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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Covid testing before visiting newborn

29 replies

MumJourney · 21/07/2022 21:00

Just wondering what people's thoughts/experiences are when it comes to people meeting your newborn in current covid situation.
UK based so I appreciate that covid is something we are now living with but AIBU to want to protect my newborn from close contact exposure if I can, especially in the first few weeks of life? (baby's not here yet but due soon).
I'm not talking about stopping people from visiting baby or making them wear masks or anything but maybe to politely suggest that visitors take a covid test if they can before they come to the house?
I don't really know how covid affects newborns or how easily they can catch it so am I being over cautious?
Thanks.

OP posts:
bakewellbride · 21/07/2022 21:05

I would never bother with this and neither would my nhs frontline dh but each to their own.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/07/2022 21:06

I would test before meeting up with you, simply because having a newborn is hard and having a newborn when you are feeling really poorly is utterly hellish.

BeeEllEyePeePeeEye · 21/07/2022 21:07

If it made a new mum feel more at ease I'd be fine to do a LF before visiting.

Porcupineintherough · 21/07/2022 21:07

I think it's fine. Apart from anything, the last thing you need in that first few weeks is a bout of covid, you'll be tired enough as it is.

yonce · 21/07/2022 21:07

Oo tough one, I'd be honest - it's totally up to you what you feel comfortable with.

Covid is like a common cold in as much as it's everywhere - you could catch it in the supermarket, grabbing a coffee, at a baby group etc. I'd definitely understand keeping away if positive (common sense really!) but as a friend, I wouldn't pay for a test to come see a baby tbh I'd just wait until it wasn't required. I'd happily meet up outdoors etc, or keep my distance until you felt more comfortable etc though

Namechanger355 · 21/07/2022 21:07

bakewellbride · 21/07/2022 21:05

I would never bother with this and neither would my nhs frontline dh but each to their own.

But can’t you explain to the op why your frontline DH wouldn’t bother - given op’s understandable concerns

and I’m also pregnant and have been wondering the same thing tbh

madmadamemim · 21/07/2022 21:08

I would have no problem doing this is the parents asked. Who wants covid when they've just had a new baby?!

Numbat2022 · 21/07/2022 21:08

I would happily test before visiting if you asked. You definitely don't want to be ill with a newborn.

Purpleforthewin · 21/07/2022 21:09

Given COVID tests aren't freely available as they were, I don't think you can expect people to take a COVID test. Wearing a mask would be more reasonable and sanitising hands.

MeenzAmRhoi · 21/07/2022 21:09

Can you still get tests in the uk? My understanding was that it is quite difficult now?

I understand you wanting to protect your newborn though, I don't think anyone feeling under the weather, regardless whether it's COVID or not, should be visiting a newborn, and I'd assume that's common knowledge anyway.

SunSparkle · 21/07/2022 21:10

My baby was born Feb 21 before we could all get vaccinated so I asked people to lateral flow before coming over. Hand washing etc. I was more worried I would get it and not be able to breastfeed her/look after her due to being too poorly rather than worrying about her getting in as the indication was that most babies were relatively unaffected. I think it’s acceptable to ask if it’s causing you anxiety.

pinksquash13 · 21/07/2022 21:11

Can you provide the test? I would be absolutely happy to test but not so much to go out and spend £10 on a pack. I personally wouldn't ask regular visitors if you have them e.g. your parents / in laws as might get a bit ridiculous.

Darbs76 · 21/07/2022 21:12

I personally would test anyway before visiting a newborn

bakewellbride · 21/07/2022 21:15

@Namechanger355 it's our personal preference, I'm really sorry I can't really elaborate! It's just not important to us but I appreciate it matters to others.

Belephant · 21/07/2022 21:15

Darbs76 · 21/07/2022 21:12

I personally would test anyway before visiting a newborn

I would too. As for comparisons with cold and flu, if I could easily get hold of a test to tell me if I'm asymptomatically carrying anything that would make life a misery in those early weeks with a baby, I'd definitely do so!

itisdarkinhere · 21/07/2022 21:16

My daughter had a baby a little while ago. She politely texted everyone who was likely to visit to ask if they could do a Covid-19 test wear a mask and wash their hands before seeing her son. Everyone apart from one was lovely about it. It is a perfectly reasonably thing to do x

bakewellbride · 21/07/2022 21:16

@Namechanger355 we've obviously been vaccinated but that's as far as my effort extends. If someone was desperate for me to test before meeting their baby then I'd do it but I thought the question was if we'd make others test if in the op's shoes so I answered no.

Whatever00 · 21/07/2022 21:18

I had my youngest in May 2020. I was on the shielding list ECV and had no visitors. I even stopped the HV from coming so this wasn't something I had to think about. However, I would test before I came to visit a newborn. Babies are hard work at the best if times. I would hate to make one sick. I think asking for coving test is fine. If someone doesn't want to do it insisting on good hygiene and a mask is also reasonable.

justanotherlaura · 21/07/2022 21:21

Everyone I know that's had it recently has had negative tests until 2-4 days after symptoms appeared. My MIL visited on Sunday and got a positive on Monday, she'd done a test before she came because she was feeling a little under the weather.

I'd just stick to what we would have done before covid, if you're not feeling well please postpone your visit

pinkunicorns54 · 21/07/2022 21:23

I wouldn't ask people, but my older child will be going to nursery when baby 2 is born, so more likely to bring something back from there!

BCBird · 22/12/2022 17:07

I don't think it's unreasinablevto ask. You should test though too. I would not expect someone to visit if they'd got a cold in these circumstances.

Lenald · 22/12/2022 20:34

Pointless. Unless you’re going to request for people to take tests for all the other common viruses as well.

Luckyducker · 22/12/2022 20:36

I would just visit someone else.

Ttbhappy · 22/12/2022 20:37

Bit silly. You need to be careful as it's normal and natural yo be exposed to germs you don't want to go the other way.

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 22/12/2022 20:39

Completely reasonable. I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at you asking.

I have a colleague whose wife is 3rd trimester. At work, we mostly WFH but meet in the office once or twice a fortnight. We all test before going in so that we don’t risk passing COVID to his wife through him. Maybe in Canada we’re more cautious about these things, but 3rd trimester + newborns are no joke for any illness, and I believe COVID is particularly risky for women in 3rd trimester and recently postpartum.