safe. These include:
- Getting up to date on vaccines: Since an infant isn’t fully protected by vaccines, you need to be. “If someone is coming to visit, staying with you or regularly caring for your baby, ask if they are current on their vaccines,” says Dr. Kridler. The most important are the COVID and flu vaccines and the Tdap, which protects against whooping cough (pertussis).
- Washing hands: As soon as you enter a home with a new baby, head straight to the sink for a thorough handwashing. Each time you interact with the baby—or with their bottles, toys or pacifiers—wash again.
- Not kissing the baby: Yes, those cheeks are tough to resist, but it’s safest to save your kisses for when the baby is a little older and less vulnerable. Putting your face close to theirs is a great way to pass germs.
- Wearing a mask: Even if you aren’t sick, you may want to consider wearing a mask to further protect the baby. “And if the parents ask you to wear one, definitely do,” says Dr. Kridler.
- Leaving your kids at home: Little kids are notorious for carrying—and spreading—germs. It is especially difficult to make sure young children practice proper hand washing and keep their face out of the baby’s face. Even if your child doesn’t seem sick, it might be best to wait and have them meet the baby in a couple of months.
- Staying away if you’re sick: This may seem obvious, but people often brush off minor symptoms or discount exposure to someone who’s sick. With a newborn, you can’t be too careful. If you have any congestion, cough or other symptoms (or if you’ve been around someone sick), it’s best to steer clear of a newborn.
Tips for Being a Good Visitor
When it comes to visiting a family with a newborn, let the parents take the lead. Whether you agree with them or not, it’s important to follow the rules they set and respect their comfort level.
If you do visit, think about how you can be helpful while you’re there. This is an opportunity to do something nice for the parents. Bring a cooked meal for the freezer, some groceries to stock the cupboards or do a load of laundry while you visit.
Depending on the parents’ comfort level, you could offer to watch the baby for a short time while they take a nap, a walk or whatever break they need.
“New parents are excited to have friends and family meet their baby,” says Dr. Kridler. “But remember that they may also be anxious about their baby’s safety. It’s important to respect that while visiting.”
Reviewed by Jordan Kridler, M.D., a pediatrician who sees patients at Henry Ford Medical Center – Royal Oak.
