To tell family not to kiss your newborn, be direct, polite, and firm by stating, "We're not allowing kisses right now to protect the baby's developing immune system," explaining it's a health boundary, not personal, and even a healthy-looking person can carry germs like cold sores (HSV-1) or RSV that are dangerous for newborns, with resources like The Lullaby Trust offering tags to help communicate this boundary clearly and reduce confusion.
Begin the conversation by calmly and politely explaining the reason behind the rule. You can say something like, "We've chosen not to have the baby kissed to minimize the risk of exposing them to germs and illnesses. Their immune system is still developing, and we want to do everything we can to keep them healthy."
If you are worried about kissing, it makes sense to me that the 12 week mark is a good transition. Fevers before 12 weeks are an immediate trip to the ER basically, and saying no to kisses is in an aim to prevent infections, and infections cause fevers, so I'd say 12 weeks is a good goal.
Nope. No kissing until baby has an immune system. You can find other ways to bond with them without putting them in harms way through sharing germs.
There are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. Some doctors recommend that parents wait until their baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places (like malls, movie theaters, and airplanes).
Do not kiss a baby unless you are their parent or main carer – and even then, avoid kissing if you have an infection or are unwell. Do not visit a baby if you are ill, have recently been ill or have an infection. This includes colds, active cold sores as well as diarrhea and vomiting illnesses.
The short answer is to wait until the baby is 3 months old. The longer answer is as follows: The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) generally advises parents and siblings to avoid kissing newborns, especially on the face, for the first few months of life due to their still-developing immune systems.
The 7 key danger signs for newborns, often highlighted by organizations like the WHO, are not feeding well, convulsions, fast breathing, severe chest indrawing, lethargy/unconsciousness (movement only when stimulated), high or low temperature, and jaundice (yellow skin/soles) or signs of local infection like an infected umbilical stump, requiring immediate medical attention.
The herpes simplex virus can be passed to a baby through a cold sore if a person has a cold sore and kisses the baby. The herpes virus can also be spread to your baby if you have a blister caused by herpes on your breast and you feed your baby with the affected breast or expressed breast milk from the affected breast.
A: No. Today's parents overwhelmingly say no kissing anywhere on the baby - not face, hands, head, or clothing. This is the #1 rule that surprises grandparents and the #1 concern for parents. It's temporary and will relax as the baby gets older.
Flexibility is a crucial component to gentle parenting, and equally important is parents' ability to hold clear and firm boundaries. The key to holding boundaries in gentle parenting is to incorporate empathy, respect, and understanding.
Here are a few basics to remember:
That wide-eyed, round-mouthed “O face” your baby pulls isn't just for dramatic effect—it's actually part of newborn talking. This funny little expression usually means your baby's intrigued, alert, or trying to make sense of what they're seeing. It's their way of saying, “Whoa, what's that?”—without the vocabulary.
One of the most significant risks associated with kissing babies on the lips is the potential transmission of infections. Common cold viruses, flu, and more serious conditions can easily spread through saliva. During flu season or when viruses are circulating, cautiousness is particularly warranted.
“It's important to consider, especially in the early weeks of a baby's life,” says pediatrician Camille Sabella, MD. “An infant's immune system doesn't mature until they're about two to three months old,” Dr. Sabella says.
Here are a few ways to support healthy bonding between you and your child:
Avoid Kissing: Refrain from kissing a baby unless you are their parent or main carer. Even then, avoid kissing if you're unwell. Stay Away When Ill: Do not visit a baby if you're ill or have recently been ill, including conditions like colds, cold sores, or gastrointestinal issues.
The hardest week with a newborn is often considered the first six weeks, especially weeks 2-3, due to extreme sleep deprivation, constant feeding demands, learning baby's cues, postpartum recovery, and a peak in inconsolable crying (the "witching hour"), making parents feel overwhelmed as they adjust to a new, exhausting routine. While the first week is tough, the challenges often intensify as the baby becomes more alert but still fussy, with major developmental hurdles like cluster feeding and increased fussiness peaking around 6-8 weeks.
Hold your baby until they're in a deeper sleep. Babies start in 'active sleep' (with faster, uneven breathing) and move into a deeper sleep after about 20 minutes. That's a good time to transfer them into their sleeping place. Many babies don't like being put down into a cot.
Why Does SIDS Peak at 2-4 Months? The widely accepted explanation for the SIDS peak has to do with the timeline of brain development. “Up to 4 months old, the part of the brain that controls breathing and wakefulness is under a lot of development,” Juliet explains.
11 Polite (But Firm) Tips to Help You Tell Family and Friends Not to Kiss Your Baby
As adorable as baby cheeks are, visitors should not kiss the baby or be too close to their face, as mouths carry a lot of germs. Having visitors wear masks can also help reduce the spread of germs. It's important to make sure visitors do not have any signs or symptoms of illness that could spread to the baby.
Kissing a baby can have serious health consequences for your little one whose immune system is still developing. This means that all family members, friends, and even mom and dad and siblings, need to be mindful about saving those kisses for another time when your baby is older.