Asked to wash hands before handling newborn baby?

[AliciaJohns]

I am genuinely asking here. I went to see a friend the other day who has a week old baby. Her dh said (very politely) "would you mind washing your hands before you pick him up?"

I wasn't offended, just confused as I have never been asked to do this before nor would it have crossed my mind to ask people to wash their hands before handling my son!

My hands were clean by the way, in case you think they were caked in mud or something!!

Is this a bit weird? Or am I??!

I don't think it's weird.... I'm always shocked at the number of people that seem to think it's alright not to wash their hands after going to the loo, then touching the door handle on the way out... ugh

I would never dream of asking anybody to wash their hands before they held my baby

Who was it said earlier "theyre not made of sugar"

macdoodle, I hope your lo is OK now.

I agree, its no big deal really, is it (hand washing that is).

thank you twofalls she seems ok though I am very shaken - I would previously never considered asking someone to wash their hands.....BUT "it was a speck of dust" that nearly killed my baby - no doubt about that - she caught something off someone (maybe even me) and she was too little to fight it (even being a fat healthy baby on 98th centile being ex BF).....
I was prev of the "build up their immunity" school of thought - what a load of crock - does it need to nearly kill them to build their immunity up -....
Now I just want to scream whenever anyone touches my baby (especially my friends 2 grubby toddlers) and was tempted to spray them with the hand gel in my bag - yes I know I am being neurotic but I NEVER EVER want to go through anything like that again ..and if all it takes is washing my bloody hands then I will ...and so will everyone else if they want to handle my baby

Yes I asked everyone to wash their hands with all my newborns!! What's the problem with a bit of hygiene?
While in the hospital there were notices everywhere to remind us to ask the nurses and doctors etc if they had washed their hands, and most of the time when I did, I got huffed or frowned at.. I mean WTF ? There is such a huge MRSA problem why can't they wash their hands?

Anyone who gets huffy about being asked to wash their hands, or says "well, I have three healthy kids and we never did that" ... once again: it's NOT ABOUT YOU. It's about someone else's vulnerable, newly born baby who is too little for the "peck of dirt" rule to apply. FGS -- wish there was a way to just prevent ignorant, defensive morons from holding newborns, then we'd be fine.

Sorry but I get really hacked off with people who compete to show how relaxed they are about hygiene, as though it demonstrates how much they've risen above the folly of modern life, or something. Read the research, fools: newborns are not as tough as older babies. Thank your stars your own LOs have never had their lives threatened by infections.

It would never have entered my mind to ask someone to wash their hands before picking up ds, but I was certainly pernickity (sp) about plenty of things, so although you would need to ask me (i just wouldn't think about it) I certainly would not be offended.

Oh dear, I hold my hands up to being a freak then!!!!

I have to say though, I didn't actually ask people to wash their hands. I had some antibacterial hand gel stuff I used and most people would just ask for some when they saw me use it.

DS was my first baby and that antibacterial hand gel thing lasted about a week until I got a bit slack and forgot all about it after that!!! I must admit, I wouldn't do the same for any future children. Think it's maybe a tad excessive but I'd go along with it while the baby's very young. Can never be too careful and the parents are just doing what they think is best. Can't do any harm, I'm sure the novelty of washing hands every few mins will wear off!

I agree that with a newborn, especially while in hospital, it's vital to wash hands. Far too many nasties lurking about in hospitals. Even now actually if I've been cooking or cleaning or dusting I still make sure my hands are washed before going any where near our 7 month old, I just don't rely on the gel anymore!

It's the age old theory of the more children you have the less likely you are to worry about germs etc

With DD1 I used to ask those who smoked (or had grubby hands) to wash their hands (or would even sometimes just not give them the opportunity to have a cuddle with DD1 by, convieniently, having to feed her or something) but otherwise not too bothered (if I knew them to be grotty folk I wouldn't invite them round

But now, with DD2, any old mucky pup can have a cuddle (still frowning at those who smoke and don't allow cuddles)

We bough a couple of bottles of the antibacterial dry hand wash- kept it in front room and kitchen and found people used it of their own free will- dont think i would have asked someone to use it or wash hands though- (my DD is 6 weeks now)

Think anyone who is going to pick up or touch a newborn should wash their hands properly. The number of people who go to the loo, pick their noses etc without washing their hands are loads.

So, one or two people are upset. Whats that compared to a babies health.

We had to go as far as making MIL and FIL use alcohol gel before touching our little one, as because I was BF, and on steroids that suppress my immune system, and they have appaling levels of personal hygiene due to mental illnesses, we couldn't risk it. My nephew was almost killed by bronchiolitis, and was told he was not allowed to get a cold for 6 months after he pulled through. I wash my hands voluntarily when I visit them. (also use alcohol gel on shopping trolleys, nasty germ ridden things)