Tips For Visiting A Newborn Baby

When it comes to visiting a newborn baby, the first thing you need to remember is that you are not its mother, father or even a relative. You must behave as you behave towards a stranger: polite but reserved. Continue reading and we will explain.

You: carrier of microbes

When you are going to visit a newborn baby, you must see yourself as someone who comes from outside and thus someone who carries a number of pathogens.

You should know that the environment is invaded by all kinds of microorganisms that can attack the immune system of a child who has not yet developed the necessary defenses.

Breast milk not only provides the baby with nutrients but also with antibodies. This is how the newborn manages to defend against invasions at first. However, breast milk is not always sufficient.

During the first days of life, the child needs an environment that is as hygienic and free of pathogens as possible so that it does not get sick.

When you visit a newborn, smile at the baby, talk to it, sing for it… but avoiding holding it, kissing it and picking it up, does a lot. Do not touch its wrists or clothing.

If you eventually decide to ignore these recommendations, take at least the following precautions.

• Wash your hands, your arms at the elbows, your face and your neck.
• Do not use strong perfumes or deodorants.
• If you smoke, avoid approaching immediately afterwards. Wait around 15 minutes.

Other tips for visiting a newborn baby

In addition to avoiding carrying, there are a few other things to keep in mind when you are in the process of visiting a newborn baby. Among other things, we want to suggest:

Do not be rude

There are certain moments that should be respected as intimate for the parents and family of the newborn. This includes sleep routines as well as bathing and feeding times for the baby.

So if you decide to come visit in the morning, avoid coming too early. If you arrive in the evening, do not extend your stay until late.

The afternoon is also complicated because the family will have lunch. The mother will breastfeed the baby and everyone (especially the baby) will take a nap… the fact is that many parents use such a schedule to be able to rest after sleepless nights.

The same thing happens with every breastfeeding or bottle feeding session. Moments the family uses to carry out their household chores. In short: make sure you come to visit and ask what is the best time to visit the newborn.

Show your best page

When you come to visit a newborn baby and its parents, show your best side:

• Wash your hands and wear clean clothes.
• Do not stay longer than 20 minutes.
• Do not speak loudly.
• Do not insist on seeing the baby if it is asleep. Remember that rest is essential. There are also parents who do not like to let everyone go into the child’s room.
• Never meet a baby if you have a cold or a contagious disease. If you have to meet the baby because it is your tradition or family, apologize to the parents by phone and postpone the visit to another day.
• Do not try to make yourself useful and help with work that has to do with the newborn. Not even to fold its clothes and put them in the closet. Wait until the parents ask for help. If you want to be helpful, it is better to help with other household chores such as cleaning the floor or doing the dishes.

• Avoid giving your opinions, only do so if you are asked, and be careful with criticisms related to the newborn or its mother.
• You can come alone or with someone else, but do not come too many at once. Talk to other relatives and friends who plan to visit the newborn and divide the visits into different days.