Hand washing... Do you still enforce it before others hold your baby?

Question

We just spent the weekend with my husband's huge family, and they are much more relaxed in their parenting (they have older and multiple kids). I'm a first time mom with a 3 month old, is it okay to still ask people to wash before holding her? Am I the only one that is crazy about this?

Answer

I don't think I ever did, it's not like anyone is putting there hands in my baby's mouth. They need germs to strengthen there immune system. If you protect them to much they are more likely to get sick easily

Answer

I, personally, have never made anyone wash their hands and my son has been fine. But, it's your baby and you have every right to request that others do that and they should respect your request!

Answer

My husband and I tell people to wash their hands and our little guy is almost 4 months old. I understand the concept that he needs germs; however, I have seen how some people leave the bathroom and "wash" their hands.

Answer

I make everyone that is around my kid possibly gonna touch them wash their hands and I keep like 3 things of Hand sanitizer on me at all times! My son had skull surgery at 1 month old so we had to be super careful for risk of infection and even though he has a helmet now, the hand washing habit has stuck!

Answer

Also, she has been sneezing many times today, we have avoided sickness up until now 😔

Answer

Yes! You should have them wash  their hands. There's nothing inappropriate about that request at all. We will be doing the same, plus we bought "honest" brand hand sanitizer just in case. Will probably keep baby wipes accessible, too. We are also telling everyone to get their important vaccines and not be feeling under the weather with an illness before meeting our baby girl because her Pediatrician actually recommended it. Yep, her doctor specifically recommended we tell everyone to get their vaccines before any contact with our baby. TDAP and the newest Flu shot were the most important, but there's others. Talk to your doctor or baby's doctor about it asap.

Answer

We never made anyone wash their hands first. She's mostly only ever been held by family and I trust my family's hygiene practices so I wasn't concerned. If she had been around little kids those first couple months I would have asked them to wash their hands though because little kids can be pretty gross lol.

Answer

I never enforced it in the beginning unless youd just got done with something gross and dirty.

Answer

We live in an area that has reached a critical stage with immunization compliance meaning that enough parents have choosen to not have their kids vaccinated that herd immunity will no longer work and our community will have epidemic illness if those pathogens are exposed.  As such, I only allow a small circle to even touch my nearly four month baby and those who do always wash including my wife!

Answer

I only ever asked people when my baby was brand new. And I almost never wash a dropped binkie. My husband and I are very laid back. I've had several people comment that we are the calmest first time parents they've ever known, and that they wish they had been like us! But do what you're comfortable with. It's not rude or unreasonable for you to ask someone to wash their hands before they play with your baby. Your baby is your baby and they should respect you. Plus a sick baby is NO fun!

Hand washing... Do you still enforce it before others hold your baby?

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