Though kissing an infant doesn't always cause RSV or other illnesses, it can spread germs that can lead to illnesses that newborn immune systems find it hard to fight.
It has long been regarded a sign of affection and a form of bonding. But research suggests kissing your baby on the lips can actually give them cavities. Finnish scientists warned just a peck, or a smooch, can spread harmful bacteria from parent to baby.
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.
Tanya Altmann, a pediatrician at Calabasas Pediatrics in California, told CNN, "The first two months after a child is born are very critical, as a virus can rapidly spread and cause serious illness in newborns." And since a virus can be spread before there are obvious signs of an infection and the carrier is diagnosed, ...
To prevent the spread of infections or serious health issues to kids, the rule of not kissing babies on the lips applies to everyone, including the parents.
Dr Prasad says to prevent serious health consequences, everyone, including moms, should avoid kissing infants early on.
Social etiquette expert Liz Brewer told BBC UK that while kissing a son or daughter on the lips is an "unusual practice," it should be a parent's choice whether they consider it appropriate or not. In many cultures, kissing on lips is not considered sexual, and is accepted as a platonic means of showing affection.
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.
Your family may be more understanding if you explain the dangers. Explain to them that babies' immune systems are still developing in the early months, and that in the meantime, non-immediate family members should avoid kissing the baby. People may be more receptive to your rule if they can understand your reasoning.
During the first month of life, also ask visitors to avoid kissing around your infant's mouth and eye area. And request that people with cold sores steer clear of your kiddo until the lesions are gone. Don't forget to sign up to receive our free Parents Daily Baby newsletter.
Child health experts have urged parents not to allow relatives, friends, neighbours, and visitors to kiss their newborn babies. The act, the paediatricians said, should be discouraged, warning that kissing newborns exposes them to the risk of infections that their immunity might not be able to withstand.
Kissing someone else's baby exposes them to so much more than germs (though I will address that, too). During a baby's first year, but especially in the first three months of life, they are especially vulnerable to germs as their immune system is essentially non-existent yet.
Newborns have a weak immune system and are more susceptible to infections, so it's best to practice good hygiene and avoid kissing them on the face or hands, which are more prone to come into contact with germs.
Kisses on the mouth are normal between relatives and even friends in various cultures—they are not inherently sexual.
Smoking during pregnancy and after your baby is born greatly increases the chance of SIDS. The chance of SIDS increases whether it is a baby's mother or father who is the smoker.
Most parents will stop kissing their child on the lips by the time they have started kindergarten. Some will wait until their child starts school. Other parents will stop sooner because their child starts to develop their independence a bit. The child is then left to decide how they want to be shown affection.
“If the person or people who come to your home to visit are going to help, that might outweigh the risk of exposing baby to potential illness,” she says. “If not, parents might want to hold off on the visit until baby is about 3 months old.”
Speak to your doctor about the risks involved when it comes to letting a family member kiss your baby. If the doctor agrees that you need to set rules and tell your child's grandparents to hold the smooches, then telling that it's 'a doctor's orders' might be a less confrontational method of explaining your decision.
Hugs Keep Kids Healthy
There are many health benefits of hugging and kissing your baby. Hugs can promote our physical health and help us heal. Oxytocin, released when hugging, is a hormone that has amazing power and benefits our bodies.
Baby kissing is a practice in which politicians and candidates campaigning for office kiss babies in order to garner public support. It is commonly done along with shaking hands.
Let's be clear from the start: grandparents have no rights. They should do nothing without asking the parents first. But also, and even more importantly: never hug or kiss anyone without asking their permission first. Even kids.
Ideally, even grandparents “should not be kissing on the baby for at least the first few months,” Tan told me. Within a home, siblings attending day care and school—where it's easy to pick up germs—might also want to sheathe their smackeroos at first.
In short, yes. These signs of affection are all part of forming a secure bond. "When a baby's distressed and their parents respond, they learn they can count on [their parents] for comfort and relief and that they matter," Linda Gilkerson, Ph. D.