how to handle visitors with newborn

My pediatrician suggested that for the first 6-8 weeks, we limit visitors and interactions for the baby, which I understand. I have a big Italian fam and friends who want to come visit - how did you handle this? Do you just not allow people to hold the baby or just ask people to wait to come? How did you all handle the first 6 weeks? I don't want to offend anyone but baby's health and wellbeing comes first.

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Message edited 3/7/2013 3:28:06 PM.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

If you wanted to come over and hold the baby, then you should not be sick. You also had to wash your hands AND use hand sanitizer afterwards.

I had no complaints.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

With Tyler, I had a no kids rule for the first 6 weeks. Everyone understood and respected it.

I let my family and friends see him. They all had to wash their hands, and knew that if they even so much as had the sniffles - they could not come.

I was honest with everyone. Swine flu was out, and everyone was so sick. I was not risking my childs life so that someone can come to see him for a few minutes.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

Thanks ladies.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

Pediatrican just told us to keep him away from school aged children. We just made everyone else wash their hands before they held him. Wasnt a problem.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

I should mention that you shouldn't feel bad asking people not to come if they aren't feeling well. Most people understand that, especially if they or someone they know have had babies recently.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

We have the same thing - DS is only two weeks old. DH has a big Italian family - 10 nieces and nephews. We've asked everyone not to bring the kids by for a month or so and even friends too - everyone has been totally udnerstanding though, esp. with the current flu season. I bet if you tell/ask people theyll be fine. For those who come by, I have santizier or wash their hands.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

I made everyone wash hands...and requested no children. Everyone was very accomodating even though they thought I was crazy and told me so. Whatever...that's what I wanted. For the same reason I always check in with everyone and make sure that Lucas is not with me...and if he's sick we don't visit because I feel like we have a better chance of carrying something too...I ship my presents and make plans to visit later on.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

My only restriction was if they were sick. Otherwise, like pp said, I have a huge dispenser of hand sanitizer next to my couch.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

We had WAY too many and frequent visitors when Abby was born. I swear when we have our second that WILL NOT HAPPEN! I was entertaining more than I was resting. I don't care if it is family or friends.

Do what you think will work best for you but be firm with your decision.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

Can't be sick

Can't touch her if you're a minor

Must wash your hands throughly with me watching

No kissing

No putting her fingers/toes into your mouth (who DOES this? )

No breathing into her small face

No need for cheek to cheek or nose to nose people!

If you use hand sanitizer you must air them out for at LEAST 45secs before touching her due to the small % of alcohol in them.

That's if I let you see her at all.


Mostly I made excuses and stayed home alone with her. One month my father was there (just after she was born) the second month I was home alone and 'too busy with appts' for visiting. I needed 'alone time' after Jim got home and needed 'alone time with her' when Jim was at work. People would 'alter my schedule' and 'upset her feedings' so basically i just made it impossible to be part of her life for two months. It was MY time with her, time I could never get back and time I cherished as just ours.


Besides.. two months fly by

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

I was firm about no kids visiting
I was psycho with hand sanitizer and handwashing
I didn't go out of my way to invite people over...obviously I didn't say no if people wanted to visit, but I didn't offer invites.
However, DS was 10 weeks premature so we had to be vigilant about certain things

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

I had DD the end of November and took her to Christmas with both of our families. I just asked that people wash their hands before holding her.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

I had Purell in every room, and no one was allowed to hold him unless they used it. I did have my niece and nephew over before the time my doc said it was okay, and he was fine.

You can do so much to prevent them getting sick, and they could still get sick..KWIM..just do what you feel comfy with, and they should hopefully understand..

My dad joked, that he felt like he was visiting the pope, because of my craziness with washing and sanitizing his hands...

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

Thank you all so much for your feedback I'm not normally a germaphobe but given the time of year and how little she is, I want to protect her as much as I can these first few months. Thanks again!

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

We asked everyone to wash their hands. At thanksgiving at my mom's house, they all ran to find sinks. No one gave us any problems about it.

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

yeas, my family was ticked about us making them wait. but ds was born into icu- 10days for pneumonia and i was not going to let someone get him sick and send him right back there

Re: how to handle visitors with newborn

DH's family is also a huge Italian family. My only rules were (1) wash your hands/hand sanitizer and (2) if you were sick dont go near the baby with a face mask. Other wise I let anyone who wanted to hold the baby, play with him. They need to be exposed to germs in my opinion to build up a tolerance.