When to allow visitors to see newborn

[ElderMillennial]

Interested in others' views on when they would allow family to visit newborn baby in light of covid and possibility of picking up bugs anyway. Baby was born three weeks early and is quite small so we are cautious but would be anyway due to the pandemic.

Thinking of allowing grandparents only for now.

Grandparents we have said a week but really when we feel ready for visitors!

Don't be afraid to be careful. It's ok to say no or implement additional hygiene rules. If I had a baby I'd definitely insist on hand washing before touching / holding baby, absolutely no kissing etc. I'd probably not be keen to even allow cuddles with a newborn at the moment TBH but would probably say ok to visits if socially distanced. Limit the number of different visitors in quick succession to minimise risk.

Once you’re home and feel ready.

My parents will see baby as soon as we are home as they will be looking after our older 5 at our house. Other grandparents and our siblings will be welcome once we've had chance to settle in, within a few days to a week after birth most likely. Extended family and friends will come when suits but I'm not going to be putting a time frame on it, just one set at a time though and not have them stay too long.

We had our baby in the middle of the 2020 lockdown before vaccines, so our GP's sadly didn't meet her until last month. Assuming all your relatives have been vaccinated, I'd say do it as soon as you're ready, but think about having an outside meet up in the garden or a park if you don't have a garden. That way it's much safer.

Above all it's when you feel comfortable and not before!

Congratulations! X

Whenever YOU feel ready is the simple answer.

For me, all visitors would have to wash their hands before holding little one but I think that is standard with new borns, no?

Obviously if anyone is feeling unwell they have to stay away but other than that, as soon as I felt prepared for visitors, I'd crack on with having people round.

DS is 11 days old. Grandparents came the same day (DS was born at home) and now come over a few times a week. We were so strict about not seeing anyone in last weeks of pregnancy it’s been so lovely to spend end time with them and see them interact with baby.

I think we’ll start seeing friends after about 3 weeks. The plan is to only let family hold him though, our relatives have all be double jabbed and do lateral flow tests (without being asked) before they come. Whereas most of our friends are only just getting their first vaccine.

Grandparents in the first week and friends the week after. Was lovely to see people and let them get to know the baby, was great to have some good news after all this!!

But if you’re worried, maybe ask if the visitors have had jabs as you’ve been in hospital you are more likely to have picked up something and I imagine you don’t want to pass anything on. We had some some lateral flow test last we took before after I was discharged.

First baby I take it? I recently had my second my parents met the baby as soon as we came home because they were looking after the older one. I’ll allow anyone I know to hold him because it’s nice to have a break and every adult I know has had at least one jab now. He had a cold at 2 weeks old from courtesy of his big sister and let’s face it she’s the biggest covid risk as most infections are in schools now. I personally don’t see the point in being funny about adults when we live with a miniature germ factory. But it’s up to you what you feel comfortable with!