AIBU to keep newborn away from people with a cold?

[AWholeNewWorls]

I'm a first time mum to a 4 week old. Last week 3/5 members of my family had covid (siblings and one parent) they are all negative this week but still have symptoms of infection (cough, congested nose etc). The parent that did not have covid is also exhibiting flu like symptoms - shivering, high temp, bad cough but has tested negative, multiple times, for covid.

The advice I've been given is to keep baby away from people with infectious symptoms. My parents want to come and see the baby as do my siblings (all live in the same house). I said I'd like them to wait until their symptoms are gone. My mum thinks I'm being over the top and making myself anxious over nothing. And also said 'well why don't you have your in laws over then' in a bit of a sniffy way. The reality is my MIL does have a cold and doesn't want to come because she's worried the baby will catch it

AIBU to want them to stay away until their colds pass?

It would be stupid to risk a newborn baby to any type of cold/covid etc!
you’re doing the right thing, they just don’t like it!

congrats ❤️

YANBU. I can't believe someone would want to visit a baby if they had a cold, I'd keep them away and judge them hard for even thinking it!

My mum works with children and so I thought she'd know better.

When our DC was two weeks old we needed to go to a specific hospital which DH and I thought we could get the tube to (it was off peak hours and we live on the outskirts of London) but my mum reprimanded me saying I was.foolish to take a newborn on such a germy mode of transport. So fast forward two weeks, I thought I was ok telling them not to come given they are recovering from colds/covid

I hate being made to feel like I'm being OTT. And everytime I try and explain why (ie. The science) I get replies like 'ok ok, we know, we didn't say we were coming did we'

You shouldn't have to explain anything, it's just basic common sense. Why would they want to inflict a cold on anyone, especially a baby. What utter selfish people

Your instincts are absolutely right (they usually are). Tell them to wait until their symptoms have gone.
congratulations 😃

I've been telling them not to come but they're so persistent and making me feel like I'm the one who is being over the top. I am generally not the most assertive person but motherhood is really pushing me out of my comfort zone and making me have tricky conversations with people!

You don't want to knowingly subject a newborn to infection.

www.verywellhealth.com/babies-and-infants-with-fever-2633576

Sorry to read this - they should be more respectful of you and your child. It’s good to read that becoming a parent is pushing you into your new super power

YANBU - so, what will you do if they turn up?
The issue seems to be more about answering someone who says you are being OTT so prepare some replies / questions eg How would you feel
if baby X became unwell after your visit?

It’s odd they say ‘ok,ok…’ etc in other words they know they are being unreasonable

Stand your ground

Trust your instincts

Congratulations on your baby and well done for being assertive. Them coming to see the baby does not benefit the baby in any way whatsoever so they can bloody hang on and wait. You need sleep and rest and minimal stress. And not people full of cold being near your baby!

Tell them to tell you when they are symptom free, and you will then give a date when you are ready for visitors.

I'm already planning on announcing a no visitors rule for my new baby until they are at least a few weeks old. The sleep deprivation with my first was brutal so this time around I'm prioritising rest.

Of course, where reasonably possible, you want to keep people with colds away from neonates. Cold viruses can give babies bronchiolitis, which can require hospitalisation. When it's a member of the household, you can't always avoid it. But having someone with cold symptoms actually visit a neonate is insane.