Yes, wearing a mask around a newborn is a smart way to reduce germ spread, especially if you have respiratory symptoms or if there are high rates of illness in the community, and parents should definitely request it if they want extra protection for their vulnerable baby, as newborns have underdeveloped immune systems. Handwashing and avoiding close face-to-face contact (like kissing the baby's face) are also crucial alongside masking to create a "health cocoon" for the first few months.
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.
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).
Should you refuse visits from unvaccinated friends or family? Yes--if they won't (or can't) be vaccinated, they shouldn't expect access to your young child right now. As uncomfortable as it may feel to draw that boundary, your responsibility is to your baby's well-being. Politeness is important, but so is health.
The original paper hypothesized pathogenic (disease-causing) germs—viruses and bacteria that make kids sick—were important for immune development. While research is still ongoing, the evidence to date doesn't support this.
The truth about viruses is that they are usually pretty contagious even before you have symptoms. That's why viral illnesses are always going around. And even if you know you're sick, you still have to care for your baby, so there's definitely a chance you'll pass it along.
But if you're the parent of a newborn, don't sweat it, at least not yet. You can't spoil a baby. Contrary to popular myth, it's impossible for parents to hold or respond to a baby too much, child development experts say.
The newborn 5-5-5 rule is a postpartum guideline for new mothers to focus on healing and bonding in the first 15 days home, dividing rest into 5 days in bed, followed by 5 days on the bed, and then 5 days near the bed, encouraging minimal chores, visitors, and activity to prioritize recovery from childbirth and establishing the new family unit, drawing on traditional postpartum rest practices.
Parents who reject vaccine recommendations are primarily worried about side effects and the risks of the shots rather than facing challenges getting them. About half of parents overall lack faith in federal health agencies to ensure vaccine safety, mirroring the findings of other surveys.
Tips for Preventing Common Newborn Illnesses
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.
The 40-day rule after birth, often called confinement or "The Golden Month," is a widespread cultural tradition emphasizing a mother's deep rest, healing, and bonding with her newborn, with family often handling chores and visitors, promoting physical recovery (like stopping bleeding) and mental well-being, rooted in ancient practices from Asia, Latin America, and religious traditions like Judaism and Christianity. Key aspects involve nourishing the mother, sheltering her from stress, and focusing solely on resting and bonding, a stark contrast to Western pressures to "bounce back" quickly.
As a rule, infants and young children rarely develop severe or enduring cases of COVID-19. And those who do almost invariably suffer from some other serious medical problem. It's not that kids don't get infected. They do.
Avoid these unsafe motions and positions
While the AAP doesn't mention a specific age for when it's okay to start kissing a baby, most experts recommend waiting at least 2-3 months, or even longer during RSV, flu, and cold season.
1. Introduction. Australia has high childhood vaccination rates, with over 90 % of children fully vaccinated at age 5 since 2012. In 2020, that figure reached the national target of 95 %.
And if it weren't for vaccinations, many children could become seriously ill or even die from diseases such as measles, mumps and whooping cough. See "The Diseases Vaccines Prevent and How" for more information.
Explain what clinical trials are, how they work, and why they are the main reason why well-known vaccines have been and continue to be so successful. Stress that vaccination is the most effective way to equip the immune system so children can stay healthy and thrive.
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 hardest part of the newborn stage for most parents is generally considered to be the first 6 weeks. Here are some of the key reasons why: Exhaustion：Newborns need to feed frequently, often every 2-3 hours. This lack of sleep can take a major toll on parents' energy levels.
The 3-minute rule means you should apply moisturizer to your baby's skin within three minutes of taking them out of the bath. After giving your baby a warm bath, gently pat them dry. Be careful not to rub their skin. Then, immediately rub a baby eczema cream onto their slightly damp skin.
Container baby syndrome describes the various conditions caused when a baby spends too much time in devices such as a car seat, swing, bouncer, or stroller. CBS can cause movement problems and cognitive, speech, or social-emotional delays.
You will soon learn differences in your baby's cries, from a cry of "I'm hungry" to "I've been overstimulated." It's important to respond to your baby's cries. Contrary to some beliefs, young babies can't be spoiled by being picked up when crying. Being held is reassuring and comforting.
Never shake your baby, whether in play or in frustration. Shaking can cause bleeding in the brain and sometimes death. If you need to wake your baby, don't do it by shaking. Instead, tickle your baby's feet or blow gently on a cheek.