Yes. You can kiss a newborn on the head, and the cases of any infection caused by a kiss are rare. However, staying away from the baby is better if you have a cold, cough, or any contagious disease or infection.
Dr Prasad says to prevent serious health consequences, everyone, including moms, should avoid kissing infants early on. He notes that given the rise in RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and other illnesses, it is critical that everyone is aware of the dangers of kissing newborns.
Say the no-kiss rule is only temporary.
Most babies' immune systems will be strong enough for kisses after 2 to 3 months. Until then, it's healthiest not to kiss the baby, painful though it may be. “The baby will need your kisses in a few months!” “Keep looking forward to the time when she's old enough to be snuggled!
Parents kissing their baby is normal, but at the same time, it is essential that the parent safeguards the baby from contracting hazardous infections. One of the key points you should consider is not letting anyone kiss your baby on or near the mouth, specifically during the initial three months of birth.
In order to prevent serious health issues, anyone and everyone, including parents, should avoid kissing babies. Due to the rise in cases of RSV and other illnesses, it's extremely important for all individuals to be aware of the dangers of kissing babies.
Social etiquette expert Liz Brewer says she thinks that, while kissing a son or daughter on the lips is an "unusual practice," it should still be a parent's choice as to whether they consider it appropriate or not.
02/4Why you should not kiss newborns
Newborns have a weak immune system, which makes it crucial to take extra care of them in the first few weeks. Exposure to any kind of virus and bacteria can put their life at risk.
Newborn babies have a weak immune system, which makes them easily prone to viral infections. The first month is pivotal, and therefore, it is best to prevent anyone from kissing the baby on the face (12).
Kissing your baby has a lot of emotional benefits. When a mother shows her baby love by kisses, hugs and the like, it shows the baby that being sensitive to others needs and feelings is important. This in turn can help them relate as well as interact better with those around them.
Kissing, sharing drinks, or transferring things from mouth to mouth can transmit RSV. Washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, and avoiding contact when you are sick will decrease the spread and help protect our littlest family members.
Babies can tell who has close relationships based on one clue: saliva. Sharing food and kissing are among the signals babies use to interpret their social world, according to a new study.
Germs and bacteria that won't affect adults, may cause sickness in newborn babies. Particularly when other relatives (like in-laws) are kissing the baby's face and mouth it creates a potential risks of making the child sick.
Infants are particularly vulnerable to the HSV-1, better known as the Herpes Simplex Virus. The virus causes sores around the mouth and lips in adults. At times they don't even show particular symptoms in adults but can turn fatal for babies.
It's about comfort and culture. It is not inherently wrong for a father to kiss his daughter on the lips until the day he dies. All six of us kids, two boys and four girls, kissed our dad on the lips until the year he died at 90. When either party feels uncomfortable, that would be a time to stop.
It's good for the brain. Hugging, holding and rocking your baby may have “lasting effects on the way their young brains respond to gentle touch when they go home,” according to researcher Nathalie Maitre.
When can a newborn go outside in public? As for taking baby out to public places, it's recommended that you avoid bringing them into congested spaces, if possible—at least until they've had their first round of vaccinations.
Anyone who comes in close contact with a newborn should make sure to wash their hands first. It can also be helpful to remove any jewelry on the hands. 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.
Care and caution need to be on everyone's mind. Dr. VanVleet says it is a good idea for parents to choose who will visit the baby early on and who won't. She says it might make sense to hold off on some visits until the baby is about 3 months (12 weeks) old to allow the baby to build up their immunities.
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).
Massage Your Baby's Head
Gently massaging your baby's head can help to improve circulation and prevent flat spots from forming. Use a circular motion with your fingertips to massage your baby's scalp.
If your child starts crying as soon as you kiss or hug your partner, it is definitely a sign that your child wants more attention. This doesn't necessarily mean that you aren't giving your child enough attention already.
Seek medical care if your child has any of the following symptoms of RSV: Difficulty breathing or fast breathing with tugging of the chest muscles. Gray or blue-tinged skin color (this typically shows up on the lips and fingernails) Wheezing–a high-pitched noise usually heard when a child exhales.
You should not kiss a baby if you have a cold sore to reduce the risk of spreading infection. Cold sores and other blisters caused by the herpes virus are at their most contagious when they burst. They remain contagious until completely healed.